Numbered Medals Question

[stratasfan]

Hi!  Probably some basic questions here, but exactly what does a number on a medal tell you? Also, can you find out what number a soldier would have been awarded, if you have his service number?

[MasonK]

 

What does a number on a medal tell you? 

 

On some earlier campaign, service and valor medals, you can trace the number back to the specific vet to whom the medal was awarded. Not all, however, are traceable, and many of the databases have not been digitized. This means, you'll need to know someone with access to the lists (many on the forum do, and are willing to do a search if asked nicely 😉). Some medals require the award card being pulled from the Archives (early Purple Hearts, for example). Lastly, some medal numbering can simply tell you when or by whom the medal was manufactured.

 

Can you find out what number a soldier would have been awarded, if you have his service number?

 

You can cross reference the many lists using their name, however it's helpful to know if you feel this individual was or may have been a recipient of the medal.

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This really applies to pre-WWII medals. Some early-war Purple Hearts, more for Pearl Harbor and Wake Island, are traceable, but it's not as cut and dry as checking a list. Still requires pulling their award card from the Archives, which should have the numbering from the medal. The medal should be government engraved to the individual. 

 

I'm sure others can add to this, or correct any mistakes I've made. 

[MasonK]

Topic on campaign medals traceable by number:

 

Discussion on traceability of the Purple Heart, as it's one of the the more common medals that individuals ask if traceable by number. Tom Lane ran a website that discussed this in more detail, however he sadly passed away, and the website is now no longer available.