headstones.io

Home › Medallions

VA medallions

When a family has already bought a headstone, VA can send a bronze medallion that marks the person as a Veteran. It attaches to the private stone instead of a second, government one.

“In lieu of a headstone or marker provided under this paragraph (a)(2), veterans described in paragraph (a)(2)(i)(A) of this section are eligible for a medallion to be affixed to their privately purchased headstone or marker if they served in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917.”

Sizes and wording

VA medallions
MedallionSizeWhat it says
Bronze medallion, small2" W x 1-1/2" H x 1/3" D"VETERAN" across the top, branch of service at the bottom
Bronze medallion, medium3-3/4" W x 2-7/8" H x 1/4" D"VETERAN" across the top, branch of service at the bottom
Bronze medallion, large6-3/8" W x 4-3/4" H x 1/2" D"VETERAN" across the top, branch of service at the bottom
Medal of Honor medallion, medium or largetwo sizes (the NCA page doesn't list dimensions)"MEDAL OF HONOR" at the top, branch of service at the bottom

“The bronze medallion is available in three sizes: Small (2"W x 1-1/2"H x 1/3"D), Medium (3-3/4"W x 2-7/8"H x 1/4"D), or Large (6-3/8"W x 4-3/4"H x 1/2"D). Each medallion is inscribed with the word "VETERAN" across the top and the branch of service at the bottom.”

“The Medal of Honor (MOH) Medallion comes in two sizes: Medium or Large . Each medallion is inscribed with "MEDAL OF HONOR" at the top and the branch of service at the bottom.”

“The Veteran's cemetery must approve the size of medallion you apply for.”

Who qualifies

“They must have a character of discharge under honorable conditions or higher, and They must be buried in a private cemetery, and They must have a permanent and privately purchased headstone or marker, and They must meet the eligibility requirements for their specific group”

“Any deceased Veteran discharged under honorable conditions, who served in the Armed Forces on or after April 6, 1917, and is buried in a private cemetery in a grave marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker.”

“Additionally , If the Veteran served as a commissioned officer in active Public Health Service on or after April 6, 1917, they may be eligible for a medallion.”

For National Guard members, VA's medallions page says:

“One of these must be true: The National Guard member was entitled to retirement pay at their time of death (or would have been entitled if they were over 60 years old), or Who was discharged or released for a disability adjudged service-connected or was later determined to have a compensable service connected disability, or The National Guard member served in a federal status, under Title 10 orders, or under Executive Orders (EO/EXO) by the President of the United States and completed their period of time they were called to serve, under Honorable conditions.”

For Reserve members:

“One of these must be true: The Reserve member was entitled to retirement pay at their time of death (or would have been entitled if they were over 60 years old), or The Reserve member was called to active duty for purposes other than training, or The Reserve member was discharged or released for a disability adjudged service-connected or was later determined to have a compensable service connected disability.”

“Note: Reserve members who have only limited active-duty service for training aren't eligible in most cases. They may be eligible in certain situations, such as if they died during or as the result of the training.”

The active-duty service-length rules are on VA's medallions page.

One or the other

“In these instances, eligible Veterans are entitled to either a traditional Government-furnished headstone or marker, or the medallion, but not both.”

“If the gravesite of two Veterans is marked with one privately purchased headstone, e.g., two spouses who have both served in the U.S. Military, two medallions can be requested and affixed to the privately purchased headstone if authorized by the local cemetery official.”

How to apply

“How do I apply for a medallion? You can apply online, by mail or by fax.”

“The claimant signs in block 21; the cemetery or other responsible official signs in block 26.”

“A representative from the Veteran's cemetery must review and sign your application.”

“Note: If you don't have any of these supporting documents, apply anyway. We'll try to get them for you.”

“If a completed 1330M application and military documents are provided, you can expect a decision on your application in 30 days”

For a Medal of Honor medallion, VA's two pages point to different blocks, so check the current form:

“Note: If you're requesting an MOH medallion, check "Other" in block 11 of the form and write "MOH."”

“The applicant must request a Medal of Honor Medallion in in block 13 and submit supporting documentation to VA.”

Installing it

“Once an application for a medallion is received and approved, VA will mail the medallion along with a kit that will allow the family or the staff of a private cemetery to affix the device to a headstone, grave marker, mausoleum or columbarium niche cover.”

“The Government is not responsible for costs associated with affixing the medallion to the privately purchased headstone or marker. Appropriate affixing adhesives, hardware and instructions will be provided with the medallion.”

What to have ready

Sources