How to Apply for Ribbons From the Navy
Once awarded by the Navy, a military veteran is entitled to wear her ribbons with pride for a lifetime. On occasion however, a ribbon can become misplaced. There's no need to go without. When a ribbon is lost, a replacement ribbon can be obtained from the Navy, usually free of charge, by mailing a request for reissuance to the Bureau of Naval Personnel Liaison Office. After a records check, the Navy will send you the replacement for which you're entitled so that you can display all of your ribbons once again.
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Instructions
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Download and print out a Standard Form (SF) 180 from the national Records Archive homepage to obtain a copy of your military records. Contained in these records is a complete list of the awards that you're entitled to wear. Fill in the record and send to the Bureau of Naval Personnel Liaison Office, Room 5409, 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. Wait the 1-2 weeks for processing before your records are sent to you.
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Examine the records and make a list of your missing ribbons.
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Send a second SF-180 to the Bureau of Naval Personnel Liaison Office with a request for the issuance of the missing awards to you placed into the remarks section. This issuance will include medals as well as ribbons, and is free for one issuance of each award to the Veteran. A small fee may apply for family member requests.
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Wait for processing and completion of the request. The waiting period can take up to a year.
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Tips & Warnings
Skip the first letter if you know precisely what award you need reissued, and begin instead with the request for the issuance.
Purchase commonly awarded ribbons at military surplus stores or pawn shops if you need them for immediate use.
References
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