How to Position Military Medals Properly in a Shadow Box

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Things You'll Need

  • Shadow box

  • Scissors

  • Dark-colored felt

  • Needle and thread

  • Hot glue gun

  • Medals

Displaying medals in a shadow box is the perfect way to honor a soldier.

A shadow box is the most ideal way of displaying military medals and awards to honor the commitments and sacrifices of soldiers, both fallen and current. The shadow box display will preserve the memory of a decorated soldier for many years to come. Positioning military medals in a shadow box is simple enough, but there are a few traditionally accepted ways of ordering medals in a display.

Advertisement

Step 1

Remove the retaining pins from the display board on your shadow box so that you can later attach the medals.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Cut a piece of dark felt to place over the display board in the shadow box. This is necessary only if your shadow box does not have a felt background already.

Step 3

Sew the medals to the felt piece with a needle and thread. This will prevent them from shifting. A hot glue gun is also an option, but is not recommended as it may damage the backs of the medals.

Step 4

Display the medals in the arrangement you wish, noting that all military medals are traditionally displayed in order of precedence with the highest honors in the top left. For a uniform look, put all like awards together—stars with stars, patches with patches, etc.

Advertisement

Step 5

Position a military photograph of the soldier in uniform near the center of the board. This will make your military medal display more personal and accessible to anyone who sees it; the focal point will be the soldier's face.

Advertisement

Video of the Day

resources