Medals of America represents a significant chapter in the preservation of American military history, founded in 1976 by Colonel Frank Foster, a veteran whose vision was to provide a reliable source for military awards and insignia. The catalog emerged during a time when many veterans found it difficult to replace lost medals or properly display their hard-earned decorations with the dignity they deserved. Foster understood that these items are not merely pieces of metal and fabric; they are tangible symbols of sacrifice, courage, and service to the nation. Over the decades, the company has grown from a small operation into a premier destination for active-duty personnel, retired veterans, and their families. The commitment to accuracy and regulatory compliance has made it a trusted name within the military community, ensuring that every ribbon, badge, and medal meets or exceeds official government specifications. This dedication to quality ensures that every veteran can stand tall during reunions, parades, or formal ceremonies.
The catalog offers an expansive inventory that covers every branch of the United States Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and the newly established Space Force. Beyond providing individual medals and ribbons, the service specializes in professional mounting and customization, allowing service members to present their records of achievement in a polished, uniform-ready format. The craftsmen at Medals of America take pride in their work, utilizing traditional techniques alongside modern technology to create ribbon racks and medal sets that are perfectly aligned and securely fastened. For families looking to honor a loved one’s legacy, the catalog provides comprehensive resources for identifying awards based on discharge papers or DD-214 forms. This educational aspect of the service helps bridge the gap between generations, allowing children and grandchildren to understand the significance of the decorations earned by their ancestors. The focus remains on providing a seamless experience for those who have served, ensuring their stories are preserved through high-quality displays and authentic regalia.
The Legacy of Frank Foster and the Founding Mission
The story of Medals of America is deeply intertwined with the personal experience of its founder, Frank Foster. After serving as an Army officer, Foster recognized a void in the market for high-quality, authentic military awards. His goal was to create a centralized resource where veterans could find everything they needed to complete their uniforms or create a lasting memorial of their service. This mission has remained the cornerstone of the company for nearly half a century. The catalog serves as a guide for those navigating the complexities of military protocol, providing clarity on how awards should be worn and displayed. By maintaining a deep archive of historical regulations, the company ensures that even medals from earlier conflicts, such as World War II or the Korean War, are available and accurate to the period. This attention to detail is what sets the catalog apart as a primary resource for historians and collectors alike.
Official Medals and Ribbons for Every Conflict
The inventory within the Medals of America catalog is staggering in its breadth, featuring everything from the Medal of Honor to the National Defense Service Medal. Each piece is sourced or manufactured to meet the rigorous standards set by the Institute of Heraldry. For veterans of the Vietnam War, the catalog offers a chance to reclaim medals that may have been lost over time, including the Vietnam Service Medal and various gallantry crosses. Similarly, those who served in more recent operations like Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, or Enduring Freedom will find a complete selection of campaign medals and expeditionary awards. The catalog also includes a wide array of foreign awards and UN medals that American service members may have been authorized to wear. By providing these authentic pieces, the company helps veterans complete their personal histories with items that are indistinguishable from those originally issued by the Department of Defense.
Professional Ribbon and Medal Mounting Services
One of the most sought-after services featured in the catalog is the professional mounting of ribbons and medals. Known for their “Thin Ribbons,” the company offers a streamlined, flat-profile alternative to the traditional bulky ribbon racks. These are custom-made to the individual’s specific order of precedence, ensuring that the most senior awards are correctly placed at the top. The mounting process involves precision alignment, where each ribbon is carefully placed on a sturdy backing to prevent sagging or misalignment during wear. For formal occasions, the catalog offers full-size and miniature medal mounting. Miniature medals are particularly popular for black-tie events and formal dinners, providing a sophisticated way to display one’s military achievements on a tuxedo or evening dress. The craftsmen ensure that each medal is cleaned, polished, and draped on fresh silk ribbon before being mounted on a professional bar.
Custom Shadow Boxes and Display Solutions
Preserving the artifacts of a military career requires more than just a drawer or a box; it requires a display that reflects the gravity of the service. The Medals of America catalog is renowned for its selection of high-quality shadow boxes, handcrafted in the United States from premium hardwoods like oak, walnut, and cherry. These display cases are designed to house a combination of medals, ribbons, patches, and photographs, creating a visual narrative of a service member’s career. The catalog provides various sizes and styles, from small desktop cases to large wall-mounted units that can accommodate a full uniform or a flag. Each shadow box is built with UV-protective glass to prevent the fading of delicate fabrics and ribbons over time. This focus on longevity ensures that the display can be passed down through generations as a family heirloom.
The Art of Building a Career Display
Creating a shadow box can be an emotional journey, and the catalog provides the tools necessary to make the process straightforward. Using the online “Shadow Box Builder,” customers can virtually arrange their items to see how the final product will look. This tool allows for the inclusion of unit patches, rank insignia, and even dog tags. The catalog also offers custom-engraved brass plates, which can be used to list the service member’s name, rank, dates of service, and major assignments. This level of personalization turns a collection of items into a cohesive tribute. For many veterans, seeing their entire career laid out in a professionally crafted shadow box provides a sense of closure and pride, serving as a constant reminder of their contribution to the nation’s defense.
Flag Cases and Memorial Displays
In addition to career shadow boxes, the catalog features a dignified selection of flag cases. These are specifically designed to hold the burial flag presented to families of deceased veterans. Often made from the same high-quality hardwoods as the shadow boxes, these cases provide a protective and honorable home for the Stars and Stripes. Some models include a separate compartment for medals or a pedestal for an engraved nameplate. These memorial displays are a staple of the Medals of America collection, reflecting the company’s deep respect for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. By offering these products, the catalog assists families in creating a sacred space in their homes to remember and honor their loved ones.
Branch-Specific Apparel and Tactical Gear
While medals and awards are the heart of the catalog, the selection of military apparel and gear is equally impressive. The catalog features a wide range of clothing designed for veterans to wear with pride in their daily lives. This includes embroidered hats, polo shirts, and jackets featuring branch-specific logos and unit patches. The apparel is chosen for its durability and comfort, often incorporating modern moisture-wicking fabrics and high-quality stitching. For those who prefer a more tactical look, the catalog offers field jackets, flight suits, and utility gear that mirrors the equipment used in active service. This allows veterans to maintain a connection to their military identity through their wardrobe, whether they are at a community event or simply running errands.
Custom Embroidery and Unit Pride
A unique aspect of the apparel section is the ability to customize items with specific unit information. The Medals of America catalog maintains a massive database of unit insignias, from famous divisions like the 101st Airborne to specialized units in the Navy and Air Force. Customers can have their specific unit patch embroidered onto a variety of items, including hats and vests. This service is particularly popular for unit reunions, where members of the same platoon or squadron want to show their collective pride. The embroidery is done with precision, ensuring that the colors and details of the original insignia are faithfully reproduced. This attention to detail extends to the selection of rank insignia, which can also be added to many of the apparel items.
Accessories and Everyday Carry Items
The catalog also includes a diverse array of accessories that allow service members to carry a piece of their history with them. This includes challenge coins, watches, wallets, and rings. Challenge coins have a long-standing tradition in the military, and the catalog offers both stock coins for various branches and the option to create custom coins for specific units or events. The jewelry selection features high-quality rings made from sterling silver or gold, often featuring branch emblems and synthetic stones. These items serve as subtle but powerful markers of military service. Additionally, the catalog offers practical items like tactical bags, knives, and multi-tools, ensuring that veterans are equipped with gear that meets the same standards of reliability they expected during their time in uniform.
Navigating the Ordering Process and Ensuring Authenticity
For many, the process of identifying which medals they are entitled to can be daunting. The Medals of America catalog addresses this by providing expert guidance and resources. The company employs military awards specialists who are well-versed in the regulations of all branches. They can assist customers in reading their DD-214 forms and determining the correct order of precedence for their ribbons. This service is invaluable for ensuring that a veteran’s display or uniform is historically and regulatorily accurate. The catalog also provides clear sizing charts for apparel and detailed descriptions of the materials used in every product. This transparency builds trust with the customer, knowing that they are receiving authentic, high-quality items that honor their service.
The Online Rack Builder Tool
To modernize the experience, the catalog features an innovative online “Rack Builder” tool. This interactive feature allows users to select their ribbons from a comprehensive list and see them arranged in the correct order of precedence automatically. The tool accounts for the specific regulations of each branch, including the placement of oak leaf clusters, stars, and other attachments. Once the rack is designed, it can be ordered as a set of standard ribbons or as the popular thin ribbons. This digital resource simplifies what was once a complex and time-consuming task, making it easy for both veterans and active-duty personnel to keep their awards updated as they earn new commendations. The tool is constantly updated to include new awards and changes in military regulations.
Commitment to American Craftsmanship
A significant portion of the products featured in the Medals of America catalog are made right here in the United States. From the hand-assembled ribbon racks to the custom-built shadow boxes, the company prioritizes American labor and materials. This commitment not only ensures a higher level of quality control but also aligns with the patriotic values of the customer base. By supporting domestic manufacturing, the company helps sustain the skills of American craftsmen and provides jobs for fellow veterans. This focus on “Made in the USA” is a point of pride for the company and is prominently featured throughout the catalog. It reinforces the idea that the items used to honor American heroes should be crafted with American hands.
Ultimately, the Medals of America catalog serves as an essential bridge between a service member’s past achievements and their present legacy. By providing a comprehensive suite of authentic awards, professional mounting services, and high-quality display solutions, the company ensures that the stories of American veterans are never forgotten. Whether a customer is looking to update their active-duty uniform, replace a lost medal from decades ago, or create a stunning shadow box for a retiring officer, the catalog offers the expertise and products necessary to do so with the highest level of honor. The dedication to accuracy, quality, and veteran support remains as strong today as it was when Frank Foster first opened the doors in 1976. For anyone looking to preserve military history or celebrate a career of service, the Medals of America Catalog provides the definitive resource for all military honors and regalia.