Help restoring/cleaning military medals

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:00 am

Thanks a lot for that link, Dusty. That's a quick, easy, and not very expensive solution. I still think I'll chat with mom about it first and see what she thinks about getting replacements or using the originals.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:19 am

If you can determine the feasibility of 'disassembling' the ribbon from the bar you might be able to evaporust treat the metal bar and 'dry' clean the fabric(?). Corn meal can sometimes absorb dirt etc. from fabric. Only you know the condition to determine if the parts would survive.

You didn't show any 'medals' corresponding to the bars. If he doesn't have them(actual ribbon/medals) they would make a nice 'addition'.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:22 pm

heathicus wrote: I would still really like to get rid of that rust on the back of that bar, though.

I'm knot sure if this can be done. But can ya get a new bar to use to replace the rusted metal?

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 2:31 pm

beeg wrote:I'm knot sure if this can be done. But can ya get a new bar to use to replace the rusted metal?

Ribbon bars are available at almost any military post - in the exchange.

To purchase in the exchange one must have exchange privileges. The links that have been provided in this thread are also an available source.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 2:37 pm

As a result of this thread, I searched a couple of the links looking for some information for myself and I came away with a question.

Regarding "jump" recognition awards, are they all handled by the Army? I was unable to find a "jump" related award that did not reference the Army though I know that members of the other services wear them.

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:03 pm

Heath - Not knowing you dad or your mom's knowledge of your dad's wishes, maybe just concentrate on the display case and leave the metals as is until after you present him with it. The display case is the surprise, the metals aren't. You can then talk to him to see how he'd like them displayed, as is, restored, or replaced, including the rusty bar.

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:03 pm

dusty wrote:As a result of this thread, I searched a couple of the links looking for some information for myself and I came away with a question.

Regarding "jump" recognition awards, are they all handled by the Army? I was unable to find a "jump" related award that did not reference the Army though I know that members of the other services wear them.

I have no personal military experience so I can't say for sure. But I recall my dad telling me a story from his "jump" school. I'll tell it to the best of my recollection, but my memory is fuzzy so understand some of the details may not be accurate. Dad was a RECON Marine, but his "jump" classes were being administered by the Army. Each time it was Dad's turn to jump off the platform, the Army teacher would ask him his MOS. Dad would say "Recon" and the Army teacher would "correct" him and try to get him to say the Army equivalent of the term. Dad wouldn't and it made that Army teacher mad. So the teacher made him do sit ups. Every round the teacher would ask, Dad would say "Recon", the teacher would get angrier, then Dad would have to do more sit ups. Dad never gave in and proudly answered "Recon" every time the question was asked.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. Still not sure what to do, but I'm going to ponder it for a few days, talk it over with mom, etc. If anybody has any other suggestions, please speak up!

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 3:05 pm

Heath - Not knowing your dad or your mom's knowledge of your dad's wishes, maybe just concentrate on the display case and leave the metals as is until after you present him with it. The display case is the surprise, the metals aren't. You can then talk to him to see how he'd like them displayed, as is, restored, or replaced, including the rusty bar.

qtndas01 · Post by **qtndas01** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:44 pm

I have made cases for a couple of friends of mine that were is Vietnam. One was a medic in the Big Red 1 and came home and one I made for the brother of a friend that didn't come home (25th Infantry/ Tropical Lightning). Fortunately I came home. I replaced some things from the sight in the other replies. I wish I had pictures to show you but I don't. I put rank, medals, ribbons, insignias, unit patches and a plaque I had made in the arrangement. Some things I put inside the division braid. You can get a list of all medals and ribbons received from the govt. You can also get replacements (one time only) but it takes quiet a while. I also made one myself and will see if I can get a picture of mine and put it on the forum. Be careful, some vets still have alot of bad feelings and are still bitter. If he doesn't talk at all about his time there may be a problem. Hopefully coming from his son it would be a blessing. The medic I know still has not been to the wall and we live only 4 hours from D.C. At times I still have harsh feelings towards people I know went to college to beat the draft.
If you have anymore questions on construction send me a private message.

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:26 pm

Hey qtndas01....https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=3464