Help restoring/cleaning military medals

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:21 am

I mentioned in another thread that I am building a display case for some of my dad's Marine Corps medals and such from when he was in Vietnam. Until now, he's just kept them all stuffed in a drawer. I had not even seen them since I was a kid until today. I got my mom to sneak them out of the house and bring them to me. I'm also going to include his dog tags, rank patches, a picture or two, etc. I don't have a final design yet.

Anyway, the medals are in a bit rougher shape than I was expecting. There's been some oxidation of the brass pins, and some rust accumulation and staining on the campaign and service medals.

I want to clean them up, but I'm afraid of damaging them. I'm not sure how to proceed. And I'd like to protect them against such rusting and tarnishing in the future. Does anybody here have any experience or knowledge in this area or perhaps know where to point me? I realize this step of the process isn't really woodworking, but we're a diverse group of people with a diverse set of skills and experiences and I'm hoping someone can give me some guidance. Any help is appreciated.

Below are some of the medals as I received them today.

Here you can see the staining from the heavy amount of rust on the back side of the service medals.

This picture shows the severe rust.

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 12:47 am

heathicus wrote:I mentioned in another thread that I am building a display case for some of my dad's Marine Corps medals and such from when he was in Vietnam. Until now, he's just kept them all stuffed in a drawer. I had not even seen them since I was a kid until today. I got my mom to sneak them out of the house and bring them to me. I'm also going to include his dog tags, rank patches, a picture or two, etc. I don't have a final design yet.

Anyway, the medals are in a bit rougher shape than I was expecting. There's been some oxidation of the brass pins, and some rust accumulation and staining on the campaign and service medals.

I want to clean them up, but I'm afraid of damaging them. I'm not sure how to proceed. And I'd like to protect them against such rusting and tarnishing in the future. Does anybody here have any experience or knowledge in this area or perhaps know where to point me? I realize this step of the process isn't really woodworking, but we're a diverse group of people with a diverse set of skills and experiences and I'm hoping someone can give me some guidance. Any help is appreciated.

Below are some of the medals as I received them today.

Here you can see the staining from the heavy amount of rust on the back side of the service medals.

This picture shows the severe rust.

Hi Heath,

I do knot know how to clean that bar, but you might be able to replace it. http://www.usmilitarystuff.com/index.php?dispatch=categories.view&category_id=69

Here is a search pagewith other such sites.

curiousgeorge · Post by **curiousgeorge** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:22 am

I'm sure that most ex military will tell you to use a product called Brasso on the medals. As for the ribbon bar, I'm almost certain that you can contact the Marine Corps and obtain replacements. You could probably obtain replacements for the medals too if you tell them they were lost. I have a friend that built a medals case for his father and the Army sent replacements. He just had to tell them what medals he needed and they checked his fathers record and sent them to him.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 1:47 am

His records at home may have, his discharge Form (DD-214) will list the medals he has been awarded.

navycop · Post by **navycop** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 4:40 am

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/index.html
Try this link. You can get old service records and metals.

foxtrapper · Post by **foxtrapper** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 6:29 am

You'll destroy their monetary value by cleaning them up, and likely damage them esthetically. Were they my medals, I wouldn't appreciate that at all.

Might I suggest displaying them in the condition they are in right now?

Might I also suggest talking to him about whether or not he wants replacement medals, or wants the originals, with all the wear and patina and damage?

You're doing this for him, make sure it's going to make him happy, and not upset.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:04 am

You might find this helpful.

http://www.usamilitarymedals.com/us-mar ... a970aef541

oldc6 · Post by **oldc6** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:24 am

The site that navycop suggested is the one to use....... I just received mine from them.. It seems like it took about three months to get them.. (Long Binh, Vietnam 1965-1966 85th ordnance company) we were right next to the 93rd med evac complex.........

dlbristol · Post by **dlbristol** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:11 am

foxtrapper wrote:You'll destroy their monetary value by cleaning them up, and likely damage them esthetically. Were they my medals, I wouldn't appreciate that at all.

Might I suggest displaying them in the condition they are in right now?

Might I also suggest talking to him about whether or not he wants replacement medals, or wants the originals, with all the wear and patina and damage?

You're doing this for him, make sure it's going to make him happy, and not upset.

Good advice, I have my medals displayed, just as they were when I got home. Some of the Vets, especially Nam guys, don't do surprises well. You know your Dad, so you have a better idea what is best. You can get any medal you want, to replace the old ones, it is legal and lots of guys do that.

If you can find rank insignia, pictures or other items, they can add to the display. Let me add a thank you for taking the time to do this for your Dad! The fact that YOU did it may be more important than what or how you do it.

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:42 am

foxtrapper wrote:You'll destroy their monetary value by cleaning them up, and likely damage them esthetically. Were they my medals, I wouldn't appreciate that at all.

Might I suggest displaying them in the condition they are in right now?

Might I also suggest talking to him about whether or not he wants replacement medals, or wants the originals, with all the wear and patina and damage?

You're doing this for him, make sure it's going to make him happy, and not upset.

Edit: I initially misread your post. I read it as I should find out whether or not he even wants to display the medals and would appreciate such a display case. I'm leaving my original reply below intact, however.

I appreciate the concern and it's not something that has escaped me. In the past, I don't think it all would have meant much to him (well, my effort would, but not the actual display of the medals). He went through a very long period of time (most of my life and I'm 36) where he just didn't know how to deal with it and didn't talk about it very much. That has started to change over the last several years and he's become quite proud of his service and his time in the Marine Corps and in Vietnam. He's attended some Marine Corps reunions, put emblem stickers on his truck, wears a cap with the Marine Corps logo on it - none of which would he have done when I was younger. At this point, I think he would be proud to have them displayed. Before I decided to do this, I did talk it over with my mom to see what she thought. She thought it was a great idea and thought he would really like it.

Displaying them as they are is a good idea as well. I think I'll talk with mom again about that point. In my mind, I was thinking I wanted them to look the best I could get them to look, but still use his original medals and insignias. I would still really like to get rid of that rust on the back of that bar, though.