Are military Medals really worth Stealing

CSM Michael Lynch — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 11:09:37 -0400

It is a shame that someone took this hero's medals form him and his family. I wasn't aware they worth money to anyone, but apparently they are, as discussed in this article.

The family can get them reissued through the VA, but it just appalls me that someone would steal them out of greed. I hope the family gets the originals back and they have their grandfathers history for the newborn grandson

Mission to recover medals honoring grandfather unfolds

From a small house on a quiet street in an unassuming northeast Ohio city, the war medals honoring Milan Dungjen’s service to the United States vanished.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Mar 16 at 2015 11:43 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 11:43:06 -0400

You would be surprised what people will actual pay for vintage medals. Especially ones that are engraved/dated.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 31 at 2015 5:51 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 05:51:37 -0400

CSM Michael Lynch Mike, we all know some people will do anything to get a buck. Acts like this are deplorable. If you would go into a Military Surplus Store, where there is not a military base, you wouldn't believe the prices they put on a medal set. The asking prices for them are crazy. It is disgusting that someone would do this to a combat vet. I have my Purple Heart and first BSM displayed in my house. They remind me of what I have done for our great country. I will pass them down to my son who is a 12B when the time comes. As for the getting a replacement set, it wouldn't be the same, after all it is not the medal that was pinned on the person. If you ever get a chance to look at the quality of how the older medal sets are made, to include the box they come in, there is no comparison. The old ones are made better and the box is very nice. I wish the ones that I received were as nice as the old ones.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Mar 11 at 2017 10:02 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Sat, 11 Mar 2017 22:02:41 -0500

I sure hope this doesn't continue or happen to any other veterans that earned them. Not only are they a show piece and talking point when family and friends visit, they are reminders of what each of us accomplished as honorable service members.

Response by SSG Darrell Peters made Dec 8 at 2019 1:50 PM

SSG Darrell Peters — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 13:50:25 -0500

There is a Federal Law concerning the purchase of medals. 18 U.S. Code § 704.Military medals or decorations. It is Legal to collect military medals you just cannot claim that you earned them. I have a problem with private collectors. I am sure some do it to preserve history although others are purely motivated by greed. While some Museums have medals donated to them, they have also purchased them from private collectors, because the majority of families want to keep their loved one's medals and pass them down. It is illegal to sell or purchase the Medal of Honor. The above-cited law describes the penalties concerning the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Airforce Cross, and the Navy Cross.
I don't have any children and sadly one of my relatives compares my decorations to "Boy Scout" badges. This is what happens when you have a generation that is detached from the military. They don't care what the Decorations Represent but if they can get money from them at a Pawn shop off they go.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Jun 9 at 2021 1:53 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 13:53:21 -0400

You can buy them at any Army Navy Store, on line I’d imagine. The biggies you can’t as far as I know though. You going to steal a medal from a veteran to make $10, hell ask he’d probably give you a few bucks.

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Dec 9 at 2021 11:26 AM

SSG Ralph Watkins — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 11:26:10 -0500

When my grandparents died we had family that descended upon their estate like vultures. That was about 30 years ago. I was promised my grandfather's WW-I medals. They were in a display case that was made up in the 1960s. In the mid-70s, he ended up being awarded two SSMs from two separate incidents in WW-I. They went into a separate case. All my rotten family cared about was how much could they sell the lot for. Screw em. About 3 years ago my one niece said she had a box that sat in her garage for about 20 years. My one aunt had dropped off a bunch of stuff & the box was never opened. My grandfather's older medals were not there but his two Silver Stars were in the box. I was so happy that they resurfaced. I have one & my sister has the other. We don't talk to the greedy side of our family.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Dec 9 at 2021 12:15 PM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 12:15:11 -0500

NO. Most of the medals and ribbons in today's military are for show and make the member look like a "hero". The military, with its ribbons and medals remind me of Little League. All the players get a trophy for participation. Example: The Viet Nam Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, etc. I would recommend get rid of all medals and ribbons below the Commendation Medal.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Dec 9 at 2021 3:00 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 15:00:41 -0500

Except for the big ones hell you can buy them off Sgt Grit, no reason to steal a damn thing from a Vet who earned them. If they catch them they should put them in jail, it should be a felony well beyond monetary value.