Help with response from National Personal Records Center

Hi all!

A while ago I requested my grandfather's medals from the National Personal Records Center I finally heard back from the National Personnel Records Center today. They said "Multiple sets of medals are not authorized. We cannot comply with your request. We enclosed a copy of a previous awards case number". So it seems my grandfather requested his medals as well. The form they sent (dated 1990) also has me confused it states the :BSM is based on the CIB", though I believe he was discharged before that was enacted (though I could be wrong- he was discharged Jan 1946) and his discharge papers state BSM on there as well. They also said they "are unable to verify your entitlement to the award of the Purple Heart" even though he was able to get a state issued license plate w/ the PH, and his discharge paper states Purple Heart as well. This seems weird that they were unable to verify the PH even though his military discharge papers state Purple Heart.

This seems to have left me with more questions than answers.

If you have any recommendations or explanations I'd really appreciate it!

Thank you like always!

 

The Bronze Star Medal (without a V for valor device) was awarded to all WW2-era recipients of the Combat Infantry Badge, retroactively, in 1947.

If it were me and I had evidence that my relative earned that Purple Heart and NPRC wasn't cooperating, I might consider contacting my state representative.

 

Hello,

You may be able to get assistance from http://purpleheartsreunited.org/. While their mission, "is to return lost or stolen military medals of valor to veterans or their families, in order to honor their sacrifice to the nation," they may also be of assistance in helping you navigate the system to get you a replacement Purple Heart. There are cases where they have assisted in doing that.

Don't loose hope. I requested my grandfather's records from the National Archives and it took them 6 months to send them to me. When I did receive them, I also received someone else's paperwork. The system is frustrating and takes forever to navigate. Patience and time usually pays off. These forums are helpful because they have people that have done the same thing that you are attempting to do. They may tell you about things about which you do not know that can assist you.