The Complete Guide to Mounting Military Medals: Preserving Your Service History with Pride

When I first received my discharge papers and collection of service medals, they arrived in a simple plastic case—each one loose, unorganized, and surprisingly vulnerable to damage. Like many veterans, I initially stored them in a drawer, unsure of the best way to display years of dedicated service. It wasn’t until I attended a military reunion and saw a fellow servicemember wearing their medals properly arranged that I realized the importance of professional medal mounting.

Understanding Military Medal Mounting

Medal mounting refers to the process of securely attaching military decorations to a backing board or medal bar in the correct order of precedence. This practice ensures that your awards are displayed according to official regulations while protecting them from wear, loss, or damage.

The tradition of wearing mounted medals dates back centuries, evolving from simple ribbon bars to the sophisticated mounting systems we use today. Whether you’re preparing for a formal military ceremony, a veteran’s event, or simply want to preserve your service history, proper mounting is essential.

Why Proper Mounting Matters

Military medals represent significant achievements, sacrifices, and milestones in a service member’s career. Each decoration tells a story—from deployment to dangerous regions to recognition of exceptional duty performance. Improper mounting can lead to several problems:

Physical Damage: Loose medals can scratch against each other, causing the finish to deteriorate. The ribbons may fray, and mounting hardware can bend or break.

Lost Medals: Without secure mounting, individual medals can easily become separated from your collection, sometimes disappearing forever.

Incorrect Display: Military regulations specify exact placement and spacing for medals. Improper arrangement can appear unprofessional and may not accurately represent your service record.

Difficulty Wearing: Unmounted or poorly mounted medals are cumbersome to wear, making it challenging to participate in ceremonies and formal events.

The Medal Mounting Process

Professional medal mounting involves several precise steps that require knowledge of military protocols and attention to detail.

Verification of Order of Precedence

The first step involves arranging your medals according to the official order of precedence for your branch of service. Each military branch maintains specific regulations about which medals take priority. The highest-ranking decoration appears closest to the heart, with subsequent awards arranged in descending order of importance.

Common categories include valor decorations, service medals, campaign medals, and marksmanship awards. You can learn more about the types of medals which also covers materials, purposes, and customization options. The order can vary between branches, and changes occur periodically as new medals are authorized.

Selection of Mounting Style

Service members can choose between several mounting options:

Court Mounting: This traditional method involves sewing medals onto a fabric backing, creating a flexible display that drapes naturally when worn. Court mounting is popular in many Commonwealth countries and among those who prefer a classic appearance.

Swing Mounting: Medals hang freely from a bar, allowing them to move naturally. This style provides an authentic military appearance and works well for full-sized decorations.

Rigid Bar Mounting: Medals are attached to a solid metal bar with proper spacing. This American military standard creates a neat, uniform appearance and is the most common choice for active duty and veteran wear.

Measurement and Spacing

Precise measurements ensure compliance with military regulations. Standard spacing between medals typically measures 1/8 inch, though this can vary based on the number of awards and the width of your chest. When mounting multiple rows, vertical spacing must also be calculated correctly.

Attachment and Finishing

Professional mounters use specialized hardware and techniques to secure each medal. The backing must be sturdy enough to support the weight of the medals while remaining comfortable to wear. Mounting pins or clips attach the assembled medals to your uniform or display case.

Army Medal Mounting Specifics

Army regulations provide detailed guidance for medal display. Army personnel must follow AR 670-1, which covers uniform wear and appearance standards. The regulation specifies that medals are worn on the left side of the uniform, centered between the arm and lapel.

For Army service members, the order of precedence begins with the Medal of Honor, followed by Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, and continues through unit awards and service ribbons. The Army updates its precedence list periodically, so maintaining current information is important.

Army medals may be worn as full-sized decorations, miniature medals, or ribbon-only displays depending on the uniform type and occasion. Full-sized medals appear on dress uniforms during formal events, while ribbons suffice for daily duty uniforms.

DIY Mounting vs. Professional Services

Some veterans attempt to mount their own medals, which can work for simple collections. Basic mounting supplies are available through military exchanges and specialty retailers. However, several factors make professional mounting worthwhile:

Professional mounters possess detailed knowledge of current regulations across all service branches. They maintain updated precedence lists and understand the nuances of medal placement for joint service members or those with inter-service transfers.

The tools and materials used by professionals often exceed what’s available to individual consumers. Industrial-grade adhesives, precision measuring equipment, and specialized hardware ensure long-lasting results.

Complex medal collections—particularly those with multiple rows or rare decorations—benefit significantly from professional expertise. The time investment required for proper DIY mounting can be substantial, especially when accounting for research, measurement, and potential mistakes.

Caring for Mounted Medals

Once your medals are properly mounted, ongoing care helps preserve them for decades.

Store mounted medals in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. Ultraviolet rays can fade ribbons and damage the finish on metal components. Acid-free storage materials prevent tarnishing and corrosion.

Handle your medals by the edges or backing rather than touching the decorations directly. Oils from skin contact can cause discoloration over time.

For medals that will be worn regularly, inspect the mounting hardware before each use. Pins should be secure, and any worn components should be replaced promptly to prevent loss during wear.

Clean medals gently using appropriate methods for the specific metal composition. Most modern medals can be wiped with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that might scratch or damage the finish.

When to Remount Your Medals

Several situations warrant remounting your medal collection:

New Awards: When you receive additional decorations, your entire display may need reconfiguration to maintain proper precedence and spacing.

Regulation Changes: Periodic updates to military regulations can affect medal placement or require different mounting styles.

Wear and Damage: Over time, ribbons fade, backing materials deteriorate, and hardware loosens. Remounting restores your display to proper condition.

Transfer or Promotion: Changes in duty status or rank sometimes necessitate adjustments to how medals are displayed.

Display Options Beyond Wearing

Many veterans choose to create permanent displays of their service medals for home or office settings. Shadow boxes offer an elegant solution, protecting medals while making them visible for family and visitors. These displays can include other memorabilia such as rank insignia, unit patches, photographs, and certificates.

Desktop or wall-mounted frames provide another option, particularly for smaller collections. Some veterans create timeline displays that show their career progression alongside their accumulated awards.

Preservation for Future Generations

Properly mounted and preserved medals become treasured family heirlooms. They provide tangible connections to military service that can be passed down through generations. Taking time to document the story behind each medal—including dates, locations, and circumstances of the award—adds invaluable context for family members who may not fully understand military traditions.

Many museums and historical societies accept donations of military medals and related items, ensuring that service records are preserved as part of our national heritage.

Finding Qualified Mounting Services

When selecting a professional mounting service, look for providers with military experience who understand current regulations. Many reputable services are operated by veterans who bring personal knowledge to their work.

Request examples of previous work and verify that the service uses appropriate materials and techniques. Turnaround time varies, but quality work typically requires several weeks to complete properly.

Cost depends on the number of medals, mounting style, and any additional services such as replacement ribbons or cleaning. While professional mounting represents an investment, the results protect your decorations and ensure proper display for years to come.

Conclusion

Your military medals represent more than metal and ribbon—they embody service, sacrifice, and achievement. Whether you earned a single service medal or a chest full of decorations, proper mounting ensures these symbols of dedication are displayed with the respect they deserve. Taking the time to mount medals correctly honors not just your own service, but the traditions of those who served before and those who will follow after.