Q&A for How to Wear Medals on Civilian Clothes

That depends in part on the size of the medals. For example, U.S. Navy personnel can wear up to 3 large medals in a row, but as many as 5 miniature medals in a row.

In the U.S. and U.K., you can legally wear medals you didn’t earn. However, it’s illegal to use medals or other military attire to impersonate a veteran or a member of the military—so you can wear them, but be honest about where they came from!

This varies depending on your country and the military branch in which your father served. In the U.S., for example, you will need to send a request to the military service records department of the appropriate military branch. You can find more information at archives.gov.

Your other service awards and the manner in which you wear them are specifically covered in the Army regulations. You can choose to wear the other service award in the manner it was awarded, minus a couple of Air Force awards that the Army doesn't allow, such as the Air Force Longevity Award. The AFOUA is authorized for wear on the opposite side with your other unit awards. The frame on unit awards has special significance, and if you didn't earn it like that, which you did not for the AFOUA, you shouldn't modify it.

You can wear it anywhere and anytime you want to. It is yours.

If your grandfather is no longer alive, you may wear them on the right side above your breast. This signifies that the medals are not yours. However, if your grandfather is still alive, he should wear the medals himself.

Yes. It is a military event and it would therefore be appropriate for you to wear medals that you've been awarded for your own service.

It is appropriate and encouraged for veterans to wear authorized miniature or full size medals on special occasions such as Remembrance Day.

In the U.S., it is appropriate to wear only the medals. This follows the rule where a commissioned officer's mess dress uniform is worn only with medals, and not ribbons. You may wear either full size or miniature medals. Wear them on your left chest, in the same position as if you would place them on an uniform jacket.

Yes.

Not whilst you are alive, as you should wear them yourself. Once you are gone, he can wear them (or the full size ones) on the right side.

Yes, you can wear your father's military medals during a parade. You would wear them on your right side; this signifies that they are not your medals.

Military regulations, instructions and normal rules of etiquette do not include wearing military items on less formal civilian clothing, such as hats and caps. Normally, only full or miniature-sized medals are worn on the chest during special occasions. In most circumstances, it would be more appropriate to wear replicas of specific ribbons on hats and caps, rather than wearing full size ribbons.

The protocol is the same as it is for men (or the logical equivalent placement, given they probably aren't in a dinner suit).

Since this is not a medal awarded to individuals, wear the lapel pin that you can purchase commercially.

It's traditional to wear only medals on civilian clothing. U.S. Army regulation specifically authorizes retirees and former members to wear medals on special occasions. Some people wear lapel pins that resemble badges earned while serving in the military.

Yes. Just like while serving on active duty, you may wear medals earned from more than one branch of service. Ensure medals are placed in the correct order of precedence.

On special occasions, wear the Purple Heart, along with your other medals, in the proper order of precedence. You may wear one, any or all medals. Place them on your left chest, the same place where ribbons are worn on a dress uniform.

On service uniforms, we sew a "becket," aka a couple of little loops in the same color thread as the jacket that you can poke the pin at the back of the bar through. Some folks contrive something stuffed down the breast pocket to invisibly support their medals on a civvy jacket.

I would not object to a marine wearing an army/air force award from Germany, but your marine buddies might mention that this award could be presented to marines, but not worn by marines. This was the rule for even army commissioned officers. Since it is very rare for a marine to earn this foreign award, I would want to wear it.

wikiHow is a collaborative effort by volunteers. If you see gaps in the information in any of the articles, please feel free to add your knowledge. It really helps when people who know what they're talking about also edit the articles themselves.

My father is in the military and he told me yes, you should wear your other medals.

It is not appropriate to simply put the pin on your work badge, because you did not earn the Purple Heart. You may wear his actual Purple Heart only if he is deceased, and only on special occasions to honor his service. Wear it on your right chest to indicate it's not yours.

Commemorative medals are not actual military awards. While anyone can purchase them, they should be not be worn together with official military medals. If worn on the same piece of clothing, commemorative medals, lapel pins, buttons, or any other items should be physically separate from military medals.

Yes. You may wear your late husband's decorations on your right chest on special occasions, such as Remembrance Day.

If you'd like. Can your clothes accommodate it?

Yes, as a recipient do wear everything given in order of honor.

It is usually frowned upon to wear someone else's medals. Bring them along in a nice casing, or take them out and temporarily dress them over the sleeve of your jacket at the right moment.

Yes, it is sometimes appropriate to wear military medals to royals ceremonies. If and when there's any doubt, contact the staff member who sent the invitation.

Place the the Veteran's Badge pin on the left lapel of your suit jacket, or in the similar position on the upper left chest of your shirt or jacket.