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Founded in 1998, the Forgotten Heroes Project helps the men and women who served in the armed forces receive the medals they earned but never received. To date, the Project has helped over 300 men and women, or their families get the medals they earned while serving our country.

We seek out men and women who served in combat zones and were authorized or awarded medals, ribbons, badges or other special honors but did not receive them. We assist the veteran in getting the appropriate documents completed, conduct the research needed to support the claim and together with members of Congress, work to expedite these medals to these men and women. We also work with local veterans' organizations such as the VFW and American Legion to conduct ceremonies to present these awards on Memorial Day, Veteran's Day and other special occasions.

Some of the service men and women we have already helped include:

  • WWI Veteran Seaman George Evans, US Navy - World War I Victory Medal
  • WWII Veteran SGT George Aaron, US Army - Africa-Middle East Campagin Medal and 3 Bronze Stars
  • Korean War Veteran SGT Douglas Sagara, US Army, Korean Service Medal and Bronze Star
  • Hmong Tribesman Van Truc Vinh - US Army, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Bronze Star

How does the program work?

Through a variety of media and veteran's groups, we seek out men and women who were awarded various medals issued by the United Staes or any other foriegn country, but who have never received them.

The project gets the veteran the correct forms and conducts research to support the case for having the medals issued.

The project uses its extensive contacts within Congress to expedite processing of these applications with the Veteran's Administration. Upon issuance, the project will coordinate presenting the medals to the veteran or family in an appropriate ceremony.

Are there really that many Forgotten Heroes?

We do not fully know how many men and women never received their medals, but we do know that it is more than just a few and ever year we find more. Many of these men and women did not receive the medals they earned due to rapid demobilization, poor record-keeping or plain forgetfulness on the part of the military. Still others were evacuated out of war zones due to injuries and their records never caught up with them as they were convalescing or returned home

We need your assistance

We need your assistance in finding those men and women who did not receive their medals. If you know of a veteran or veteran's family that is seeking medals for one of their loved ones, contact us.

We seek honorably discharged veterans who did not receive medals they earned during their time of service and their families.

Now, with many World War II veterans passing away every day, we are increasing our efforts to locate these valiant men and women and get their medals to them before it is too late.

Now, with many World War II veterans passing away every day, we are increasing our efforts to locate these valiant men and women and get their medals to them before it is too late.

We are also seeking donations to support our efforts to get these medals to these men and women. If you would like to support the project, please contact the post at 303-571-5659 or send a check to:

The Forgotten Heroes Project
c/o VFW Post 1
955 Bannock Street
Denver, CO 80204