How do I get a CERTIFIED COPY of an original document in National Archives? The US Army AWARDS AND DECORATIONS BRANCH requires that a request to have a Medal awarded to a soldier be supported by "Original, verifiable documents" from National Archives.

It might depend on the type of medal that was awarded.  For example, during WWII an Army's Distinguished Service Cross would be announced in one of the General Orders for the soldier on a Division level. For example, I found a DSC citation for one man in Company C of the 104th Infantry Regiment in General Orders No. 134 (1945) issued by Headquarters, Third U.S. Army.  Hope this is helpful...

Dear Mr. Czopek,

The National Archives provides certification of records for a fee. The current fee for record certification is $15.00 in addition to the cost of the reproductions. Certification fees will be charged per 150 pages certified. For more information, please see NARA’s Reproduction Fees as of March 1, 2017.

Typically awards are listed in the individual’s personnel file. Most Army personnel files are in the custody of the the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, but it depends on the time period. If you have not already requested the individual’s personnel file, we suggest you start there. There is an overview and instructions on how to submit a request on our Military Service Records website. You may want to note in your request that you are interested in verifying awards and list the awards you know of. Also indicate that you need the records certified.

The Textual Reference Archives II Branch at the National Archives in College Park, MD, has custody of Army unit records for World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. However, they generally do not contain information about individual service. Although there are some Army awards case files for the Vietnam War, until 1969, awards case files were routinely disposed after their administrative purposes had been served, so there are very few awards case files prior to that time. While the unit records often contain general orders which, as Mr. Lusk pointed out, were used to issue awards, there is no name index to the general orders. Please provide more detailed information about the award you are seeking (i.e. date, unit, general order number, etc.) in order for us to conduct a search. The email address is archives2reference@nara.gov. As above, please indicate that you need the records certified.

We hope this information has been helpful.