World War I veterans are eligible to receive a new medal commemorating their wartime service to mark the 75th anniversary of the war.
"We plan to have the vast majority of the medals distributed by Veterans Day, which this year happens to be the 75th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I," said Douglas Wadsworth, Veterans Affairs regional office director in Salt Lake."The medal is intended for every living U.S. veteran who served in World War I," Wadsworth said, adding that the VA will be responsible for receiving and verifying requests for the medal and presenting medals to requesting veterans.
Wadsworth estimated 175 World War I veterans still live in Utah.
The medal was designed by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry. The VA will begin distributing the medals Sept. 1.
Veterans or their representatives can obtain an application for the medal by visiting the VA Regional Office in Salt Lake or by calling the VA at 524-5960. Outside the Salt Lake area, call 1-800-827-1000.