The daughter of a deceased Vietnam veteran received an important piece of her family history today, thirty years after it had gone missing.

Representative Kristi Noem presented Debra Best with a replacement National Defense Service Medal.The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the armed forces. Debra’s father, Michael Kiecksee, served in the U.S. Army from 1972 to 1975 during the Vietnam War. After he was released from the war, his National Defense Service Medal disappeared.

Best sent a request for some information on her father's army records. After reading through them, she realized that he received a couple of medals. She got in contact with Noem's office, who told Best that it could be replaced.

“It's an honor for my father,” said Best. “I wish he could be here today to receive it. I know I don't think he thought that this could ever be replaced. 

Best says the medal will go well next to her father's flag.

Representative Noem hopes that people realize that one of the things her office can do is petition to get medals replaced or see if veterans are eligible for medals. Noem finds that replacing medals prompts veterans to start telling their stories again of their service. She says that's something that needs to be passed on to future generations.