This month we welcome a special guest contributor to the Fold3 blog. Michael Strauss is an Accredited Genealogist and works at Ancestry ProGenealogists®.
On July 12, 1973, a catastrophic fire broke out in the National Personnel Record Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri. This facility housed the United States military personnel files. The fire broke out shortly after midnight, and firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes. Crews managed to reach the sixth floor of the complex, but the fire was so intense that it burned out of control for 22 hours. It took four and a half days to extinguish the flames fully.
After the fire was out, the NPRC was tasked with determining the fire’s root cause and deciding how to proceed with recovery efforts for records feared destroyed. Authorities could not determine the cause of the fire, and the staff immediately turned their attention to the records. Was anything salvageable?
Military records lost in the fire
Between 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF) records were either destroyed or damaged due to the fire.
The United States Army personnel records suffered the most from the blaze. Files for personnel discharged between November 1, 1912, to January 1, 1960, were 80% destroyed.
The United States Air Force (founded on September 18, 1947, and separated from the Army) also suffered significant losses. Personnel records from September 25, 1947, to January 1, 1964, were 75% destroyed. The loss began with surnames starting with James E. Hubbard.
Fortunately, the military personnel records from the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard were unaffected by the fire and remain intact.
What is considered archival?
Military personnel records are open to the public 62 years after a service member leaves the military. For genealogical research purposes, records of the Punitive Expedition of 1916, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War should have no restrictions. For any service members separated after 62 years, the records are non-archival and subject to access restrictions. Access is granted and understood to include an immediate family member.
Reconstructing lost records
Three commonly used record sets can be requested to reconstruct losses from the 1973 fire.
Burnt Files: These records called “B Files” survived the blaze but may have either fire and/or water damage, often around the edges of the papers. The staff at the NPRC requires additional time before patrons are allowed to examine the files.
Reconstructed Files: Following the 1973 fire, the NPRC reached out to veterans requesting copies of their original discharges and other personnel military papers. If no burnt file exists and the veteran supplied copies of their relevant papers, the record center will provide copies.
Auxiliary Files: If the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) was destroyed and no burnt file or reconstructed file can be ordered, the NPRC will provide copies of the final payroll forms for the veteran at the time of discharge. These files are typically a few pages in length.
How can Fold3® help you reconstruct a military history when personnel records have been destroyed?
Fold3® has several collections that can help you reconstruct the military history of your ancestor. Valuable sources for the Mexican Punitive Expedition and World War I include service numbers, military units, records of events, and troopships. The following collections can prove very helpful in finding that information:
United States Army Morning Reports 1912-1939
United States Army Transport Service, Passenger Lists
Other sources for WWII research include unit histories, photo collections, and Memorials. In addition, the following collections can help reconstruct service numbers, dates of enlistment, admission to military hospitals, and missing aircrew personnel.
World War II Army Enlistment Records
United States World War II Hospital Admission Card Files, 1942-1954
United States Army Missing Air Crew Reports, World War II
Requesting copies of records
Patrons can request copies of OMPF files online at: https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records or by visiting the NPRC research room by appointment. If you cannot visit the facility, patrons can also employ contractors to request copies of files on their behalf. The other option is to mail in Standard Form #180 filled out (which is a PDF fillable and printable form). This form can be found online at: https://www.archives.gov/files/standard-form-180.pdf and should be mailed to:
National Personnel Records Center
(Military Personnel Records)
1 Archive Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138
Fold3® has nearly 600 million records to help you reconstruct your ancestor’s military history. Start searching our archives today!
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Thank you for this information. Several years ago I requested info from NARA re my uncle, Bkr 3rd Class Robert Leland Whiteley, who died during the battle of the Coral Sea when the USS Lexington was sunk. I gave them all the info I had (birthdate/place, USN service #, death date/place, mother’s name, etc.) They said they found no record of him. My brother has his Purple Heart; I have the telegram sent to Robert’s mother. What now? He’s not a figment of my imagination!
My father’s files are among those burned and lost. He is Corporal Reginald Treloar Ogan. Because we have his discharge papers and several letters he wrote and received while seeking a service related injuries. He received a medical discharge 16 MAR 1945 at Santa Ana Air Base. His ultimate death may have been a result of those injuries. Is anyone besides myself interested in those preserved records?
For Karen Bowman. I have come across two similar examples of a sailor on a ship with no record. In one case I found him in a file of those buried at sea. In the second case. There was a plaque in Hawaii of 25 or so sailors who died when their ship sank.
Thank you for enlightening my mind focusing on Ancestry miltary records. My father was in the Korean War and had addictive tendency after returning causing practioners to not understand how to help him.
I requested information a few years ago, but could only get back a certificate of discharge. Does this mean nothing else survived? or Is there more available now? Conscripted into Army in 1957/ served through 1959. Health records could confirm a lightning strike affliction at Fort Hood in 1957. Was told health records not available or at a cost TO ME! CHBloss
Thank you for this detailed and informative essay on military records survival. Although I’m not actively seeking these records at this time in my life, you have provided a real service to the thousands of people who have given up on such sources.
Other sources I used when writing a Ph.D thesis on cultural changes within an Army Engineer Company:
–Try the county clerks of the veteran’s county of residence for copies of WWII discharge papers
–The VA has medical files that trace a WWII service person from duty station to duty station, wounds etc
–Local newspapers for the war period including induction notices, wounds or honors, shipment home
How are and where are medical records from the VA located?
I have some records for my father when he was in the Civilian Conservation Corps and his World War II Army discharge papers as well as my grandfather’s discharge papers from World War I. How can I share them with the National Personnel Record Center?
Dee Eva
[email protected]
Dee, I also have original documents for the CCC and US Army WWII for my late father.
I attempted to obtain information on the Purple Heart he was awarded and on the injuries he suffered. I mailed a letter to the National Personnel Records Center as directed by a Michellle Patton of the NARA Office in St. Louis, MO on 5/23/2022 and a follow up email to her on 7/6/2022 with no response.
I have to say, I have been trying for many years to obtain this information with no success and very disappointed in these organizations.
Hi Everett,
I too, contacted them several years ago offering to send copies (or possibly the originals) to them for their records but received no reply. I did scan them and post them on Ancestry. I hope they’re searching Ancestry because a lot of people have done the same thing and the documents are readily available.
Dee
I have my late mother’s almost entire military history file. I contacted NARA and they said they would accept them, but because they could not authenticate them, they would never be made publicly available.
I offered to upload to a FB group for one place she was stationed and they ripped my head off for trying to upload personal info because it had serial numbers. First of all, this was from the 1950s and there are no social security numbers, just serial #s. And she was pretty young when she joined so everyone would be in their 90s. Sure, some of these people will still be alive but you can’t do anything with a serial #.
Robin
What about records of Vietnam War draftees/veterans, 1966-1967? Are they safe and available to veterans?
I just received my dad’s Vietnam papers back from St. Louis and half of what I got back was what I sent them. The rest was pages either blank or so faded that you cannot read them.
I had asked for my dad’s files and was told they were lost in fire. But when my step-mother passed there was paperwork that passed on to me Re my Dad’s service in World War II. Not sure if you want copies or if I there is possible more information Thai could obtain. . He was in Italy then went to Normandy as I was told and he was a mechanic. He obviously didn’t come up on the beaches, and survived, but if there is anything else to know about what he may have done over there I’d like to know. Thank you.
I have my father’s discharge papers. I offered copies to Archives for THEIR records but never heard from them.
Yes these organizations are a big disappointment for sure. I had the same issues but will never give up.
My Dad asked a number of times for his medical records. He was in the Army, WWII. Hospital was in Ft. Lewis. He had spinal meningitis after basic training. Sorry Sir, no records. Luckily we still have the Western Union Telegraphs regarding an illness. Nothing else was available to him during his years in the Army.
Reading your comment made me go back and read your name.
It reads exactly like mine and my father’s.
Our military lived through hell to save our country and now they disrespect them and their families. I wrote for records and they charged me $25.00 to tell me everything was lost. I would have paid about anything to receive a copy of any record on my father.
Brenda Carlson
See below also. My father almost died from spinal meningitis as well. I’m not sure which hospital he was in though. He suffered off and on throughout his life. It was awful.
Brenda
If the loss began with surnames starting with James E. Hubbard, explain why, when I requested records for Edward Gigerich, I was told that they were lost in the fire.
Sounds like someone needs to get their lies straight.
You are so correct! These organizations that supposedly assist survivors of WWII Soldiers have failed us on so many counts. I recently found original documents for my late Father that had been packed away for decades and have tried to provide them to the Archives…with no success or responses.
I requested my husband’s service records to include DD214, all special orders, medical records and training records. He said he went to Korea but his DD 214 show no foreign service. The US Army’s records keeping leaves something to be desired. Also, his training records showed no atomic training in Nevada. I found I had to submit a request to the U. S. Justice Department because they are in charge of those list of attendees, and it may take a year to get proof that he attended on site atomic training. If you attended atomic training during military service between 1945 and 1962, you may be intitled to funds. To receive form to request compensation call the Department of Justice, 1-800-729-7327 (for veterans exposed to atmospheric nuclear tests)
I requested records for my mother who was a WAC attached to the Mediterranean Allied Air Force (MAAF) in Italy during WWII and was informed no records existed. Only received a form with years of service. Her name was Buchholz. She did have copies of some of her records.
Would you like me to search for her with my ancestry.com account?
Please email her info DOB place of birth full names DOD & place etc
I like the idea of posting veteran’s documents on Ancestry so they are accessible to anyone searching an individual.
I agree I cannot find nothing on one of my uncle’s
2 brothers went to Vietnam. Found some information on one but nothing on Reuben.
Wouldn’t it be a good Idea if there were some accountability measures created for the rebuilding of records? Perhaps we might track how many citizen contributions to the records were logged in versus the number that were followed up and subsequently made publicly available? I’d be willing to send my submissions in all over again if it would help at this point, but I have lost faith that anything ever happens to what we submit. When I am dead, no one will ever know what my father did for us in WWII. 1Lt Myles Bernard Cullen [01294628]
I have tried 3 times to get my fathers records from the Korean war, First they said there were none, Then I told them he was federalized from the Minnesota National Guard, and they told me to contact the state. I did, and they had hardly anything on him, one form said he joined the national guard at 14! When I requested the second time and told them he was federalized for Korea and his record would be there, the response was “They were destroyed in 73”. It seems the standard answer to all requests. They are either lazy, or do not know how to locate records..
I tried to request my own records and was given their favorite excuse of, “They were destroyed in the 1973 fire.” Not possible as I wasn’t born until 1974.
all the records after “G” were destroyed, not filed by date but alphabetically
I ordered my father’s Army Air Force records from World War II, for a considerable fee. When the copies arrived, I realized why the charge was so high. It was eerie to see that one edge of each page had been burned away. Evidently the only thing keeping the pages from being completely burned was that they had been shelved so tightly that air couldn’t enter between the pages. I read about the fire; the building was designed without sprinklers and it took days of pumping water into the building to put the flames out. The papers were soaked and mold set in before they could be dried out again. So to fill my order, someone had to put on a respirator to poke through moldy papers that had been partially burned away to find my dad’s file, retrieve it, and copy it. It wasn’t like opening a neatly organized file drawer. — Anyway. The file itself contained pretty dry information, and a lot of it was concerned with payroll. It showed when and where my dad was for the duration of his service, corroborating the stories that my mom and dad had told me. It showed when he was promoted and how he was transported from place to place. It was, in other words, historical gold, and I was glad to have it. I have some of his other papers here at home and I’d be glad to submit copies to the Veterans Administration for their records, if I could find out how to do so.
Having worked at McDonnell Douglas Corp, St. Louis, sometime after the fire, many boxes of water soaked files were brought to the company and put into a vacuum chamber whereby a vacuum was pulled, to extract moisture. This was the same chamber used to test the space crafts under space like conditions. Have no idea how many files were subjected to this process, but there was an effort made to save many files.
Mr Rindsberg, who/ where did you contact to get the papers? I’ve been trying for years. Even asked if could come into the STL office to search myself and was told no. I’m looking for his WWII debrief papers for his time as POW/MIA in Italy in 1944. He retired in Mid 1964. Thank you for any assistance you can provide. My personal email is [email protected]. Kindest regards, Patty Swan
Mr Rindsberg:
Whom/where did you contact to obtain the records? My biological father was in the Army Air Force during WWII, and although I found his discharge info, I’ve been unable to trace where he was, and when. My personal email is [email protected].
Thank you.
Sheryl Swilling
Thank you, Mr. Welch, for an interesting story. To add to my preceding comment: I submitted the request through the website of the National Personnel Records Center at least ten years ago. If I remember right, the procedure took a few weeks. They apparently shut down operations during the pandemic and reopened last March. You should be able to find information and the request form here:
https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/military-personnel
I see that several people want to donate original documents or copies to the Center, which would be the logical place to hold them. Scan them first. (The idea of posting scanned copies in public trees on Ancestry is a good one.) You might consider getting advice from a local genealogical or historical society. Also, some military units, such as the Mighty Eighth Air Force, have museums associated with them. Please do find a home for these unique records rather than discarding them.
My uncle’s records were supposedly destroyed in that fire. He suffered during his service in post war Germany but could not get proper treatment or a pension. “No proof you were in the service” he was constantly told. They did finally start giving him medical treatment at the VA but never explained why he could get that but needed more proof for a pension. I told him it sounded like a great way for the government to save money on pensions.
Do not attempt to come to the NPRC facility we are still closed to the public only private professional researchers are allowed with an appointment. No one from the general public will be allowed to enter. You can however fill out your forms online or mail them in or drop off your SF180 at the facility that is the only options.
Three years ago a 74-y-o woman, same age as me, contacted me through Ancestry.com. She was identified as my 2nd cousin. Her mother had had a wartime relationship in 1944 in California with a man she would never tell my cousin about. When her mother died, my cousin began searching. Luckily she and I were related to someone on my father’s side who I’d already connected with. So I began looking at my father’s 18 first cousins. Four males had served in the military, one after WWII. Of the three remaining, two were in the Army, one in the Navy. A request to the National Archives for records on the former two of course got us the reply that those records had been destroyed. But the request for the Navy veteran info returned a huge stack of detailed records. From those it was clear that he was her biological father. She has since connected with her three half-siblings, now in their 70’s and early 80’s. What a trip it was doing this research and how happy my cousin and I are that the NPRC could help.
I was researching my father’s Army records and received his discharge from the Army in 1948 and all it says about his war records is “prior to 1945 military service”. He got discharged in Sept. ’45, was out about a month, couldn’t find a job so he reenlisted. They have his 1945-1948 records but nothing about his service in Europe during the war. I find that odd.
Both my parents were in the US army during WWII. They met in Wiesbaden Germany in 1945. I have pictures of my dad in bootcamp in 1944 and with mom in Wiesbaden in 1945. Dad was with the Signal corps and one of many who were sent to the front lines at The Bulge with infantry. There is no record of this enlistment. When he got back to the US after the war, he re-enlisted and stayed with the Signal Corps & retired after 26 yrs and was sent to both Korean War and Vietnam. I have Mom’s enlistment papers from the state of Pennsylvania, not the federal gov. Mom was one of 47 WACs who was with Gen. Bradley, Eagle Rear.
Hi James. It is possible based on those time frames and the known deployment that he served as one of the enlistees known as “Merrill’s Marauders” who were more or less our early version of the special forces. Records were sparse for a few reasons: Kept light for mobility behind Japanese lines, a mule carrying records was hit by Japanese artillery and more records were washed away in heavy rains. The mission was responsible for getting supplies to the front lines, by marching and fighting 600 miles through the northern jungle in Burma on the Ledo Road. Look up the original name of “Galahad” Good luck to you sir.
I have been looking around for more information on my dad, Joe Koucherik. I have his DD214, and there are a few books out there. He served in Company F, 157th Infantry Regiment , 45th Infantry Division. I was told all his records were lost in the fire, but I’d like a little more info on what his company did. He was originally in the 157th Colorado National Guard, and was in the 45th from it’s reorganization at Ft Sill OK. I would like to see if more details exist on his company that he was in from Ft Sill to Southern France in 1945. I have also been looking for info on his Brother, Andrew Koucherik, he served in the fifties during Korea. I have been told all his records were lost in the fire. I would at least like to find out what unit he served with and where. Sometimes I feel the 1973 fire is a good excuse to not spend time looking, I feel bad about thinking that, but it is very frustrating how millions of people just disappear from our records. i am a Vet and I know all the papers we had to fill out, and there must be some papers around somewhere. Thanks for any info you can help me with.
I have not used Golden Arrow Research but I have heard they are very good at finding military records, and reasonably priced. A shame that it has to come to paying, though. Have you requested VA records? Not sure there would have been any, of course. Did you do a formal request through NARA for the records on your dad? No one has records on my mom but I have almost everything from her own stash of papers.
You could also Google their names and units, or look at FB for reunion groups for info on the unit missions.
My name is Jerry Neumann. My uncle was in the 157 infantry of the 45 regiment in 1945. His name was John Wesley powers kla 1/1/1945. If you would like to communicate my email is [email protected].
I have another family member that I found on ancestry, Frank Lochnikar. He was a person no one in the family was aware of, but I did find he was born in 1901, in Austria and came to the US as a boy with my other uncles. He served in the US Navy in 1914 to 1916 and was medically discharged, with a pension. I have sent in a records request 3 or 4 times now, and I have never received a reply. It would be interesting to find out what ship he served on and how he might of got hurt. All of his brothers have passed and none of my cousins have ever heard of him, so it is an interesting mystery I would like find out more about. Anyway I don’t understand why I never get an answer, even no info, but I have found a little information about his life. Thank you for any info you can help me with.
MY FATHER WAS 1ST LT DALE R GARRELS AND HE WAS IN THE ARMY AIR FORCE. MY STEP FATHER SENT US HIS RECORDS BEFORE HE DIED AND THERE ARE REFERENCES TO A NUMBER OF FOLKS SERVING WITH MY FATHER. WE ARE CURRENTLY MOVING BUT IF THERE ARE NAMES AND DATA YOU CAN’T FIND ELSEWHERE, SEND THEM TO ME AND I WILL SEARCH THE RECORDS THAT WE HAVE AND SEND YOU ANY COPIES WE CAN MAKE NO CHARGE ONCE WE GET OUR LOAD AND CAN PUT OUR HANDS ON THE RECORDS.
Hi LINda,
I have a suggestion for you.
First some background: My dad was in the Army and had several photos of where he served and the men he served with, including names. I’ve had some success with searching for them in Ancestry Trees. I’ve contacted a couple of the tree owners and they were happy to get copies of the photos. One of the contacts had a few records of her grandfather’s service and it turned out that he served with my dad. My dad was a Sgt. and lead a machine gun group. This is fulfilling for me to find and share what I have.
My suggestion is that you look for the people for whom you have records, it is more efficient and may result in finding more of them.
Take care in your move, it can be hectic,
Paul
I was in the Army from 17 July 1968, until 4 June 1971. I took a break in service for about two months, re-enlisted in august 1971 and was medically retired on 7 November 1986.
I have requested, on two separate occasions, my records from the 68 – 71 enlistment, and have gotten the response that those records were “lost in the fire of 1973.”
That’s too easy an answer for the NARA to give, and results in people, like me, wondering if the Government Employees are just to danged lazy to do the job they were hired to do?
That might be something a Congressional Office could be looking into.
The records were filed alphabetically not by date the records from “H” to “Z” were the ones that burned
Hi Richard, my biological father served in the army and was stationed in Germany. Do you have any names and lists?
Elmer Eugene Larsen DOB 7-20-1942
I requested my father’s records from WWII and they finally sent me a letter saying his records were destroyed in the fire. I requested my husbands from the Korean War and they were partially burned but they sent me what they had. I also was able to get the records of 2 of my brothers that served during the Vietnam War and received all of those.
But, I for one would not help Fold 3 do anything. They want you to make a memorial for your loved one and then when you go back to see what you have put in, along with pictures, they want you to pay for it. I wouldn’t waist my money or time with Fold 3.
My father’s and uncles’ records were destroyed.
I am so disgusted seeing so many families told the same line of BS…especially the alphabetical issue on what was destroyed. The funding for NARA should STOP as our tax dollars support this poor excuse of a Federal Agency.
I am sorry so many people have been subjected to this deplorable organization. They should be ashamed of themselves!
I have received many documents on various ancestors from NARA, with some of the reps going the extra mile on my requests. Although they, like any large organization, have issues, I find them and the service they provide to be quite valuable.
You are fortunate! And as you can see not many are!
Based on what I’ve read, the records were stored by surname in alphabetical order, and the fire began “in the middle of the alphabet” — cause unknown, but it may have started with something as simple as a lit cigarette left in a wastebasket. When the records center was built, the designers had to choose whether or not to include water sprinklers in case of fire. They gambled that fire was so unlikely that the risk of water damage would be higher than the risk of fire, so they decided against including sprinklers. And the records held in the facility were, for the most part, unique, other than some copies held by discharged servicemen. So when the fire happened, it spread rapidly, was hard to put out, and resulted in severe water and mildew damage to an irreplaceable archive. The archivists managed to salvage most of what was left, but sorting and handling partly burnt, water-damaged, moldy files is no easy task. Bear in mind that the staff could have thrown up their hands and trashed the lot instead of digging in and dealing with it as best they could.
My father, George Quinton Easterling, served in the army during the Korean War. I was able to get some of his records because if a Congressmans help. Everytime I requested them, the answer was burned up in the fire if 1973 NARA employed lots of college students and they didn’t care about the records or where they were filed because nanagement gave such unrealistic daily quotas that were impossible to meet.
I enlisted (USAF) in ’61, re-enlisted in ’65, but lost my copies of my discharge papers. When I contacted NPRC to get copies, I was told papers from my first enlistment were destroyed in a fire but I did get a copy of the second. I still have some paperwork from my first enlistment that shows I was on active duty but I think it fairly outrageous that a document center of that magnitude let so many files be destroyed by accident.
I was told a few years ago that my fathers records had been destroyed in a fire. I have a few papers but am having a hard time piecing things together.
His name was Dennis Edward Dwyer ( 1914 – 1991). He served in the Army’s 211th. He served in the anti aircraft balloon barrage during WWII in Vallejo, Ca.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Beth
Thank you! This is a great work.
Hi Beth, I looked your Dad up on Ancestry.com and noticed you have a family tree there also.
I did find information on his parents, wife DOB/DOD; US WWII Army Enlistment Record dated 20 June 1941 at Fort Benjamin, Harrison, Indiana….Service#35162106, Branch: (?) Immaterial – warrants Officers, USA; Birth Certificate; Marriage License. I also checked Family Search and Fold3 but didn’t find anything different and minimal information.
You may very well have these documents, but if you wish I could email them to you with attachments. I wish I could have discovered more for you.
I was told the Record Center was looking for copies of any service records l we might have. Is this true? I do have some material I found while looking through boxes from the basement. I am not certain if this is the type of info they might want. When I did request record information several years ago, I was told my dad’s records were destroyed. Would the center be interested in what I have?
Since the NARA has lost these records, and some of us have those records, what should we do to preserve them? Tom
Hi Tom,
I scanned mine and posted them on Ancestry.com for each member of the military for which I have documents. That gives others an opportunity to find them if they’re looking for that specific person.
Dee
Dee, very nice of you to post these. Even if Fold3 charges for access, the records are now posted. Websites and information of this magnitude is not easy nor possible without some expenditure. Volunteer efforts rely on people giving of their time and equipment to keep them going and often end up failing.
My uncle was killed, in Italy, on Dec. 27, 1944. I would like to know exactly where he was killed and the battle.
Gwendolyn, have you checked Find a Grave? There are several cemeteries in Italy for Allied troops. Since you know when he was KIA, if you can find where then you could possibly determine which campaign he was a part of. Good luck in your search.
Sad. You would have thought that a building of this Importance would have contained a ” fire sprinkler system”. Leave it to our know all, see all government experts to cover your bases. Right…!
I worked in a commercial record storage company for 20 years, including storage of VA medical records. We of course feared fire, but feared water more because of the problem with mold that starts immediately with a lot or even a small drip of water. I don’t know when the St. Louis warehouse was built, so I can’t speak to its construction or fire prevention engineering.
Note that record storage can be in boxes or on open shelving up to 20 feet high. A single box will hold up to the equivalent of 4 reams of paper. In my experience, people who work in such environments are extremely careful in their work, but pulling files and refiling them can result in misfiles as it is done by human beings – so it is understandable that files get lost or in the wrong box. Surely you’ve misfiled paperwork in your own house! Also note that the files/boxes are usually not stored in strict alphabetical order or you’d have to keep shifting the boxes as new names were added. That may explain why some names before/after ‘Hubbard’ are or are not available.
BTW, my mother was an Army Nurse in WWII and her records were lost in the St. Louis fire too.
Although this seems to be an American service record problem, may I make a suggestion. I had an uncle KIA in France shortly after the DDay invasion. I located his unit’s war diaries on the website of his unit, (The Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry) although not mentioned by his name, it gave an accounting of the day of his death. He was one of four killed while rooting out a machine gun nest in an abandoned mine shaft. It is certainly a sad thing to lose the records of those who sacrificed so much
As Mr. Rindsburg noted, the fire started by affecting the middle of the alphabet, then “M” would qualify. I’ve searched for my grandfather many times, always answered with “no record found”.
This fire must explain it.
My Grandfather was: Lt. Colonel Clyde Coleman MINER. He served in the Spanish-Am. war in Cuba, with Gen “black-Jack Pershing chasing Pancho Villa on the border, and in WWI in eastern France.1917-1918. I hope this helps someone to find him. I have his sword, many photos of him, and his diary of those three services.
I requested records from an ancestor who fought in The Civil War and was told “we need his SSN in order to process the request”.
I guess I’ll never get those records.
For Civil War records try the US National Archives. The NARA only has records from abut 1912 and newer.
Thanks for the update re the St Louis fire. I filed a detailed request re: my uncle’s service in the US Coast Guard, 1942-1945 in the S. Pacific on LST 68. Pandemic apparently delayed all requests and now am told to file new request since original was lost. His name was James Ignatius Callaghan, a BM2 buried in a small town cemetery in New England. I have his SSAN and CG #, ship logs and related CG info for each of his ports of call but I would now like to receive his personnel records in order to complete a family honor history. He died in 1997. How best to proceed with acquiring records? Thanks very much for all your good work, so essential to families. I served as well but in the USAR, 1966-1973.
it is a shame that we have better military records of our ancestors that fought in the civil war than our fathers that fought in WWII
Thank you for sharing this information. I wondered why I could not find information about my uncle’s service as a pilot in the Army in WW II on either Fold3 or Ancestry.com. The mystery is now solved. Like many families, we at least have pictures of him in uniform and letters from him.
GEORGE HENDERSON WAS STATIONED AT LORING AFB BETWEEN 1956 AND 1959.
HE WAS IN THE 42SN FMS, WORKING ON AIRCRAFT REFUELERS. AT THAT TIME HE WAS AIRMAN 1ST CLASS. IN 1959 HE WAS TRANSFERED TO A BASE IN TEXAS.
I’m glad someone is finally doing something to help with this absurd slight that our WWII veterans have suffered. My father, Lt. William Walter Parish, joined the Army soon after High School in 1932 and served 13 years until he was medically discharged in 1945. He received a severe head injury during the D-Day Invasion of Normandy and another head injury when his evacuation hospital in England was destroyed by a Buzz-Bomb. He was unconscious for 5 weeks from the multiple concussions and had neurological problems and PTSD for the rest of his life. With the help of his wife and father-in-law, he returned to civilian life in 1945 and did well running the family’s hardware store. When he became an old man in the late 1970s, his medical issues exacerbated and he applied for VA help. He was denied any assistance because his records had burned in 1973. The VA would not accept his personal copies of his orders or his officers’ commission papers as proof that he was a soldier. He had his Congressmen and both U.S. Senators write letters to the VA on his behalf to no avail. He died in 1996 at the age of 81. He was both deaf and blind from head trauma and 2/3 of his lungs were gone due to the explosive chemicals that he had inhaled in the bombings. He never received 1 dime of medical or financial assistance from the VA. Surprisingly, he remained a life-long patriot and was very active in the American Legion. Ironically, out of the blue in the 1980s, he received a package containing 3 Bronze Stars for Valor and a Certificate acknowledging his combat service. He was also buried in the National Cemetery at Bushnell, Florida. His tombstone is etched with the 3 Stars. My mother died at the age of 91 in 2005. I inherited a full banker’s box of documents, correspondence, and photographs that they sent to the VA to try to obtain help. If the photos can help someone else, I’ll be glad to share. They only have last names for identification, however.
I’m doing family genealogy on both sides of my family. I’m looking for my grandfather’s Bernard William Francis Bies DD-214 military records & medals if he had any of them.
i HAVE MY AIR FORCE RECORDS I WAS IN JUNE 1959 TO JUNE 7 1963. STATIONED AT CHANUTE AFB RANTOUL, ILLINOIS
God bless you for your help. My father just passed and I want to know more about his time in the Army. 3rd infantry Korean War. My daddy had a lot of wounds and was a prisoner of war. He swim through a poop sewer and he made it out alive. His birthday is 4/1/1929 North Dakota is where he was from Duane Keith Feland Sr. I appreciate all you do. My daddy passed 4/6/2021 and he didn’t even get a proper military burial. He deserves one!!!
Hi, all military families,
When looking for a service members, start local
(Hometown) upon return many not all registered
with courthouse or local veterans organizations.
Then if no results, especially National Guard try
State resources, finally if injured during service
the Veterans Administration, and lastly any correspondence with other Veterans you found
In home record/ files kept by the individual? Sometimes this is a resource to pull from, family
Friends, or pictures, and official documents in their possession at death, these are all possibly and sometimes the only proof you have or get?
Good Hunting as always,carry On!!!
I went to a talk at a Genealogy Society meeting. One of the points the speaker made was EVERYTHING was in triplicate (at least) and just because records were burned in the St Louis file there was a possibility of tracking down the copies elsewhere. It was a number of years ago and I don’t remember exactly the other places you could try to locate the copies, but I am sure there are suggestions and tips out there. Sometimes you have to come at problems sideways to find a solution.
St Louis tells me that my father’s records were lost in the fire. Surely there is duplicate information somewhere. He was with the Third Armored Division and I think he landed at Normandy on Day 2. I have his DD0214 which indicates that he earned a Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars and a Silver Star with no information as to how/why these were awarded. Also, for a period of time he he held the rank of Sgt but was discharged as a Pvt with no explanation for the demotion. He was hospitalized in England after being injured but I can find no information about this; he also spent several months at the VA Hospital in Colorado Springs during the Spring of 1945. Could you please give me some guidance as to how I might be able to track down some of the answers ? Thank you.
There are more than one way to skin the cat. It requires some imagination and some luck. I used to represent veterans before I retired.
If they were wounded and there are no personnel records try Army Hospital records.
VA decides that an Air Policeman couldn’t have shot at VC or NVA in Vietnam try their efficiency reports (glowing report from his commander )
Try Adjutant General or equivalent office for copies of awards. Try friends for affidavits.
Support units used a Department of the Army form to record what happened during the workday. It’s been a long time since I retired and I’m not sure of the form number or title. Think it is something like staff duty officer journal
It is used to provide a legal record of what happened in a unit.
Morning reports are loaded with details. Wounded KIA, AWOL, deserted , in hospital etc.
You gotta play the cards you are dealt.
What a nightmare. When my father filed for compensation as a POW IN Germany during WWII we were told his records had burned in this fire.
WE had to prove he had been a POW! Luckily he had kept his German dog tags & letters sent to his mother marked MIA & KIA.
My advice, be persistent. It took us 2 1/2 years and I finally started calling weekly. Be the squeaky wheel.
Paper medical records from the VA are sometimes stored at the VA site and also at commercial record storage companies, e.g., Iron Mountain (a company that has also had fires at various locations over the years). You have to request the records from the VA. VA medical records are maintained for 70 years.
I am not certain if the situation has changed as I no longer worked as extensively with the records since relocating from Arlington to greater Richmond, Virginia in 1989, but it was either James Dent Walker or Michael Musick who told me that most pension records remained in the custody of the state agency where the pensioner resided at the time of death when that death occurred after 1932, and on several occasions, I was able to request a temporary transfer of a pension file to the Richmond office of the VA from other states.
I requested my military records two years ago .no response when I check they say be patient.
I waited and waited just to receive 6 letters for my father and uncles that they were destroyed in fire.
Same. Not sure this place is going to help many people in their search. Perhaps they are not still hiring people to process artifacts at this place 🙁
R
That was the beginning of COVID-19 and it’s my understanding they were very short staffed and closed during that time. Once they were able to start coming back they were backlogged with request and still under staffed. It’s frustrating but all we can do is wait.
Same Here! I requested my father’s records for a pension claim via SF180 on 9/4/2020 Still no response. Just last week I filed with Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown for assistance. While on the National Records site I stumbled upon an online SF180 request. I now have a request number.
These are responses from them…I would give it a try. It’s better than the radio silence.
Thank you for submitting a request to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) through eVetrecs.
Your request number pertaining to : *********** is ############.
Check your request status online at https://vetrecs.archives.gov/.
Thank you for contacting the National Personnel Records Center. Your request(s) have been received. Your request is being processed, however we cannot provide an estimated completion date at this time.
Hello, have you tried myhealthyvet.com? I found a lot of my father’s records on there. He served in the Navy from 71 until 79. I found a lot, damn near every thing but pictures.
Ask your Senator for help.
The MD National Guard unit that went to D-Day still has its original draft cards and many other items at the Armory in Baltimore City. I was invited there by the historian when trying to find some of my grandfather’s records that were destroyed in the fire. I remember my grandfather’s medals but all of his stuff was donated to a different military museum which also is long gone during one of the base realignments. None of the draft cards or any other 29th Division stuff in that room has been copied for electronic filing. It’s sad to know that level of historical documentation sits in some lonely room instead of in a WWII museum to be preserved for posterity.
I was extremely excited to open this email. But after reading it I was a little upset. I’m very happy for anyone this news brings to find records for their ancestors, but for me , I suppose getting any info on my father’s records must have went with the fire of 1973. It doesn’t look like any records from the Korean War were saved. That’s upsetting, but also heartbreaking. Thanks for your help and keep up the good work.
Rubby, Check your local or in this case the Court House where your Grandfather lived when he was discharged. Starting early in WWII the military strongly encuraged every person who was discharged to take thier DD 214’s to thier local court house and have the recorded. This was usually done free in every county in the US. My dad, and my uncles did from WWII and I did right after Vietnam. You have no idea of how many times this has saved the day for a veteran.
I too have an Uncle who presumably was killed in the Korean War, however his remains have never been found. All I can hope for is that when President Trump met with the Korean leader that the remains of my Uncle are among the 8,000 bodies (remains) that he released and that one day he will have a proper burial.
Ruby, in addition to Mr. Wenger’s wonderful suggestion to check the court house where your grandfather lived—some states also have backup copies (Copy 6) of DD 214s from that time period. Easiest way I’ve found of locating those documents is to contact the State Military Department of whichever state was your grandfather’s home-of-record when he separated. Each state does it a little differently.
My Daddy was in the Army and served in Korea. I mailed in a request several years ago for Daddy’s records and was told there had been a fire. There was no info for me. Very disappointing.
same thing here.
Check your Local Court House
I have many of my uncles and fathers old military records from WWII. My uncle was in the Armyvaie Corp and my father was in the Army. These records have many names and ID numbers of people, military documents, that they served with. They may have some value for I’d purposes but I don’t know what to do with them.
My Father was in the Army Air Corps in WWII. Would you happen to have a Neil Stephenson named in those. He was at Gore Field in Montana
Melinda Stroyeck
Steven, I am in the exact same situation as you. My dad saved everything from his 30 year military career (1944-1974) including serving in combat during WWII. Many of these documents have the names of other men who served as well. I would love to share with people but not sure how to do that. I might put them on Ancestry with a link to these men’s names so they would come up if somebody is searching for them. If you have any other ideas let me know!
If you put them on the web, I recommend familysearch.org, wikitree.com, or even facebook, but not ancestry.com. Those first three sites can be accessed for free, although some require registering (which is free). Ancestry.com locks the content behind a paywall, which requires people having to pay Ancestry to see your content.
My grandpa was in the Army Air Corps. He served with the 475th Fighter Group. Please reach out to me!
You might go to findagrave and search for each of them there. You can also create a virtual cemetery with their names and any other information that you may have found.
Another possibility would be to find the U S Military burial database to see if you can locate some of them and their descendants.
If you know which branch they were in, you might google that branch to see if something pops up.
If you don’t know what branch of service, try the VFW or the DAV to try to get a service officer or member to help you with hopefully some ideas.
I requested my grandfather’s complete OMPF from the NPRC over a year ago. He served overseas during WW1. His record must have been destroyed in the fire because I never heard back.
Jim,
NPRC is *super* slow about record requests. Plus, they were on limited staffing due to COVID until Spring of this year and they smartly prioritize emergency requests (documents for burials or finding housing for homeless veterans) over history requests. If you know which state your grandfather lived in, they might have some WWI service cards available in their state archives. In either case, don’t give up yet!
Folks, I do not often reply to these sorts of notices, but I can perhaps provide a little encouragement for those suffering from lost records. My fathers WWII records were also lost in the fire. When I requested them, all I got in return was his final mustering out pay statement, with his unit and rank. Thanks to his one handwritten note I had, I knew Dad entered via the NYS 27th Division (federalized National Guard). From there I was able to piece together his whole time in service using unit morning reports. and actually wrote the only existing history of his primary unit (797th MPs (ZI)). These records are in St Louis archives on microfilm, and I went there directly to view them myself, but you might engage a paid researcher if travel is an issue for you. If you have a serious need, you might want to look into that option. You can start a request to visit on-line.
Small world, Cy! I’ll have to check the morning reports for my dad’s unit, the 11th Airborne. Hope you’re doing very well. 🙂
Warm regards, Priscilla
If you have requested information for genealogic/family research, you may find it a long wait. I believe I recall seeing a notation on the National Archives website that said the military would only provide an immediate response to requests that involve medical issues or death of a veteran. They are probably inundated with requests and the pandemic most likely compounded the problem. Hoping all of you that are searching for answers can get them in time. I’m fortunate that my dad, who served in WWII, kept copies of most of his army records and some personal souvenirs.
Our relatives risked life and limb to fight in the US military and our government could not protect their records. It sickens me to no end. While my father was alive he did not discuss the war (WW2). So I, as so many others, wanted to review my father’s records…only to be told they were destroyed by a fire…sorry about that.
I also thought it a bit strange that they had only the records stored in one place.
It is my understanding that a great many of the orders that populate the Army personnel files that were stored in St Louis were duplicated in the archives of Army Finance files maintained at Ft Benjamin Harrison. Duplicate copies of many orders that affected pay (promotion orders, article 15 forfeitures, court martial reports, etc) had to be attached to the payroll records as supporting documents. Given the manpower, much of the personnel file could be reconstructed from the FDRF finance file.
I requested my service record several years ago and was told all they could tell me was that I served in the Navy from 66-70.
I also served Navy 64-70. No problems getting copies.
TRY AGAIN.
You might have gotten a lazy clerk that day.
My husband joseph Louis Townsend serve in the army in 1957 and national guard thru 1964 and try to get benefits because his discharge was medical. Because they could not retrieve his records due to the fire he could not get medical treatment from the VA. Who can help me?
1. First, call your Congressman office and ask for constituent assistance in this matter,
2. Contact local VFW / American Legion posts – they have volunteers available who help with VA benefits and service record issues,
3. There are VA benefit companies that will help you and only charge you if they are successful at getting you benefits (and then they only take a percentage of the past benefit amount).
Can you lead me to one of those VA benefit companies that charge a percentage?
Try your local congressional representative’s office. They can usually get through the bureaucracy.
Ask your Senator for help.
This record loss is a good reminder to do one simple thing after being discharged from the military. Take your discharge papers to the nearest county courthouse and have them registered there. My husband did this after his discharge. I don’t know how long the military has been suggesting this but perhaps this is one thing people can do to research their relatives. Ask the courthouse closest to where the military member was discharged if they have anything on file.
My brother, James W. Tompkins Jr., served as a combat medic in the Korean war. He did receive the Bronze Star with V banner for action that he took on the battlefield. He was offered the Purple Heart but refused it because he didn’t feel that his wounds were as severe as the soldiers that he took care of at the time. I would love to get that Purple Heart for him posthumously but have not been able to find any of the company records that may have mentioned that offer.
Wednesday, 12 October 2022, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma
TO: Fold3.com, and referenced agencies
FROM: Ray Harter
Thank you for the fine article regarding obtaining military records. I look forward to sending requests for my father, three uncles who fought in WWII. Additionally, now I know that such a search is not hopeless. Please pass my appreciation to all personnel assigned to or who work responding to such requests which I will be making.
Copies of DD214’s used to be send to the local draft boards, regardless if the person was drafted or enlisted. Contact the local draft board where the person lived when they registered for the draft at age 18. Hopefully they have maintained their copies on file.
I requested records for my grandfather and father Col. Wm. F. Kyle Sr. and Pvt 1st Wm. F. Kyle Jr. I was told the files had been burned. Both have passed so how do I get more info on them. Would also like to get records for my Uncle. Chester Calhoun Kyle.
Thank You
This is great news, due to my father Spencer L Brunson Sr records were there and damaged.
If someone has copies of a family member’s WWII service records, are the archives interested in receiving copies to rebuild their records? I have never seen this issue addressed.
I’m glad you ask the question on helping rebuild their records. I would love to share my dads. They will be thrown in the garbage when I die, as there is no one to leave them to.
I have my father in law’s military papers from the Army Air Force in the 1940’s.
How do I go about sending this information in to get them back into the archives?
Dyann Killgo
I would like to get information about exactly where my Dad was serving while stationed in the Philippines during WWII.
Also, I’d like more info about his brother who was killed in WWII Germany right before the 3rd Reich fell.
I know their records were in a fire.
Was there another fire where records were housed or was it just the St.Louis fire?
They were both from Memphis, TN.
Quote: Jan Ashcraft says:
October 12, 2022 at 3:44 pm
I would like to get information about exactly where my Dad was serving while stationed in the Philippines during WWII. End of Quote
Hi Jan,
Do you have any additional information on your father’s service in the Philippines? My father served there as part of Co. G, 151st Infantry, 38th Division. If your dad was part of this, I have a complete history of where my dad was during the War and would be glad to share. Also many photos. My email is [email protected]
My father’s records were also lost. Nothing remained. BUT, I hired Golden Arrow Research to pull Dad’s Company Records from the 106th Infantry Division 424th Regiment Company G for his entire time with the company. The researcher went so far as to track the records from all the way to discharge even though he was transferred to an Engineering Division to prepare for the invasion of Japan after VE Day. Total cost was a few hundred dollars. These records allowed me to follow my father’s movements day by day for nearly his entire time in Uncle Sam’s Army. It was totally worth the money. You can reach Golden Arrow at GoldenArrowResearch.com. I posted the records for 106/424/G on my blog at
https://in-dads-footsteps.org/2019/12/16/106th-infantry-424th-regiment-co-g-morning-reports/
for those with any interest in seeing what you can expect to get back if you hire a researcher.
Two years ago, when people were encouraging me to get a veteran’s ID to get military discounts, since I couldn’t find my DD 214 form, I requested a copy from the National Personnel Record Center in St. Louis and after a very long wait, I received notice they didn’t have a copy of my DD 214. I assumed then it was destroyed in the 1973 fire, and I’d never be able to prove I was a veteran.
Then, about two months later, I received a copy of my DD 214 in the mail from the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. I don’t think the left hand knows what the right hand is doing there.
It’s also good to check what the newspapers might say about service members too. The military units were mentioned a lot in both WWI and WWII, and sometimes naming names too!
Many Irish official records were lost in the fire during the Easter Uprising. I understand that much has been retrieved from other records but this took time.
I have original military orders and my father’s discharge papers. He served in the US Army “for the duration” of WWII. Would the Center like copies? If so, how do I submit them?
https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/pubmed-central/encounter-with-disaster-a-medical-diary-of-hiroshima-1945-c900IcYdX0
This is a diary from the mission to the Atomic Bombs by the Yale unit, the 39th General hospital. Many names in the documents that cover the unit as they move from New Zealand to Japan. The senior officers wrote diaries that include names and places. My father was with this unit and they are the only documents that name my father, no military records can be found. Years ago from a diary my father wrote I realized the officers in his diary were the senior officers that headed up the mission to the bomb sites to study the effects of the bomb. My father and a list of other men were ordered to the bomb sites by General MacArthur, he names each man including my father. Lots of names and places in personnel documents. Read this diary, a huge amount of information and lots of names.
I have tried to get information on my Dad’s service in WW2. He never talked about the war. It was only after his death (at age 61) did I find out that he was Army and had fought in Anzio, Italy in 1944. His name is John Anthony Pontillo, from Camden NJ. If anyone has info, please do contact me. Thank you, And God bless our military.
There is a copy of his draft registration in Ancestry. There are no other actual documents, but it does have his service dates and service #. Are there any photos of him in uniform? You might be able to make out a unit patch. There are many detailed books on WWII that will name specific units and where they were. My father was also in Italy after landing in North Africa and on to Sicily before going to the mainland.
My father didn’t talk much about it either, but if you have brothers, he might have talked to them if only to let them know that war wasn’t like it was in the movies. That was pretty much the message when he would occasionally go through his box of souvenirs. Neither of my sisters remember that type of conversation. Good Luck with your search.
Would Ancestry have discharge documents? Trying to find out if my dad’s was honorable or dishonorable
No, I don’t believe Ancestry or Fold3 would have any document that would state the actual discharge type. Not that I have seen anyway.
Not unless a private individual scanned it to their Ancestry family tree.
I was a personnel clerk in the USAR and California National Guard from 1972-1985. At various times I needed to request military records from ARPERCEN (Army Personnel Record Center) in St. Louis MO for soldiers who did not have any records of their own. The fire at ARPERCEN occurred in 1973. Most of the time, the records that I requested for US Army personnel were for soldiers whose careers began AFTER 1973. The response from ARPERCEN was that the file I requested was burned in the fire of 1973. I don’t believe that these files leaped backwards in time and then jumped into the fire of 1973. Rather, I think that the career full-time personnel clerks at ARPERCEN were just plain lazy both then and now, and the easiest way for an ARPERCEN clerk to respond to any request for personnel records, whether they existed or not, was just to respond that the military record in question was not available because it was destroyed in the fire.
For WWII military records, US Army officers were entrusted to keep their own military record files. ( “201 files”.) Both my father and my uncle were officers and so they kept their own records from WWII. After they died, their military records came down to me; I did not have to request them from ARPERCEN. As a military clerk-typist, I also made a point of keeping my own military records.
Bernard, you are 100% correct on the lack of integrity in this organization’s clerks being lazy then and now. I am sickened and angry in seeing so many families of Veterans being brushed off like they have been for years. I have been trying for over a decade to obtain details of my Father’s WWII service in the US Army and being awarded a Purple Heart due to being wounded in the NAPLES-FOGGIA SICILY Battle. I remember seeing it as a child and asked my Father about it, but he became upset and would never speak of his service in the US Army during WWII. I will never give up.
I agree with Bernard & Everett. My grandfather was also in Italy, lost partial right leg & to this day does not have a military gravestone. Although I have recently sent the information I have along with many articles to request recognition for him. He died in 1948.
[…] Michael Strauss has written an article concerning reconstructing the records that was destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Record Center. This article appears on Fold3 at https://blog.fold3.com/reconstructing-the-past-the-national-personnel-record-center-fire-of-1973/ […]
I tried to recover my father’s paperwork, photo, for two years with no help
I have been looking for my active-duty military records for the past 20 years. Specifically searching for my active-duty health records when I was stationed as an officer at Sewart Air Force Base, Tennessee, in Tactical Air Force during 1 Dec 1965 to 30 Sep 1967, before I was reassigned to the United States Air Force Security Service in Trabzon, Turkey, on 1 Oct 1967. Can you help me?
Don’t bother trying to get any records from the National Archives. They no longer serve the public! I submitted a request for records for my uncle who served in the Americal Division during World War II and received a response that they will not reply to public requests due to Covid……… even after Covid was declared “over” by the Biden Administration. And we pay their salaries? Go figure.
Fortunately, my Mom kept all my dad’s military records & I sent copies of all his records to the National Archives. After receiving his records they sent me all his military medals some with his name engraved on them. I was able to build a shadow box with all his medals. My dad had a couple medals but they told me that because of the shortage of medal in WWII many service men never received theirs.
I did the same in 2007. It sounds like the service may have gone to Hades since then.
When did the government / military start using the DD-214 please?
Semper Fi,
Hello Larry,
I am guessing that you noticed the form identification for Burton Lancaster at his discharge in 1945. Then discharges were called Reports of Separation and authorized by the Adjutant General Office of the War Department (see the bottom of the document) for the abbreviations listed on the form. To answer your question the new DD 214 discharge was adopted effective 1 January 1950. Since then, the new form went through multiple revisions and is still in use today for discharged military personnel. I hope this helps.
Regards,
Michael L. Strauss, AG
Ancestry ProGenealogists
I just got this from another, not military, forum. This map shows where WWII ships were sunk or sank. It may show some of the people who are following this thread where their family member(s) were lost.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1x7Q2wEHD_NV-5MeFWcWB2BRH97Y&ll=21.681104658745483%2C-136.20513615199388&z=3
Paul
My father is Henry Elliott, stationed at Hunter Army Airfield in the early 1940’s. I have only met him once as a very small girl child, so I have very little information about him. I do know that he was from Alabama. So I can only submit his name, duty station, military affiliation (Army Airforce), and approximate time at the base in Savannah, GA.
I so much need to find his records to know my father and his family. Of course there are many Henry Elliott’s, so finding my father will take your dedication of time and desire to assist me in bringing closure to my search.
Unfortunately. I do not have DD 214 on my father.
Please forward my request to your most astute and caring researcher who undestands my need to know my father.
Respectfully,
Brenda J. Ferguson
I subscribed to Newspaper. com, I found out a lot about my dad. I typed in his name, year, and local newspaper. There is a charge, but I think it’s worth every dime.
I requested information on my Father but the standard response the they burnt in the fire but his last name starred with a G so something should be there .He drew a disability check from the Military so there should be a separate record of that .Any suggestion where to look for that or who to contact.
I just replied to one comment, but everyone looking for records, I found most of my father’s on myhealthyvet.com. Especially if you looking for documentation for pension, DD12s, medical records. My dad just passed May 30, 2022 and his account was closed but surviving family members can get access. I urge everyone to try that route, if you’re not having any luck. They have a lot available except for media pictures and videos.
took me 20 years and multiple people from state senator to active army officers to request my Dad’s records. after 20+ years ( early 90’s ) a envelope with papers and burned edges arrived. not a whole lot of information but it was my Dad’s records sort of…..?? what was missing.
I have been trying to replicate my Dad who was a Medic Tech Five WWII. I got 4 or 5 pieces of supposed records that they charged me 25.00. Nothing else of use. I have looked for photos and anything else I can find on him. He is in Fold 3 I did make a memorial for him. Calvin O G Cooper 1916 June 12
My husband of 51 yrs was in the Korean War as Air Force, Basic Sampson AFB, then to Buckingham Palace Chanute AFB as they called the barracks in IL. That place would make a beautiful Veteran’s Home. The AFB now has a museum and lots of records but I was unable to spend enough time there to find his records. I have tried searching Sampson and Chanute online. Going through photos, of groups till I thought I would go blind. However, I know a photo of my husband exists because he is on the Korean War Memorial Wall. We actually were able to shake hands with the President of S. Korea that day. He received the Sigmon Rhee from Sigmon Rhee himself, however, somewhere along the line, when his mother died all the medals disappeared. We have been trying to replicate or replace them. I would be happy as a genealogist to help in any way I can. I am not advanced but will do all I can to help. Albert Wayne Richter 10 26 1932 he will be 90 this year.
I have many of my father’s original records. Will archives accept copies?
I sent all my original copies of my Dad’s military records & they happily accepted them. They recreated his record & then from his DD214 they sent me his military medals, some with his name engraved on the back. There were a total of 9 medals. I was then able to build a beautiful shadow box that my whole family cherishes.