Posted on Feb 12, 2015
Obtaining Grandfather's WWII military records. Do I contact National Archives or whom?
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I apologize if this seems like a dumb question... I watched Fury over the weekend and now I'm
obsessed with finding out my Granddaddy's military history. All I know he was in WWII and I have his medals. One of them is an Army of Occupation Medal for Germany. He trained at Ft Sill.
Do I contact National Archives or whom?
obsessed with finding out my Granddaddy's military history. All I know he was in WWII and I have his medals. One of them is an Army of Occupation Medal for Germany. He trained at Ft Sill.
Do I contact National Archives or whom?
WWII World War Two
Military History
Genealogy
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 30
PV2 (Join to see) this is not a dumb question! It's an important one. Your grandfather's legacy of service should be treasured and honored. Keep us posted on any progress you made, since I know a bunch of other RP folks may have a similar question as time goes by. Thanks!
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Yes, the National Archives is where you need to go. Since you are a grand child and therefore not a direct next of kin you will have to jump through a few extra hoops, but it's doable. Get a death certificate and submit it alongside a SF-180. The link I've attached below will provide you what you need and give you directions. Good luck!
Start Your Military Service Record (DD Form 214) Request
How to Request Military Service Records, Military Personnel Files, Veterans Records, Discharge Papers, Separation Documents, DD214, or Prove Military Service
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SGT (Join to see)
SSgt Bobby Owens, I'm just going off of my own experience. I'm in the process of trying to get my own grandfathers records and what I told PV2 (Join to see) is what the National Archives representative told me about a month ago.
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I updated this post and added the picture of my granddaddy's medals.
I appreciate everyone's input on this thread.
I will keep you posted and let you know what I discovered.
I appreciate everyone's input on this thread.
I will keep you posted and let you know what I discovered.
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1stSgt Ron Gallegos
Awesome, there are two different sites one can use to locate Archived Documents: 1. http://www.nationalarchives.com 2. http//vetrecs.archives.gov Good Luck to all who need help with access.
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SFC Mark Merino
Great intel 1stSgt Ron Gallegos. The journey is what makes the eventual discovery priceless.
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SFC Mark Merino
Hey PV2 (Join to see) if I squint hard enough, I think I see all 3 appurtenances on the campaign medal. (I have an obsolete OLD computer). That means he did all 3! If one is an arrowhead, he was part of the landing. I'm getting giddy!!! Pop Pop got around!
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PV2 (Join to see)
That's exactly what I am thinking SFC Mark Merino which makes me all the more excited to research granddaddy!
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PV2 (Join to see)
I requested my grandfathers records quite a few years ago before the internet (I know I am old). I did it all through the mail, although I can't remember everything I needed to send. I am sure the links from the other posts will help you. I did get his DD 214 and cherish it.
One thing I will tell you is that there was a fire in 1973 that destroyed 16-18 million records.
http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/fire-1973.html
I wish you the best and hope you find what you're looking for!
I requested my grandfathers records quite a few years ago before the internet (I know I am old). I did it all through the mail, although I can't remember everything I needed to send. I am sure the links from the other posts will help you. I did get his DD 214 and cherish it.
One thing I will tell you is that there was a fire in 1973 that destroyed 16-18 million records.
http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/fire-1973.html
I wish you the best and hope you find what you're looking for!
Information about military personnel records burned in the fire of 1973 at the National Archives, National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, Missouri.
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SFC Boots Attaway
SFC Mark Merino , try digging through clay tablets and scrolls. That was even more fun. jk LOL
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SSG Christopher Parrish
I just got word back that my Dad's and Grandfather's records were burned up. All I have to go on with my Grandfather is he ran the NCO club at Los Alamos, NM during WWII.
I'd love to have his records so I can recreate his rack and any unit patches he served under.
I'd love to have his records so I can recreate his rack and any unit patches he served under.
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SFC Frank Burns
My dads Marine Corps Service Record was destroyed in that fire. The only record he has is his Honorable Discharge Certificate.
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PV2 (Join to see), looks like you've got the info you need to find out more about your grandfather. I was lucky, as my father gave me his entire service record and we talked of his time in the service during WWII many times. Here's a photo of the shadowbox that I made for him.
By the way, the gold item in the upper left of your grandfather's shadowbox is the Honorable Service lapel button, also known as the Ruptured Duck. The other medals from left to right are: the Good Conduct Medal, the Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign medal, the WWII Victory medal and, of course, the Army of Occupation medal. The Army Meritorious Unit award is below the Ruptured Duck.
LTC Stephen F.
By the way, the gold item in the upper left of your grandfather's shadowbox is the Honorable Service lapel button, also known as the Ruptured Duck. The other medals from left to right are: the Good Conduct Medal, the Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign medal, the WWII Victory medal and, of course, the Army of Occupation medal. The Army Meritorious Unit award is below the Ruptured Duck.
LTC Stephen F.
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Not to give free plugs for businesses, but ancestry.com or simiiar sites have extensive records as well. I found stuff regarding my grandpa's service.
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Suspended Profile
Seems I reposted a lot of the same kind of information you already have, that's what I get for doing it on the fly. One other thing that I have not seen and may have missed in the other responses - check at your grandfather's county records office for where he lived when he got out of service. Many veterans registered their DD-214 at the County Clerk's office for future reference when/if needed.
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PV2 (Join to see) - Not a dumb question. You can contact NARA for the biggest part of it. Additionally, looking at some of the unit histories can help. Ancestry has a couple hints and some documents that could maybe give you access as well.
I can tell you that he was in the war earlier (maybe 1942-1943), as the European-Mediterranean-African Theater medal has 3 battle stars. (4 awards). I can't tell if there is an arrowhead, but if so, that would mean that he participated in the initial assaults.
He qualified with the Carbine, so he was some sort of specialty Soldier, not straight up infantryman. Still an enlisted. Do you have anything that has his ASN on it? I could tell you whether he was drafted or volunteered and the approximate area that he was selected from based on that information.
v/r,
CPT Butler
I can tell you that he was in the war earlier (maybe 1942-1943), as the European-Mediterranean-African Theater medal has 3 battle stars. (4 awards). I can't tell if there is an arrowhead, but if so, that would mean that he participated in the initial assaults.
He qualified with the Carbine, so he was some sort of specialty Soldier, not straight up infantryman. Still an enlisted. Do you have anything that has his ASN on it? I could tell you whether he was drafted or volunteered and the approximate area that he was selected from based on that information.
v/r,
CPT Butler
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PV2 (Join to see)
Wow thank you Sir! I'm trying to get a hold of my brother who gave me all of this stuff and other family members to see who may have something of his. I have a three day weekend, so I'm going to do some digging. Thank you so much for the information.
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CPT (Join to see)
No problem. I'd be happy to help in any way I can. I did WW2 reenacting for a long time, and the beauty of the ASN is that you can tell a lot from them, especially when you combine them with additional information like the medals and unit photos.
Attached is a link to the Wiki page, which lists the various offenses for the battle stars. There are more campaigns than I knew. Given that he was Germany occupation, it is possible that he came over in 1944.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_Medal
v/r,
CPT Butler
Attached is a link to the Wiki page, which lists the various offenses for the battle stars. There are more campaigns than I knew. Given that he was Germany occupation, it is possible that he came over in 1944.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European-African-Middle_Eastern_Campaign_Medal
v/r,
CPT Butler
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was first created on November 6, 1942 by Executive Order 9265 [1][2] issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt[3] The medal was intended to recognize those military service members who had performed military duty in the European Theater (to include North Africa and the Middle East) during the years of the Second World War.[4]
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Lisa - I think that you are well on the way to a treasure trove of useful information sufficient enough to initiate a journal enroute to writing an outstanding booklet from your findings. Start small, continue to research and edit, then grow the development into a big book. It certainly seems that many on RallyPoint have found it a job to assist you and will be there in the future if needed. I look forward to requesting an autographed copy of your first book! Keep Growing Strong; "Never Quit!"
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PV2 (Join to see)
Thank you CSM Harold Burleson! I came across a copy of his obituary that had his VFW and AMVETS post listed. I'm going to contact them. I appreciate the vote of confidence! :-)
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