Obtaining Grandfather's WWII military records. Do I contact National Archives or whom?

Hi Lisa, start of here
https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/identitymanagement/authenticate.do?execution=e1s1
it'll be easier for you to get access since you enlisted, if you goto the OPM website they give you the run-around just to find the link to get your records but this is the best site to goto https://vetrecs.archives.gov/VeteranRequest/home.html
to request grampa's paperwork.

Always remember, the only dumb question is the one not asked.

You may have luck on Ancestry.com I had initially tried finding my father's military history through the National Archives. The search turned up negative twice. I even had his SSN. I was later browsing through Ancestry's search engine and came up with at least his service dates.

Lisa, I am doing the same thing. My grandfather fought in the Pacific in the Americal Division. Try this:

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/archival-programs/military-personnel-archival/index.html

The big obstacle will be the 1972 fire that wiped out records. There was a 1947 policy that retroactively awarded BSMs to those awarded a CIB or CMB on orders.

I feel that I must prepare you for the likelihood that his records were burned in the fire that happened in the 70s. That's what happened to my grandfather's records. I can't remember the exact amount but I remember it was almost all of the WWII records. I would send in the SF-180 anyway and see what they say. They will also issue any medals he rated that he may not have received like they did for my grandfather. I had his discharge record with his awards listed. Good luck to you and it becomes an obsessive road, I've been going down it for about 18 years now. I've always been interested in WWII, but vibe become obsessive about my grandfather's part. It's a lot of fun researching it all.

I would ask your local county Veteran's Service Office for assistance. There is a two fold reason for this:
1. they can help you file the correct paperwork.
2. By going to them, you help other Veterans by keeping that office functioning.

Lisa, send an SF 180 (you can download it, and it's fillable...) to the address on the back for your Grandpa's dates of service. Please keep in mind though, that with the Archives fire, it's likely his records were lost.

My dad served during the Korean era, and all they could come up with was his 214, which was grossly incomplete...

Good luck, but don't get your hopes up too high. Oh, and it will take ~3 months for a response from them...

I used to work as the Military / Veterans Policy advisor for 2 Members of Congress....call your Member and ask that their military/VA caseworker send you a Privacy Release Statement to get the ball rolling. If you have additional questions, please let me know and I can walk you through the process.

@PV2 Lisa Wilcox, not a dumb question at all. Might I offer to you, my best experience? I would start with your (not your granddaddy's) local County Veterans Service Office (usually located within your county goverment building). This will allow you professional assistance as well as a local contact for any questions that may arise. Good luck on tracing your military herritage..

One thing about the archives (St. Louis Center) you need to know was that there was a fire I believe in the late 70's that unfortunately destroyed most of the Army and Air Force records from WW2. Only a small number were saved. Ancestry.com does have military records available but they may not be necessarily complete. But good luck in your search. Navy records fared much better by my father's record did not contain as much as I thought they would.

I have my grandfathers DD-214 and records from his service with 102nd Ozark Division thru Germany and have been able to model him and his unit in my "Flames of War" miniature army. When you receive his records, you can then locate his units' website for further history and reunion groups that you as a direct descendant would be eligible to join and attend. They will be glad to here from you. Good luck in your search.