Who can I speak with to find out what unit (company) in the 82nd airborne my grandfather was in before he passed away in 1990?

2022-11-12T19:47:53-05:00

I'm asking this because I'm on orders to the 82nd airborne. If the company still exist I would like to be placed in that company if there's a need I can fill.

Response by COL Randall C. made Nov 12 at 2022 8:02 PM

2022-11-12T20:02:11-05:00

Your best bet is to contact the National Archives* and request your grandfather's military service records. It's also possible (but not likely) the archives might have something available online for your grandfather.

You can take a shot in the dark and see if the 82nd Airborne Association might be able to help.* I know they have historians as part of the association that might have records.
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* National Archives - https://www.archives.gov/veterans
* 82nd Airborne Association - https://82ndairborneassociation.org/

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Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2022 4:31 PM

2022-11-13T16:31:43-05:00

Do you have any information about him at all? There is a museum on Fort Bragg that may be able to assist you if you have any information whatsoever about him. When it comes to being assigned a unit unfortunately they don't use historical preference for assignments. When your grandfather was in they were under the regimental model. Units are not assigned the same way and a lot of units don't exist because how they are aligned now.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Nov 13 at 2022 7:29 PM

2022-11-13T19:29:42-05:00

You don't get to choose what company you go to. You will get slotted wherever there is a need for you. Even if that company still existed, you can't guarantee getting in it. That's just not how manning works.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2022 8:05 AM

2022-11-14T08:05:11-05:00

National Archives is a good bet and speak with your unit historian for maybe something.

Granted many units barely let their historian actually do the job or don't even bother assigning one. So for some history lovers it becomes a labor of love rather than something the unit supports.

Local military museums might be an option, I know a guy who's great grandfather has a small display in one of ours.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Nov 16 at 2022 2:19 PM

2022-11-16T14:19:02-05:00

If you can find his records-talk to 82nd REPL- tho normally they do to battalion level and BN does to the Company.

Response by SSG Timothy McCoy made Nov 25 at 2022 11:56 PM

2022-11-25T23:56:03-05:00

I don’t quite understand your Grandfather disposition.
You are looking for the unit you GF was in BEFORE he passed, or the unit he was in WHEN he passed.
If your GF was on AD and passed away, look into mortuary affairs, there should have all of that info.
Ht
Tim.