Soldier history search --help

ggordon · 07-05-2009, 06:34 PM

I purchased an M1 from the son of a WWII vet. The son would like to obtain as much of his dad's military history as possible.

I've heard that the military can sometimes provide such info.

Does anyone know who to contact for this?

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

99z28monster · 07-05-2009, 06:39 PM

A few helpful things for the son to have in order are his dads social, branch he served in, dates he was deployed and what units he was in. The more info the better the results. I personally woud try google for a site that does this kind of work or hit up the local vfw post they can get you headed in the right direction.

PAPA G · 07-05-2009, 08:39 PM

i think its the Veterans Affairs site that tells what to do. i printed off the form needed, filed it out, sent it off. unfortunattly my dads WWII records were destroyed in the big fire at the records center back in the 70's, your results may be different.

HK770 · 07-05-2009, 09:35 PM

I'D start here:

Military Medical and Health Records

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/

oldjarhead · 07-05-2009, 09:47 PM

Go to va.gov and follow the directions given.
or
Contact the VA by telephone
or
Contact your local DAV
They all can help you out.

The info HK770 will also work for you.

oldjarhead · 07-05-2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAPA G

unfortunattly my dads WWII records were destroyed in the big fire at the records center back in the 70's, your results may be different.

That's what I was told when I initially sought my fathers information. I didn't take no for an answer and wrote them again. I did eventually get a small bit of his service information and a re-issue of his authorized medals.
Don't give up; perseverence sometimes reaps benefits.

JimBob · 07-05-2009, 10:55 PM

One easy place to start is his original hometowns County Clerks office.They have copies of the mans discharge.It will have a lot of information that will help trace him,serial number etc.

bigione · 07-06-2009, 11:16 AM

I don't know if it is the same elsewhere, here one must file their discharge papers at the Register of Deeds office. I did in my county and one adjacent county. I think it is a DD-214. For you Vets, file it. It is protected from a fire in your home.

PAPA G · 07-06-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldjarhead

That's what I was told when I initially sought my fathers information. I didn't take no for an answer and wrote them again. I did eventually get a small bit of his service information and a re-issue of his authorized medals.
Don't give up; perseverence sometimes reaps benefits.

thanks oldjarjead. how many times did it take before you got results???

oldjarhead · 07-06-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAPA G

thanks oldjarjead. how many times did it take before you got results???

Three letters if I remember correctly. It was a surprise to me though, I just figured I'd get more of the run-around. The infor wasn't much but it was better than nothing.
Good Luck.

ggordon · 07-06-2009, 09:36 PM

Thanks for the responses -- looks like a good start.

07-05-2009, 06:34 PM	#1
ggordon Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 148	Soldier history search --help I purchased an M1 from the son of a WWII vet. The son would like to obtain as much of his dad's military history as possible. I've heard that the military can sometimes provide such info. Does anyone know who to contact for this? Any help is much appreciated. Thanks. __________________ When you have to shoot: shoot! Don't talk!

07-05-2009, 06:39 PM	#2
99z28monster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: ottawa, KS/ Ft.drum NY Posts: 1,248	A few helpful things for the son to have in order are his dads social, branch he served in, dates he was deployed and what units he was in. The more info the better the results. I personally woud try google for a site that does this kind of work or hit up the local vfw post they can get you headed in the right direction. __________________ In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons. Herodotus

07-05-2009, 08:39 PM	#3
PAPA G Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: somerset, kentucky Posts: 9,578	i think its the Veterans Affairs site that tells what to do. i printed off the form needed, filed it out, sent it off. unfortunattly my dads WWII records were destroyed in the big fire at the records center back in the 70's, your results may be different. __________________ MOE! LARRY! THE CHEESE!

07-05-2009, 09:35 PM	#4
HK770 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Riverview, Fl Posts: 331	I'D start here: Military Medical and Health Records http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/ Last edited by HK770; 07-05-2009 at 09:40 PM.

07-05-2009, 09:47 PM	#5
oldjarhead Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MO Posts: 2,236	Go to va.gov and follow the directions given. or Contact the VA by telephone or Contact your local DAV They all can help you out. The info HK770 will also work for you. __________________ No war has ever been won by a politician! Last edited by oldjarhead; 07-05-2009 at 09:52 PM.

07-05-2009, 10:55 PM	#7
JimBob Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: East Central Illinois Posts: 808	One easy place to start is his original hometowns County Clerks office.They have copies of the mans discharge.It will have a lot of information that will help trace him,serial number etc.

07-06-2009, 11:16 AM	#8
bigione Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: south central SD` Posts: 219	I don't know if it is the same elsewhere, here one must file their discharge papers at the Register of Deeds office. I did in my county and one adjacent county. I think it is a DD-214. For you Vets, file it. It is protected from a fire in your home.

07-06-2009, 09:36 PM	#11
ggordon Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 148	Thanks for the responses -- looks like a good start. __________________ When you have to shoot: shoot! Don't talk!