Searching for Veteran's Records
I sometimes get e-mails asking how to find a parent's service records from WWII. I finally got some info I can pass on, but first, a little bit of "preaching" from me:
Don't wait until your father, mother, uncle, aunt, etc are dead to start looking for service records. Talk to your father, uncle, or whoever *before* they're too ill to tell you anything. Yes, some of them may refuse at first to talk about the war or what they did, but if you tell them it would be a shame for the memories of such a historical time to be lost forever, they may reconsider. And let them know you'll be "rooting" through their belongings when they're gone to find out what they did do during the time in the service. That just might do it!
Now, on to how to get a veteran's service records:
- Next of kin can request a copy of the service records from
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
- Specify that duplicate records are needed
- Use Standard Form 180, "Request pertaining to Military Records," which can be downloaded
- If you don't have access to a printer, or can't download the form, you can submit a request for the form at the above mailing address or their fax-on-demand system at
301-837-0990
(when listening to the options, Form 180 is listed as Document 2255)
- Make sure the veteran's full name (first, middle, last) be printed or typed
- The veteran's signature or signature of next of kin (if the veteran is deceased) must be included, as well as
- Branch of service
- Service number or Social Security number
- Exact or approximate dates and years of service
Some other places to find out more information about certain WWII In The Pacific campaigns, or more information in general, would be the branch of service web site:
If anyone has any helpful links to add to this page, please let me know.
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