Requesting Copies of Military Personnel Records

Thanks for the update Dave. I used this a few years ago helping an old friend learn what happend to his brother. The file even had copies of letters from his mother concerning the burial in Holland. Very useful and personal information.

 

I'm new, so apologies if I shouldn't be posting in this 'pinned' thread but I had a question about this:

I did find my grandfather's serial and info on the AAD search. It gave me some very basic topical information about when he enlisted.

However, if I also send in a request through my mother for the service records from the eVetRecs (the link in the first post here) will that give me more information in the DD214 file, such as his units, when he was discharged, any medals or awards, etc? In other words, is what they provided me in the AAD search all they have on him, or is it worth requesting through eVetRecs too?

Thanks!

 

The short answer is yes-all the above-- if you can get a copy of his separation paper. There is a possibility that his records were destroyed in the infamous fire of 1972. Absolutely give it a go and see what you get. If you get his separation papers (WD AGO 53-55- they didn't use the DD214 until 1950) please post it and we can help transulate.

 

Great, thanks guys! Going to send in the eVetRec on Monday and I'll let you know if I ever hear anything back. Hopefully his records avoided the fire because I still have a lot of gaps to fill in his story!

 

Here's an updated link for Requesting Military Service Records through the NARA.

 

Hi guys,

I'm at the NPRC several days a week getting personnel records and reconstructing records that were lost in the '73 fire. The National Personnel Records Center has recently changed how it prices records.

RECORDS ARE FREE=If you are the veteran himself

RECORDS ARE FREE=If you are the next of kin and the veteran whose record you are seeking was discharged less than 62 years ago from today's date.

FEE IS INVOLVED=If you are the next of kin and the veteran was discharged over 62 years ago from today's date ($25 for records 6 pages or less and $70 for records over 6 pages in length). These fees are the same regardless of whether you are the next of kin or just a non-relative seeking copies of a veteran's record. The record is open to the public at this point and these charges apply.

 

My apologies if this isn't the right place for this (and mods, please feel free to remove) but I had no luck with the National Archives in trying to obtain my grandfather's DD214. I did manage to obtain a copy through the Baltimore War Memorial, which houses thousands of discharge papers for Maryland veterans (it could be that they're all archive-status at this point and part of public records). As many here already know, when veterans returned from the war, they usually filed a copy of their discharge paper with their local country registrar, etc. That would be an excellent place to look for anyone who hasn't had any luck in contacting the NPRC.

EDIT: Can someone please move this post for me or delete, it probably shouldn't be under a NPRC-specific thread. Thanks

 

Actually, McCabe, I think your post can stay here. It is not at all off topic and there will be others who share your experience with NPRC (including yours truly). Sharing your alternative route to the NPRC may turn out to help others.

 

Can anyone recommend a researcher in the St. Louis area who will make copies of personnel files for less than the NARA MPRC charges? Many personnel files are short enough that even with photocopies ($0.25/page) + postage + low hourly rate they should be cheaper to photocopy than the NARA flat fee of $70, especially for an attention researcher (many files contain duplicate copies of parts of the file). Alternatively, some researchers can make digital copies (via digital camera or scanner) which vastly saves on the costs, but many researchers don't have the appropriate equipment (maybe this is also not allowed in St. Louis? I know it is permitted in the NARA in DC, College Park, and Atlanta). I've tried contacting some of the researchers listed on the National Archives website, but about half are out of date so I get no response and the rest all charge fees greater than the NARA fee making using a researcher pointless! I need to get about a half dozen files for my research (and probably others in the future).

 

Have you checked out Golden Arrow Research yet

 

I doubt you will find a professional researcher who will do it "for a low hourly rate". After all, they have to make a living. If you have several soldiers that you need them to research, they might consider negotiating a price, but that's a guess on my part. The advantage to hiring a researcher is that they will get done in a couple weeks what will take the NARA a year to do. Also, as a general rule, they are more motivated to provide better quality copies since their livelihood is dependent on it.

GAR does quality work and is easy to work with. I don't know if Geoff will be able to do it for a price you will be willing to pay, but it never hurts to ask.

 

Just curious if anyone has sent for records recently and what the average turn around time is? About 3 years ago, the "records lost in a fire" response came in just 3 week. I tried again last year, actually 16 weeks ago. I resubmitted my request with additional info about his units that I had not previously known or sent. I am trying to be as patient as possible. Since I haven't heard anything 16 weeks out, does that mean they are reconstructing his records? Other than the email verifying they received my online request and my signature, I haven't heard a peep. Needless to say, I am hopeful and excited.

 

I sure will let you know how long it takes and hope others do as well, It has been my experience in life that we really never know when or if something is gonna happen, but knowing what others experienced sure seems to help. Lol

 

From the NARA website (see post #26 above):

Of course, there's what the website says, and then there's what folks actually experience. I know with IDPF's, I used to get them in about 4 months. Now it takes about a year. Obviously, not the same situation, but there is probably a similar dynamic at work.

You should have at least received an acknowledgement of their receiving your request by now. Toward the bottom of the page there are instructions for checking the status of requests.

 

Yes, I did receive an email saying they received my signature. I had to snail mail it to them after my online application was complete. So, realistically, 4 months to a year? I am a very patient person... It's like waiting for Christmas morning but not knowing the date!