Individual Deceased Personnel File

I went out to my mailbox 45 minutes ago to pick up yesterday’s mail where I found a CD mailer from the U.S. Army Human Resources Command.

I suspected it must have been the IDPF I requested and it was.

The CD contains the IDPF for PFC Arka R. Gibson, the only other B Company, 63rd Infantry Regiment, 6th Infantry Division, man besides my Uncle Tim
who was KIA on 18 January 1945. It appears he died of a shell wound to the chest.

I must say I am pleased to receive a CD with a pdf. It is obviously cheaper for the Army to scan the documents and burn a CD than to copy and mail 57 pages.

I was surprised, though, that this came from Fort Knox and not Alexandria.
I did not know that HRC had moved to KY. Now I know that it was the result of the BRAC.

https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/media/default.asp

Here is a revised sample letter to request one:

U.S. Army Human Resources Command
ATTN: FOIA Office
1600 Spearhead Division Avenue
Fort Knox, KY 40122

Dear Sirs,

IAW with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), I should like to request a copy of the Individual Deceased Personnel File for my uncle, John Smith, who died in World War II.

Below is his personal information:

- NAME: John Smith
- RANK: PFC
- ASN:
- UNIT:
- DATE OF DEATH:

I realize that this will take some time, and I will be patient. Naturally, I am prepared to pay any costs necessary for the production and mailing of the file.

Dave

 

What else does the file contain? Could you post it for us to see (minus personal info)?

 

And how long did it take for you to receive it? I sent away for an IDPF about a month ago. I'd just like to know when I can start feeling anxious about it showing up.

 

I requested it in late May.


Dave

 

Yikes!

I was prepared to give you a "like", but that I didn't like to hear. (I know. Don't blame the messenger. )

 

I just got an email from the "Human Resources Center of Excellence" (phew! I was worried it would come from the HRC of Ineptitude) in Ft. Knox, KY acknowledging receipt of my IDPF request. Here's a portion of the email that may be of interest:

Emphasis added.

So, now the long, slow wait begins.

 

So the HRC sent you an email asking for your email address?

You gotta love those Federal employees.


Dave

 

Yes, I got a chuckle out of that myself. Then it occurred to me that they probably used a form letter that was intended to be mailed, so I decided to give them a little slack.

Hey, Dave, have you had a chance to go through the IDPF you received back in September? It would be interesting to know what kinds of documents it contained.

 

Tom,

Send me a PM with your email address and I will send you the file when I get back to Carlisle
next week.


Dave

 

Incoming...

 

I got a call and a couple emails earlier today. One gave instructions on how to download my great uncle's IDPF, which I did a short while ago. I have only scanned through it thus far, but it looks like it was worth the effort and wait.

 

To anyone who can answer: Are these files being requested ONLY for those who were killed in action or are they available for those who survived and have died at a later date? Also, are they only for certain specialties or is this seperate from NPRC in St Louis? Records requested from NPRC have apparently been destroyed in the '73 fire for both my father (ETO) and mother (PTO) and trying to piece together info is much like looking for a winning lottory ticket. ;-)

Thanks!

John

 

Lanman,
Just those KIA/MIA/POW and are separate from NPRC in St. Louis. see link for additional info.
Korean War Educator: Casualty Information - Individual Deceased Personnel Files

 

I wonder how these records will differ from what we find in Missing Aircrew Reports, for those who were in the AAF during WWII? They might tell info about disposition of personal items and the like, but I would doubt they'd have more info than what the MACR would proived. Has anyone out there given that a go?

Thanks!

Michael

 

Michael, I haven't seen a MACR, so I can't offer a comparison. However, I did receive an IDPF for my great uncle (see above) and have had the opportunity to see other IDPFs. At a minimum, it contains the records of how the deceased soldier and his personal effects were handled. However, it is not unusual for an IDPF to contain some other information as well. In the case of my great uncle's file, it contained there was actually quite a bit of interesting information, which I won't mention in detail here. Though, I will say that it did indicate in which part of his body he was mortally wounded. I should add that his IDPF also raised some questions, too. More research to do!

There is no guarantee that anything substantial will be gleaned from a given IDPF. However, one is no worse off than they would be had they not requested it. So my recommendation is to roll the dice and see what happens.

 

Have to echo TD's statement here and say roll the dice....I too recently received an IDPF for my great uncle hoping for the mother load and got the minimum....copies of correspondence to his father and wife, what personal effects etc were sent back and so forth. Not allot but glad I did it anyway!

 

Does the IDPF contain information about where the person was buried? Or does anyone have any idea where to get that information?

 

Hi Clem,

Yes it does. With my uncle, his remains where moved 3 times and each time was well documented.

 

That was also the case with Glenn's IDPF. He was also moved 3 times (déja vu). It documented the cemetery name, as well as the name, ASN & unit of those buried on either side of him. I'm not sure if this is normal, but in my case, I was not charged a dime to get the IDPF. So, since it only cost me a little time to fill out the form and the price of a stamp, I think I got a pretty good deal.

 

Oh, good. I sent in a request for the IDPF for the man in Dad's unit that was killed. His family said they don't even know where he is buried, (I applied before I found them, or I would have left it up to them.) I know it was a different day and that there wasn't instant communication, but that just bothers me. I was wondering how to find out where he is buried, and I'd even like to arrange to have something put on the grave, if we can find it and arrange it.

I received a letter saying my request was received and that it would take a few weeks, so hopefully there is something on file and I will receive it soon.

Thanks!