How can I get my father's military records?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How can I get my father's military records?

Posted: 10/26/2004 12:49:22 PM EDT

My father died almost four years ago. He was a Marine in the early sixties. He didn't like to talk about his experiences very much. I am currently writing a family history of sorts and would like to get my hands on something that would give me a more complete understanding of what it was like for him in the USMC.

Are military records publicly available?

If so how do you get a hold of them?

Thanks,

Cabby

Posted: 10/26/2004 12:52:59 PM EDT

[#1]

I think military records of deceased persons become public records after their deceasal.

Posted: 10/26/2004 12:58:00 PM EDT

[#2]

As a family member you can request his discharge docs (DD214) through the .gov BEWARE: some sites lead you to believe you have to pay them to get these records. You DO NOT.

Try:

Requesting DD214

Posted: 10/26/2004 12:59:37 PM EDT

[#3]

If you have a pic of him post it here www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=276940

Posted: 10/26/2004 2:31:24 PM EDT

[#4]

GO TO STOLENVALOR.COM...ALL YOU NEED, EVEN HOW TO GET ANTONE'S RECORDS.

Posted: 10/26/2004 2:58:13 PM EDT

[#5]

You won't have any trouble. I tried to get Dad's WW II records but they had burned in a big fire in St. Louis. I was able to get a few medical records that were stored in a different bldg tho.

Posted: 10/26/2004 2:59:15 PM EDT

[#6]

I have my father's military records...he was a Korean War veteran...Navy Corpsman...

Posted: 10/26/2004 3:03:00 PM EDT

[#7]

DougR - my dads records [WWII] were also destroyed in a fire. Probably the same one. But I got tons of pics of Hawaii during the war years.

Posted: 10/26/2004 3:49:19 PM EDT

[#8]

Go to vetrecs.com or .org - forgot which (may direct your to another site, but these are VA related). You will have to fill out a DD180, and possibly another form to get the records. I don't think you can do it all on-line, though you should be able to at least download the forms. If not, then you can request them. For info. , a veteran him/herself can fill out a request on-line, but IIRC a relative needs the 180 on paper.

Posted: 10/26/2004 3:59:23 PM EDT

[#9]

If you have the service number and dates of service. You can request records from MILPERS in St. Louis Mo.

Posted: 10/26/2004 5:46:46 PM EDT

[#10]

I did this recently to get my uncles WWII records. First, you should know that many of the records were detroyed in a fire sometime in the 70's I think. Whats gone is gone. Some of it can be pieced together from vets groups and other war docs. I think though its a tough way to go. Since my uncles brothers/sisters are still alive they (being the next of kin) wrote a letter on my behalf so the records could be released to me.
In your casew that wont be an issue. can be released to you. Go to www.archives.gov/research_room/obtain_copies/veterans_service_records.html
which gives all the info youll need to get the records. I think I had a bout a months wait only to find out none of his records survived the fire.

Posted: 10/26/2004 5:48:14 PM EDT

[#11]

DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO GET YOUR FATHERS SERVICE RECORDS.

Posted: 10/26/2004 5:49:48 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO GET YOUR FATHERS SERVICE RECORDS.

+1

It's a free service from the government.

Posted: 10/26/2004 5:53:41 PM EDT

[#13]

Be carefull, you might find out things you don't want to know.

I know someone who found out things about her father and the circumstances of his discharge that she really didn't want to know.

Yes it is free.

Posted: 10/27/2004 9:39:17 AM EDT

[#14]

Thanks all for your replies. I will try to get a picture of him in Vietnam circa 1963 from my mother and post it in the thread mentioned.

Cabby

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How can I get my father's military records?

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