My grandfather fought in the Army in WWI. How can I obtain a copy of his military and combat records without a SSN or service number?

Sgt Donald Chalfy — Thu, 26 May 2016 01:21:33 -0400

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 1:25 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 01:25:42 -0400

http://www.nara.gov

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 26 at 2016 1:29 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 26 May 2016 01:29:52 -0400

That does sound a bit challenging, Hopefully it wasn't part of the records that burned up in St Louis where they were stored.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 26 at 2016 6:08 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Thu, 26 May 2016 06:08:04 -0400

There's a website for NPRC as part of NARA called eVetRecs, that opens a Java applet to let family members generate a request for records like those you're asking for. My wife and I had me use it in the past for my own records, as well as those of my dad, those ofmone of my uncles, those of her dad, and those of her stepfather, also. The space avail in the Java applet is quite limited, so I've genly used a good many abbrevs, and also mentioned to see an attached letter. The Java applet generates a printout with a request number and Assoc bar code printed on it, that you MUST keep if you need to call NPRC about it later, or you're pretty much stuck, and need to start all!over again, honest. Also you MUST sign and date the request, you can then, and in fact, MUST, fax the signed and dated request to the main NPRC fax number printed on the request printout. Otherwise, they WILL NOT process the request, that we know positively, as we've made such requests a good many times. In one other case, I was actually able to get the records for one of my grandfathers, my mom's dad, though I did need to get some very kind help from a very patient manager ofmone of the major vet groups, as I had basically zero info other than that we'd known for certain which svc he'd been in and about when, though no serial #, no unit, zero, other than that. The NPRC has a brand new record building to replace, Wed gathered, the one where the famous fire happened that damaged a large segment of army records, as I'd read about, sometime in the 70s, I forget exactly when. The segments in the old facility were called reference cores, where the records were actually kept, I'd seen such terminology on the material Wed been sent. Typically, once one sends in a signed and dated eVetRecs request, within a cpl to a few wks, one gets a letter that NPRC has the request, and is trying to find the stuff asked for. Now, generally, they're actually quite good at finding such old arcania, they really are, and, when we've needed to ask them questions, have actually been most patient, as well as extremely helpful, honest. So, the more you give them, like DOB , where born, where and when likely enlisted, which svc, about when served, and or where, which war theatre, whether Europe, Pacific, or country, as the case may be, whether commissioned, warrant, or enlisted, and whether regular or reserve, and approx rank and or rate, they're genly pretty good in St Louis at finding your stuff. Normally, if one is seeking stuff on a family member, even a distant non-genetically related one like my uncle, my dad's sister's husband, as I'd sought at one point, is passed away, or say around ,50 yrs or so has elapsed, we've had no trouble asking for it. One can also request, albeit one needs to do so explicitly, and mentioning separately, both the personnel files, as well as any medical and or clinical files, NPRC does actually keep both, as I'd asked about, they actually do have them. Now, separately, VA will also freq have records that can be asked for in a FOIA request, though getting those is a trifle more arcane and somewhat time consuming, We had found, getting my stuff, thankfully, I knew exactly where my stuff was, and who most likely had it, and where to ask, which obv helped comsiderably, of course. As for NPRC sending decorations, flags, and or medals ribbons and awards, they have sent us stuff on my family and those of my wife, which, interestingly, we've never been charged for, though, of course, we'd offered to pay, if needed, obviously. One can get folded flags for svc mbrs, I'm pretty sure, as well as presidential appreciation memorial letters, plus, in the case of my maternal grandfather, we were actually able to get a discharge, albeit not in the standard DD214 or DD256 color frameable format, the one we got was another type of document, just reflecting his honorable, svc, rank/rate, and dates served, that's it, honest. Now, obviously, that was more , frankly, thanmwed expected, we even got his svc file photo, showing his serial #, which, quite frankly, my brother's and an unclemof mine, mymmoms brother , my grandfather's son, were somewhat amazed I'd been able to find, as we actually had quite little for me to go on in looking for his stuff at all. I'd also found later on, unit and OCS groups for , respectively, both my uncle and my wife's dad, in the unit group case, and, for my wife's dad, in the OCS case. My wife's dad got a bronze in Europe leading a minefield charge, we got a duplicate of that, and my uncle was in a unit that got a presidential unit citation, my dad got a Natl def svc Medal, we got a dup of that, also, along with other decorations on all of them, we even got all the stuff for my late brother in-law, my wife's brother, as well. Hope all that helps trust me just look up eVetRecs on Google, you should find the site for it, just understand, as I'd said, you won't have much room to!type, the number of characters is very very strictly limited, so def write am attached letter to send with the faxed signed and dated printout from eVetRecs showing the bar code, NPRC MUST have that, or honest, your request will go NOWHERE. Now, if on the off chance you DON'T have any luck, DON'T despair, you CAN call NPRC and or NARA , you can also submit a request for help through your federal, state, county, legislators and or their staffs, as well, believe me, if your grandfather was in ww1, his stuff will be there, if it was damaged in the 70s fire at all, the svcs keep their own records, NPRC and or NARA can petition their svc liaison ofcs, which they very def do have as well, for help reconstructing and or finding his stuff, promise, they've done such stuff back to the revolution and civil war, finding ww1 stuff is for them I assure you, while perhaps time consuming, a comparatively minor bushleague bureaucratic finagle for them, honest, they're really really good, and really really helpful, you just need to be really really patient, honest, as it'll likely take a few months, being entirely realistic about it, OK? If you need more help, I'm here, just ask, and I'll try to give you what other advice I can, all I can tell you is, I've done it, there's also the VA Natl cemetery admin or NCA search site, I've used that to find mymwifes stepdad's stuff where he and his first wife are buried, plus, for the father in law of one of my brothers, who'd been in Korea, I'd been able to do Google searches to help my brother find friends of his father in law, that had at least some reasonable level of success, so I think I can help you, it's not that I'm a genealogist , obviously, I just seem to have a facility for being able to find such stuff, that's all, sometimes, my family thinks I'm!part librarian or something, lol, hope that all helps, I'd be eager for your thoughts , many thanks , eager to hear anything whenever you might have a few mins to answer, anytime, of course.

Response by SFC Kenneth Hunnell made May 26 at 2016 6:50 AM

SFC Kenneth Hunnell — Thu, 26 May 2016 06:50:46 -0400

Call St. Louis, they maybe able to track him with his full name and unit he was in.
Off you know any battles or events he was involved in would be a plus

Response by Nicholas Efstathiou made May 26 at 2016 7:43 AM

Nicholas Efstathiou — Thu, 26 May 2016 07:43:01 -0400

Sergeant, if you know what unit he was in you can also try to track down a unit history. If you need help with that, message me and I'll see what I can dig up.

Response by SSgt Trevor Smith made May 26 at 2016 9:08 AM

SSgt Trevor Smith — Thu, 26 May 2016 09:08:15 -0400

Looks like everyone is steering you in the right direction. I had been looking for my great grandfather's WWI records for quite a long time. I have some of this military stuff which helped a little. but eventually I called NPRC and they were really awesome and helped with me to find the records I was looking for and make sure they were the right ones.

Response by SFC John Hill made May 26 at 2016 9:24 AM

SFC John Hill — Thu, 26 May 2016 09:24:07 -0400

Someone mentioned the ST Louis fire where many Military Records were destroyed by fire Here is a link that describes what was lost. http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/fire-1973.html

1973 Fire

Information about military personnel records burned in the fire of 1973 at the National Archives, National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, Missouri.

Response by TSgt Ralph Hetzel made May 26 at 2016 9:27 AM

TSgt Ralph Hetzel — Thu, 26 May 2016 09:27:23 -0400

National archives has a great web site and will help you find records. Give it a try.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made May 26 at 2016 9:47 AM

Capt Walter Miller — Thu, 26 May 2016 09:47:59 -0400

There was a big fire at a records building in 1973. Many records were lost forever. That said, my mom got my father's honorable discharge from the Marines in 1919 and from the US Army in 1943. Alas, she is no longer around to ask how that worked.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 10:33 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 10:33:53 -0400

You can make a request to the National Archives at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/. I did this for my grandfather but was informed that they were destroyed in the fire.

Veterans' Service Records

Resources and Services for Veterans and their Families

Response by COL Jonathan Cohen made May 27 at 2016 12:07 PM

COL Jonathan Cohen — Fri, 27 May 2016 12:07:56 -0400

I had this issue back in 2013 when I tried to acquire my fathers military records and I did not have his social or service number. My father had passed several years earlier and I made a FOIA request to his employer and to the state where he last acquired his drivers license asking for the SSN. I had to show his death certificate but the state he received his drivers license (Florida) acquiesced and gave me the SSN. Good luck...this is a cumbersome process but I eventually received his DD 214 and all of his records. Stay persistent and you can eventually get what you are seeking.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made May 28 at 2016 4:41 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Sat, 28 May 2016 16:41:34 -0400

What a great thing to do. All the suggestions for NARA are on-point. I will offer this: The Social Security Administration maintains a master death index. In years past it was easy to access. Put in name/place/date(approx.) of death and it was fairly easy to find. Its accessible if you register (or use it via a genealogy site). Once you have that, it's easier to dig up information. Getting a copy of a death certificate (sounds macabre) but they often yield some pretty good information as well (veteran status, affiliations ,etc). They can lead to marriage certificates/birth certificate - and announcements in local papers (so many are archived and available online). Best of luck on your search.

Response by A1C Lisa Casserly made May 31 at 2016 3:53 PM

A1C Lisa Casserly — Tue, 31 May 2016 15:53:14 -0400

First, its NOT impossible to get his SSN. I'm assuming he has passed away. Since WWI was so long ago. If so, there is a Social Security Death Index available on line. You put in his name and birth date and some other info like what state he died in, etc, and you can narrow it down and get his SSAN number. Otherwise, I'd suggest going to the local Veterans Affairs person, and asking for help. The record will be at St. Louis. Then, as a former personnel specialist, I'm telling you it might be a crap shoot. Because St. Louis has had several fires, and some records were destroyed. Also, let me know if you want a little bit of a hand. I have an account with Ancestry.com and I would be happy to help you find his SSAN. I mean, I paid for the subscription, so I might as well use it to help someone.

Response by PO2 Ron Burling made Jun 21 at 2016 2:52 PM

PO2 Ron Burling — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 14:52:49 -0400

It sort of depends on what unit he was in, if he were in one of the National Guard units federalized for The Great War, your state adjutant generals office should have the records, if RA, I have no clue but would start with the National Archives.

Response by Tanya Hardesty made Feb 17 at 2019 10:10 PM

Tanya Hardesty — Sun, 17 Feb 2019 22:10:52 -0500

Looking for information on my husbands grandfathers wanting any combat and over seas records,any records would be great