What are some resources you have used to try to find old wartime buddies?

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:44:10 -0400

My personal website includes a weblog with a section devoted to my experiences in Vietnam during my tour of duty. During the 20+ years since I created it, I have received comments and communications from other veterans searching for old wartime buddies. One arrived recently from the child of a Vietnam Veteran asking for help finding anyone who served with her father in the unit and during the time period she mentioned.

It's difficult. Few of us deployed with our units as happened during earlier wars. Very few of us served in units that were formed from persons who were drafted/enlisted from the same neighborhoods. And when we returned, most of us shed any vestige of our military service to avoid the rancor of the antiwar crowd.

However, with age, many of us begin to think back to those times. We'll never again be the men we were then, will we?

In helping them, I have discovered a couple of resources and am now considering writing an article, a guide to resources for locating prior service personnel. I would appreciate your help in growing my list of resources.

Please share.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Apr 25 at 2024 6:46 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 18:46:44 -0400

Just spent a few hours reading your blog. Good stuff.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Apr 25 at 2024 6:56 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 18:56:14 -0400

My units use Facebook and other Social Media. Some of us use Rally Point and then we use our contact networks of phone numbers and e mail addresses.

Response by SFC Jo Ann Klawitter made Apr 25 at 2024 10:32 PM

SFC Jo Ann Klawitter — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 22:32:08 -0400

Love what you’re doing maybe you can help me have no luck with the VA finding a buddy.
We were stateside during the Vietnam era and lost touch

Response by SFC Wade W. made May 2 at 2024 11:44 AM

SFC Wade W. — Thu, 02 May 2024 11:44:32 -0400

One site that I find rarely mentioned is TogetherWeServed.com. There are quite a few people who have created a page there. The nice thing is that if you are messaged, you will get an email to inform you about it. I put my entire career up there as only members can visit a page, and members are verified before they have full access. I really like it.

Response by SFC Jo Ann Klawitter made May 2 at 2024 3:37 PM

SFC Jo Ann Klawitter — Thu, 02 May 2024 15:37:18 -0400

Thanks for the info. I’ve tried everything.
The VA, Together we serve, Vets friends, And of course, Rally point
I’m still looking for his old address that I got, but I can’t find

Response by SFC Jo Ann Klawitter made May 2 at 2024 3:39 PM

SFC Jo Ann Klawitter — Thu, 02 May 2024 15:39:35 -0400

I am almost to the point of giving up, but not yet
I had a bad experience with Vets friends
I joined and I can’t login and no one can fix it