I'm looking for Army information for my grandfather.?

Question

My grandfather was in the Army from March 11, 1943 till Nov. 1, 1945. He served with the following units: 497 Port Battalion Company B and with Headquarters Troop 3rd Squadron 124 Cavalry. I would love to have information or pictures to pass on to my grandfather (age late 80's). God Bless everyone that has served in the military and bless the families. Thanks!

Answer 1

The correct answer is for you to contact the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO. They will have you fill out a request. Since you are a family member you will be able to get more information than a member of the general public. It will take from two to four months for them to locate the information.

See the link below....

Answer 2

You need to know his whole name, his branch of service, his birth date, his birthplace, and the approx. years that he was in the service (1941-1945). You then send a letter to the Personnel Service Records Center in St. Louis and wait - it will take a few months. You also need his social security number and his serial number if you have access to that information.

You may encounter a problem. Some years back part of the Records Center burned and if his records were destroyed, there is little chance of them reconstructing them.

You can also post request in the magazines of the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans - and probably the Veterans of Foreign Wars, asking for those who served with him to tell you what they might know.

I would just take the question above and send that to those magazines, that says a lot to the old men who are now mainly forgotten and dying off fast. You might be amazed at what you receive.

Your grandfather is blessed.

If you have discussed this with your grandfather and he thinks it is OK for you to do this, then go ahead. However, if you have not, discuss it with your fatehr before you do anything and find out if your grandfather has spoken much of his military experiences. Since your grandfather is alive, he will have to sign the request, and you can get his entire service record that way.

I am telling you something because I have problems with my military service. I did not do anything wrong, did not get into any trouble, but I simply saw too much and have flashbacks, nightmares, etc on what I saw.

Your grandfather may have the same experiences or similar experiences. Bringing those to light may upset him and that would not be a good thing. So make sure your father and grandfather are both OK with this before you start. I thought I should add that to what I said for your grandfather's benefit so that an ancient problem will not bother him when it is brought up.

Most people with combat field experiences do not really like to discuss it. Friends were killed, he might have come close to death, etc.

You can also write the Army and ask for the histories of his various assignments. You can also get copies of the daily muster reports from National Archives in Maryland.

Weigh all the things that I have mentioned, discuss them with your father and, if he thinks it is OK, withyour grandfather.

Your purpose is noble - you just don't want things to go awry.

Answer 3

Yak Rider has you going the right way. Here's a more accurate web page
www.archives.gov/veterans

click on locating service members records. follow the prompts, and fill in the info. you'll need to be the servicemembers next of kin, or the service member themselves. print or copy the affidavit at the end. then mail, or fax your request.

Answer 4

Try the National Archives in Washington, D.C. They may be able to assist you

Answer 5

Call the Pentagon and ask for direction

Answer 6

contact veterans administration in DC

good luck