My dad was a Vietnam Vet. How can I find other men who served with him?

Question

Desaperate to find out more about my dad.

Answer 1

OK one of the easiest ways I am aware of is to contact the American Legion Magazine or the VFW Magazine and ask them to put in a notice in the section where they post notices of people who are looking for fellow servicemen that they served with. I know that YOU did not serve with them but you should still be able to place the notice. I am not sure if there is any fees for this BUT both mags do have these sections. I am not sure what the proper name of the section is, but they do have them. You can also contact the local veterans service officer. Each city or town usually has one. BUT EVERY state DOES HAVE a Dept. of Veterans affairs. These offices may also be able to help you out here. OH, by the way have as much info on your dad as possible. The unit he severed with, his Service number, Date of Birth, Branch of service, dates he served, and IF you know also the unit he was in. All this will help tremendously. Good Luck, you sound like a daughter that any man would be proud to say thats my girl!

Answer 2

There are a couple of sites that you could try. They have reunion sections in them-one is www.military.com, the other is www.vetsearch.com. Both of them are set up to help vets find each other and reunite. Sometimes the only one that can understand is another person that saw, felt or experienced the same things that you did. One thing about these sites, the person(s) that you are trying to reach, will either respond or not-depending on whether or not they are comfortable with this or not. Another source is through the Freedom of Information Act. You can get a copy of your father's military record, discharge and other military documents. Often these will list individuals that he served with and might also contain their service numbers. If you can find the unit, then you can also access the unit records from that time period. Good luck on the search.

Answer 3

OORAH!

But, as another poster indicated... Be careful... the Nam, was not a pleasant place to be during the war. My father served in the Marines as a fighter joc, and a forward air controller airborne, as well as a lot of black ops stuff (still classified)... He does not stay in touch with any squadron mates from the war.

You'll need to know which branch of service to start with... I found a great resource was a local recruiter.

My brother married a woman from Hanoi, it put a bit of a strain on family relations for a short while. As I type my dad is in Vietnam, with my brother and his wife for the second time. Dad really loves it there (not the memories), the people, scenery and such.

Most of the folks he has come in contact with are all excited that Americans are coming over as tourists. The pictures are indeed incredible.

Good Luck to you.

Answer 4

I am not being rude but you may not want to know. Nam was a really bad time for a lot of people and vets as they were not treated very well. Look how long it too to get the memorial in DC. Maybe you should research the war fist and then look for people. My older brother was there and even my dad was in WWII they both only talk to others that were there. War is a very hard thing on everybody concerned.

Answer 5

I want to help and my intent is to TRY but, I'm only guessing here.
Try contacting a site called U.S.gov.com and in the search terms insert Vietnam veterans, or VFW.com and see if that won't take you to a site that will further help you in your endeavours. I co mend you for your efforts as all children should be in-touch with their veteran parents or be able to get to know more about them. I hope this helps.
GOD BLESS/GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 6

It will have to be up to your feelings about the way he will react but there are many web sites you can use to locate former service members if you know his information, Branch, Unit, times he was in areas that kind of thing. Use your head though don't start something that might hurt. If your father is not someone who trys to hide his service I want you to thank him for his service for me. One former serviceman to another.

Answer 7

If you know the branch and unit he was with, do an internet search on that unit. Many Vets get together for reunions... They touch base with one another via the internet.

Answer 8

here are some sites I found that might help out;

this first one seems to be a site that links to many others... looks promising;

http://www.the-seeker.com/milseek.htm

this one looks interesting too;

http://www.veteransearch.com/

here's another... had no idea there were so many different ones;

http://www.vva.org/

course this next one is my favorite site of all;

http://www.militarybrats.com/

I hope one or more of these help.... I can only imagine why your father has not/can not give you all the names himself.... and whichever it is, I am sorry..... and wish you all the best in finding out all about him.......

Answer 9

You need to find out his division, then work from there.
Then Brigade, then battalion, then company.
The guys that would remember him would be the same "company".
VA records may help, if you have his SS#.
Bless you, hon....I hope you can find what you are looking for.

Answer 10

Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs, they should have some answers for you