Military Records?

Question

My papaw was in the service during WWII and like most men who served back then he did not talk about what went on or where he was. He passed away 24 years ago and I am just now asking questions about him thanks to a trip to Washington DC I just came back from. Can anyone give me ways to contact the Government on how to get ahold of records? He was in the Army and only served during the war.

Answer 1

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/
This is where I went and got my dads WWII record.
Please note there was a huge fire in St. Louis, where they are stored and it destroyed many records from that era. But they will have a copy of a discharge that lists his last unit.

Good luck to you. Let me know if you need further help.

Answer 2

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/index.html

many records were lost in a 1973 fire. Good luck.

If you have found a copy of his DD214 (received when discharged) it will have some info like Medals and Campaigns he was in. The only unit will be the last he was in. You would need his full records to track all movements.

If you have old letters to your mom or his parents there would be a return address. I backtracked my Dad from letters. If you have or find some it is simple to find stuff about units in combat roles.

If he was in a support role it can be more difficult. In WWII I believe it took 6 men to keep one Infantryman/Tanker/aircraft moving.

I inadvertantly found a online bookstore dealing with Military only. Found a book written by a guy in the same Battalion my Dad was in. While they did not know each other this guys diary was of the same battles

Answer 3

I believe that the records depository is in St Louis, MO.
If nothing else, enlist the help of American Legion, VFW or your Congressman.

Answer 4

I think only his Next of kin would be entitled to those? Like his wife or child. I could be wrong though