Basic Records

The Hunt for Military Records continues . . .

This page honors Jack Forgy and Ann Mix before him -- who have persevered
to obtain some of the Basic Records on our Fathers and loved ones -- using the most
updated information we can find. Please alert us if you find better or more useful sources
or methods than what you find here, saved and contributed from various sources. Click Here.

The most recent references are at the top, but other perspectives and good approaches
that have worked in the past are also included for reference. If this is your first stop in seeking
Basic Records, we suggest that you give the whole page a look, as there's a lot of detail here. When you become
an AWON Member, you’ll see a seperate E-Mail note from Jack Forgy on how to get the Form 180, and
a special paragraph he always recommended be included for best results.

Have you sent for these Basic Records?

There are many military records available to the next-of-kin of World War II servicemen. Most of these records are free of charge, but for some fees may be applicable to cover research or copy costs. In addition to military information, these documents may contain some or all of the following: serviceman’s full name, birth place and birth date; serial number; marriage date and place; home address at time of service; names and addresses of close family members; educational institutions attended; and more. It is important to provide as much information about your serviceman as possible, including full name, serial number, unit/s assigned to, date of death, proof of death, and proof of your relationship to the serviceman. If you do not have all of this information do not let that stop you from making a request; provide as much information as possible. If you do not have the service number, you may be able to find it on Ancestry.com in a collection titled U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945. Many times adding a son/daughter of (father’s name) after your signature is acceptable as proof of next-of-kin.

Here are some of the basic records available:

VA Claim File ~ Documents in this file will include the serviceman’s serial number and possibly social security number. During World War II the serial number was not the social security number. The file will also contain the names of the designated next-of-kin and possibly marriage and birth records. To obtain this file call (800) 827-1000. Explain that you want to request a “retired file.” Be prepared to provide the serviceman’s name, serial number, and widow’s name. Because these files are not in one location, the VA will give the address to write to request the file. Be sure to request the entire file. For more information, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website at: VA Website.

Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) or 201 File ~ The National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO (NPRC) is the repository for service records from World War II. The main record to request is the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). This file will have information about your serviceman’s enlistment, duty stations and assignments, training, qualifications, awards and decorations, disciplinary actions, insurance, emergency data, administrative remarks, Report of Separation, and other personnel information. To obtain the file you must submit Standard Form 180 (SF-180). You can request the form by mail or download it from the NPRC website, but the form must be signed and submitted by mail. Fill out the form as completely as possible. The NPRC suffered a catastrophic fire in 1973, resulting in the loss of many WWII records. The NPRC likely will tell you that your records of interest were lost in the fire and need to be reconstructed. This means that they will have to ask other federal agencies for records or information to fulfill your request as best as possible. This may take several months. For more information visit the NPRC website at: NPRC Website.

Other NPRC Records ~ The NPRC holds many other types of military files. Once you have requested the OMPF and have a basic timeline of your serviceman’s military career you might be interested in obtaining other military files, such as medical records, flight records, Morning Reports, final pay voucher, and more. Visit the NPRC website for more information.

Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) ~ This file is the military report pertaining to the discovery, recovery, identification and final disposition of American WWII remains. It will contain information about the return of the serviceman’s personal effects, where the remains were found, the condition they were in, how they were indentified, and when and where they were buried. Some of the information in this file can be graphic, as it does deal with human remains. In your letter requesting the IDPF, you MUST state at the beginning of your letter that you are making a request based on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Provide the serviceman’s name, serial number, dates of birth and death, and branch and unit of service. Write to: U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Attn: AHRC-PAO (FOIA), Room 7S65, 200 Stovall Street, Alexandria, VA 22331-0400. For more information visit the Human Resources Command website at: HRC Website.

To Request Medals or a Burial Marker ~ You may be entitled to a replacement set of your serviceman’s medals, but there is a charge. Contact the NPRC for information on how to make a request. You may be entitled to a cemetery marker for your serviceman, even if he is buried or memorialized overseas. Contact the VA for information.

There are deeper approaches and wording suggestions on our Advanced Records page . . .

but you need to be a current AWON Member to see it.