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1990-07-26
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National Personnel Records Center
by Jack Jines
15 July 1990
------------------------------------------------
The following is a copy of information that I received via Military
Vet's BBS that I thought might be helpful for those needing military
records:
Subject: Information for all veterans regarding records and
requesting records from the National Personnel Records Center in
St. Louis.
From: Mark S. Camp, Archives Specialist GS-7
DISCLAIMER - This file is intended to be a general information
file only. The information which I am providing should in no
way be construed to be the exact operating policy of the
National Personnel Records Center, or of the National Archives
and Records Administration.
***********************************************
1. When requesting military service or medical records, you
should make the request on a Standard Form 180. This form can
be obtained from the VA and from various veterans'
organizations. If you cannot obtain one, leave a message to me
either in the Vet's Forum or in EMAIL. Leave me your name and
complete mailing address and I will send you the form. When
completing the Form 180, complete as much information as
possible, AND BE SURE TO SIGN YOUR NAME. The Privacy Act
prohibits the release of information without an authorized
signature.
The address for sending the form is:
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, Missouri 63132
2. If you request records by means of a letter, be sure to
include the following information:
Full name (name served under)
Date of birth
Service number
Social Security number
Branch of service
Dates of service
Place of enlistment
Place of discharge
State specifically what documents you are requesting
BE SURE TO SIGN YOUR NAME AND DATE THE LETTER. AUTHORIZED
SIGNATURES ON ALL REQUESTS ARE VALID FOR ONE (1) YEAR FROM THE
DATE OF THE REQUEST.
3. If you served in a National Guard unit and want records from
that period of service, you should request them from the State
Adjutant General of the state where your unit was located. NPRC
4. Most vets were issued 2 documents when discharged - a DD-214
and a discharge certificate. Many vets will ask for a copy of
their discharge when they really want their DD-214, so be sure
to request the proper document. The DD-214 (or its earlier
equivalent such as a 553, is the document needed for benefits
purposes.
5. Records of deceased vets are issued only to immediate
next-of-kin. If you are a next-of-kin, you need to also submit
proof of the veteran's death, such as photocopy of the death
certificate, as well as stating your relationship to the
veteran.
6. If you want dependent medical records, you should send a
request to:
National Personnel Records Center
Civilian Personnel Records
111 Winnebago Street
St. Louis, Missouri 63118
Be sure to include the sponsor's service number or SSN as well
as the type of treatment (outpatient or inpatient) and the
approximate dates of treatment. Requests for records of a
dependent who is now over 21 years old requires that person's
signature in addition to the signature of the person making the
request. X-rays are only released to qualified physicians.
7. You may request you medals and other awards from the center.
NPRC issues USN/USMC/USCG/UASF medals. The Army Personnel
Center, also at 9700 Page issues Army medals. The Army
paperwork is handled by NPRC, but the actual ARMY medals are
issued from the supply center in Philadelphia. It could take a
few months to receive the medals, especially since the Center
receives several thousand requests each month for them. If you
only request medals, that is all you will get. Therefore, if
you also want copies of citations, meritorious masts (usually
not kept as part of the record), ship awards such as the "E"
award, you should specifically state that you want any and all
medals and other awards.
8. The 1973 fire destroyed 80% of Army records prior to and
including the Korean War. Also, Air Force records of vets whose
last names begin with A - H were also destroyed. If you are
among those vets who served in this period (WWI, WWII, Korea),
you should provide as much information as possible when
requesting records such as:
units served with
any hospitalizations
places of enlistment and discharge
COPIES OF DD-214 and DISCHARGE
If you are requesting medals, you should include a copy of your
DD-214 which shows the awards you received. This aids greatly
in trying to establish your entitlements.
9. As of 14 February 1986, the Center's backlog of requests was
at about 30,000 cases. Recent budget limitations have placed a
freeze on hiring. Thus, technicians who answer your requests
are swamped. Do not be upset if you do not get a response
before 4 weeks elapses.
10. Many vets want to file disability, pension, or
hospitalization claims with the VA. They make the mistake of
writing the Center for medical records. The VA will only
re-request the same records from us, even though you provide
them with the same records. Therefore, you will speed up the
process of your claim by going to the VA first and just letting
them request the necessary records.
11. The Center does NOT take telephone requests from
individuals due to the Privacy Act.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ This file appears on The Source of Magic BBS, Ridgefield CT │
│ 203-431-4687, specializing in genealogy, radio, and writing. │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘