Burned WWII soldiers records

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anna

Burned WWII soldiers records

Legg inn av anna » 14 apr 2005 16:36:59

I started a new thread since this is a change of topic but Cathy had
mentioned that many of the Army records were burned for WWI and WWII
soldiers. I just wanted to let you know my experience.

My father was KIA in WWII and the family didn't have any records, etc.
I wanted to find out some info about him and his record, so wrote to
the usual places. I received one page stating that his records had been
in the fire.

Recently, because of my genealogy website, I have been in touch with a
number of men from my father's unit. One of them told me to try again
because the Army never has just one copy of a document and that there
will be other copies elsewhere.

I contacted my congressman to see if he could help me get the records
and he passed along the request. Lo and behold, I ended up with eight
pages of records (some of the edges burned) showing where he was
stationed, when he was promoted, what battles he was in, and what
medals he won; also his Certificate of Military Service.

I also have found since then that a person can asked for a
reconstructed record if they can't find originals.

I'm sorry that this is so long but I wanted to let others know who may
be looking for fathers or grandfathers service records to persevere.

I also would like to encourage you to put your information on a
personal website. I had written a biography of my father on my website
which included his unit (which I had gotten from his tombstone) and the
fact that I had the 969th Field Artillery Battalion in his bio caused
it to come up in website searches. Because of that I have talked to
four different people who were in his unit--one was with him when he
was killed and one gave me a copy of the Battery picture at Camp
Gruber. Considering I had no information or pictures previously I feel
like I know so much more.

Anna

L Covey

Re: Burned WWII soldiers records

Legg inn av L Covey » 14 apr 2005 17:08:04

anna wrote:
I started a new thread since this is a change of topic but Cathy had
mentioned that many of the Army records were burned for WWI and WWII
soldiers. I just wanted to let you know my experience.

My father was KIA in WWII and the family didn't have any records, etc.
I wanted to find out some info about him and his record, so wrote to
the usual places. I received one page stating that his records had been
in the fire.

Recently, because of my genealogy website, I have been in touch with a
number of men from my father's unit. One of them told me to try again
because the Army never has just one copy of a document and that there
will be other copies elsewhere.

I contacted my congressman to see if he could help me get the records
and he passed along the request. Lo and behold, I ended up with eight
pages of records (some of the edges burned) showing where he was
stationed, when he was promoted, what battles he was in, and what
medals he won; also his Certificate of Military Service.

I also have found since then that a person can asked for a
reconstructed record if they can't find originals.

I'm sorry that this is so long but I wanted to let others know who may
be looking for fathers or grandfathers service records to persevere.

I also would like to encourage you to put your information on a
personal website. I had written a biography of my father on my website
which included his unit (which I had gotten from his tombstone) and the
fact that I had the 969th Field Artillery Battalion in his bio caused
it to come up in website searches. Because of that I have talked to
four different people who were in his unit--one was with him when he
was killed and one gave me a copy of the Battery picture at Camp
Gruber. Considering I had no information or pictures previously I feel
like I know so much more.

Anna


You are very fortunate, indeed. These men with whom you have
communicated are really a great gift. What an experience.

I am happy for you.

LC

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