How Can I Find Details About My Deceased Father’s Military Career? Who He Worked With, Etc.?

January 19, 2010 – 10:55 pm

I’d like to know who he worked with in Korea, Vietnam, Ethiopia. He was in the Army Signal Corps, and anything I can find out would be great. Is there a FOIA form I can fill out somewhere to get these details?

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  1. 6 Responses to “How Can I Find Details About My Deceased Father’s Military Career? Who He Worked With, Etc.?”

  2. As has been posted, first step is a copy of his DD-214. This is kind of a condensed version of his service record. It’ll tell you his dates of active service, and the medals and ribbons he’s earned.
    But there isn’t much detail. When a serviceman receives a medal, it’s almost always accompanied by a citation explaining the medal and what the recipient did to earn it. You won’t be able to get those. The medals may give you a clue as to when he served in those theaters. Armed with those dates, do some research to find out what units served in those theaters at those times. Contact those units — they’ll probably have Web sites, or links through http://www.army.mil.
    Another source of information might be the VFW.
    The task isn’t going to be very easy.
    To get a DD-214, try: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrec…
    As has been suggested, you can go to your local VA office, but these guys will send you the records directly.

    By gugliamo on Jan 20, 2010

  3. http://www.archives.gov/veterans/militar…
    Go to the National Archives and Records Administration to request copies of your father’s service records. The last installation will not have anything other than general information regarding his brief assignment there.
    You will require either his service number or social security number, date of birth and his full legal name.

    By oscarsix on Jan 20, 2010

  4. Do you have a copy of his DD 214? If you know his SSN, you can contact the local VA office and they will be able to set you in the right direction.

    By gijoesig on Jan 20, 2010

  5. You need to go the base he was discharged from request a copy of his DD-214 and a detailed copy of his military record. If he is still living he will have to make the request

    By Sherry on Jan 20, 2010

  6. http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrec…
    Go here, fill out the info, sign the paper and fax it in. They will provide you with all of the information you request.

    By Dirk D on Jan 20, 2010

  7. contact your local VA office they can assist you on your request.

    By Thomas on Jan 20, 2010

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