Marine Needs Help!

self | 4/6/17 | self

[Lmo56]

A Marine was found dead today - age 78 or 79. His wish is to be buried at Quantico VA Cemetery. However, we [my girlfriend and I] are having trouble locating documents such as a will, DD-214, etc.

He was a lifelong friend of my girlfriend - like a 20 years older brother. So, we will shoulder the responsibility for getting him buried - if we can get documentation and certified to do so.

He was estranged from his family, he had a son - and possibly a daughter. And, we have no idea of their names, much less how to contact them.

I will be calling the Marine Corps tomorrow to get as much info as I can, but I am wondering if some of the good folks on Free Republic may be able to help us out in the mean time.

1. Does anyone have access to Lexis-Nexis who could do a case search? Our Marine was involved in a lawsuit in the past couple of years and we hope to be able to ascertain his lawyer from the docket.

His name is Robert W. Clem [might also be listed as Robert William Clem or William Robert Clem].

He lived at 1936 Bridgewood Drive Boca Raton, FL in Palm Beach County.

2. If we cannot get documentation or find his children [or any other family], does anyone know how to apply to the courts in order to be appointed like a guardian or some such for the purposes of burial?

Semper Fi ...

[Da Coyote]

I’m confident that he will get the required data from the Marines.

Always remember that the worst Marine is better than 98% of our congresscritters, and better than ANY Democrat president.

[bigbob]

See if you can locate a Veterans Service officer in the county or city - if you can’t, contact the VFW - they shoudl be able to help.

[Auntie Mame]

The funeral home should be able to help also.

[VeniVidiVici]

You’ll probably get a reply from someone that can track down his information.

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Best wishes for success! I don’t know you but I am proud of you!

[Sasparilla]

Try your local AMVETS.

[Thumper1960]

I wish you much luck and success in helping this Marine rest where he belongs-with his brothers and sisters in a place of honor and dignity. FReepers with knowledge of how to get this done are legion and I am certain good advice and help will be forthcoming. Rest in peace, Marine.

[nickcarraway]

Always remember that the worst Marine is better than 98% of our congresscritters

Hopefully, Marines can be compared to a higher standard than that.

Anyway, Semper Fi to this Marine, and I hope he reaches his final destination in an appropriate manner.

[Gay State Conservative]

The central office for military records is located in Saint Louis.I can't recall its official name but I did obtain some of my records from it years ago.Don't know if there's an expedited process available to allow this Marine to be buried in a military/veterans’ cemetery.

[Gay State Conservative]

National Personnel Records Center
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63138

(314) 801 0800

[azishot]

Was he a member of VFW or American Legion? If so, maybe they could help. God bless you and your girlfriend for doing this.

[USMCPOP]

If all else fails, try the USMC Casualty Assistance at 1-800-847-1597. It’s for fallen active duty Marines, but they should be able to advise you.

Batter yet, read through this first: http://www.usmc-mccs.org/services/benefits/casualty-assistance/information-for-survivors-of-retired-marines/

At very least, there are phone numbers for the records center & etc.

[Tx Angel]

So sorry for your loss :(

[xrmusn]

This link breaks it down pretty good
Not sure how much info YOU can get - funeral home probably your best bet, they know the twists and turns etc...
As suggested VFW/AL/AMVETS etc also VERY GOOD but will probably need ‘proof of death’, why I recommend funeral home etc..

http://www.military-veteran.com/records/marines.html

[Lmo56]

Sorry, Bobby was not active in either the American Legion or VFW. He flew under the radar for the most part.

There really isn’t much that shows up on paid searches, although we have been in contact with 2 people local to where my girlfriend and I live [in Maryland]. Bobby would come up 3-4 times a year to see them. They didn’t have much info.

[Parmy]

Perhaps in his personal effects there might be his 'doglegs'. If you can find those, his service number will be on them.

If you know that you can go to the VA and they can search in their data base and get his DD214.

I had lost mine and that is how I recovered mine.

[Mariner]

VFW can work this for you, or DAV or the Marine Corps Auxiliary.

They know what to do.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Amen to that.

[Da Coyote]

“Hopefully, Marines can be compared to a higher standard than that.”

Indeed. I stand full chastised. Comparing any group to the lowest rated collection of clowns in the multiverse is a sin beyond measure.

Mea culpa, I shall not do it again.