Need advice from Navy Vets (vanity)

freerepublic.com ^ | 10/1/2017 | Self(vanity)

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

Hi, what's the way for my 94-yr-old WWII Navy Vet father to obtain papers proving his veteran's status?

He went through Midshipman's school, and was then recruited into the Naval Language Program. Obviously he received papers when he was discharged (DD-214?), but 72 years and 17+ moves later, there's not a prayer he'd ever find them.

He's never once asked a store about a Veteran's discount. (Similarly, he never asks for Senior discounts, nor for the handicapped license plate he is greatly overqualified for, and he won't return defective goods to stores unless pushed hard to do so. Guess it's just something about men of his generation.)

But he & my Mom & I inherited my sister's house when she died in June, and we're renovating it for sale, and with huge home improvement purchases coming up and people telling us, "Use his Veteran's discount at home improvement stores!" ...

I assume that ancient photos of him in Midshipman's uniform, and more recent photos of Naval Language Institute reunions, won't cut it. :-)

Is it a photo ID we're talking about, or a card he presents in conjunction with his Driver's License?

Is there some DoD website for this kind of thing?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[WASCWatch]

With a bit of info, he can get a replacement DD-214. Google is your friend.

[2ndDivisionVet]

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

Telephone: 314-801-0800
Status Check: Online Status Update Request Form *
Fax: 314-801-9195

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

OK, so it *is* the DD-214 he needs, eh? Someone mentioned that number to me and I’d written it down.

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

Wow, how ironic! He was born and raised in St Louis, and went from there into the Navy. And now his hometown is where his records are kept. Go figure.

[KarlInOhio]

I found this site:https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records

It has different locations for pre- and post-1953 discharge date.

[Salvavida]

Since he is a 94-year old WWII vet, write the Secretary of the Navy directly. Include all the pertinent information. You will get a reply, and will probably get an action officer at the Pentagon to chase it down.

[Cold Heart]

Search is your friend, Google, not so much

[Rembrandt]

I needed some paperwork but didn’t know where to turn. Someone reco’d I go to the VFW - bartender gave me the info and I was fixed up pronto!

[PROCON]

Ping

[ConorMacNessa]

The National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis is the right place to go. But be aware that there was a fire there some years ago that destroyed many of the WWII records. Two of my great -uncles who served then were in that section.

But all is not lost - they still have skeleton records, including mustering out reports, etc, available.

A couple of things to consider - if you know what outfit he served with, there are websites dedicated to them. Ancestry.com and its sister site fold3.com have compendious records. I found my Dad's enlistment papers in Ancestry. If you have any senior relatives still living, ask them. They may have information that can steer you in the right direction.

Good hunting, and thanks very much to your Father for his service.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[cva66snipe]

Here is something to know. You have to recognize what it looks like. His DD-214 is likely a smaller paper and has a black background best I remember. I found my Dad’s after passing over it a couple times because I was looking for one like mine.

[KeyLargo]

You get copy for him here.

https://vetrecs.archives.gov/VeteranRequest/home.html

[ConorMacNessa]

Thanks very much for the ping, Army Bro! Fortunately, the assets available for searching military records increases month-by-month.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[cva66snipe]

Here’s a long shot but if your county has a Veterans Affairs Officer at the courthouse there may be a copy on file there. If he ever applied for benefits such as a loan or school a copy is likely on file there.

[PROCON]

My pleasure, Navy Bro, glad you could help!

Go Army, beat Navy!

[Billthedrill]

And thank your Dad for his service for all of us!

[easternsky]

Service Officer is what you need, from VFW or Dav, not a fan of DAV anymore but heard they help World War II Vets great. Yes tell them the Story and they should be able to produce what you need quickly. Quicker then trying on your own.

[ConorMacNessa]

Today I passed by what my Uncle Jack used to refer to as the "Fish Factory on the Severn." King Neptune tells me your Black Knights are going down this year, Army Bro.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[docman57]

Start with his Local County Veteran Service Officer, (look in the Phone Book under County offices i.e. Veterans Services). They have access to whatever is available, and are more trained than 90% of VFW counterparts, (or American Legion). Good hunting, and thank your dad for his Service!