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I would like more info on my worthless brother-in-law (If you know him he probably owes you money).

He got out of the Navy on a medical discharge, However, I’ve found family letters that he was scheduled for a court martial and a bad conduct discharge.

His father and a congressman managed to get him discharged with a medical discharge.

Back in the 1980s he found that if he played it right, he could get a VA pension, so since then his worthless hide has been sucking at the government tit. He has always had an aversion to WORK and has not worked since Reagan was President.

In addition to contacting the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO (archives.gov), I recommend getting a copy of “Finding Your Father’s War: A Practical Guide to Researching and Understanding Service in the World War II US Army” by Jonathan Gawne.

If you have a copy of his discharge, that is the best place to start. If you do not, check to see if he registered a copy with the county courthouse of his home county. After WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, soldiers were told to place a copy of their discharge with the local county courthouse records section so that one would be on file if they lost their original. In this era of identity theft, this is no longer recommended.

...for good pointers contact a SO (Service Office) of your local America Legion,VFW...your State also has reps who can help. It will help if you have any info available..DATES,ASSIGNED UNITS,AWARDS,ASSIGNMENT LOCATIONS..

There is a good chance his records were lost in the 1973 St Louis fire. good article details what it takes to find out info about veterans from that era

http://www.stripes.com/news/the-painstaking-effort-to-recover-millions-of-burned-military-service-records-1.233869

Apparently there was a huge fire at the National Personal Records Center in St. Louis in 1973 that destroyed most of the records for the Army from 1912 - 1959 and Air Force for Hubbard thru Z 1947 - 1963

Good Luck but I have come to feel that some of this stuff is probably better left undiscovered. My Dad did not want to talk about it either and my Uncle only just before his death. None of it was pretty but they are both heroes in my eyes and will remain forever so. May God Rest their souls and may he protect our men and women currently in harms way that they may never have to endure the horror of another WW.

I'd start with the free sources (see post #12) and also sign up for a free two week trial with ancestry.com

Another totally free site is familysearch.org

It is very helpful to know the particulars (SSN, birth date and place, death date and place, etc.) before you begin your search.

It isn't unusual that these old World War II vets don't like to talk about their service. My father was the same way. He had nothing to be ashamed of, it is just that talking about things brought back painful memories of stuff like shipmates being blown away or picking up bodies off the Iwo Jima and Okinawa beaches.

Once in a great while, he would volunteer this information, usually when he had my brothers and I off on a fishing and camping trip or we were alone together on a long road trip.

He never would tell me why he washed out of the Naval Air Corps, after being one of the first to volunteer for that dangerous unit after Pearl Harbor. So many of that early group died at Coral Sea, Midway and those early naval battles where aircraft dominated.

Another quick suggestion for you is to use the Ancestry Database and spend some time searching the military record results for a matching name. When you find a match to your relative then go to your local public library, (first check if they have a subscription to Ancestry), then go the the Ancestry Database at the library and look up the information.

Start here:

http://www.ancestry.com/cs/us/militaryrecords

If you have name and service number you can fill out a SF 180 and even get reissued awards and medals of a relative. Sometimes you can do a search for their unit and age a good history. You may be able to fill out the SF 180 online and send it it in.

I am a VFW Post Adjutant. You can go to your local VFW Post and visit them. You will find plenty of veterans, including some still living WWII vets that will gladly help you with finding out more about your relative.

Go to:

Just enter your zip code.

https://www.vfw.org/oms/findpost.aspx

ping.
I was named after my father’s younger brother that died at during WWII.
I have no idea where though.

I even have the flag that covered his coffin when his remains were returned.

The national archives does the search for free, btw

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/

If you go to the above site you can print out a request for the records. I got my grandfather’s records from WWI. It’s very interesting to learn that such a mellow man that I called “Grandpa” served in the Great War. It also revealed to me the awards he received, what unit he was in and what his job was (wagoneer).

Good luck!

This is a for profit site but I think you can get a free trial. I used it to look up my Dad’s WWII service record and found his discharge papers there (on the free trial)

http://www.fold3.com/

Good luck!

Great reference. The same route I used for my dad’s records.

One key - I had his service number from his dog tags but they asked for his social security number as well to focus their record search.

Do you have his service number? That will make it a lot easier.

You need a copy of his DD-214 form. I suggest you Google (or Bing or ...) something like, “Need a relative’s DD-214” and you’ll find many places that offer the service, like this one ... http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

Bumping for later ref too

Ping for later. Dad’s dog-tag number is seared in my memory; he used it as his license plate number for years.

Oh, sorry. It looks like you have to pay for the search.

Bump for reference.

This might help: http://www.archives.com/ga.aspx?_act=ancestorsearch&klp=GA13002&cam=853&KW2=Military&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&msid=Orh4fuxg|pcrid|1522238141|pkw|world%20war%20II%20military%20records|pmt|b

I have never looked at the site, but your question makes me curious, as my father, fatherIN, and motherIL all served, my mom was to young but worked for the Red Cross.
These people all did what was need to do.

I figured FR would be a great place to ask this question. I'd like to find the records for my late father as well. These men gave up several years of their life for us, and now they're gone. It just doesn't seem right to not know their histories and contributions to pass on to their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Thank you my FRiend. Mercy it’s something everyday.

Keep up the good work Steve...

http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/4481019-74/hearing-veterans-outbreak#axzz2b3M8a0l3

Just to let everyone know, we are already filing FOIA requests with the CDC and the Veterans Administration. I can’t begin to tell you how sad this is.

Steve Newton, National President stated: “It was with shock and amazement that we learned several veterans have died after contracting Legionnaires Disease at the Pittsburg Veterans Hospital. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those affected. This is not just an outrage, it’s a crime.”

"The SSFOA has a judiciary duty based on our Constitution and Bylaws to exercise oversight when it comes to our wounded, ill or injured: And in this case we will utilize that right to make sure this doesn’t happen again and to find out why this one happened in the first place. AND who is responsible. It is time for a top to bottom inspection of all V.A. hospitals

I recently discovered a Disposition Form dated 1952 describing General MacArthur recommending the CIB be awarded to all those who acted as Infantry in defense of the Philippine Islands. (Please note: All WWII recipients of the CIB are entitled the prestigious Bronze Star Medal).

The Army ignored his recommendation and denied veterans based on a guideline after the fact, dated 1944. The campaign occurred from 7 December 1941 to 10 May 1942 under two guidelines retroactive on or after 6 December 1941.

Today, decisions by civilian members of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) continue to reflect denials based on guidelines after the fact. Local attorney (retired USAFR Colonel Jarvi, former JAG Officer) stated in a five page letter of legal opinion such action by the military is a violation of the U.S. Constitution.

I have even sought assistance from an American VFW Chapter located on the Philippine Islands.

If you have any avenues to assist, please share. Someone in this country needs to enforce the law.

I recently discovered a Disposition Form dated 1952 describing General MacArthur recommending the CIB be awarded to all those who acted as Infantry in defense of the Philippine Islands. (Please note: All WWII recipients of the CIB are entitled the prestigious Bronze Star Medal).

The Army ignored his recommendation and denied veterans based on a guideline after the fact, dated 1944. The campaign occurred from 7 December 1941 to 10 May 1942 under two guidelines retroactive on or after 6 December 1941.

Today, decisions by civilian members of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) continue to reflect denials based on guidelines after the fact. Local attorney (retired USAFR Colonel Jarvi, former JAG Officer) stated in a five page letter of legal opinion such action by the military is a violation of the U.S. Constitution.

I have even seeked assistance from an American VFW Chapter located on the Philippine Islands.

If you have any avenues to assist, please share. Someone in this country needs to enforce the law.

aaaand it works better if I include the link. Sorry!

http://www.joebros.org/artists/on-the-side/on-the-side-videos/?tubepress_video=jVcrJcReu68&tubepress_page=1

“Our aim is to show people that every man who died was a living person,

And remember that even the members of the Wehrmacht and Gestapo were human. I’ve even heard rumor that Hitler was human. The difference is that some humans fight for what’s right.

It is incorrect to call this a mystery. What is correct is to say that an author is seeking to know what the back story is about this and other downed RAF personnel. Journalists are as inept in the UK about military topics as they are here.

What was the mystery of the forgotten Tyneside airman?

Perhaps the "mystery" is how the pilot of a fighter plane can be shot down at the same time that he's being shot down as the rear gunner on a bomber crew of 6?

Quotes from above:

"Sgt Frederick Leonard Molteni .... was shot down as he flew his fighter plane..."

and

"RAF rear gunner Sgt Frederick ‘Leonard’ Molteni .... was killed with his five Wellington bomber crewmates..."

What was the mystery of the forgotten Tyneside airman?

Anyone could go to any military cemetery, then look at any stone and wonder who that person was. How is that a mystery?

From the story:

The officer also wants to attach a photograph to the fallen soldiers’ grave as a lasting tribute among the headstones of soldiers in three Belgian cemeteries.

He said: “Were these people married, did they have any children, what was the reason they joined the air force?

“Our aim is to show people that every man who died was a living person, and to ensure that they will be remembered.”

That's really beautiful! Thank you for sharing this story.

Earlier article:

Pals help to solve mystery of forgotten airman
6 Aug 2010 00:00
OLD friends are helping to solve the mystery of a forgotten Tyneside airman who was killed during the Second World War.

OLD friends are helping to solve the mystery of a forgotten Tyneside airman who was killed during the Second World War.

Sgt Frederick Leonard Molteni, from Gosforth, Newcastle, was shot down as he flew his fighter plane on a doomed mission to bomb Germany in 1941.

His grave now lies in Belgium and, as reported in the Chronicle on Wednesday, a historian is appealing for anyone who knew of the 23-year-old to come forward.

Now, two people who knew the family well have helped to piece together the jigsaw of Sgt Molteni’s life on Tyneside before the war.

Rose McPeake, 87, of Howard Place, Gosforth, remembers Frederick because she was friends with his sister, Winifred.

The grandmother-of-three said the Moltenis were of Italian descent and lived in nearby Leslie Crescent.

Her memories of Frederick are of a man with “dashing” good looks.

“He was very dark and handsome,” she said.

“There was some Italian in the family, and I suppose he had that typical Italian look about him.

“I used to see him at Sunday mass, and all I can remember is people telling me he had joined the RAF.

“Another time I was carol singing outside his house. He was reading a book and he was rather annoyed and told us to go away!”

Mrs McPeake later became a wireless operator when war broke out and said little was heard of the family after Frederick left to fight.

“All I remember is the church service announcing that he had died,” she said. “He must have been very young.

“I’ve never heard for many, many years of there being any Moltenis left in Gosforth now.”

Joe Fox, 75, of Wallsend, says he knew of Frederick because the airman’s father used to be the family accountant.

The two families were such good friends that his mother used to keep a photograph of Frederick in his RAF uniform on the mantlepiece.

“We don’t have it anymore, I’m afraid,” said Joe, adding that Frederick used to go by his middle name of Leonard.

“I was only about five at the time, but I remember Leonard always being in the background.

“He was the most handsome young man. I remember him in his Sergeant’s stripes. He was a fresh, young, vibrant man.

“His father’s office was on the corner of Chillingham Road and the Coast Road in Heaton. I remember going there with my mother and talking to Mr Molteni.

“He had a grandfather’s face and a lovely voice, and he smoked incessantly.”

Joe, who later joined the Merchant Navy and was away for long periods of time, never heard from the Moltenis again.

But he says they were anxious about their Italian ancestry and suspects they may have left the area after Frederick’s death.

“I went to sea and lost contact with virtually everyone,” the grandfather-of-four said.

“I remember Mr Molteni asking if we thought it would be appropriate if they changed the family name.”

Officer Frank Raeman, of the Belgian Army, is now writing a book about Sgt Molteni and five other airmen who also perished.

If you can help piece together the airman’s history, call Tom Mullen on 0191 201 6106

The last sixty-five-plus years of his life (is he still alive?) is summed up in 8 short paragraphs. Which is not a bad thing.

I remember someone telling me of a WWII pilot who, when the war was over, parked his aircraft, turned in the log book and never flew again. And that wasn’t a bad thing either.

Interesting story of what our brave heros went through to maintain our freedom. Thanks.

In October 1942, he was assigned to organize and command the 350th Fighter Group being formed in England. Klocko readied the unit, equipped with P-39 fight­ers, for combat. Starting in December 1942, the group flew incrementally from England to North Africa in support of the Allied invasion. In February 1943, Klocko (by this time a lieutenant colonel) dropped an escape and rescue message to the “Lost Battalion” surrounded by German troops, for which he was awarded the Silver Star. Shortly thereafter, on February 24, Klocko was shot down by AA fire while on a straf­ing mission. He was captured by Rommel’s forces, flown to Germany and remained a Prisoner of War until April 1945.

Richard Klocko is mentioned often in Col. Jerry Sage's memoir of captivity and resistance "Sage"

Sgt.Begay...may the breath of God, be upon your eternal Spirit

Rest in peace Sgt. Begay

"Negay enlisted in 1942 when he was 17 years old." ..
Thank You Mr. Negay. When I was 17 I was able to live in a free safe country because of great Americans like you.

More about the Japanese flag from a Seattle TV station feature story last night. Great story and a classy old Marine

(Video and story at link).

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Tattered-Word-War-II-flag-brings-two-families-together-215623991.html

I believe on the left hand part of the flag it says:

Justice For Trayvon ™

And certainly not cursive Japanese.

I don’t read Japanese. Nor Cursive.

Great piece of history.