Finding info on U.S. veterans
(last updated March 2022)

In response to numerous emails for information about individual U.S. servicemen (I don't have that info), I have rounded up a number of links that should help in such searches.  The more you know about the person you're interested in, the better chance that you or the administrators can find something. Name, rank, serial number, branch of service, unit, dates of service, date of birth, etc. are all very helpful.

• Dad's War - This website has all the links about this type of research. The best place to start.
• National Archives - Access to Military Service and Pension Records
• Veterans Administration Site - Free of Information Act requests
• Veterans Administration Nationwide Gravesite Locator 
• Order a MACR (Missing Air Crew Report)
• American Battle Monuments Commission - search the names in U.S. Military cemetaries
• Veteran's Research Link Page at "Kilroy Was Here" webpage - The original site is gone, but this link works for now...
• Naval History and Heritage Command - Resources for researchers
• Military.com - Buddy Finder
• VetFriends.com - Find a Veteran with Our Military Buddy Finder
• Military Records search at Ancestry.com
• Ancestry.com (you can get a trial subscription for free to get access)

FIND A U.S. VETERAN FROM WWII
Listed below are the two best places to write to for military records when tracking down a U.S. veteran. Send letters to these agencies with any of the following information, if you have it:

• Full name and serial number of the individual.
  
• Rank held at a specific time or highest rank achieved.
  
• Names and dates of awards for decorations received (e.g., the Purple Heart).
  
• Unit(s) to which the individual was assigned or attached and the dates of service.
  
• Individual's military occupation or specialty, e.g., pilot, nurse, maintenance technician, military police, etc.
  
• Your relationship to the individual.
  

National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63132


National Archives and Records Service
8th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20408
Phone: (202) 523-3220
[http://www.nara.gov/]

Good luck in your search.