Looking for details about what exactily my great grandfather did in WW2

So I was looking for some details on my great grandfather he served in WW2 of course and was a medic for the army his name was William Franklin Channels and was raised in Ohio my grandma isint sure what year he got in though. We know for a fact he has a couple medals because my great aunt used the website where as long as your first of kin you can get papers and medals.. Thanks a lot for the help in advance!

 

The more information you can provide, the better.If you can provide his birthday,a photograph in uniform and any letters he wrote home.This will help narrow the search.
The replacement medals program is a one shot deal.If your aunt did this,then you can not.Grand children are not next of kin. If you could find his discharge papers that would answer many questions.These were sometimes filed with the county clerk when the service man came home.This would be in the county were he lived at time of discharge.
Be patient and do not get discouraged.
Good luck
Bob

 

Yeah I'll post some other info in just a few minutes

 

I guess I lucked out on this one I had to pull out the family photos and I didn't find one. I picked one up because it looked like one of a birthday party or something and as I was flipping through it I found one in his uniform! It was in the most random photo album though.

 

Anyone can get his information, it's called the Freedom of information act. simply go to the DoD and file for his records. You will get his dd214 and other details.


anyone can do this to anyone that ever served

 

As for the information, what you provided isn't much. He's a private and no more details from that picture... also called a fuzzy aka private in today's Army speak.

no unit information, no medals no nothing. this picture was taken right out of basic or during right?


do you have any details on when he deployed? what unit? Do a freedom of information request on his dd214.


I forgot, almost everyone gets some medals. I was in the infantry 11b modern era. You get all types of medals starting in basic and going through your service. the theater of war will be a medal. his units medals...etc... we all get them. now the big stuff. sliver star, MoH... that is rare.

freedom of information act will tell you all that and more. even the bad stuff if there is any.

 

Ok is this a website or a place I might as well do it can you give me more info on it please

 

Military Services

https://www.rmda.army.mil/foia/RMDA-FOIA-Division.html

here you go, it can take some time, let me know if you need more

 

My response earlier was in regard to replacement medals.Information as stated above can be obtained by anyone. Sorry if I was not clear and hope I did not confuse anyone.
Bob

 

no worries and yep for any medals you can order them online, for us vets we can only display what we actually earned. Civilians can claim or buy any as long as they don't use them to get anything or benefits that are for veterans, that is a crime. aka stolen valor

you can dress up at a navy seal if you want, but don't use it to steal benefits/discounts...etc vets, we can only dress up as what we were and what we earned and for only certain affairs.

 

Okay thanks guys

 

World War II personnel records are considered Archival records and need to be requested via the NARA in St. Louis: www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records
You will need to complete a Standard Form 180 (PDF) and submit via mail to the address specified in the previously referenced link. You will be requesting an OMPF (Official Military Personnel File). If you are fortunate, his records will not have been completely destroyed in the 1973 fire.

Is this your great grandfather's Memorial page? William F. Channels

 

Indeed it is what should we put on the letter? Just ask for what we need and a signature ot tell them about ourselfs?

 

is this right? It said you need a cursive signature amongst other things though you can't put a signature on a online document XD

 

I can only answer questions related to what I posted. I don't know that you can get WWII records through the Department of Defense.

 

Most men filed their separation/discharge papers at the court house when they returned home from the war. If you know what county he lived in when he was discharged, you should be able to get a copy.