Requesting Copies of Military Personnel Records

Found this: Archival Records. Personnel records of military members who were discharged, retired, or died in service 62 OR MORE YEARS AGO have been transferred to the legal custody of NARA and are referred to as “archival records”.
a. Release of Information: Archival records are open to the public. The Privacy Act of 1974 does not apply to archival records, therefore, written authorization from the veteran or next-of-kin is not required. In order to protect the privacy of the veteran, his/her family, and third parties named in the records, the personal privacy exemption of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552 (b) (6)) may still apply and may preclude the release of some information.

 

Here's the link to the stuff I just copied and pasted: https://www.archives.gov/files/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf

 

Yes, with some limitations: Archival Research Room, Policies & Procedures

 

They do have rules about cameras, too:

As long as you can avoid flashing, you should be okay.

 

Missed this one. I'm not certain if they consider POAs (Limited or General) to be "authorization from the veteran" for their purposes. For a LPOA, it may depend on how specific the limitations are. Probably best to contact the NARA with that question since they don't specifically address it on their website.

As KMZgirl quoted in post #41, if the veteran left the military 62 or more years ago, then the issue is somewhat moot, as their records are now considered Archival and open to the public.

 

Hopefully for interest to anyone going to the National Archives at College Park MD, this is their information on opening hours and other basic's (for details check out the link)

"Should you choose to come to Washington to do research, our records and microfilm publications are available for consultation without charge in our research rooms. The National Archives at College Park (Archives II) is located at 8601 Adelphi Road, between Metzerott Road and University Boulevard/Greenbelt Road, just inside the Beltway between the New Hampshire Avenue and Route 1 Exits. If you do not have a research card, you must apply for one in the reception area. Textual Research Room (Room 2000) hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except legal holidays. Our consultation room hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. No appointment is necessary. Records are retrieved Monday through Friday for use in the Textual Research Room at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. There are no pulls on Saturday. We do not pull in advance. Prior to your visit, please consult our web site at http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/college-park/. "

TD

 

To clarify, the NARA has records in multiple locations. The NARA at College Park holds the WWII Unit Records. Personnel records are held at NARA in Saint Louis, Missouri.

 

I requested dad's records 19 weeks ago. I received my response today. Here is an excerpt. Emphasis is mine: "The OMPF needed to answer your inquiry is NOT IN OUR FILES. IF the OMPF were here on (fire) July 12' 1973...MAY have been destroyed." I'm assuming it was indeed there and burnt? So, they said I can receive his FINAL PAY VOUCHER for $25. I'm going to send for it. Has anyone else done this? The example they sent is not giving me much hope for new information. Thankfully, I do have his separation papers and a few other documents he saved, but have hit a brick wall on his service timeline. At this time, I can not afford to pay a researcher. Thanks!

 

In my opinion, the Final Pay Voucher is not worth the $25. It will not give you any more info than you needed to have in order to submit your request. You would be better off setting it aside and saving up to hire a researcher.

 

Thanks for the response. I sent for it yesterday before seeing your reply. I 'll keep my fingers crossed that it wasn't a total waste.

 

Well, I paid $20 for one so you are in good company. I suppose another way of looking at it is that you will have a copy of a document that is unique to him. It's not much, but it is something.

 

Hello,
I sent an SF-180 about a month ago requesting the archival OMPF of my grandfather. At the time I had no idea about the Navy muster rolls available on ancestry. Actually, I knew about them, but never having my grandfather's name produce any relevant results when I did a search, I figured for some reason, he was not in the database. Then I started browsing the rolls, and I found him. I searched the set for about a week, until I traced him through every duty and assignment to which he was deployed, including 2 Naval hospitals as a patient. Getting back to the SF-180.........
When I filled it out, I checked the box for medical records. I had no idea at the time where he was hospitalized (I didn't even know if he had been hospitalized while on active duty). I only knew he died young in 1958 (Bari, Italy survivor), and I had a feeling he was ill long before the war ended.
The application asked for the name of facilities and dates on which he was there. Not knowing at the time, I didn't write anything, hoping they'd somehow find it. I know now that was ridiculously wishful thinking, as the Navy did not add the medical records to the individual's OMPF, but instead organized them by the hospital where he was treated.
So, question is, now that I can provide the places and dates of hospitalization, can I somehow get that info to them at St Louis? Or better yet, will they contact me before they start the overall search, thus allowing me to provide the info?
Any suggestions gratefully welcomed.
Thanks!

 

I went through the same problems you are having while trying to get one of my brother's medical records. I found my old post and think you might benefit from this.
http://ww2f.com/threads/veterans-medical-records.44939/#post-532384

Since your grandfather was ill and more than likely visited the VA, this might be a good source. When I finally got their attention I received a very thick envelope
with every record they had. I found out so much I didn't know because they included of his medical records, the records for his GI Bill training after the war and so much more. I had to go through my regional VA office to get some direction. He even called the archives for me in St. Louis to verify the records were there.

 

Thank you, Dave! That's very helpful. I'll call the RMC and hope to avoid a runaround.
Steve

 

I submitted an online request to National Personnel Records Center for information on my grandfather who served in the US 331st AAA Searchlight Battalion 1942-1944. Nine months later I received a one-page photocopy of just his "Report of Separation", which gave me info I already knew. I was hoping to find out more about his medals and events, etc. Did I only get the Report of Separation perhaps because there just isn't anything else because of the fire?