Can non family members request persoanl info?

Just as my title says... Can non family members request personal info?

I found a name on a footlocker I have from WWII... would be interesting to track down the original owner, as this footlocker appears to be Japanese and then used by a USMC Sgt.

CJS

 

Do you mean personnel records?

If so, yes, you need to submit the SF 180 and send it to the NPRC, St. Louis.

Military Personnel Records

http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2005/spring/spotlight-nprc.html


Dave

 

You would only get Freedom of Information Act unless the record is deemed public. If it is public, there would be a fee (usually $60) for a copy of the entire file.

 

What does the NPRC consider to be "next of kin"? I think I have read that it is limited to parents, spouse or children. I would like to request the service records of two grand uncles who served in WW2. Both never married, had no children and their parents have long since passed away. Would it be possible for me to get their full service records or am I S.O.L. (So Out of Luck)?

 

Well For Veterans and Next-of-Kin states

So if one of their siblings is left you could request it through them. Now if they were discharged prior to 1949 then you may want to look at:
Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF), Archival Holdings

More can be found at:
Archival Programs Division, NARA at St. Louis

 

Nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and cousins are never considered legal next of kin under the Privacy Act. An extended family member who is the "only surviving family member" can get a court order directing the release of records, but other than that extended family can only get FOIA (unless the record is an Archival Public File in which case anyone can get it for a few). There is an exception for grandchildren of Army veterans who may receive medals if they provide a statement that there are no other living family members. Also, in cases of emergency benefits (like burial or emergency medical care), a senior manager of NPRC (GS-13 or above) may approve a waiver of the Privacy Act and release a DD-214 to an extended family member. This is extremely rare and Ive only seen it happen three times in ten years.

 

Thanks to you both for your helpful responses. In this case, one of the brothers was KIA and the other was discharged right after the War. It sounds like that would mean their records are now public, if I have understood correctly. Again, thanks!