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Need help figuring out my grandfather's military information

Discussion in 'Information Requests' started by dirtyweston, Nov 12, 2012.

  1. dirtyweston

    dirtyweston recruit

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    Hello, my name is Charles (not Weston as my forum name might suggest), and I was named after my grandfather who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. I found some information about him at aad.archives.gov, but I'd like to know more.

    1. His Parent Unit Number is 0473 and his Parent Unit Type is 40. What does that mean?
    2. I'm guessing the Area "field title" is where he was captured. It says 98 North African Theatre: Italy. Does that mean he was fighting in North Africa and taken to Italy? Is there a way to find out what battles he's been in?
    3. I couldn't find any records about Korea and Vietnam. How can I go about getting information about his unit, where they were stationed, etc...

    Any information would be helpful or if anyone can suggest what other questions I should be asking, that would help too.

    This great man raised me from when I was a baby until he died when I was 9. I'd like to know him as a man, now.

    Thank you all so much. I think this forum does a great service.

    -Charles
     
    dirtyweston, Nov 12, 2012
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  2. Earthican

    Earthican Member

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    Earthican, Nov 13, 2012
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  3. Buten42

    Buten42 Member

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    Do you have a copy of his separation paper, or anything that you could post?
    Have you requested a copy of his records from NARA? You might check out this thread Requesting Copies of Military Personnel Records
    Would love to help but need a bit more information.
    Dave
     
    Buten42, Nov 13, 2012
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  4. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    Hi Charles. Glad you found us. I think Dave's suggestions are good. Request his records and post what you might have. It will make our job less complex.
     
    LRusso216, Nov 13, 2012
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  5. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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    Welcome to the Forum, Charles. With respect to requesting your grandfather's records, there are a couple of limitations. Military personnel records are not open to the public (also called "Archival") until 62 years after the service member's separation. If he served in Vietnam, his records would not be Archival. They can be requested by a next of kin. However, "next of kin" is limited to his parents, children or siblings. So, you would need to have a family member who is an eligible NoK make the request.
     
    TD-Tommy776, Nov 13, 2012
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  6. Earthican

    Earthican Member

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    I guess we didn't impress the OP.

    I thought for sure one of our members would make the connection between 473, regiment and italy.;)


    Searching the NARA site I found you can call up all the 473 POW's, using an "any" and 0473. Most seem to have that "parent unit" code 40 - "region/regiment".

    Please Wait...

    If you search for 0422, they have the "parent unit" code 06 - "group/regiment/commands/system"

    Please Wait...
     
    Earthican, Nov 16, 2012
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