Need Help finding info re: Steve Cochrane/ Stephen Cochran my grandfather stationed in Leyte, Phili

Bem, Regarding the service records, you can dowload a form 180 (request for personnel records) from the NARA site, fill it out and mail it to the address prvided. Start Your Military Service Record (DD Form 214) Request. Once the records have been archived anyone can receive a copy--they will charge you (Next of Kin can still receive them free) but it's not too much.

Good luck on your quest,
Dave

 

Whether or not a soldier's records are considered "archival" is dependent on when he left the Army. IIRC, they become archival 62 years after military service ended. Therefore, most WWII service records are archival at this point and can be requested by anyone. The elephant in the room when it comes to Army service records is the 1973 fire which destroyed about 80% of the records. It is very possible that his records may not exist. It is possible they may have been partially reconstructed, but, as I found out, that can also be a dead end. I requested my great uncle's file and paid $20 for a one page document I already had.

 

Bem, I would very much encourage you to wait until there is a bit more evidence of a connection to the Philippines at least. I would also suggest you first contact be a carefully worded letter. This will allow time for the information to be processed. You may even provide a self addressed stamped envelope to encourage a response. If you receive a favorable response, you can alway arrange a phone call or meeting. If an unfavorable response, they will still have a way to contact you if they change their mind in the future.

 

Hi Bem,

Hope things are well with you. Do you have any updates?