Help finding my grandfathers records..PLEASE!

Hello, I'm real new to this so please bare with me. I'm trying to locate any information on my Grandpa, unfortunately his records were destroyed like many others in the 1973 fire.

My Grandfather passed away in 2002 & I always promised myself (and others) that I would honor him by composing a service memorial.

I've submitted the form 180 and the NA Form 13075 was just recently mailed to me. I'm really lost on where else I can continue my
search....Please help!

Here's what I know
Sprunk, William W Jr.
DOB 12/13/20 (Platte County, NE)
DOD 10/21/02 (Platte County, NE)
PFC US Army (Pacific Theatre)
DOE 1942
DOR 1945
I have his SOS # as well.

Thanks so much!!!!

 

So you got back whatever was salvageable from the 1973 file after you submitted the 180 form? Or you just recently sent it? I know it takes a long time because of backlog and they have to recontruct the files, if ther is anything to reconstruct.

Do you know of any important information like campaigns he was in, old documents or old buddies of his that are still a live? I know that seems like a stupid question to ask you since you seem on top of things so far, but sometimes people over look the little things.

Did he ever talk to you and your family what he experienced; i'm sure answer is probably no or not a lot. But that can also help us put him in a general location and know what units he might be in.

 

Thanks for the information! I may have actually gotten lucky, my Grandma ran accross a box that she had thought was long gone and it may contain service records, a few pictures and even his awards/medals! We're gonna dig into it over the holidays so I'm crossing my fingers.
Unfortunately, this was a subject we knew not to ask Grandpa about and the information he offered was very very limited. Like most all WW2 vets he suffered emotionally & physically the rest of his life.
I did request the forms 180 & 13075 but still waiting for them to come back.
I'll get back to you guys once I have alittle more information (maybe we'll get lucky) and see what else we can put together. Thanks!!!

 

A very good site for info is Dad's War: Finding and Telling Your Father's World War II Story, by Wesley Johnston

 

Well, I've got an update!
My Grandfather served in the 81st Infantry "Wildcat" Division as a sniper. After the start of World War II, the 81st was activated in June 1942 at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and was committed for nearly a year in Pacific campaigns. The division was engaged in action in Peleliu, Ulithi, Ngesbus, Congaru, and Garakayo. Later, it was part of the Army of Occupation of Japan. On January 20, 1946, the division was inactivated.
It's unclear which Battalion at this point & I've been unable to locate a roster or morning reports which will likely mean I'll need to narrow this down to the Company level.
I believe we're getting somewhere now, did we open a few doors?
Thanks so much!!!

 

81st Infantry Division:

World War II Divisional Combat Chronicles

Component Elements of the Infantry Divisions in World War II

Yes, until you confirm his regiment and company, it is premature
to consider contacting the NARA for AARs and the NPRC for Morning
Reports.

http://www.archives.gov/research/ww2/ww2-participation.pdf


Dave

 

I also am trying to recover my grandfather's military records. I have the sf180 but in the directions it says that only the next of kin can request records, am I able to send for them or is there somewhere else I can look?

 

that is correct, although to be honest i was not the next of kin to my grandfather because my uncle is still alive but i signed it anyways, i dont know how they would go by checking or if they would really even do so to verify.

 

Check with his home courthouse.
When my dad, a Wildcat, was discharged; he submitted his discharge form to his courthouse for copying. This way the Draft Board had a record of trained soldiers in case a need arose to call them up again.

His other records were destroyed in the 1973 fire; but based upon what I was able to obtain locally, we are getting some medals he never received.

My signature links to a website I am building about the travels of the 81st Division...with photos and documentation from various sources.