Third request for records yields little more; frustrated!

Okay, so I'm back! This was the third time I have sent for my father's records. The first two barely said he was in the war. For this set, there are indeed more papers but it seems that they are simply duplicates of information but on different forms. Geesh! I am so frustrated! This time, I had to pay for copying or whatever it was for. I verified it was legit and all and was really hopeful. However, even after attaching a quite involved and detailed explanation of what I wanted (with Dad), I did not get what I asked for. One of the forms has a place where someone filled in when he was sent from one base to another. Inbetween them, there is a space of about 9-months that is blank. Of course, this is the time period of Oki, Iwo, hospitalization etc. Here's what I am asking for, in case you have any ideas for me;

1. Medical records from Aiea Naval hospital. (he was injured and sent there)
2. Records specific to Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

My thoughts about where to go from here are;
1. Call the 1-800 number on the cover letter.
2. Make an appt at our local VA.
3. Contact my congressman.

Another question: Is it possible that no records were kept? Or that they are not kept in HIS file?

Thank you all once again. ~Karen

 

Karen, there is always the possibility that the fire in St. Louis is the culprit here as well. Perhaps the "spotty" records evolve from the fact that only some records were kept in duplicate in other locations?

I'm not sure of course, but that could be one reason. Best of luck in your continued search.

 

Thank you for the response. If that is the case, wouldn't they just say that? If not, I wish they would, instead of letting me run around like a chicken with my head cut off. I will Google the fire and see what I can learn. I think I did this several years and from what I could ascertain, his records were not involved. But I understand more now, so I could have been wrong. Thanks again! ~K

 

Karen, I agree that if the records were destroyed in the fire they would have said so from the beginning. Your three ideas about where to go are all good. I would go down the list, but DO write your Congressman--believe me, that does bring results--that is, if you can get him/her involved. I always asked one of my Senators when I needed help. They have a larger staff and usually a branch office somewhere near (and they my not be in the middle of a campaign right now).

One thing not to do is give up. Keep us informed. Dave

 

That 1973 fire didn't destroy ALL the records really, but it was a devastating loss for the military records. If you haven't found a link on it here is one:

1973 Fire

Another of the problems might be that not only are they (records adm.) embarassed by the fire itself, their not having started microfilming and storing the records in separate locations, they really don't have a full grasp on everything that was lost. I mean even the cross-references and indexes were "up in smoke", so they don't have a good grasp of what they lost either.

They are attempting to "reconstruct" the records, but it could be a long and frustrating project for those who are searching for parents/ancestors military sevice. Wish I could be of more help, but that following up with a Congress member is a great idea as well. Don't forget to get the local VFW or American Legion involved as well, sometimes the extra "prod" from veteran organizations can start the ball rolling as well.

 

Okay, so this morning has been dedicated to contacting my local VA. It is a VA hospital but I've heard they may be able to help. However, I can get through to a switchboard but that's about it. She seems confused by my request and patches me through to this guy or that, and the phone just rings and rings. I called back and asked if I could leave a message. Turns out that whether each of these people have voicemail is a "personal choice." What? What business operates like that. I know if it were my Dad doing this, he'd be ticked off and quit by now. That is just not right! OK...so enough venting.

Can someone explain these records to me, how it works? I am picturing a great big file or two with my dad's name on it. Is that not the way it works? Are pieces in different places? Like, would Intelligence things be kept somewhere outside of his personal file? How about hospital records?

I went through the most recent records again and there is a 9-month lapse in information. Only one form that says "Summary of Service" has a reference to it...sort of. It lists a few different places like his training at Farragut, Idaho. There is a column for the dates "to:" and "from:" Each one is filled in except for that 9-month block of time. There, under "Vessel or Station" it says, "Waipio Amphibious Operating Base" and on the next line "Comm Team 0." There are no dates, but from reading above and below it, I can see it is the time when he was at Iwo, Oki, and in the hospital etc. Oh my!

I so appreciate having this forum to come to! I'm really the only one who cares about this stuff and my dad, of course. I don't let him know all the brick walls I hit though. I don't want him to feel bad. Anyway--thank you in advance! ~K

 

From what I understand from that link, the fire should not be an issue with my father's records. He was in the Navy and attached to the Marines for part of the time. Looks like Army and Air Force were the ones affected.

 

If there is a VA office near you or even a hospital try showing up in person. Especially if you have the proof of relation they have a harder time shuttling you off if you show up in person. Indeed many are quite willing to help but have to be careful what info they give out. If a real person is in front of them and they are convinced you are legitimate they will often go a bit out of their way to help.

 

I don't know where you're located but this link should locate your regional VA office.
I am trying to picture going to the VA Medical facility in Seattle and asking a question about WWII records. I'm sure they would direct me to see some specialist and tell me where the rest rooms are.

You might also call the Amvets--they are the go-between to help veterans with the VA Administration. They should be in the phone book.

https://iris.va.gov/scripts/iris.cfg/php.exe/enduser/home.php

 

Thanks for the link. The closest one is about 2 miles away...lol. I think I WILL go out there. If all else fails, I may be able to drag Dad out there with me. Thanks again!

 

Good luck on dealing with VA i had my fill of them when i was trying to get my dad's records he was in WWII in the army and that's what they keep telling me that his record's had burned come to find out they had his name wrong on his paper's they had his middle name as his first name and his first name as his middle and when he died in 95 that's the way his plauge read's so good luck. you might have to contact the hospital he was in to get his medical record or that's what they told me on my dad.

 

Even if it's a military hospital?

 

Yep my dad was in the Tripler Hosp at pearl Harbor and that was what VA told me that i would have to contact them but every time i think to call them there either closed or not open yet because of the time difference I'm in eastern time zone and my brain is slow

 

Okay. Thank you! That gives me another avenue. I wonder if Tripler has the records for Aiea hospital because from what I understand it was changed from one to the other. So, maybe that's where the records are. Hmmm...I'll call them. Thanks again!