Obtaining Military Records and Medals

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Obtaining Military Records and Medal s Obtaining Military Records and Medals - General Information The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does not retain veteran's military service records. Military service records are kept by the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) which is under the jurisdiction of the National Archives and Records Administration . To request military service records, complete Standard Form 180, Request Pertaining to Military Records .

Fill in as much information as possible and send it to the correct address listed on the form by U.S. mail . Please note that it may take up to six months for a reply from NPRC after your written request is received.

The National Personnel Records Center The Department of Veterans Affairs does not maintain veterans military service records. The National Archives and Records Administrat ion is the official depository for records of military personnel separated from the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy. The records are housed in three locations: the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C., the Washi ngton National Records Center in Suitland, Md., and the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St.

Louis, Mo. The NPRC contains records relating to: · U.S. Army officers separated after ... more. less.

June 30, 1917, and enlisted Army personnel separated after October 31, 1912. · U.S. Air Force officers and enlisted personnel separated after September 1947. · U.S. Naval officers separated after 1902, and naval enlisted personnel separated after 1885. · U.S. Marine Corps officers separated after 1895, and enlisted personnel separated after 1904. · U.S. Coast Guard officers separated after 1928, and enlisted personnel separated after 1914. Civilian employees of predecessor agencies (Revenue Cutter Service, Life - Saving Service and Lighthouse Service) of the U.S. Coast Guard fro m 1864 - 1919. The Fire A fire at the NPRC in St. Louis on July 12, 1973, destroyed about 80 percent of the records for Army personnel discharged between November 1, 1912, an d January 1, 1960. Approximately 75 percent of the records for Air Force personnel with surnames from "Hubbard" through "Z" discharged between September 25, 1947, and January 1, 1964, were also destroyed. Reconstruction of Lost Records If a veteran learns that their records may have been lost in the fire, they may send photocopies of any documents they possess to the NPRC, particularly separation documents. The address is: National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132 - 5100. The NPRC will add those documents to the computerized index and file them permanently. Alternate Sources of Military Service Data When veterans do not have copies of their records and their NPRC files may have been lost in the fire, essential information about their military service may be available from a number of alternate sources . Obtaining Replacement Medals Replacement medals are not provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). They are available from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) which is under the jurisdiction of the National Archives and Records Administration .

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