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Answers to  . . .  Frequently Asked Questions
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How can I obtain copies of my, or my relative's, U.S. Army personnel records?

Personnel records are maintained for officers who served after 1 July 1917, and enlisted personnel in service after November 1912 and who are no longer in service, by the National Personnel Records Center.  Information concerning the required procedures and forms is available through their website at  www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis/military_personnel_records.html.  Records for individuals who served prior to those dates are in the custody of Old Military and Civil Records Branch (NWCTB), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC 20408. The National Archives can be contacted electronically using the form at www.archives.gov/global_pages/contact_us.html.



Where can I find information about Army casualties?

Number of Army Personnel who Served During Each Major War, and
     the Number of Casualties Incurred

Number of U.S. Army Casualties Incurred in Recent Operations

World War II, Korea and Vietnam Casualties Listed by State


Where can I find a history of a particular Army unit?

The U.S. Army Military History Institute maintains an extensive collection of unit histories. Bibliographies for such histories can be accessed online at http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usamhi/UnitHistories.html.  Once a history has been identified you can contact your local library to inquire about interlibrary loan possibilities.  You may also wish to investigate out-of-print bookdealers in your area if you wish to see about purchasing such items.


How do I find information about what my relative did in the Army? (Trace their route of march, find out where they served, etc.)

You should start by identifying the unit with which your relative served.  If you already have that information, then you should check for unit histories or look into the official records created by the unit itself.  If you do not know the unit to which they were assigned, then you should try and obtain a copy of your relative's personnel records to determine that information.


Where can I find official unit records?

Operational records of United States Army organizations created prior to 1940 are in the custody of the Military Reference Branch, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC  20408.  Requests regarding records created during World War II and the Korean War should be addressed to the Textual Reference Branch, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001.  Operational records of United States Army units that served in Southeast Asia are also in the custody of the Textual Reference Branch of the National Archives.  You maybe able to access additional information about these holdings from the National Archives and Records Administration website at www.archives.gov.

Information relating to operational records created since 1954 by those United States Army organizations that did not serve in Southeast Asia may be available through the DA Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Office,7798 Cissna Road, Suite 205, Springfield, VA 22150-3166.  You may be able to access additional information concerning policy related to these records on the website at http://www.rmda.belvoir.army.mil/rmdaxml/default.asp

Certain Unit Rosters and Morning Reports are also in the custody of the National Personnel Records, information about these collections can be found at www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis/military_personnel_records/
morning_reports_and_unit_rosters.html


Where can I find official Army photographs and motion pictures?

U.S. Army photographs and motion pictures created prior to 1988 are in the custody of the National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, Maryland 20740-6001.  You maybe able to access additional information about these holdings from the National Archives and Records Administration website at www.archives.gov.

Official photographs and videos pertaining to the U.S. Army within the most recent eight-year period are in the custody of the Defense Visual Information Center, 1363 Z Street Center, March Air Force Base, CA 92518-2727.


Where can I find information on displaying and wearing unit awards?

The Force Structure and Unit History Branch, U.S. Army Center of Military History can provide information on an organization's entitlement to HQDA recognized unit decorations, but does not answer questions concerning the wear of awards. Information on which unit decorations are authorized for permanent and temporary wear is contained in Chapter 29, AR 670-1. Additional information may also be available from your unit or installation personnel (G1/S1) office, or from the Uniform Policy Office within HQDA's Deputy Chief of Staff, G1. Information on the awards themselves and an individuals entitlement to the award is available in AR 600-8-22 or through PERSCOM's Military Awards Branch website.


Where can I find information about medals or awards given to a family member? How do I get replacement medals or awards for myself or a family member?

For individuals still in the Army,  the Military Awards Branch, Total Army Personnel Command, is the proponent.  Information concerning procedures to request such information can be found on the website at www.perscom.army.mil/tagd/awards

For individuals no longer in the Army, requests should be directed to the National Personnel Records Center. Information concerning procedures to request such information can be found on the website at www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis/military_personnel_records/
awards_and_decorations.html


Where can I find information on the Cold War Certificate?

The Military Awards Branch, U.S. Army Human Resources Command has proponency for this program within the Army . Information related to the certificate can be found at https://www.perscomonline.army.mil/tagd/coldwar/


Where can I find information on unit patches and insignia?

The proponent for all heraldic items, flags, patches, insignia,etc., is The Institute of Heraldry, 9325 Gunston Road, Room S-112, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5579.  The website for the Institute is at www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil


I have a relative that was killed during the war and is buried overseas, where can I find information about the cemetery and burial site?

The American Battle Monuments Commission is responsible for the maintenance of permanent American military burial grounds in foreign countries.  You can get additional information from the Commission's website at www.abmc.gov/


How can I locate a U.S. Army veteran?

The U.S. Army Center of Military History does not maintain such information, and the release of personnel information is strictly governed by the Privacy Act.  You might find the information you are seeking by placing an advertisement in a veterans magazine, which do have special reunion columns.  Another possibility would be to use one of the free "People Finders" search engines available through the internet.


Where can I find historical information on the other Armed Services?

The historical offices for the other services and their websites are as follows:


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Last updated 22 May 2007