Finding Military Service Records

Why Military Records Are Genealogical Gold

Military service records are among the most detailed personal documents the government creates. They contain physical descriptions, family details, geographic origins, and a timeline of service that can span years or decades. For genealogists, these records offer a depth of information that few other sources can match.

Types of Military Records

Military documentation falls into several categories, each serving a different research purpose.

Service Records

These document a person's career in the military, including:

• Enlistment or induction date and location
• Branch of service and unit assignments
• Rank changes, transfers, and promotions
• Discharge date, type, and reason

Pension Records

After their service, many veterans or their widows applied for military pensions. Pension files are often the most genealogically valuable military records because applications required proof of identity, marriage, and family relationships. A Civil War widow's pension file, for instance, might include:

1. Marriage certificate or affidavits proving marriage
2. Birth dates of children
3. Testimony from neighbors and fellow soldiers
4. Medical records documenting injuries

Draft Registration Records

Even men who never served may appear in draft registration records. The World War I draft registered approximately 24 million men, and the World War II draft registered about 50 million. These registrations captured:

• Full name, date of birth, and address
• Physical description including height, weight, and eye color
• Name and address of nearest relative
• Employer name and address

Where to Find Military Records

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

NARA is the primary repository for federal military records. Records are divided by era:

• Pre-World War I records are held at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
• World War I and later records are held at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri.

The 1973 Fire

A devastating fire at the NPRC in 1973 destroyed approximately 16 to 18 million Army and Air Force records from 1912 to 1964. If your ancestor served during this period, their original file may have been lost. However, alternative sources exist:

• Unit rosters and morning reports
• Veterans Administration records
• State adjutant general records
• Discharge papers filed at county courthouses

State Archives and Libraries

Many states maintain their own military records, including:

• State militia and National Guard records
• Bonus applications for state veterans' benefits
• Graves registration records

Using ActualPeopleSearch

ActualPeopleSearch can help you locate veterans and their families across public record databases. By searching for a veteran's name, you may discover associated addresses, relatives, and other identifying information that can guide your research to the right archives and record sets.

How to Request Records

Standard Form 180

To request records from the NPRC, submit Standard Form 180 (SF-180). You will need to provide:

1. The veteran's full name and any name variations
2. Branch of service and approximate dates of service
3. Service number or Social Security number
4. Date and place of birth

Next of kin can request full records. Other individuals may receive limited information based on privacy regulations.

Online Requests

The NPRC accepts online requests through the eVetRecs system. Processing times vary from a few weeks to several months depending on the complexity of the request and current backlog.

Researching Specific Conflicts

Revolutionary War (1775-1783)

Records are sparse but include compiled service records, pension files, and bounty land warrants. These are held at NARA in Washington, D.C.

Civil War (1861-1865)

Both Union and Confederate records are available. Compiled military service records exist for soldiers on both sides. Pension records are available for Union veterans and, for Confederate veterans, through individual state archives.

World War I (1914-1918)

Most Army service records were destroyed in the 1973 fire. However, draft registration cards, unit histories, and overseas burial records survive.

World War II (1939-1945)

Service records that survived the 1973 fire, along with draft registration cards, unit records, and casualty lists, are available. The WWII enlistment records database contains approximately nine million records.

Korean and Vietnam Wars

Records from these conflicts are held at the NPRC. Access restrictions apply for records of living veterans.

Beyond the Battlefield

Military records often lead to other valuable sources. A pension file might mention a veteran's post-war occupation or residence. A draft card might list an employer. Discharge papers filed at county courthouses can confirm that an ancestor lived in a specific area. Each piece of information opens a new research path.

Honoring the Service

Finding a military record is more than a genealogical exercise. It connects you to the sacrifices and service of your family members. Many researchers use military records as the starting point for honor flights, memorial tributes, and family history projects that preserve these stories for future generations.