Question about military service

[Ohiosnowbird]

My dad died 8 years ago. He was never willing to discuss in detail his military service. He was in WWII, peacekeeping, I believe. When he died our family received a military gun salute at the cemetery and a service flag. My mother died recently and left me the military service flag. She had a display case made but did not have a tag/plaque made with my dads
service dates and rank. I’d like to find that information as I want to give my son, his grandson the flag with a brass tag with that information. Does anyone know how I can obtain that information? Thanks in advance.

 

[Domo]

I'd start at the Veterans Administration.

 

[Chef Duane]

Yes, start with the VA. Do you have his DD214?

 

[richclover]

His form DD-214 and any other service records that you find will help. Any veteran center, VFW Post or American Legion Post will likely be willing to help. A post with a Veteran Service Officer is preferred. Where are you located?

Edit: Here’s the VA, worth a try:

Request your military service records (including DD214) | Veterans Affairs

You can request a copy of your DD214 and other military service records from the National Archives. Learn more about how to make a request.

www.va.gov

 

[Ohiosnowbird]

Yes, start with the VA. Do you have his DD214?

I don’t have his DD214.

 

[Ohiosnowbird]

His form DD-214 and any other service records that you find will help. Any veteran center, VFW Post or American Legion Post will likely be willing to help. A post with a Veteran Service Officer is preferred. Where are you located?

Edit: Here’s the VA, worth a try:

Request your military service records (including DD214) | Veterans Affairs

You can request a copy of your DD214 and other military service records from the National Archives. Learn more about how to make a request.

www.va.gov

Thanks!

 

[richclover]

Here’s a paragraph copied from the VA website listed in my last post:

If you’re the next of kin of a Veteran who has died​

You may be considered the next of kin if you’re related to the Veteran in any of these ways:

• You’re the Veteran’s surviving spouse and you haven’t remarried, or
• You’re the Veteran’s parent, or
• You’re the Veteran’s child, or
• You’re the Veteran’s sibling

You can request a copy of the Veteran’s military records from the National Archives online, by mail, or fax.

Learn more about how to request military service records from the National Archives

You can also request their military records in any of these ways:

• Visit the NPRC in person
• Contact your state or county Veterans agency
• Hire an independent researcher

When you request the Veteran’s records, you’ll need to provide a copy of one of these documents:

• Death certificate or other public record of the Veteran’s death, or
• A letter from a funeral home

 

[poohbear]

Ancestry.com has access to lots of the military service records also.

 

[Chef Duane]

I don’t have his DD214.

You have his SSN for most things if you don't have a DD214.

 

[DutchmenSport]

Just a "snarley" remark, if the OP had the DD-214, he wouldn't be asking this question as the dates of service and his last rank are well defined on the form.

Here's another starting place:

Click here.

 

[Chef Duane]

You mean 'snarky'?

 

[Kirk]

Does anyone know how I can obtain that information? Thanks in advance.

Let us know how you make out. If there is a local VFW Post, they would be a good place to get help.

 

[UTTransplant]

The other place to ask for help is from your US Representative. They all have constituent services staff.