Question: My husband was drafted into the Army in the 1960s and honorably discharged about three years later. We can’t find his discharge papers, and we need them to get help from the VA. It’s pretty urgent because he’s getting older and all. I am worried they might be hard to replace because I heard that a lot of military records were destroyed in a fire many years ago. Can you find a number that I can call to get a copy of his discharge papers?
Answer: Call the National Archives’ National Personnel Records Center at 314-801-0800. Although records must be requested in writing (by mail, fax or online), you can get instructions about how to do so by calling that number. You’ll also be able to speak to a customer service agent if you have questions after listening to the recorded messages.
A fire in July 1973 at the NPRC in St. Louis damaged or destroyed up to 18 million Army and Air Force records, but if your husband was discharged later than 1964, it’s unlikely that his were among them. According to the National Archives, affected records mainly documented the service histories of former military personnel discharged from 1912 to 1964. Even if your husband’s records were damaged or destroyed, alternate sources often can be used to reconstruct the service record, although that takes longer.
Besides by phone, you can obtain detailed instructions at 808ne.ws/servicerecords, within the National Archives’ website. You mentioned during our follow-up phone call that you have limited access to the internet, so we’ll summarize the main requirements here.
The DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, must be requested in writing by the veteran or, if he or she is deceased, by the next of kin.
Submit the request online via eVetRecs (808ne.ws/recvet), or by mail or fax using a SF-180 Form (808ne.ws/sf180form) or a letter that includes the following information about the veteran:
>> Complete name while in the military
>> Social Security number
>> Service number (if known)
>> Branch of service
>> Dates of service
>> Date and place of birth (especially if the service number is not known)
>> Veteran or next of kin’s current address and daytime phone number
Because you believe your husband’s records might have been destroyed in the fire, also include:
>> Place of discharge.
>> Last unit of assignment.
>> Place of entry into the service, if known.
If the request is urgent, fax the SF-180 form or letter to 314-801-0764. Be sure to describe the nature of the emergency and any related deadlines in your written request, regardless of how the request is submitted.
Fax nonemergency requests to 314-801-9195.
Requests also may be mailed (snail mail only; no email). Where to send it depends on the veteran’s status, branch of service and year of discharge; addresses are listed on the SF-180 Form. In your husband’s case the address is:
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138-1002.
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