What things Should be in a Soldier’s Personnel File from WWII?
Hiroshima, Get Over it asked:
I requested my father’s military service records. He served during WWII.
I understand that lots of records were lost in a major fire at the records center, but the only papers that we received in response to our request were his DD-214 (discharge) and his separation qualification record.
I was surprised by how few records were given to us.
Are those the only items that are typically in a WWII soldier’s file?
COLIGNY
what other type of records were you expecting ? His assignments are CONFIDENTIAL (in case the enemy ever got hold of the records) and his PAY records are not public information. Some soldiers who served in WW II are still alive today.
SHAUN
Do you know how to read the dd 214? If not then you would be lost but on it tells you how long he was in, how long he was in combat, the medals he received, where he was when he got discharged the rank he was.. his service number, whether he had any overseas serves, what rank he was on discharge
if not drop me a note and i explain more in detail.
KIRA
Well first off, it depends on what records you requested from the national archives.
There is one request for someones DD-214.
Another for their service records.
Another for their medical records.
Each request has to be made separately.
But genberally, all your gonna find in someone records are.
What units they were assigned to.
What training they attended.
Awards and decorations they recieved.
You may want to do another records request, and make sure you request his :
Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF)
Those are the records you are looking for.