Most of us can identify at least one family member who served in the military in our family tree. Have you researched his or her military service? Where were they stationed? Did they see active duty and if so, what engagements did the unit participate in? Look for their military unit history online and investigate the holdings of the archives of their service branch. Learning more about our ancestors military service is a great way to honor the veterans in our family this Veterans’ Day.
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of world war one
My father served in WW II and I have been trying to search for any military records. He served in the USMC and the only information I could fine is with the Army. When will the data base be expanded to include the other military units.?
My husband, Donald Rolfe was at Pearl Harbor on Dec.7, 1941, on a hospital ship
My husband Donald Rolfe was at Pearl Harbor on 12/7/31. He also then ran a small craft from a Landing Craft the USS J. FRANKLIN BELL and made landings on msny islands and captured them from the Japanese. He then went aboard submarines and served aboard the SSBN ABRAHAM LINCOLN during the Cold War and retired after 23 years of Navy. I sent his story to the library of Congress.
Also I was in the US Coast Guard during WWII. The Coast Guard at that time was part of the Navy.
Betty Rolfe
Way to go Betty. There aren’t many women that step up to the plate and say they to served in our armed forces. I thank you and commend you. My grandfather served in the US Army in WW1 in what was known as the “Lost Batallion”, his oldest son Jerry served in WWII in the US Navy on the USS Philadelphia, my dad also served in WWII in the South Pacific, my brother Kevin served in the US navy on the USS Nimitz off the coast of Iran, my father in law served in WWII in the US Airforce, my brother in law served in the US Army and my husbands Uncle was a chaplain in the US Army during WWII and the Korean War. I commend them all, you and your hubby and all our troops male and female that are serving now to allow us our freedom.
God Bless America
My great-grandfather John McGinley Rankin was a regimental surgeon with the 11th Penn. Volunteers during the Civil War. Can you give any tips for researching this unit, and/or his participation?
Any legitimate family member of a member that served in the military can obtain records of their family members from the St. Louis office I believe, but go to http://www.firstgov.gov and seek the information to find the location where the records are hild. Remember too that any Veteran can get medical through the VA system doesn’t matter if you spent 1 year or 40 — I served in the Navy and my husband is retired Navy. My father was in the Navy– and by the way I researched my family all the way back to the American Revolution and we had a family member in every war up to Viet Nam.
My uncle, Walter Ries, was in the 250th Infantry 88th division in Italy in WWII. He was killed in action on Oct. 10th, 1944. How can I find out what company he was in?
My father served in WW2. I lost the individual portait of him in Army uniform years ago. Is there an archive that the government kept of these pictures? What about a point of contact or website?
My uncle served in the Army overseas in WWII, Unfortunately, his dalughter was unable to obtain any records of his service because of a fire which destroyed files in the Archives in St. Louis. I’m sure there are many others in this position. It is very disappointing.