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DD214 and "the big fire of 1973"...

DD214 and "the big fire of 1973"...

Posted: 23 Jan 2015 1:46AM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 23 Jan 2015 6:59AM GMT
Has anyone ever had to try and get a DD214 and find that those records were part of what was lost in "the big fire of 1973"? My dad passed away last May, and we are trying to get him buried in our local Vet cemetery. It's been 7 months since he passed, and we have gotten nowhere. There must be someone out there who has dealt with this issue, and found another way to obtain the document.
Any ideas? Thanks!

Re: DD214 and "the big fire of 1973"...

Posted: 23 Jan 2015 4:12AM GMT
Classification: Query
Have no personal experience in this area but this sounds like a time to turn to your elected representatives - US Rep and US Senator. Their staff handles requests all the time for help maneuvering through bureaucracy. Another group that may have had experience with this is your local VFW or American Legion. Good Luck.

Re: DD214 and "the big fire of 1973"...

Posted: 12 Feb 2015 4:06AM GMT
Classification: Query
So he was in the US Army or US Army Air Corps or early USAF? Those are the only records stored at the NARA at he time and were burned and only about 80%. If was any other service they should be available at NARA. Does he have a common name? Do you have his service number? Did he use GI benefits for college?

The information required to be known by cemetery is the status of which he left the Service. Honorable, General, Dishonorable etc.. When my step son passed away, the National Cemetery in NY only wanted a copy of is Honorable Discharge Certificate, not his DD214 of is US Navy Service during Vietnam. Our grandson couldn't find his dad's copy so we faxed a copy, given to his dad when his son returned home.
My condolences for your loss but at that emotional time are you sure they need what you think they asked for? Does another family member have posseion of your grandparents keepsakes? Might they have a copy if your father's Discharge Certificate? My husband's and his son's looks like a diploma or degree certificate as schools issue. ok couse the DD214 also stats the discharge status, but the certificate should work. contact your local Veterans Affairs Office.

NARA ADD online databases have US Army (including Air Corp) WWII Enlistments 1939 - 1947. That database includes Army Serial Number.
Ancestry has it too but no serial numbers. They do have Navy and Marine muster rolls with serial numbers.
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