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Finding my Grandfather

Finding my Grandfather

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 7:32PM GMT
Classification: Query
I know that my grandfather Albert F. (Bert) Yockey Jr. was a marine in the Pacific theater, but that's all I know. I can't find a record of him anywhere in the military, and I really don't know where to look. Can anyone help me?

Thanks.

Kim Houchen

Re: Finding my Grandfather

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 8:42PM GMT
Classification: Query
If he was a World War 2 veteran, his records wouldn't be online. You would have to order a copy of his records from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).
Here's a link to the instruction page for ordering service records-
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/ge...

Include as much information as possible on the form to help the staff locate any surviving records.

Re: Finding my Grandfather

Posted: 18 Apr 2010 3:40AM GMT
Classification: Query
The first place you should start looking is the National Archives: http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/
Because you aren't a "Next of Kin" as defined by our government and "only" a grandchild, you will have to file a FOIA request: http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/foia-inf...

The more information that you have, the faster the search. If you can find his DD-214, even better. The National Archives really wants a service number which during WWII was not a social security number.

Re: Finding my Grandfather

Posted: 18 Oct 2010 4:31AM GMT
Classification: Query
Try the County Recorders or Clerks Office or the VA Affairs Office in the county he returned to live after the war. Also try the State Archives, as Veterans filed a copy of their DD214 with at least on e of those places to aid in getting G.I. Bill benefits due them.
In 1920 census he is Bert F. Yockey Jr, his father was listed as Bert F. Sr. His father has Albert Frederick Yockey on his WWII Draft Registration Card (If over age 45 (which he was b. 1888, was not drafted but for some reason the government wanted older men registered.)

Re: Finding my Grandfather

Posted: 18 Oct 2010 12:31PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thank you. So far, no luck. The government sent me a letter saying they have misplaced his records. I'll try the approach you recommended. Thanks very much. This has turned out to be much more difficult than I anticipated.

Re: Finding my Grandfather

Posted: 19 Jul 2013 2:21AM GMT
Classification: Query
It's been a few years since your original post and I was wondering if you were successful in finding info on your grandfather's service in the Marines. If not, perhaps I can help as I've been down this road with my own father. Just let me know.

Re: Finding my Grandfather

Posted: 19 Jul 2013 1:12PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thanks for asking. No, I was not successful. The government sent me a letter saying they had misplaced his records; most likely they just can't be found. Any help you could give me would be most appreciated.

Kim Houchen

Re: Finding my Grandfather

Posted: 19 Jul 2013 2:08PM GMT
Classification: Query
I went through much the same thing when trying to get my fathers' records. He was a Marine Corps pilot in the Pacific during WW2. First time around I got about three pieces of paper and I knew there had to be more. I called the National Archives and after speaking with a rather terse individual on the phone, they sent me a few more pieces of paper. Finally, years later I posted a message on one of the Ancesry boards and a kind soul suggested I use a different form (SF-180) and by golly, I got the motherlode...a stack of documents about an inch and a half thick. Do bear in mind, there was a fire at the National Archives in 1973 and records were lost.

Go the www.nara.gov website. Click on Veteran's Service Records. Under the heading "Research Using Military Records", click on "Other Military & Veterans Records". On the next page that comes up, scroll about half way down to "How to Request copies of Military Service Records". You'll need to download form SF-180 (a two-step process to actually get it downloaded). Don't worry about the DD-214 stuff...when your grandfather and my father served they didn't even use that form.

Section I of the form----fill out as much as you know. I did find your grandfather listed on some U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls on Ancestry and I believe his SERVICE number is 942638. This number is very important.

Section II ---- 1)Check the box "All Documents in Official Military Personnel File, 2)Purpose--Genealogy

Section III---1)you MUST have a copy of you grandfather's death certificate to mail or fax with your application. Fill out the next-of-kin line, send to portion and authorization portion.

I mailed mine to the appropriate address on one of those other papers that download, but if you can fax it all, it'll get there quicker...doesn't mean they'll necessarily get 'on it' quicker.

If this form doesn't do the trick, then you've probably exhausted all your options. Also, if your grandfather was like my dad, he may NOT have gotten all the Unit medals and ribbons he had coming to him. So, you may need to pursue that as well.

Wishing you the very BEST of luck in getting his records and do let me know how it turns out.

Julia

Re: Finding my Grandfather

Posted: 8 Feb 2014 6:38PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Yockey
Ms Houchen -

The only Bert Yockey that I've been able to locate was from Waterloo, Iowa and served in the Army, rather than the Marines. His obituary mentions that he served in 5 major battle zones, but only specifies the Battle of the Bulge (European Theater).

http://wcfcourier.com/lifestyles/announcements/obituaries/be...

http://www.scottcawelti.com/home/scott-posts/2009/02/05/bert...

Until I hear from you otherwise, I'll keep looking for your grandfather, Albert; the Marine who served in the Pacific Theater.

Very Respectfully,
Jennifer
jennifer.s.morrison@gmail.com

Re: Finding my Grandfather

Posted: 8 Feb 2014 10:24PM GMT
Classification: Query
I have found several "Muster" entries for him, in the Marines, here on Ancestry.
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