Seeking additional information and direction prior to visiting Jefferson barracks cemetary.

I will be traveling to st. Louis for a very special anniversary with my husband this month. We want to visit the grave of my husband's uncle and namesake whom is buried in Jefferson barracks cemetary. We are seeking any additional information on 2nd Lt Richard M. Merrill. Richard would be celebrating his 100th birthday this month.

Parents
  • Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

    For questions about visiting Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, please contact them directly.  Their contact information is available on their website at https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/jeffersonbarracks.asp 



    If your question is in regards to researching the veteran, we suggest that you request a copy of his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). OMPFs and individual medical reports for those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and separated from the service more than 62 years ago are in the custody of the National Archives at St. Louis. In many cases where Army and Army Air Corps personnel records were destroyed in the 1973 fire, proof of service can be provided from other records such as morning reports, payrolls, and military orders, and a certificate of military service will be issued. Please complete a GSA Standard Form 180 and mail it to NARA's National Personnel Records Center, (Military Personnel Records), 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO  63138-1002. In Section 1, Item 1, where it asks which items you are requesting, please check “Other” and specify that you want the entire file. If there is any information requested by the form that you do not know, you may omit it or provide estimates (such as for dates), but the more information you provide, the easier it will be to locate the correct file if it survived the fire. Veterans and next of kin of deceased veterans also may use eVetRecs to request records. See eVetRecs Help for instructions. For more information see Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF), Archival Records Requests.

    World War II era OMPFs may also be requested by visiting the Archival Research Room at the National Archives at St. Louis. Please see the linked website for more information.  Email stlarr.archives@nara.gov for further assistance prior to making an appointment. 



    Selective Service records for individuals who registered after World War I and were born before 1960 are in the custody of the National Archives at St. Louis (RRPO). There are two types of records: cards and classification histories.  The individual Draft Registration Card (SSS Form 1) may contain information such as: name, Selective Service registration number, age, date and place of birth, ethnicity, place of residence at time of registration and basic physical description. The Classification History (SSS Form 102) may contain: name; date of birth; classification and date of mailing notice; date of appeal to the board; date and results of armed forces physical examination; entry into active duty or civilian work in lieu of induction (may include date, branch of service entered and mode of entry, such as enlisted or ordered); date of separation from active duty or civilian work; and general remarks. Please complete a Form NA-13172 to request a search of these records and email it to RRPO at stl.archives@nara.gov.

    Individual Deceased Personnel Files (IDPF) from 1940-1976 for U.S. Army personnel with surnames that begin with A-L are in the custody of the National Archives at St. Louis. Surnames M-Z are in the legal custody of the Department of the Army.

    1. State that you are requesting access to the file under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
    2. Provide the full name of the individual, their date of death, and service number if available.
    3. State your willingness to pay applicable fees.
    4. Include a daytime telephone number in case they need to contact you.

    Send the Request to:

    Department of the Army, US Army Human Resources Command

    ATTN: AHRC-FOIA, 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue

    Department 107

    Fort Knox KY 40122

    Requests may also be submitted via email to: usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.foia@army.mil

    Please note that we can not guarantee that you will be able to receive any responsive records prior to your planned travel. 

    We also located the following online:  https://www.honorstates.org/profiles/452102/ 

    We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your research!

Reply
  • Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

    For questions about visiting Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, please contact them directly.  Their contact information is available on their website at https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/jeffersonbarracks.asp 



    If your question is in regards to researching the veteran, we suggest that you request a copy of his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). OMPFs and individual medical reports for those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and separated from the service more than 62 years ago are in the custody of the National Archives at St. Louis. In many cases where Army and Army Air Corps personnel records were destroyed in the 1973 fire, proof of service can be provided from other records such as morning reports, payrolls, and military orders, and a certificate of military service will be issued. Please complete a GSA Standard Form 180 and mail it to NARA's National Personnel Records Center, (Military Personnel Records), 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO  63138-1002. In Section 1, Item 1, where it asks which items you are requesting, please check “Other” and specify that you want the entire file. If there is any information requested by the form that you do not know, you may omit it or provide estimates (such as for dates), but the more information you provide, the easier it will be to locate the correct file if it survived the fire. Veterans and next of kin of deceased veterans also may use eVetRecs to request records. See eVetRecs Help for instructions. For more information see Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF), Archival Records Requests.

    World War II era OMPFs may also be requested by visiting the Archival Research Room at the National Archives at St. Louis. Please see the linked website for more information.  Email stlarr.archives@nara.gov for further assistance prior to making an appointment. 



    Selective Service records for individuals who registered after World War I and were born before 1960 are in the custody of the National Archives at St. Louis (RRPO). There are two types of records: cards and classification histories.  The individual Draft Registration Card (SSS Form 1) may contain information such as: name, Selective Service registration number, age, date and place of birth, ethnicity, place of residence at time of registration and basic physical description. The Classification History (SSS Form 102) may contain: name; date of birth; classification and date of mailing notice; date of appeal to the board; date and results of armed forces physical examination; entry into active duty or civilian work in lieu of induction (may include date, branch of service entered and mode of entry, such as enlisted or ordered); date of separation from active duty or civilian work; and general remarks. Please complete a Form NA-13172 to request a search of these records and email it to RRPO at stl.archives@nara.gov.

    Individual Deceased Personnel Files (IDPF) from 1940-1976 for U.S. Army personnel with surnames that begin with A-L are in the custody of the National Archives at St. Louis. Surnames M-Z are in the legal custody of the Department of the Army.

    1. State that you are requesting access to the file under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
    2. Provide the full name of the individual, their date of death, and service number if available.
    3. State your willingness to pay applicable fees.
    4. Include a daytime telephone number in case they need to contact you.

    Send the Request to:

    Department of the Army, US Army Human Resources Command

    ATTN: AHRC-FOIA, 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue

    Department 107

    Fort Knox KY 40122

    Requests may also be submitted via email to: usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.foia@army.mil

    Please note that we can not guarantee that you will be able to receive any responsive records prior to your planned travel. 

    We also located the following online:  https://www.honorstates.org/profiles/452102/ 

    We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your research!

Children