2 Replies Latest reply on Mar 4, 2021 12:44 PM by Shannon Kerner

Seeking information on great-grandfather's Navy service

Lori Selph Feb 28, 2021 8:06 PM

I am looking for any information on my great-grandfather's service during World War II. He was enlisted in the Navy in Miami, Florida and was sent to the Pacific from San Diego, CA. The last story he told me was he was on a ship and was supposed to be in the first wave to land on the mainland of Japan. He told me his commanding officers briefed the unit that they would lose almost all of the first wave upon landing. Of course the fleet was unaware of the two Atomic Bombs that were going to be dropped and that Japan would surrender days after. This saved my great-grandfather's life. My great-grandfather also made other landings in the Pacific Islands of Japan. He will be 97 this April. He does not talk too much about his time in the service. He is running short on time and I would like to give him some closure on this part of his life. He has never been acknowledged for his service, as he claims he didn't do anything special, but to me, he sacrificed part of his soul that still haunts him today.

Re: Seeking information on great-grandfather's Navy service

David Johnson Mar 1, 2021 9:25 AM (in response to Lori Selph)

Greetings, Lori,

It would be helpful if you could provide his full name and other information like birthplace.

Dave
Like (0)

Actions
Re: Seeking information on great-grandfather's Navy service

Shannon Kerner Mar 4, 2021 12:44 PM (in response to Lori Selph)

Dear Ms. Selph,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

We suggest that you request a copy of his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). OMPFs and medical records of enlisted men of the U.S. Navy who were separated from the service after 1885 and before 1959 are located at NARA's National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), (Military Personnel Records), 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138-1002. To request these records, please mail a completed GSA Standard Form 180 to NPRC. All members of the service who served in WWII may receive the WWII Victory Medal. You may request replacement military medals, decorations and awards via the same SF 180. For more information see Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF), Archival Records Requests.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NPRC is closed except for emergencies. Currently, NPRC will continue servicing requests ONLY associated with medical treatments, burials, and homeless veterans seeking admittance to a homeless shelter. If your request is urgent, please see Emergency Requests and Deadlines. Please refrain from submitting non-emergency requests such as replacement medals, administrative corrections, or records research until NPRC returns to pre-COVID staffing levels. Please check archives.gov/veterans for updates to the NPRC operating hours and status. We apologize for any inconvenience.

We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your family research!
Like (0)

Actions

Go to original post

Seeking information on great-grandfather's Navy service

Re: Seeking information on great-grandfather's Navy service

Re: Seeking information on great-grandfather's Navy service

Actions

More Like This

Legend