2 Replies Latest reply on Mar 3, 2021 10:06 AM by Shannon Kerner

    Seeking photos & military records of Charles Beard

    Lisa Hall Newbie
    Lisa Hall Mar 1, 2021 9:53 PM

      My dad was in Vietnam for 3 tours with the USMC. He was left out of Camp Lejeune twice and Pendleton once, which was the last time he was there. He earned the Bronze Star with Valor and 2 Purple Hearts (one in Korea, I think). I know he was mustanged when he was out of Pendleton. We do not have any pictures of him in Vietnam. His name is Charles Edward Beard. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His date of birth is November 30, 1934 and he died on October 1, 2014, a victim of Agent Orange and Camp Lejeune toxic water. I'm not sure which of the Divisions he was with.

        • Re: Seeking photos & military records of Charles Beard
          Elliot Schneider Ranger
          Elliot Schneider Mar 2, 2021 1:34 PM (in response to Lisa Hall)

          Ms. Hall,

           

          He was WIA 29 NOV 1965

           

          Unit Information:

           

          CO K 3DBN 9THMAR 3DMARDIV

          • Re: Seeking photos & military records of Charles Beard
            Shannon Kerner Adventurer
            Shannon Kerner Expert Mar 3, 2021 10:06 AM (in response to Lisa Hall)

            Dear Ms. Hall,

             

            Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

             

            The "official" photograph of an individual is not considered to be permanent federal records by the respective military services and is not retained in a separate collection by the service. If the photograph you are seeking still exists, it will most likely be found in the individual's Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). However, there is no guarantee the photograph will be present.

             

            We suggest that you request a copy of his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF).. OMPFs and medical records of officers and enlisted personnel of the U.S. Marine Corps who were separated from service after 1958 and before May 1994 are located at NARA's National Personnel Records Center (NRPC), (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. Veterans and their next of kin also may use eVetRecs to request records. See eVetRecs Help for instructions. Certain information in the records is not available to the general public without the written consent of the veteran or his next of kin. For more information see Request Military Service Records.

             

            Photographs of various U.S. Marine Corps activities dating from 1940 to 2007 are in the custody of the National Archives at College Park - Still Picture (RDSS). Please contact RDSS via email at stillpix@nara.gov and their web site is https://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/college-park/photographs-dc.html.

             

            Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance received from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NARA has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission-critical work while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of NARA staff. As a result of this re-prioritization of activities, you may experience a delay in receiving an initial acknowledgement as well as a substantive response to your reference request from RDSS. Also, 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!