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Re: Looking for information on a soldier KIA in Vietnam
Research Services at the National ArchivesJul 6, 2017 11:29 AM (in response to Brianna Vaughn)
4 people found this helpfulDear Ms. Vaughn,
Thank you for posting your inquiry to the History Hub.
There are several places you might be able to locate more information on the soldier you are researching.
Firstly, the Textual Reference Archives II Branch (RDT2) has custody of the Records of the United States Forces in Southeast Asia, 1950-1975 (Record Group 472) for U.S. Army units, including the 101st Airborne Division. These records consist mostly of unit organizational histories, after action reports, unit daily staff journals, and general orders. The files are arranged by unit, and they do not include personnel or medical information. We also do not have a name index to these records. This series, General Orders of the 101st Airborne Division, 1967-1972, is an example of the type of records you might find in RG 472. You can contact the Textual Reference Branch directly at archives2reference@nara.gov with questions about the records of the 101st.
Secondly, you might want to request the soldier’s Burial Case File (later known as the Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF)). Burial case files from 1915-1976 are in the custody of the National Archives at St. Louis, ATTN: RL-SL, P.O. Box 38757, St. Louis, MO 63138-1002. Please contact them regarding access to these records. Their email address is stl.archives@nara.gov.
And thirdly, the Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs) of veterans who were separated from service service after 1954 may be requested from the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. Please contact them via mpr.center@nara.gov for further information.
Thank you, again, for sharing your question with the History Hub, and best of luck with your continued search.
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Re: Looking for information on a soldier KIA in Vietnam
Brianna Vaughn Jul 6, 2017 12:54 PM (in response to Research Services at the National Archives)Thank you much! I had no clue what resources were available!
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Re: Looking for information on a soldier KIA in Vietnam
Brianna Vaughn Jul 12, 2017 2:35 PM (in response to Brianna Vaughn)After speaking to this soldier's family, I found out they have a bronze star medal. They said they saw a form starting why he received the medal, and told me the story, but no longer have the paperwork. I've tried looking at lists of recipients of the bronze start medal in the vietnam war, and can not find his name on any of the lists. Does anyone know how accurate the online lists would be? Is it possible that he did in fact receive the bronze star medal and just isnt listed?
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Re: Looking for information on a soldier KIA in Vietnam
Rachael SalyerJul 12, 2017 3:25 PM (in response to Brianna Vaughn)
1 person found this helpfulDear Ms. Vaughn,
This website has information about requesting replacements for lost military awards or decorations: Military Awards and Decorations | National Archives.
Awards and decorations are issued by each individual branch of the military, but "for cases involving Air Force and Army personnel [...] the The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) | National Archives will verify the awards to which a veteran is entitled and forward the request along with the records verification to the appropriate service department for issuance of the medals." You (or the soldier's family) can contact the NPRC directly at mpr.assistance@nara.gov or mpr.center@nara.gov with questions.
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