2 Replies Latest reply on Jun 8, 2020 11:49 AM by Sylvia Naylor

    Seeking Medical Records of 158th Regimental Combat Team

    Jerry Wilhelm Newbie
    Jerry Wilhelm May 27, 2020 3:24 PM

      My father served with the 158th Regimental Combat Team (Bushmasters) in New Guinea and the Philippines during 1944 and 1945.  He was wounded in action on April 23, 1945, and I believe received a Bronze Star for his activities on the same date.  I have visited the College Park National Archives Facility but was unable to find any supporting documentation for these awards.  Inquiry of the St. Louis location revealed that his personnel records were among those destroyed in the 1973 fire.  Some of those records were reconstructed and sent to me, but none dealt with the medals or the circumstances under which they were awarded.  My mother kept a letter from General McNider (the CO of the 158th) telling her that he had nominated my father for a Bronze Star, but giving no details.  The Bronze Star medal itself has disappeared, but I still have the Purple Heart.  I have not examined the morning reports around the date of the injury, but I do not expect that they will be very detailed. I am wondering whether the medical records of the 158th would contain some brief mention of his injuries, or the circumstances surrounding them. Any suggestions?

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        • Re: Seeking Medical Records of 158th Regimental Combat Team
          Elliot Schneider Navigator
          Elliot Schneider May 27, 2020 5:56 PM (in response to Jerry Wilhelm)

          Jerry,

           

          Since you have tried obtaining his discharge papers and were given a response. If you still want his discharge papers I would contact your fathers state veterans office, county veterans service office, and or county recorders office. Many states offered a war stippeded and other benefits requiring service member to file paperwork. I found my fathers this way. I would suggest trying this route.

           

           

          Elliot Schneider

          • Re: Seeking Medical Records of 158th Regimental Combat Team
            Sylvia Naylor Adventurer
            Sylvia Naylor Expert Jun 8, 2020 11:49 AM (in response to Jerry Wilhelm)

            Dear Mr. Wilhelm,

             

            Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

             

            The medical records of the 158th Regimental Combat Team would not contain information about the injuries of an individual.  We would suggest, however, that you request an individual medical report for your father and morning reports for his unit.

             

            Individual medical reports of veterans who left the Army prior to October 16, 1992 are in the custody of NARA's National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis.  Please complete a NA Form 13042 and mail it to the National Personnel Records Center, (Military Personnel Records), 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO  63138-1002.

             

            Due to the coronavirus public health emergency, the National Personnel Records Center is servicing only urgent requests related to homeless veterans, medical emergencies, and funerals which may be faxed to 314-801-0764.  We thank you for your patience and look forward to resuming normal operations when the public health emergency has ended.

             

            Morning reports for Army units (from November 1, 1912 to 1959) and Air Force units (from September 1947 to June 30, 1966) are in the custody of the National Archives at St. Louis (RL-SL). For access to these records, please contact RL-SL via email at stl.archives@nara.gov. 

             

            Please note that 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 RL-SL. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.

             

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