Seeking Spanish-American War pension papers of Marines

Dear Ms. Parry,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

We searched the National Archives Catalog and located Case Files of Pension Applications Based on Service Completed in the Years 1817 to Approximately 1903;  Case Files of Disapproved Pension Applications of Veterans of the Army and the Navy Who Served Mainly in the Civil War and the War With Spain, ca. 1861 - ca. 1934; Case Files of Disapproved Pension Applications of Widows and Other Dependents of Veterans of the Army and Navy, ca. 1861 - ca. 1934; Case Files of Disapproved Pension Applications of Widows and Other Dependents of Navy Veterans , ca. 1861 - ca. 1910; and Case Files of Approved Pension Applications of Widows and Other Dependents of Navy Veterans, ca. 1861 - ca. 1910 in the Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs (Record Group 15) that include case files for Spanish-American War veterans, to include Marines. Portions of these series have been digitized and may be viewed online using the Catalog. These records are in the custody of the National Archives in Washington, DC - Textual Reference (RDT1). Please contact RDT1 at Archives1reference@nara.gov for assistance with these records.

We also located  3 record series in Record Group 15 at the National Archives at St. Louis (RL-SL) that include claims files for Spanish-American War veterans.  The records were transferred to the RL-SL in 1952 and 1955. To request a search of these records, please contact RL-SL at stl.archives@nara.gov with full details about the veteran whose file you are seeking.

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 RDT1 and RL-SL. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.

Spanish-American War pension files may still be in the custody of the Department of Veterans Affairs if they were still active in 1955 when the inactive files were transferred to the National Archives.  If both RDT1 and RL-SL inform you that they do not have the file, please file a FOIA requested with the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Their FOIA website is https://www.va.gov/foia/.  All questions regarding VA’s FOIA procedures and fees may be emailed to VACOFOIAService@va.gov.

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