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Re: Seeking records about plane crash & grandfather's death
Elliot Schneider Dec 3, 2020 8:38 AM (in response to Becky Hickman)Becky,
If you could please provide additional information pertaining to your grandfather, such as a name, DOB, place of birth.
Thanks,
Elliot Schneider
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Re: Seeking records about plane crash & grandfather's death
Becky Hickman Dec 3, 2020 10:50 AM (in response to Elliot Schneider)Elliot,
My grandfather is James Arthur Skipper. He was born November 7, 1921, in England, Arkansas. I know he was inducted into the army on November 13, 1944. I have his SSN and his serial number/service ID, or whatever, but I think I read I shouldn't post those kinds of details. I know that he arrived on Luzon Island on May 8, 1945 and was assigned to the 149th Infantry. I know that on June 26th, 1945, he was killed in a plane crash ferrying supplies to troops. I have a copy of a letter that describes a little of what happened, that my grandmother received after his death. I would like to see a detailed report, if such a thing is available. My father, who was 4 when his father died, turns 80 next February. We are fixing up his grandfather's house as a surprise, and I would also like to have as much information about his father's military experience as I can obtain.
Thank you for your response,
Becky Skipper Hickman
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Re: Seeking records about plane crash & grandfather's death
Elliot Schneider Dec 3, 2020 1:00 PM (in response to Becky Hickman)2 people found this helpfulBecky,
Here is some information below. 38th Division 149th Infantry Was his Unit. When the NPRC resumes normal business operation I would suggest obtaining a copy of his IDPFs file which is known for Individual Deceased Personnel File.
For the IDPFs from 1940-1976 of personnel with surnames that begin with M-Z, please write to U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Casualty & Memorial Affairs Operations Division, ATTN: AHRC-PDC, 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Department 450, Fort Knox, KY 40122-5405.
Also would suggest looking to have medals awarded as well. Saw the AMBC.GOV site and dose not show that he received the purple heart, and if he was on an air mission then he should have also received and Air Medal as well. Plus he should have Good conduct medal, American campaign ribbon, ASIATIC Pacific Ribbon, WW2 Victory ribbon, and depending on his MOS a Combat Infantry Badge, and I know that some men that served in the Army who received the CIB award were also awarded the Bronze Star. Worth looking into.
https://honors.uca.edu/memorial/index.php?title=James_A._Skipper&mobileaction=toggle_view_desktop
Name: James A Skipper Race: White Marital status: Married Rank: Private Birth Year: 1921 Nativity State or Country: Arkansas Citizenship: Citizen Residence: Conway, Arkansas Education: 1 year of college Civil Occupation: Skilled occupations in refining of petroleum Enlistment Date: 13 Nov 1944 Enlistment Place: Camp Josepth T Robinson Little Rock, Arkansas Service Number: 38734091 Branch: No branch assignment Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Height: 00 Weight: 000 Hope this helps,
Elliot Schneider
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Re: Seeking records about plane crash & grandfather's death
Becky Hickman Dec 3, 2020 3:05 PM (in response to Elliot Schneider)Thank you very much for the information! AMBC.GOV doesn't come up for me. Is there a typo in that?
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Re: Seeking records about plane crash & grandfather's death
Becky Hickman Dec 15, 2020 7:51 PM (in response to Elliot Schneider)I wrote to US Army Human Resources Command. They told me they do not have my grandfather's IDPF, because he was not missing. The person who wrote me recommended the DPAA. I may not have been clear. My grandfather was never missing, nor was he a POW. I will hope that the NPRC resumes operations soon.
Thank you all who have posted for your help!
Becky
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Re: Seeking records about plane crash & grandfather's death
Tamie Dehler Dec 16, 2020 10:50 AM (in response to Becky Hickman)Becky, That confuses me. It was my understanding that the Individual Deceased Personnel File was created specifically to document the death and disposition of the remains of a person in the military. You said he was killed in a plane crash in WWII. So his death should have been documented in an IDPF. (My uncle, who was killed in WWII, has an IDPF and he was neither missing nor a POW). Here is a presentation about the IDPF and within the slides you may find more information that will help you.
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Re: Seeking records about plane crash & grandfather's death
Elliot Schneider Dec 16, 2020 11:35 AM (in response to Becky Hickman)Becky,
I spoke with them today the gentleman asked for his ss# even though I mentioned to him that this pertains to event that happened during WW2. He said he would check his computer to see if he could check but apparently he was not able to confirm. I'm guessing that he may not have the ability to access those records from his computer since most of these individuals are working remotely. He did refer me to the following.
- Past Conflict Repatriations Branch (PCRB) - Past conflict Prisoner of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) matters and Family programs related to those not yet accounted for from past conflicts.
I did inform him that this was not a case of MIA or POW that it was clearly resulted in KIA. But still might be worth asking. I have two calls into their department this morning.
Past Conflict Repatriations Branch (PCRB)
For more PCRB information visit the PCRB Web Page.
Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST
Toll-free number: 800-892-2490
E-mail: usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.tagd-tapcper@mail.milMailing Address:
U.S. Army Human Resources Command
ATTN: AHRC-PDC-R
1600 Spearhead Div Ave
Fort Knox, KY 40122-5405Thanks,
Elliot Schneider
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Re: Seeking records about plane crash & grandfather's death
Becky Hickman Dec 16, 2020 6:43 PM (in response to Elliot Schneider)1 person found this helpfulElliot,
Thank you again so much for your help. On the positive side, the gentleman from US Army Human Resources Command gave me an email address to inquire about my grandfather's awards. I have submitted the documentation I do have, and someone has entered a formal case for me.
Becky
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Re: Seeking records about plane crash & grandfather's death
Becky Hickman Jan 16, 2021 5:28 PM (in response to Elliot Schneider)Elliot,
I want to thank you again for your help. I haven't received my grandfather's records yet, but I have received a letter stating 5 Medals and Ribbons, as well as a Gold Star Lapel Button have been ordered for me. When I started this quest, I had not even considered awards, and I'm so glad you suggested pursuing them.
Thank you again,
Becky
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Re: Seeking records about plane crash & grandfather's death
Tamie Dehler Dec 3, 2020 12:42 PM (in response to Becky Hickman)1 person found this helpfulI think you should request the IDPF (Individual Deceased Personnel File). I did this for my deceased uncle, who was killed in France in WWII.
In this file, you may get information on the place and cause of death, extent of the injuries, condition of the body, any temporary internment, re-internment information, a list of personal effects found on the soldier, a picture of the dog tags, what family members were contacted as next of kin, receipts documenting the return of the personnel effects to the family, etc. It can be very gruesome or just not contain much information about the circumstances of the death. You will receive whatever information they collected at the time the IDPF was created.
I requested this in 2008 through the Freedom of Information Act from the Department of the Army, US Human Resources Command, 200 Stovall St., Alexandria, VA 22332-0400.
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Re: Seeking records about plane crash & grandfather's death
Elliot Schneider Dec 3, 2020 4:55 PM (in response to Tamie Dehler)Tamie.
This is no longer a valid address for Army Human Resource Command this information is outdated. However, at the time that you requested your uncles IDPFs the AHRC was located there. Please follow the information and instructions above Becky, that is their current location.
Thanks,
Elliot Schneider
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Re: Seeking records about plane crash & grandfather's death
Tamie Dehler Dec 4, 2020 11:13 AM (in response to Elliot Schneider)I don't need the current address but thanks anyway. I posted what I used at the time (2008) thinking that you could google the current address if the one I gave you was no longer valid. Good luck in your quest.
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Re: Seeking records about plane crash & grandfather's death
Jason AtkinsonDec 9, 2020 1:48 PM (in response to Becky Hickman)
Dear Ms. Hickman,
Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!
As was mentioned by previous replies, the best place to begin your research for military casualties is the Individual Deceased Personnel File. The address provided by Mr. Schneider is the current contact for these records.Also, the entry on the website of the American Battle Monuments Commission that Mr. Schneider references may be located at https://www.abmc.gov/decedent-search/skipper%3Djames.
World War II Army Air Force and Air Force accident reports up to 1955 are in the custody of the Air Force Historical Research Agency, 600 Chennault Circle, Building 1405, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL 36112-6424.
In regards to the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), if it survived the 1973 fire which destroyed approximately 80% of the OMPFs from this time period, it may include some information about his death. OMPFs and individual medical reports for enlisted men of the U.S. Army who were separated from the service after October 1912 and prior to 1958 are in the custody of NARA's National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. In many cases where personnel records were destroyed in the 1973 fire, proof of service can be provided from other records such as morning reports, payrolls, and military orders, and a certificate of military service will be issued. Please complete a GSA Standard Form 180 and mail it to NARA's National Personnel Records Center, (Military Personnel Records), 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138-1002. When filling out the form, use his death date at the “Date Released.” 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!