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Archive for August of 2006
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August 20, 2006Nat'l Miltary Personnel Records Center (H.R. Wheeler)
August 19, 2006
Being still relatively new to the hobby of genealogy, I'm still learning what other genealogists have known for years. One thing I learned of recently was the fire at the National Military Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri in 1973.
I recently submitted a request to the Military Personnel Records Center for the records of Howard Robinson Wheeler (b. 05 Jun 1894, d. 03 Mar 1978). Along with the request I submitted what military records I did have from my grandfather which included his Honorable Discharge papers amongst other papers. Several weeks later I received a letter from the Personnel Records Center that his records may have been destroyed in the fire but they may be able to reconstruct the file with additional information. I completed the forms are mailed them back. Last week I received a response stating that they were unable to locate the records in any of their archives. Further, while they may be able to reconstruct the file, the laws did not allow for the release of the information to non-direct descendents despite the fact that those direct descendents may be deceased. They assured me that the records that I provided have been placed in the archives for future recall.
The fire destroyed 16 to 18 million military personnel files. Those files consisted of approximately 80% of the Army personnel discharged from 01 NOV 1912 to 01 Jan 1960. It also included appoximately 75% of the military personnel files for those discharged from the Air Force between 25 Sep 1947 to 01 Jan 1964.
I'm fortunate that I was passed on several copies of these records of which the records may have otherwise been lost. However, if you are a direct descendent or if you have a living direct descendent who served in the Army or the Air Force during this time, please take the time now to request copies of records so that these files can be reconstructed.
I recently submitted a request to the Military Personnel Records Center for the records of Howard Robinson Wheeler (b. 05 Jun 1894, d. 03 Mar 1978). Along with the request I submitted what military records I did have from my grandfather which included his Honorable Discharge papers amongst other papers. Several weeks later I received a letter from the Personnel Records Center that his records may have been destroyed in the fire but they may be able to reconstruct the file with additional information. I completed the forms are mailed them back. Last week I received a response stating that they were unable to locate the records in any of their archives. Further, while they may be able to reconstruct the file, the laws did not allow for the release of the information to non-direct descendents despite the fact that those direct descendents may be deceased. They assured me that the records that I provided have been placed in the archives for future recall.
The fire destroyed 16 to 18 million military personnel files. Those files consisted of approximately 80% of the Army personnel discharged from 01 NOV 1912 to 01 Jan 1960. It also included appoximately 75% of the military personnel files for those discharged from the Air Force between 25 Sep 1947 to 01 Jan 1964.
I'm fortunate that I was passed on several copies of these records of which the records may have otherwise been lost. However, if you are a direct descendent or if you have a living direct descendent who served in the Army or the Air Force during this time, please take the time now to request copies of records so that these files can be reconstructed.