United States, Military Personnel who Died During the Vietnam War - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

What is in This Collection?
Records of military personnel who died in the Southeast Asian combat area during the Vietnam War acquired from the National Archives, "Access to Archival Databases" (AAD). Additional information about this collection may be found on the National Archives website. In August of 2013, the National Archives replaced the ARC – Archival Research Catalog - with the OPA – Online Public Access. ARC identifiers will still work to access the collections in OPA. The collection covers the years 1956 to 2003.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
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Collection Content
Sample of indexed information:

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the soldier
 * The date of death for the soldier
 * The state where the soldier enlisted
 * The social security number or service number of the soldier

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the birth date or age of your ancestor to obtain a birth certificate
 * The country and town of residence could lead you to funeral, memorial service or burial information
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct
 * You may need to compare the information of more than one family or person to make this determination
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for alias names, nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the United States.
 * US Military Basic Search Strategies
 * Beginning Research in United States Military Records
 * United States Guided Research
 * United States Record Finder
 * United States Research Tips and Strategies

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Richard S. Johnson ; Debra Johnson Knox, How to locate anyone who is or has been in the military : Armed Forces locator guide 8th ed. Spartanburg, South Carolina : MIE Publishing, c1999 FHL 973 M27j 1999
 * Jan C. Scruggs and Joel L. Swerdlow,To heal a nation : the Vietnam Veterans MemorialNew York, New York : Harper & Row, c1985 FHL 973 M2sj
 * Charles E. Schamel, comp.  Records relating to American prisoners of war and missing in action from the Vietnam War. Washington, D.C. : National Archives and Records Administration, 1996. FHL 973 J53s
 * Directory of United States prisoners of war and missing in action as a result of the Vietnam War
 * prepared by Frances A. Hortsch for the Phoenix Genealogical Society, Arizona's memorial to Vietnam veterans Phoenix, Arizona : Phoenix Genealogical Society, 1987 FHL 979.1 M2hf
 * compiled by Military Records and Research Library, Department of Military Affairs ; edited by Julia D. Rather and Jeffrey Michael Duff, Register of Vietnam War casualties from Kentucky Frankfort, Kentucky : Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, c1988 FHL 976.9 M28k
 * B.J. Stanley, Oregon Vietnam veterans memorial : a history and directory of names Portland, Oregon : Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial Fund, 1987
 * Vermont, National Guard, Vietnam war, 1950-1967
 * Wisconsin Vietnam War Stories

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * Vietnam Veterans memorial.  Directory of Names. Washington, D.C. : Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, 1984. FHL 973 M2vv Digital images
 * Vietnam Era Medal of Honor Recipients, 1964-1972

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

Estados Unidos, Militares que Morreram Durante a Guerra do Vietnã (Registros Históricos do FamilySearch)