United States, Casualties of the Vietnam War - FamilySearch Historical Records

United States

What is in This Collection?
This index consists of two files:


 * a) Combat Area Casualties Current File, 6/8/1956 - 1/21/1998 (58,193 records)
 * b) Combat Area Casualties Returned Alive File, 5/1/1962 - 3/22/1979 (772 records)

The files were created by the Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Service, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, Statistical Information Analysis Division. They served as the official repository for records on US military casualties in the Southeast Asian combat areas (Cambodia, China, Laos, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and Thailand) occurring during the Vietnam War. Included within casualties were the following:


 * Vietnam War dead
 * Missing in action
 * Prisoners of war

The files were acquired from the National Archives "Access to Archival Databases" the records are from Record Group 330 Records of the Office of the Secretary of Defense. [AAD Series Description] See also ARC Identifier 306742.

To locate the "Access to Archival Databases" go the National Archives website at www.archives.gov, from the home page under "Resources” click “ A-Z Index" on the “Subject Index” page, under the letter alphabet, click on “AAD (Access to Archival Databases)” The military indexes should be found under “Wars/International Relations.”

The event date is either date of death or declared dead from the current file or date released or returned alive from the returned alive file.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Casualties
 * Name
 * Date of birth
 * Date of death or repatriation (return or restoration to one’s own country)
 * Home state and city of record (if known)
 * Social Security or Service number
 * Religious affiliation
 * Marital status

Collection Content
Sample of indexed information.

How Do I Search This Collection?
To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * The approximate date of death
 * The state where your ancestor lived
 * The ancestor's Social Security or service number

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?

 * Use the information found on the casualty list to search for a death record for your ancestor
 * Use the information found on the casualty list to search for other military records
 * Use the information found on the casualty list to search for the family in census records
 * Use the information found on the casualty list to search for the family in additional state and county records

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

 * Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
 * Look for another index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records
 * Search the indexes and records of nearby counties
 * 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
 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the United States.
 * United States Guided Research
 * United States Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies

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.