United States World War I Service Records

United States U.S. Military  WWI  Service Records

Service Records
The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis maintains World War I Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF).

Please Note: On July 12, 1973, a disastrous fire at the NPRCdestroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files. The affected record collections are described below.

No duplicate copies of the records that were destroyed in the fire were maintained, nor was a microfilm copy ever produced. There were no indexes created prior to the fire. In addition, millions of documents had been lent to the Department of Veterans Affairs before the fire occurred. Therefore, a complete listing of the records that were lost is not available. Nevertheless, NPRC uses many alternate sourcesin its efforts to reconstruct basic service information to respond to requests.

To order records from the National Personnel Records Center, in St. Louis:


 * If you are a veteran or next-of-kin of a deceased veteran, use eVetRecs, at vetrecs.archives.gov(or use the paper form, SF-180);


 * All others, use Standard Form 180;


 * Written requests (using Standard Form 180, or letter) should be mailed to: National Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Ave., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

Note: Access to Non-Archival Military Service Records is limited. Non-Archival records are those of service members who separated from the military less than 62 years ago. See Access to Non-Archival Records for more information. Records of individuals who left service more than 62 years ago are considered Archival Records and become records of the National Archives open to the general public.

Other Sources for Records
Check with a nearby Veterans Administration for other kinds of records such as hospital and disability records.

State archives in the state where your ancestor lived may have records. (For addresses, see the state articles.)

County courthouses may have discharge papers. (For addresses, see Everton'sHandybook for Genealogistsor the internet.)

Indexes mentioning some sailors are the following:


 * Index to Rendezvous Reports, Naval Auxiliary Service, 1917–1918. National Archives Microfilm Publication T1100. (Family History Library film 1380690.) Lists the name, enlistment date, date of assignment, and place.
 * Index to Rendezvous Reports, Armed Guard Personnel, 1917–1920. National Archives Microfilm Publication T1101. (Family History Library films 1380696–98.) Lists the name, enlistment date, rank, dates of service, and name of vessel served on.

Awards

 * Navy WWI Victory Medal


 * Information on the issuance or replacement of military service medals, decorations and awards.