Veterans Service Records

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Locating Veterans and Service Members

We cannot release personal information about a veteran, and we lack the resources and current information to forward letters or correspondence to veterans. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs and certain military branches may be able forward some messages to veterans or active service personnel. Some veterans service organizations such as the VFW and American Legion and other groups also maintain reunion listings, member directories and locator services.

Other Sources for Veterans Information, Aid and Benefits may also be of assistance.

Military Personnel Locator Services

Veterans Directories and Locators from other Organizations

(Read our disclaimer of endorsement.)

  • Interactive Vietnam War Memorial
    The Interactive Vietnam War Memorial from Footnote.com enables visitors to search the Wall for people they know and pay tribute by adding photos, comments and stories of those who lost their lives during the Vietnam conflict. (More about this project.)
  • Selected Veterans Service Organizations
    A short list of service organizations which may offer reunion listings or locator services.
  • Directory of Veterans Service Organizations
    Comprehensive database of Veterans Organizations compiled by the VA.
  • VetFriends.com (fee required for locator services)
    Vet Friends.com helps you to reunite with friends and family who are veterans of or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
  • Military.com
    A commercial site offering free resources to serve, connect, and inform active duty members, reservists, guard members, retirees, veterans, family members, defense workers and those considering military careers.
  • Military Connections
    A commercial site designed to help present and past military personnel and their families find each other and keep in touch. The site is free to members and offers an array of resources to help past and present military personnel take advantage of their military benefits.
  1. US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

    The VA can forward a message from you to the veteran, providing the veteran has filed a claim with VA and they have an address on record. For more information on VA forwarding:
    https://iris.va.gov/scripts/iris.cfg/php.exe/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=579

  2. The National Contact Center, part of the General Services Administration, may be of help to you. The Center has links to the locator services of the US military and to the American Red Cross.

    National Contact Center (GSA)
    http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/call/locating_individuals.htm

  3. The American Legion

    The American Legion provides a limited service for members to locate other members. For more information, see
    www.legion.org/?section=community&subsection=com_library&content=com_lib_serv

  4. Books and articles on locating members or former members of the military:

    Gormley, Myra Vanderpool.
    "20th Century Military Records." Heritage Quest, 10 (May-June 1987) 3-7.

    Johnson, Richard S.
    How to Locate Anyone Who Is or Has Been in the Military, Fourth Edition.
    Fort Sam Houston, TX: Military Information Enterprises, 1991.

  5. Veterans magazines and organizations: GENERAL: MarineLink Reunions Page (Reunions for all services)
    http://www.usmc.mil/reunions/reunions.nsf/approved?openview&count=999999

    American Legion
    700 North Pennsylvania St
    PO Box 1055
    Indianapolis, IN 46206
    http://www.legion.org/index.php

    Military Officer Magazine
    TROA, 201 N Washington Street
    Alexandria VA 22314-2539
    http://www.troa.org/Magazine/

    VFW
    VFW Building
    34th and Broadway
    Kansas City, MO 64111
    http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=misc.contact&tok=1

    Air Force:

    Air Force Magazine publishes unit reunions.
    Air Force Association
    1501 Lee Highway
    Arlington, VA, 22209-1198
    http://www.afa.org/magazine/aboutmag.asp

    Air Force Times
    6883 Commercial Drive
    Springfield VA 22159
    http://www.airforcetimes.com

    Army:

    Army Times
    475 School Street SW
    Washington, DC 20024
    http://www.armytimes.com

    Navy:

    The Naval Historical Center maintains a list of magazines that publish reunion announcements:
    http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq13-2.htm

    Shift Colors newsletter for Navy retirees, and list of other veterans' publications:
    http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/people/faq/.www/print.html

    Naval Affairs
    Fleet Reserve Association
    124 N. West St
    Alexandria, VA 22314
    http://www.fra.org/

    Navy Times
    6883 Commercial Drive
    Springfield, VA 22159-0260
    http://www.navytimes.com/

    Sea Power Navy League of the US 2300 Wilson Blvd Arlington, VA 22201-3308 http://www.navyleague.org/sea_power/

    Marines:

    Leatherneck Magazine
    Box 1775
    Quantico, VA 22134
    http://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/index.htm
    1-800-336-0291

    Marine Corps Times Magazine
    http://www.marinetimes.com

    US Merchant Marine:

    US Merchant Marine Veterans of WWII
    PO Box 629
    San Pedro, CA 90731.

    See also http://www.usmm.org/shipmate_search.html

    Merchant Veterans of the Army Transport Service:

    US Army Reserve Components
    Personnel and Admin. Ctr
    9700 Page Blvd
    St. Louis, MO 63132-510

Veterans Service Records >

The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
1-86-NARA-NARA or 1-866-272-6272