Military Service Records Discharge Papers, Official Military Personnel Files, and Pension Files

From the earliest years of United States history, American Indians have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Ever since General George Washington noted the American Indians' skills as scouts and light troops during the Revolutionary War, they have participated in every major conflict, including both sides of the American Civil War. In unique services such as U.S. Army Indian Scouts and the U.S. Army and Marine Corps code talkers in both World Wars, American Indians have participated with distinction throughout America’s military history. The service and pension records of these men and women can be found at the National Archives.

Locating Service and Pension Records

Requests for these records must be submitted in writing or online.

• Prior to 1917: These records are located at the National Archives in Washington, DC, and can be requested by fax or by mail.

• From WWI through today: These records are located at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, and can be requested by fax or by mail.

• Veterans, as well as their next of kin, can request service records online using the eVetRecs system.

For more information visit the National Archives Veterans Service Records.

NOTE: Many of the older military records are digitized, indexed, and fully searchable on Ancestry.com and/or Fold3.com.

Additional Military Records

The National Archives is also the home for military records detailing the general activities of the U.S. Armed Forces in both times of peace and war. Visit Research in Military Records for more information.