For Memorial Day, Find Out about Your Honored Dead
Memorial Day was originally celebrated to honor only those lost while fighting in the Civil War. But during World War I, its scope was expanded to commemorate American military personnel who had died in all wars.
Do you have a loved one who paid the ultimate price to keep our country free? Do you know their story and are you passing it on to your family? Do you want to know more about them and their sacrifice this Memorial Day?
Let Sig14 Inc. help you honor your loved one this Memorial Day by locating their military files, finding their fellow soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines who fought alongside them, and getting you in touch with those who witnessed their bravery firsthand. What greater honor could you bestow on your loved one than to pass on their story of heroism to the next generation.
Locating Military Files
The National Archives are the primary sources for finding records related to military service. There you can browse through files from current era and general military records all the way back to the American Revolutionary period. Additional online records may be found by searching the National Archives Catalog and Access to Archival Databases (AAD) systems. Veterans’ military service records and medical records are not online. However, veterans and next-of-kin* can order copies of these records. If you are not a next-of-kin, you will need to get the cooperation of someone who is a next-of-kin or the assistance of their authorized representative to obtain these records for you. *(A “Next-of-Kin” is defined as: an un-remarried widow or widower, son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sister of the deceased veteran.)
According to these links, some records of a veteran who served before 1958 are public. They may already possess military documents that contain the information you are seeking. To get access to these documents the request must:
- be in writing;
- specify what additional information or copies that the National Personnel Records Center may release to you;
- include the signature of the next-of-kin;
- provide proof of death of the veteran, such as a copy of the death certificate, a letter from the funeral home or a published obituary.
For a veteran who served after 1957, the next of kin, or their authorized representative, may access military records if they have the following:
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- the veteran’s complete name as used in service;
- service number;
- Social Security Number (if applicable);
- branch of service;
- dates of service; and
- date and place of birth.
For those records that are not available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act, the next-of-kin must authorize the release.
The Impact of the St. Louis Fire (1973)
Shortly after midnight on July 12, 1973, a fire was reported at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri. The fire burned out of control for 22 hours and it took two days before firefighters were able to re-enter the building. The devastating fire destroyed approximately 16–18 million Official Military Personnel Files documenting the service history of former military personnel discharged from 1912 to 1964. For records affected by the 1973 Fire (which destroyed 80% of Army personnel files and 75% of Air force records at that time), additional information may be useful, such as:
- place of discharge;
- last assigned unit; and
- place of entry into service.
Locating Military Buddies
The best information about your loved one may come from those who served side by side with them in their unit. Special bonds were formed in the service and lasting memories can be shared with those who care the most. But knowing who they are and how to find them can be an expensive, time-consuming process. Why not let Sig14 Inc. make the process simple this Memorial Day? Sig14 Inc. and its professional staff of Tampa Private Investigators can take the hassle out of endless online searches and the maze of internet websites. This Memorial Day, we want to honor those who have given their lives in service for our country and connect you with those who share a common bond. Let Sig14 Inc. give you the information you need to take the next step.
Contact Sig14 Inc. For More Information About Our Private Investigator in Tampa
If you want to do something special for the memory of your loved one this Memorial Day, contact Sig14 Investigations for help. Kenneth Stevens has more than 35 years’ experience in law enforcement and private investigation services. Our close relationship with Florida law courts, the US military, as well as membership in the FL Association of Licensed Investigators, are added advantages. Call us today and discover why Sig14 Inc. is the most trusted Tampa private investigator for remembering your loved ones, background checks in Tampa, and infidelity investigations.