Frequently Requested Records
Quick Guide
Here is a quick guide to our nonOMPF records!
Please note: In an effort to further preserve our records, the National Archives are moving to providing digitized reproductions of most records. Please provide a current email address with any and every request.
Deceased Veterans Claim Files
The Veterans Bureau/Veterans Administration used these case files to document compensation and insurance claims of veterans who served in the Armed Forces and those heirs whom collected compensation. The VA applied the letter “X” to indicate the veteran was deceased, but did not close the claim until benefits ended. VA Case Files provide rich genealogical information.
If a case was not closed before 1955, the file may be housed in one of NARA’s Federal records centers and may still belong to the VA.
Locating a Record
Provide as much of the following information as possible:
- Veteran’s complete name used while in service (including alternate spellings, if any)
- Claim number (XC number)
- Dates of service
- Date and place of birth
- Date and place of death
- Service number
More information can be found in their catalog entry
Those searching for veterans from the Civil War, later Indian Wars, China Relief Expedition, Spanish-American War, or Philippine Insurrection can access the “U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934” at Ancestry.com, to see if their ancestor has an XC file (noted at bottom of card).
World War I Burial Files
Papers Relating to Burials of Military and Civilian Service Personnel. This series consists of correspondence, Graves Registration Service forms, headstone applications, and other pertinent information relating to the burials. This includes events such as Gold Star Mothers' pilgrimage and their itineraries.
Locating a Record
Provide as much of the following information as possible:
- Full name of service member
- Service number
- Dates of service
- Date and place of death
More information can be found in their catalog entry
World War I Award Cards
The cards were created to record awards given to individuals for service accomplishments, acts of heroism, or injury. The cards are utilized to assist in reconstructing Official Military Personnel Files of the Army from World War I that may have been destroyed by the fire at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973.
Locating a Record
Provide as much of the following information as possible:
- Full name of individual
- Service number, if applicable
- Dates of service
- Rank in service
- Unit information, if known
- Award received, if known
More information can be found in their catalog entry
World War I Army Muster Rolls and Rosters, 1912-1939
Rosters from this series include officers and enlisted service members through 1920 and enlisted service members from 1921 to 1939. Information from these rosters may contain the following information: name, service number, furloughs, and personnel losses or gains. This information varies on subseries and time period. The index for the muster rolls and rosters covering, 1912 to 1939, is arranged by the type of unit (i.e., quartermaster unit, medical unit, coast artillery corps, hospital, etc.), thereunder numerically by reporting unit. The index provides provides a 'microfilm box number.' Expanded information can be found on the catalog.
Locating a Record: These records have been digitized and are available for free on FamilySearch.
Additional WWI Records are detailed here.
Air Force Award Cards, 1942-1963
The cards were created to record awards given to individuals for service accomplishments, acts of heroism, or injury. The cards are utilized to assist in reconstructing Official Military Personnel Files of the Army from World War II and later that may have been destroyed by the fire at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973.
Locating a Record: These records have been digitized and are available on the catalog.
General Courts-Martial Records: Army and Navy
These records were created to document trials by general courts-martial, military commissions, and courts of inquiry. Records originate at the various courts-martial jurisdictions in the continental United States and overseas commands, and were forwarded to JAG as prescribed.
Locating a Record
Provide as much of the following information as possible:
- Full name of the veteran on trial
- Service number
- Approximate year and place of trial
- Trial number if available
More information can be found by searching their various catalog entries.
We also have Special Courts-Martial Case Files that resulted in bad conduct discharges. All Special Courts-Martial Case Files that did NOT result in a bad conduct discharge as well as summary courts-martial case files were destroyed in accordance with lifecycle regulations.
Individual Deceased Personnel Files
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force: 1939-1975
Also known as Mortuary or Casualty Files, documents will vary based on branch of service and time period but may include correspondence, memorandums, teletype messages, and other documentation relating to the death of individual personnel during service. These records include the service member's rank, serial number, date of birth, and a brief description of the circumstances surrounding the death.
Locating a Record
Provide as much of the following information as possible:
- Full name of service member
- Service number
- Dates of service
- Date and place of death
Due to the extensive nature of these records there are multiple catalog entries.