Request Personnel and/or Medical Records Online. More ways to get service records. Learn about military service records (e.g. DD Form 214)
Replace Lost Medals and Awards Learn how to replace lost or damaged ones.
View a sample of their extensive collection of photographs from World War II.
Alternate Records Resources
Alternate Sources of Military Service Data. When proof of military service is needed, NPRC (MPR) attempts to reconstruct specific basic service data from alternate sources.NPRC (MPR) has identified many sources, but each contains limited military service information. They are utilized to piece together (reconstruct) basic service data.
NA Form 13075, Questionnaire About Military Service
Medical-Related Alternate Records.
In 1988, computer tapes containing ten million hospital/treatment facility admission records were transferred to NPRC (MPR). Initially created by the U.S. Army Surgeon General’s Office (SGO), these records were discovered by the National Academy of Sciences and offered to the National Archives for NPRC (MPR) use. The source records existed in a computer code format and required extensive analysis to interpret the code into English. Between 1988-1990, NPRC (MPR) salvaged 7.8 million records of individual admissions for use as a significant supplement to other smaller sources of medical information.
Personnel-Related Alternate Sources.
A primary source of alternate data is a collection of 19 million final pay vouchers. These records provide name, service number, dates of service, and character of service. These are the most critical service data elements needed for the reconstruction process. With these and other organizational records (enlistment ledgers, service number indexes, etc.), NPRC (MPR) personnel can usually verify military service and provide a Certification of Military Service. This Certification can be used for any purpose for which the original discharge document was used, including the application for veterans benefits.
The 1973 Fire at NPRC
On July 12, 1973, a disastrous NPRC (MPR) fire destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files. The affected record collections are described below. No duplicate copies of the records destroyed in the fire were maintained, nor was a microfilm copy ever produced. There were no indexes created before the fire. In addition, millions of documents had been lent to the Department of Veterans Affairs before the fire occurred. Therefore, a complete list of lost records is not available. Nevertheless, NPRC (MPR) uses many alternate sources to reconstruct basic service information to respond to requests.
Related
