Information about flags, colors, streamers, guidons, insignia, uniforms:
U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry
9235 Gunston Road, Room S-112
Fort Belvoir, VA., 22060
Tel: 703-806-4968/9 DSN: 656-4968/9
Information pertaining to unit Lineage and Honors:
Organizational History Branch
U.S. Army Center of Military History
1099 14th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C., 20005
Tel: 202-761-5413
U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry
9235 Gunston Road, Room S-112
Fort Belvoir, VA., 22060
Tel: 703-806-4968/9 DSN: 656-4968/9
Information pertaining to unit Lineage and Honors:
Organizational History Branch
U.S. Army Center of Military History
1099 14th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C., 20005
Tel: 202-761-5413
Example request made online to NARA for unit records
As seen on the website:
I have a question about research and records at NARA
Please select the topic of your question:
-records created by the United States Military
Please type your question in the box below.
Please be as specific as possible - Details:
Unit - C Co. 2nd Bn 12th Infantry Regiment, 25th Division
Location - Republic of Vietnam, Vietnan War
Time - October 1 to 31, 1968
Locate Battalion daily journals for 2/12th; may be listed as S3 journals or Brigade Daily Journals - describes daily troop movement, grid locations, operational descriptions for all companies in the 2/12th Inf - DO NOT CONFUSE with 2/12th CALVARY. Company operated under the 2nd Brigade during this time.
End of example
As seen on the website:
I have a question about research and records at NARA
Please select the topic of your question:
-records created by the United States Military
Please type your question in the box below.
Please be as specific as possible - Details:
Unit - C Co. 2nd Bn 12th Infantry Regiment, 25th Division
Location - Republic of Vietnam, Vietnan War
Time - October 1 to 31, 1968
Locate Battalion daily journals for 2/12th; may be listed as S3 journals or Brigade Daily Journals - describes daily troop movement, grid locations, operational descriptions for all companies in the 2/12th Inf - DO NOT CONFUSE with 2/12th CALVARY. Company operated under the 2nd Brigade during this time.
End of example
If you are not SPECIFIC with all the information, you will not get what you ask for. NARA seems to have a problem with reproducing the same information they locate for you when they send the order to reproduction. They fail to write the same description you give them and what they do for researching, then fail to write that detail on the reproduction order.
They will refund your money if they send the wrong material. The problem is, it takes about a month from the time you request the research to receiving the material in the mail if all goes well. If not, you get to start all over again. I speak from experience. - Sarge
They will refund your money if they send the wrong material. The problem is, it takes about a month from the time you request the research to receiving the material in the mail if all goes well. If not, you get to start all over again. I speak from experience. - Sarge
There are no short cuts when requesting records. Provide as much detail as possible. You are dealing with the Government here and time is on their side. Do your research and fill out all the paperwork. Much of this can be done on the internet now. Paper records from NARA costs .75 cents per copy. If you are doing a lot, consider going to College Park, MD and do the work yourself. The researchers there will pull the records you are looking for and have them available on hand if you arrange this before you arrive. - Sarge
RECORDS & RESEARCH
MEDICAL RECORDS Your military medical records are sent to the Veterans Administration after your discharge. or are stored in St. Louis. Contact your state's VA office to obtain copies or contact the NPRC..
MEDICAL RECORDS Your military medical records are sent to the Veterans Administration after your discharge. or are stored in St. Louis. Contact your state's VA office to obtain copies or contact the NPRC..
The NATIONAL PERSONNEL RECORDS CENTER (NPRC) - St. Louis
(A) Serviceman's PERSONAL RECORDS
Commonly referred to as "YOUR 201 FILE" the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Lois, MO keeps your personal "OFFCIAL MILITARY PERSONNEL FILE".... this is the complete packet of your records. i.e. every record of your service, copies of awards and commendations, and tests you took from basic through discharge. An SF 180* will be needed to obtain your packet (see SF 180 below).
DD-214 is that single page of paper that you got upon your discharge and the document that you are constantly being asked for as "proof" of your military service - it is also held in St. Louis and a form SF 180 is needed. Although, a new ON-LINE REQUEST can be made using the governments new computer access system, eVetRecs (April 2012) System by using this internet link:
http://archives.gov/st-louis/
(B) Unit PERSONNEL RECORDS
-----------------------------
(Monthly) COMPANY ROSTERs and (Daily) MORNING REPORTs for your unit are also kept in St. Louis. They were prepared by the Company Clerks of each Co. in the battalion. It is my suggestion that you request a Company Roster for only one or two months at a time - and be sure to ask for YOUR COMPANY. Only ask for two or three days at a time for Morning Reports..... they don't like it when you ask for too much at a time! [Daily Battalion Journals are kept at the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA), Suitland, MD[see below].
SF 180* will be needed to obtain Company Rosters and Company Morning Reports.
*SF 180 is Standard Form 180.
You MUST fill out this form to get ANY action from St. Louis. They make this easier now and can be done
online via the internet.
http://archives.gov/st-louis/
Write to:
National Personnel Records Center
Attn: U.S. Army Liaison
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132
MEDALS not issued or lost
(A) Serviceman's PERSONAL RECORDS
Commonly referred to as "YOUR 201 FILE" the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Lois, MO keeps your personal "OFFCIAL MILITARY PERSONNEL FILE".... this is the complete packet of your records. i.e. every record of your service, copies of awards and commendations, and tests you took from basic through discharge. An SF 180* will be needed to obtain your packet (see SF 180 below).
DD-214 is that single page of paper that you got upon your discharge and the document that you are constantly being asked for as "proof" of your military service - it is also held in St. Louis and a form SF 180 is needed. Although, a new ON-LINE REQUEST can be made using the governments new computer access system, eVetRecs (April 2012) System by using this internet link:
http://archives.gov/st-louis/
(B) Unit PERSONNEL RECORDS
-----------------------------
(Monthly) COMPANY ROSTERs and (Daily) MORNING REPORTs for your unit are also kept in St. Louis. They were prepared by the Company Clerks of each Co. in the battalion. It is my suggestion that you request a Company Roster for only one or two months at a time - and be sure to ask for YOUR COMPANY. Only ask for two or three days at a time for Morning Reports..... they don't like it when you ask for too much at a time! [Daily Battalion Journals are kept at the National Archives & Records Administration (NARA), Suitland, MD[see below].
SF 180* will be needed to obtain Company Rosters and Company Morning Reports.
*SF 180 is Standard Form 180.
You MUST fill out this form to get ANY action from St. Louis. They make this easier now and can be done
online via the internet.
http://archives.gov/st-louis/
Write to:
National Personnel Records Center
Attn: U.S. Army Liaison
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132
MEDALS not issued or lost
You can get your medals from St. Louis online if you lost your medals or want to request replacements. This requires a signed authorization form.
More information is available at this location: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/replace-medals.html
To write for medals:
National Personnel Records Center
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO., 63138
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS AMINISTRATION (NARA) Washington D.C.
UNIT RECORDS
Has unit operational information like the daily BATTALION JOURNAL (S-3 Journal, Duty Officers Log, etc.), and OPERATION REPORT, LESSONS LEARNED (ORLL), and other goodies. All these records (and there are 9,000 cubic feet of them) are filed under RECORDS GROUP 472
Records of the United States Forces in Southeast Asia, 1950-1975 held by the MODERN MILITARY RECORDS UNIT at College Park, MD.
You can make a request online via the internet. They will respond via email with information that they
find pertaining to your search request and will also submit a "quote" detailing the cost to reproduce the records. They can be ordered in paper copy form or via a CD/DVD. Cost is .75 cents per page.
(NOTE: This Natl. Archives address will send you records for ANY ARMY UNIT IN VIETNAM. Request by YOUR unit..... mine (ours) was the 2/12th Infantry so I use it on this website.)
http://www.archives.gov/contact/inquire-form.html#part-b
Write to:
National Archives
Attn: Textual Reference (Vietnam)
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Military Records Textural Reference Phone #
(301)837-3510
WHAT TO REQUEST FROM THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES:
More information is available at this location: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/replace-medals.html
To write for medals:
National Personnel Records Center
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO., 63138
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS AMINISTRATION (NARA) Washington D.C.
UNIT RECORDS
Has unit operational information like the daily BATTALION JOURNAL (S-3 Journal, Duty Officers Log, etc.), and OPERATION REPORT, LESSONS LEARNED (ORLL), and other goodies. All these records (and there are 9,000 cubic feet of them) are filed under RECORDS GROUP 472
Records of the United States Forces in Southeast Asia, 1950-1975 held by the MODERN MILITARY RECORDS UNIT at College Park, MD.
You can make a request online via the internet. They will respond via email with information that they
find pertaining to your search request and will also submit a "quote" detailing the cost to reproduce the records. They can be ordered in paper copy form or via a CD/DVD. Cost is .75 cents per page.
(NOTE: This Natl. Archives address will send you records for ANY ARMY UNIT IN VIETNAM. Request by YOUR unit..... mine (ours) was the 2/12th Infantry so I use it on this website.)
http://www.archives.gov/contact/inquire-form.html#part-b
Write to:
National Archives
Attn: Textual Reference (Vietnam)
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Military Records Textural Reference Phone #
(301)837-3510
WHAT TO REQUEST FROM THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES:
WHAT DO I REQUEST from the National Archives, Records Group 472.7.6, in College Park?
Here's the list; (starting with the most informative info)
(A) BATTALION JOURNAL (BATTALION DUTY OFFICERS LOG)
This is the minute by minute JOURNAL of what happened that day. The Log was kept at the 2/12th's Tactical Operations Center and was written as things were happening (so it misses some things) and is the best guide to find out what happened that day. It lists a lot of interesting things; Company locations, actions, enemy & friendly casualties, etc. It was used as the basis for other reports. Ask for the "2/12th INF Duty Officers Log (Daily Journal)" for the specific day you are interested in.
Recently I received the "S-3 Journal" for the same days as a "Duty Officers Log / Journal." I found the S-3 Journal had all the information as the BN Off. Log - and a lot more detail. I recommend YOU REQUEST THE 'S-3 JOUNAL for the date you are interested in.
(B) BATTALION OPERATIONAL REPORTS (ORLL)
[Operational Report and Lessons Learned]
This is a summary of actions during a time period. Operation Reports were written on a quarterly basis and kind of dry - but they DO describe the battalion’s activities. Ask for the "2/12th INF Battalion Operational Report" for the day you are interested in. [They probably won’t send you the entire reporting periods Operational Report because it's too long.]
(C) COMBAT AFTER ACTION REPORTS
Written by the 18th MILITARY HISTORY DETACHMENT, 25th DIVISION [or the History unit attached to YOUR division]. These are great - IF the action was significant enough to have a member of the Detachment come out to the field and wrote it up. [These should not be confused with ORLLs (Operational Reports/Lessons Learned) - which are a way different animal!] Ask for the "After Action Report by the 18th Military History Detachment (25th Div)" for the specific date and describe the action.
(D) BRIGADE DUTY OFFICERS LOG & BRIGADE OPERATIONAL REPORTS
(E) ANNUAL HISTORICAL SUPPLEMENT
This gives some of the highlights for the year for a particular unit and covers the period 1 January to 31 December. It appears to be the (very selective) highlights taken from the Quarterly Reports and ORLL's - the year in review on 9 or 10 pages.
Here's the list; (starting with the most informative info)
(A) BATTALION JOURNAL (BATTALION DUTY OFFICERS LOG)
This is the minute by minute JOURNAL of what happened that day. The Log was kept at the 2/12th's Tactical Operations Center and was written as things were happening (so it misses some things) and is the best guide to find out what happened that day. It lists a lot of interesting things; Company locations, actions, enemy & friendly casualties, etc. It was used as the basis for other reports. Ask for the "2/12th INF Duty Officers Log (Daily Journal)" for the specific day you are interested in.
Recently I received the "S-3 Journal" for the same days as a "Duty Officers Log / Journal." I found the S-3 Journal had all the information as the BN Off. Log - and a lot more detail. I recommend YOU REQUEST THE 'S-3 JOUNAL for the date you are interested in.
(B) BATTALION OPERATIONAL REPORTS (ORLL)
[Operational Report and Lessons Learned]
This is a summary of actions during a time period. Operation Reports were written on a quarterly basis and kind of dry - but they DO describe the battalion’s activities. Ask for the "2/12th INF Battalion Operational Report" for the day you are interested in. [They probably won’t send you the entire reporting periods Operational Report because it's too long.]
(C) COMBAT AFTER ACTION REPORTS
Written by the 18th MILITARY HISTORY DETACHMENT, 25th DIVISION [or the History unit attached to YOUR division]. These are great - IF the action was significant enough to have a member of the Detachment come out to the field and wrote it up. [These should not be confused with ORLLs (Operational Reports/Lessons Learned) - which are a way different animal!] Ask for the "After Action Report by the 18th Military History Detachment (25th Div)" for the specific date and describe the action.
(D) BRIGADE DUTY OFFICERS LOG & BRIGADE OPERATIONAL REPORTS
(E) ANNUAL HISTORICAL SUPPLEMENT
This gives some of the highlights for the year for a particular unit and covers the period 1 January to 31 December. It appears to be the (very selective) highlights taken from the Quarterly Reports and ORLL's - the year in review on 9 or 10 pages.
These records are in Records Group 472.7.3 and give a more overall picture of what was happening at the next (or) "parent" level. Ask for them by date. BUT WHICH BRIGADE was the 2/12th INF in??? Good question! It varied over the years. Sometimes the 2/12th wasn't assigned to any Brigade in the Division - it was OPCON to another division, or the Corps, or the II Field Force. Confused? So am I! But here is my best shot at putting the 2/12th to a parent unit by time period.... and you can't take this to the bank! Use as a guide only.
1966 to August 1967....3rd Brigade, 4th Inf. Div.
Aug 67 to Sometime in mid 68.... 3rd Brigade, 25th Div
[OPCON to 1st Inf. Div. at An Loc]
TET 68 ....3d Bde, 25th (and at Hoc Mon Opcon to Capitol Military Assistance Command).
mid 68 to FEB 70.... 2nd Brigade, 25th Div.
WHAT YOU REALLY WANT FROM THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES IS THE "BATTALION DUTY OFFICERS LOG / DAILY JOURNAL" for the day(s) you are interested in - they have the best details for any given day!
Once again, the address is National Archives, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001
NATIONAL ARRCHIVES WEBSITE:
http://www.archives.gov/contact/inquire-form.html#part-b
Coffelt Database - Use to check casualty information; service record, death info, information documents regarding the status of deceased.
This database was the work of Richard Coffelt. His objective was to gather the complete casualty list of all branches of service for the Vietnam War. Its an impressive effort and was adopted by the U.S. Military as a resource. You need to copy and paste it into your browser search window.
www.coffeltdatabase.org/index.php
FINDING A BUDDY
The U.S. Army's Public Information Office offers this website with some options for you.
Click On:
http://www.army.mil
Another great place to "Post" a search request for a buddy is:
http://www.military.com
COLD WAR RECOGNITION CERTIFICATE
1966 to August 1967....3rd Brigade, 4th Inf. Div.
Aug 67 to Sometime in mid 68.... 3rd Brigade, 25th Div
[OPCON to 1st Inf. Div. at An Loc]
TET 68 ....3d Bde, 25th (and at Hoc Mon Opcon to Capitol Military Assistance Command).
mid 68 to FEB 70.... 2nd Brigade, 25th Div.
WHAT YOU REALLY WANT FROM THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES IS THE "BATTALION DUTY OFFICERS LOG / DAILY JOURNAL" for the day(s) you are interested in - they have the best details for any given day!
Once again, the address is National Archives, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001
NATIONAL ARRCHIVES WEBSITE:
http://www.archives.gov/contact/inquire-form.html#part-b
Coffelt Database - Use to check casualty information; service record, death info, information documents regarding the status of deceased.
This database was the work of Richard Coffelt. His objective was to gather the complete casualty list of all branches of service for the Vietnam War. Its an impressive effort and was adopted by the U.S. Military as a resource. You need to copy and paste it into your browser search window.
www.coffeltdatabase.org/index.php
FINDING A BUDDY
The U.S. Army's Public Information Office offers this website with some options for you.
Click On:
http://www.army.mil
Another great place to "Post" a search request for a buddy is:
http://www.military.com
COLD WAR RECOGNITION CERTIFICATE
All members of the armed forces who served from Sept. 2, 1945 to Dec. 26, 1991 are entitled to this.
You must submit proof of service like a copy of your DD214 [Discharge Certificate]. Or, any government document with your social security / service number and date.... like a copy of an old order or award. [If you lost your DD214; You can obtain a MILIARY ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATE from St. Louis (see address above) or you should have a DD214 certified copy on file at the County Courthouse of the home town you returned to after Nam.]
Write a letter like this;
COLD WAR RECOGNITION
Suite 400
4035 Ridge Top Road
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Please send me a Cold War Recognition Certificate for my service to the United States government during the authorized period of September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991.
Enclosed is a source document which verifies my service during the Cold War Era. I understand that the enclosed source document will not be returned.
Please mail my Cold War Recognition Certificate to the following address:
Your Name
555 Main Street
Pleasantville, State 00000
Submission of this request confirms my faithful service to the nation during the Cold War Era. My service in the Armed Forces was honorable.
Sincerely,
(s) Your Name
You must submit proof of service like a copy of your DD214 [Discharge Certificate]. Or, any government document with your social security / service number and date.... like a copy of an old order or award. [If you lost your DD214; You can obtain a MILIARY ELIGIBILITY CERTIFICATE from St. Louis (see address above) or you should have a DD214 certified copy on file at the County Courthouse of the home town you returned to after Nam.]
Write a letter like this;
COLD WAR RECOGNITION
Suite 400
4035 Ridge Top Road
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Please send me a Cold War Recognition Certificate for my service to the United States government during the authorized period of September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991.
Enclosed is a source document which verifies my service during the Cold War Era. I understand that the enclosed source document will not be returned.
Please mail my Cold War Recognition Certificate to the following address:
Your Name
555 Main Street
Pleasantville, State 00000
Submission of this request confirms my faithful service to the nation during the Cold War Era. My service in the Armed Forces was honorable.
Sincerely,
(s) Your Name
MAPS
High quality B & W maps of Vietnam can be obtained from the LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. They are the same topographical maps we used over there. Unfortunately, color copies are no longer available to order. These are B&W photocopies - they are good though.
Write and REQUEST SERIES L-7014 MAP INDEX (VIETNAM) and they will send you the Map Index for Vietnam and an order form - it's free. Each map you order (as of today) will
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
GEOGRAPHY & MAP DIVISION
WAHINGTON, DC 20540
Shortcut the process by finding the map you want on my list below and request the map you want by the STOCK # and MAP NAME
THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
PHOTODUPLICATION SERVICE
101 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE, S.E.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20540-4570
You can look at Ray's Map room if you only want to see the country
http://www.rjsmith.com/topo_map.html
or Jim Henthorn's Vietnam Page for maps
http://www.nexus.net/~911gfx/vietnam.html
High quality B & W maps of Vietnam can be obtained from the LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. They are the same topographical maps we used over there. Unfortunately, color copies are no longer available to order. These are B&W photocopies - they are good though.
Write and REQUEST SERIES L-7014 MAP INDEX (VIETNAM) and they will send you the Map Index for Vietnam and an order form - it's free. Each map you order (as of today) will
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
GEOGRAPHY & MAP DIVISION
WAHINGTON, DC 20540
Shortcut the process by finding the map you want on my list below and request the map you want by the STOCK # and MAP NAME
THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
PHOTODUPLICATION SERVICE
101 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE, S.E.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20540-4570
You can look at Ray's Map room if you only want to see the country
http://www.rjsmith.com/topo_map.html
or Jim Henthorn's Vietnam Page for maps
http://www.nexus.net/~911gfx/vietnam.html