Charles Frank Miller, my grandfather, served in the US Army from 1906 to 1909 in the Philippine Islands. I have his Honorable Discharge and the letters that he received from the Pension Department. His discharge and the letters tell me the name of his unit and his length of service. I never thought I needed more.

On February 29, 2000, the National Archives and Records Administration reported a fire in its Washington National Records Center in Suitland, Maryland. Apparently, only a small number of records were damaged; not like the 1921 fire that resulted in the destruction of the 1890 census or the 1973 fire that destroyed 16 million Official Military Personnel Files, including all Army records from November 1, 1912 to January 1, 1960.

This was a warning bell for me. I must get Grandpa's military and pension files before another catastrophe hits. I'm sending off a request for Grandpa's files; using Form 80 that I ordered by sending an e-mail to NARA.

I'm also requesting my deceased aunt's military file. Aunt Lloyolla served in the SPARS during World War II. The SPARS were the Coast Guard Women's Reserve, and their name came from the Coast Guard motto, "Semper Paratus Always Ready." The women of the SPARS were recruited to take over the work of land-bound Guardsmen so the men could go to sea.

For service in World War I and after, I need to use GSA Form R6-7231, a genealogical request for information. I'm requesting this from National Personnel Records Center (Military Records), NARA, 9700 Page Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63132.

During the 20th century, veterans were often eligible for benefits, like loans. They had to prove their service, so they would take their discharge papers to the courthouse to get them recorded. When they needed to provide proof of service, they could submit a copy certified by their local County Recorder. I found Aunt Lloyolla's discharge papers in the "Miscellaneous Recordings" in the Multnomah County Recorder's Office. They give me all the information that I need to request a copy of her military file.

I've noticed bound volumes of Veteran's Discharge records in courthouses. They are usually collecting dust and little attention. It seems as if these books would be a good extraction project for a genealogical group. They are something we should save.

© 2000–2009

Connie Lenzen, CG^SM

CG, Certified Genealogist, is a service mark of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license by board certified genealogists after periodic evaluation, and the board name is registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office.