Very exciting news for researchers and history buffs!!! The National Archives will open 1.2 million military personnel files to the general public beginning Saturday, June 11, in St. Louis. Beginning in 1999, NARA and the US Defense Department agreed to work together to release these files due to a very high level of interest from researchers. According to NARA, veterans files are kept private for 62 years before they can released to the public. While Army records are included, most of these records pertain to enlisted personnel in the Navy from 1885 to 1939 and the Marines from 1906 to 1939. Famous figures are also included, including files pertaining to General George S. Patton Jr., Elvis Presley, Clark Gable and Steve McQueen. You have a few options if you want to view any files: 1 - To view the records in person, please call NARA in St. Louis at 314-801-0850 and make an appointment. 2 - To request copies of the records in writing, please send a letter to: National Personnel Records Center 9700 Paige Avenue St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 The copies cost 50 cents per page and will take an average of 90 days to arrive. You can find additional information on the release of these records and how to obtain them at NARA's website: http://www.archives.gov Take care, Tracy IRISH-NEW-YORK-CITY list admin http://www.irishinnyc.freeservers.com http://www.inyc.freeservers.com