Sheri, This is from: http://www.va.gov/pressrel/99stlou.htm Maybe it will help some.... Facts About the 1973 St. Louis Fire and Lost Records The National Archives and Records Administration is the official depository for records of military personnel separated from the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy. The records are housed in three locations: the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C., the Washington National Records Center in Suitland, Md., and the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Mo. The NPRC contains records relating to: a.. U.S. Army officers separated after June 30, 1917, and enlisted Army personnel separated after October 31, 1912. b.. U.S. Air Force officers and enlisted personnel separated after September 1947. c.. U.S. Naval officers separated after 1902, and naval enlisted personnel separated after 1885. U.S. Marine Corps officers separated after 1895, and enlisted personnel separated after 1904. d.. U.S. Coast Guard officers separated after 1928, and enlisted personnel separated after 1914. Civilian employees of predecessor agencies (Revenue Cutter Service, Life-Saving Service and Lighthouse Service) of the U.S. Coast Guard from 1864-1919. The Fire A fire at the NPRC in St. Louis on July 12, 1973, destroyed about 80 percent of the records for Army personnel discharged between November 1, 1912, and January 1, 1960. About 75 percent of the records for Air Force personnel with surnames from "Hubbard" through "Z" discharged between September 25, 1947, and January 1, 1964, were also destroyed. What Was Lost It is hard to determine exactly what was lost in the fire, because: There were no indices to the blocks of records involved. The records were merely filed in alphabetical order for the following groups: World War I: Army September 7, 1939 to November 1, 1912 World War II: Army December 31, 1946 to September 8, 1939 Post World War II: Army December 31, 1959 to January 1, 1947 Air Force December 31, 1963 to September 25, 1947 Millions of records, especially medical records, had been withdrawn from all three groups and loaned to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) prior to the fire. The fact that one's records are not in NPRC files at a particular time does not mean the records were destroyed in the fire. Reconstruction of Lost Records If a veteran is advised that his or her records may have been lost in the fire, he or she may send photocopies of any documents they possess to the NPRC, particularly separation documents. The address is National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. This enables the NPRC to re-establish files by adding those documents to the computerized index and filing them permanently. Alternate Sources of Military Service Data In the event a veteran does not have any records in his or her possession, the essential military service data may be available from a number of alternate sources. a.. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) maintains records on veterans whose military records were affected by the fire if the veteran or a beneficiary filed a claim prior to July 1973. b.. Service information may also be found in various kinds of "organizational" records such as unit morning reports, payrolls and military orders on file at the NPRC or other National Archives and Records Administration facilities. c.. There also is a great deal of information available in records of the State Adjutants General, and other state "veterans services" offices. By using alternate sources, NPRC may often be able to reconstruct a veteran's beginning and ending dates of active service, the character of service, rank while in service, time lost while on active duty, and periods of hospitalization. NPRC is usually able to issue NA Form 13038, "Certification of Military Service," considered the equivalent of a Form DD-214, "Report of Separation From Active Duty," for the purpose of establishing eligibility for veterans benefits. Necessary Information for File Reconstruction The key to reconstructing military data is to give the NPRC enough specific information so the staff can properly search the various sources. The following information is normally required: a.. Full name used during military service b.. Branch of service c.. Approximate dates of service d.. Service number a.. Place of entry into service b.. Last unit of assignment c.. Place of discharge ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2004 1:38 PM Subject: [NYOnonda] WW ll question - good one ! I have a soldier who - NARA in St louis #1 letter told me they could find no records & sent me a citation with minimal info on it . I sent another letter back with my thoughts on what little info they sent me :( . I received #2 letter from NARA with more info & telling me to contact local VA office { St louis city } and they also gave me a number to give to VA office . Previous to this #2 letter to NARA , I sent a letter to the VA office in St louis requesting all records be sent to me under the freedom of information act . They sent me a response -- could find nothing . I sent VA office #2 letter { complaining :( } . VA office { St louis } sent me another response letter that my soldiers records were at -> Dept. of Veterans affairs in Hartford Conneticut . I have tht letter ready to mail with LOTS of info on it for them to find records . I looked up the MEDALS site on line - and evidently when a soldier gets the INFANTRYMAN's Badge there has been some kind of record made about his " deed " . Therefore this can be record enough to get the BRONZE STAR . Hope I explained tht right . Anyway , I guess you all see what I am saying in this . " I am Pulling teeth again ! " Is it only St louis city where the people want an easy day ? I am anxious to see what comes out of VA in Conneticut . Hope I dont have to write multiple letters . I know d a r n well they have alternate records - some of these people who work for the government just dont want to take the time to look for them . VA office in St louis city tells me I need the Separation # but noone can find it . lol Clayton court house person says they dont have any records for my person OR cant give them to me . St louis city court house person says they cant give me any information . I think it must be better to go in person - that way you can have a fit right there in front of them . :0 Maybe get something done . Question --> Even though NARA St louis says the records [ mostly Army ] were burned , wouldnt multiple records be on file explaining the circumstances of his getting a Bronze star ? We all know how the government keeps records on people . Hoping for an answer form an X- soldier .... actually I am hoping VA Hartford - will have a record / or tell me where I can get tht " explanation " for the B-Star so I can find out what arena of the campaign my soldier was in . Meaning what country in the world & possibly when . sheri here in good ole St louis love those founding fathers - let freedom ring :)