Are militery records public?
 

If so, how do I access them?

My dad served in WWII and Korea. He passed when I was 14 and I don't know anything about his time in the service but I'd like to find out.

Even if it's just little things like time served and rank achieved etc.

This may or may not be sparked by 'This Is Us'

Thanks in advance

You may be able to get some records, but there was a big fire in the 70s that destroyed a lot.

https://www.usa.gov/veterans-documents

If you are a veteran or the next of kin of a deceased veteran you can order copies of military records online. https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records#evetrecs

You can get them.

I did this for a friend of mine...his father was sailor in WWII and won a Navy Cross. His father never spoke about it and did not have the citation. Turns out he was quite brave in the face of his ship being in peril.

Let me go figure out how I did it. I was active duty then and that may have made a difference.

I'll be back.

Edit: id10t is way ahead. I did the search before they got more organized and web centric. Good luck.

Awesome! Thank you!

I'll get the process started.

Generally the military has all the info that was ever entered into a service record. For example I was able to get a complete listing, by month for 20 years of the radiation doses I received.

I wife asked for a copy of her dad's medals from WWII and they are supposed to be sending them. It's been about 6 months.

Freedom of information act?

Do a good search of any records, documents left by the veteran. Your looking for their DD Form 214, Report of Discharge. This is a very important document that's is a vets proof of service and is required for benefits Etc. It contains lots of info, but little detail. It lists decorations, medals, badges, dates of service and dates of service in combat zones. Look closely, I bet you can find it and at the very least it will show you what to look for.

I got my great, great grandfather's records from the Civil War! They covered everything from when he enlisted (Union Army) to when he was killed in combat at Cold Harbor, Virginia. It is my understanding that there are also lots of records available for Confederate soldiers also. Good luck!