Find a Military Veteran

If you’ve been thinking of reconnecting with an old friend from the military, or perhaps of surprising a relative by finding a war buddy he or she served with, the internet makes such a search easier than ever. If you can’t find what you’re looking for with an internet search, there are a variety of government resources, veteran organizations, and commercial sites than can help you in your search.

Steps

Using Government Resources to Find a U.S. Veteran

  1. Gather some personal information about the person you want to find. The more, the better as this will make your search easier.
    • Branch of Service they were in (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard)
    • Military unit names/location (4th Infantry Division or the USS FDR)
    • Dates the person served in the military
    • Birth date
    • Service number and/or social security number
    • Where the person was born or grew up
    • Location of where they entered and or exited the military
  2. Use the National Archives Military Personnel Record Center (MPRC) to have a letter forwarded to the veteran’s last known address. Write a letter to the MPRC asking for help with your search and including as much information as you have on the veteran, such as his or her name, serial number or social security number, date of birth, the unit he or she served in, and when he or she served. Also enclose a letter to the service member you wish to contact, along with a stamped envelope. The letter you are sending must be unsealed so that the MPRC can read it to make sure it is not inappropriate. For more information on the process, contact the MPRC at 314-801-0800 or mpr.center@nara.gov. Send the letters together to:
    • National Personnel Records Center
    • 1 Archives Drive
    • St. Louis, Missouri 63138
  3. Forward a letter through the Department of Veteran Affairs. If a veteran has filed a claim with the VA, they can forward letters to the veteran’s address on record. Write a letter to the VA with your request and all the information you have on the veteran. Enclose the letter you wish to be forwarded and a stamped envelope. The letter you are sending must be unsealed so that the VA can read it to make sure it is not inappropriate. For more information on the process, contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000. Send the letter along with a check for $2 made out to the Department of Veteran Affairs to:[1]
    • VA Records Processing Center
    • PO Box 5020
    • St. Louis, MO 63115
  4. Use the marines personnel locator. Each branch of the military has its own locator for military personnel, but the army, air force, and navy can only locate active service personnel. The Separations and Retirement Branch, on the other hand, can help you find former marines.
  5. Try the government’s grave locator. No one wants to look for an old friend or a relative’s war buddy only to find they have passed on, but it’s a good idea to check. The grave locator run by the VA includes information from VA National Cemeteries, state veterans cemeteries, and private cemeteries if the grave is marked with a government grave marker.[2]

Using Non-Governmental Resources to Find a U.S. Veteran

  1. Gather some personal information about the person you want to find. The more, the better as this will make your search easier.
    • Branch of Service they were in (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard)
    • Military unit names/location (4th Infantry Division or the USS FDR)
    • Dates the person served in the military
    • Birth date
    • Service number and/or social security number
    • Where the person was born or grew up
    • Location of where they entered and or exited the military
  2. Start with the internet. You can often find people just by entering their information into a website search engine. Start with their name, the branch they served in, and their unit. You might not be successful, but this is an easy, free way to start your search.
  3. Don’t forget social networks like LinkedIn and Facebook. Particularly younger veterans are often active on social media. It can be an easy and free way to connect with the veteran you are looking for.
  4. Check with the association for the branch the veteran served in. Each branch has its own association for active members and veterans. They may be able to provide information about a veteran or forward letters if the veteran is a member of the association.
  5. Contact a veteran services organization. The VA has a complete list of these organizations. Many are service or even unit specific, so start with the ones that fit the veteran you are looking for. The following organizations may also be of particular help in locating a veteran:
    • The American Legion – The American Legion can sometimes forward mail to a veteran, though legion membership on the part of the requesting party may be required.
    • Disabled American Veterans – They may be able to forward a letter or guide you to more resources.
    • AMVETS – Another large veteran association, they may be able to forward a letter or guide you to more resources.
    • Vietnam Veterans of America – The VVA has a locator forum where you can post requests for information on Vietnam vets.
    • Jewish War Veterans – If the veteran in question is Jewish, they may be able to forward mail to him or her.
  6. Try one of the commercial sites that locate veterans. Both Military.com and MilitaryConnections.com offer free services to members who wish to get in touch with former service members.[3]
  7. Use a paid service. If you’re searching isn’t turning up the information you’re looking for, you can turn your difficult case over to a paid service.
    • VetFriends – This service has a search engine that allows you to browse your military unit or ship by date. It starts at $9.97 a month.
    • The Nationwide Locator – A service run by retired army officer Richard (Dick) S. Johnson. If you provide his locator service a first and last name, plus an approximate date of birth, he can give you a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers for everyone with a matching name.[1] There is a fee of approximately $30.[4] Johnson can be reached at thelocator@aol.com.[5]

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Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://faq.vfw.org/faq/index.php?View=entry&EntryID=314
  2. ↑ http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov
  3. ↑ http://www.archives.gov/veterans/benefits.html#vetorgs
  4. ↑ http://archives.timesleader.com/1994_7/1994_05_31_BOOK_S_MISSION__SEARCH_AND_FIND_THEY_LOST_TOUCH_.html
  5. ↑ http://www.vietvet.org/unitlist.htm
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