Military people...current and or former. Need some advice please.

[demtenjeep]

My father ( who died in 97) was drafted and served at West Point during the Korean Conflict. Sometime in the last 15 years, she gave me his discharge papers along with other things. During this time, we have moved and can not seem to find these papers.

Last week, my sister and mom called and said they needed these papers so that my mom can get some survivor's (?) benefits but they have to have these papers pretty quickly. I, however, can not seem to locate them.

They say that without them, Mom won't get this benefit which is around 100 bucks a month.

Isn't there some place or agency they can call to get a copy of the discharge? I can not believe that she can only get this benefit if we have the papers. What if there were a fire or flood and the discharge papers were lost because of it?

Where do I need to call, or write to to get what she needs?


Thank you

[bakpakr]

1. Here ya go

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/

[cpamomfromtexas]

2. You are looking for the DD form 214

[bakpakr]

3. That is correct also;

Once you have the DD214 in hand take it to your local courthouse and register it there. That way you can always have access to it if needed without having to go thru the hassle of ordering a copy from St. Louis. I have mine registered and all I need to do is go in to the court house request a copy and I get a FREE notarized copy anytime I want. My immediate family also can do the same if needed.

[HubertHeaver]

4. There is the possibility he had his discharge registered at the local courthouse.

My father and his brothers all registered their discharge forms (DD214) upon discharge in 1945. Following their advise, I did likewise in 1972.

The Armed Forces advise against this now because of the sensitive information you make public when you register with the court.

[demtenjeep]

5. I have no earthly idea

knowing my folks, probably not.

[denbot]

6. Did your dad ever recieve treatment at the V.A.?

They might have a copy of his DD-214 on file. Check with a benefits representative at his local V.A. hospital.

[demtenjeep]

7. I will check but he worked at the same Aircraft plant all his life

he had really good insurance, I can't see him using the VA, but he might have.

[TheMastersNemesis]

8. Look Up Your County Service Officer

I assume that they still exist. Each county used to have a county service officer who specialized in helping vets with their problems. I assume you can get new papers from the vA. Of course, many things have changed since I retired in 1998 from DOL.