How to Search Military Records (Start Here)
Military service records and personnel files are maintained by the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). Most individual records require authorization from the veteran or next of kin.
What this page covers: NPRC record requests, veterans' benefits databases, military cemetery searches, and casualty records. What it does not cover: Classified records or active-duty personnel information.
Where to start: For service records (DD-214), submit through eVetRecs at the National Archives. For burial locations, use the VA National Gravesite Locator.
Common mistake: A 1973 fire at the NPRC destroyed approximately 16-18 million Army and Air Force records from 1912-1964.
Afghanistan | War Casualties
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Casualties in Afghanistan. Browse fatalities, by nationality, by year or month.
Air National Guard Units
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U.S. Air National Guard index of unit locations, phone numbers, and web sites.
Army Casualties | 1961-1981
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The National Archives and Records Administration. Search by SSN, name, date of casualty, etc. for records of U.S.
Army Personnel Locator (.gov or.mil only)
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Search the Enlisted Records and Evaluation Center (EREC) Army Personnel Locator (available only to.mil or.gov networks).
Civil War Battles
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Civil War Battles by state or campaign. Provides date(s), campaign, principal commanders, forces engaged, estimated casualties, description, and.
Civil War Maps
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Library of Congress service for Civil War Maps by keyword or browse by place, subject, creator, or title.
Civil War | Battle Units
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National Park Service database of Union and Confederate Civil War Battle Units.
Civil War | Medal of Honor Recipients
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Civil War Medal of Honor recipients by name, birth state, or citation state.
Civil War | Poplar Grove Cemetery
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Civil War soldiers buried in the Poplar Grove National Cemetery at Petersburg, Virginia.
Civil War | Prisoners
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Civil War Confederate Soldiers who were imprisoned at Fort McHenry in Baltimore or Union Soldiers who were imprisoned at Andersonville, Georgia.
Civil War | Soldiers and Sailors
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National Park Service database of Civil War soldiers and sailors.
Coast Guard Facilities
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U.S. Coast Guard installations, including bases, stations, depots, air stations, lighthouse services, life-saving services, and shore facilities.
Gorgas Hospital Deaths | 1906-1991
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Gorgas Hospital Mortuary Registers for the documenting period of 1906-1991.
Iraq War Casualties
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Iraq War Casualty database indexed by date or search by name, branch, unit age, rank date, and/or cause.
Korean War Casualties
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National Archives and Records Administration records of Korean War Casualties.
Korean War | Casualties
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The National Archives and Records Administration. Search by serial number, name, service code, etc.
Locating Veterans & Service Members
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Information on how to locate U.S. veterans and active duty service members.
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Military Brats
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Search for Military Brats nationwide. Note: the only names listed are from individuals who have registered.
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Military Records
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National Archives and Records Administration information on how to request copies of your military service records, including DD-214's.
Military Status Finder
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Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDS) status finder searches, including military status, evacuation tracking, active duty status, military lending and.
Missing Persons | Navy and Marines
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NCIS listing of missing United States Navy and Marine personnel.
Overseas Memorials and Burials
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American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) database of World War I, World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War overseas burials and memorials.
US-Russia POW/MIA Joint Commission Documents
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Search by keyword for "documents obtained from archives in the former Soviet Union that pertain to Americans who are unaccounted for from World War.
Valley Forge Muster Roll
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Searchable muster roll of all of the soldiers who served at the Valley Forge Encampment. Search by name and/or state/regiment.
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Veterans Gravesites
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Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration database of Veterans' grave sites.
Vietnam Dog Handlers
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Search for members of the Vietname Dog Handler association by name or member number.
Vietnam Military Occupation Specialty (MOS)
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Search the MilitaryUSA.com database for military occupation specialty (MOS) information by full or partial MOS and military branch.
Vietnam POW/MIA Database - Department of Defense
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Search this Department of Defense database of Vietnam era prisoner of war/missing persons by last name, branch of service, or by home of record state.
Vietnam POW/MIA Database - Library of Congress
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Search this Library of Congress Federal Research Division database of Vietnam era prisoner of war/missing in action personnel database by keyword or.
Vietnam War | Medals & Decorations
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The National Archives and Records Administration records of awards and decorations of honor during the Vietnam conflict (1965-1972).
World War One News
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Search this database of 'The Stars and Stripes' U.S. Army World War I newspapers published from February 8, 1918, to June 13, 1919 by.
World War Two Army Enlistment Records
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The National Archives and Records Administration enlistment and reserve corps records by army serial number, name, enlistment date, etc.
World War Two Dead & Missing | Army & Army Air Force
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U.S. National Archives & Records Administration database of World War II dead and missing Army and Army Air Forces personnel by state and county.
World War Two Dead & Missing | Navy, Marines, Coast Guard
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U.S. National Archives & Records Administration database of Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard World War II dead and missing personnel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request someone else's military records? ▼
Generally no — unless you are the veteran, next of kin, or have written authorization.
What is a DD-214? ▼
The Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty — the key document proving military service.
Were records lost in the 1973 NPRC fire? ▼
Yes. Approximately 16-18 million Army and Air Force records were destroyed. Some can be partially reconstructed.
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