My long time friend died yesterday morning. He was a Airborne Ranger, in Germany. His long time girlfriend said she’s not sure of his records or where to find them. If lost do to time, how should she go about finding those documents.

When my Dad died it was simple I just spoke to the funeral home and they took care of contacting the individuals to take care of it. This is different.


kv

 

How is it different?

Why does she need the records? Whether or not she can access them, or any information in them, will depend on the formality of their relationship and what the purpose is.

If it's so that he can be buried with veteran's benefits or honors, then why can't the funeral home take care of it?

She can try contacting the Veterans Administration as the first stop. There are also websites (not always free) that can assist. One such is:

https://www.vetfriends.com

Does he have any surviving relatives that could assist if their relationship isn't official enough?

 

How is it different?

Why does she need the records? Whether or not she can access them, or any information in them, will depend on the formality of their relationship and what the purpose is.

If it's so that he can be buried with veteran's benefits or honors, then why can't the funeral home take care of it?

She can try contacting the Veterans Administration as the first stop. There are also websites (not always free) that can assist. One such is:

https://www.vetfriends.com

Does he have any surviving relatives that could assist if their relationship isn't official enough?

Thank you for your response, first he isn’t or wasn’t in a funeral home when he died. So, if not no big deal, I would however like to see his contribution to be recognize.

Surviving relatives wouldn’t contribute because most didn’t live with him. Hopefully she can provide the info of their relationship over the past years, maybe they are legally married, that could help some.


Thank you,
kv

 

I don't think very many people die in a funeral home (though there might be some real convenience involved). That tends to be the place you end up sometime after the last breath.

If they were legally married, that should make things a LOT easier.

Military records aren't always as complete and accurate as many people think. Like any bureaucracy, errors and omissions get made and they usually go completely unnoticed. In addition, there are times when information is intentionally altered or left out in the name of operational security, sometimes for reasons having nothing to do with the member, but out of an overabundance of caution (i.e., institutional paranoia) about loosely coupled information being a loose thread that can be pulled together to paint a useful picture for an adversary about events, means, or methods.

Still, the big picture is usually pretty close to correct.

 

I don't think very many people die in a funeral home (though there might be some real convenience involved). That tends to be the place you end up sometime after the last breath.

If they were legally married, that should make things a LOT easier.

Military records aren't always as complete and accurate as many people think. Like any bureaucracy, errors and omissions get made and they usually go completely unnoticed. In addition, there are times when information is intentionally altered or left out in the name of operational security, sometimes for reasons having nothing to do with the member, but out of an overabundance of caution (i.e., institutional paranoia) about loosely coupled information being a loose thread that can be pulled together to paint a useful picture for an adversary about events, means, or methods.

Still, the big picture is usually pretty close to correct.

Thank you, BTW I mis-read funeral home, I was thinking Retirement Home.

Good to know about all the papers not supported and such. I’m not a Veteran so I’m limited in scope.

Thanks again,
kv

 

I was advised to register my DD214 at the courthouse when I got out. Maybe your friend did, do you know where he lived immediately after the service?

 

I was advised to register my DD214 at the courthouse when I got out. Maybe your friend did, do you know where he lived immediately after the service?

Thank you for the info, I was able to contact her again. She informed me they were married 6 years ago, she also said she was able to locate the papers. Right now I’m glad she can help with a Military Honors, he will be missed. Seems he had a bad heart that led to multiple strokes. He was able to say good bye to all of his family.

She has her own Retirement and Pension, with his social security she’ll be set.

Thanks for all that helped.

kv

 

Thank you for the info, I was able to contact her again. She informed me they were married 6 years ago, she also said she was able to locate the papers. Right now I’m glad she can help with a Military Honors, he will be missed. Seems he had a bad heart that led to multiple strokes. He was able to say good bye to all of his family.

She has her own Retirement and Pension, with his social security she’ll be set.

Thanks for all that helped.

kv

my thoughts are with you and them,,

 

I was advised to register my DD214 at the courthouse when I got out. Maybe your friend did, do you know where he lived immediately after the service?

In most states, a recorded DD214 is a "restricted record" and is only accessible to the veteran or other authorized persons (which vary by jurisdiction). Without written authorization from the vet (or being an authorized govt entity, like the VA or the courts), it is usually limited to immediate family members with a death certificate.