# Vietnam and military records availability

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-and-military-records-availability/166988>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 7, 2003, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-and-military-records-availability/166988 "2003-04-07T03:44:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\
**Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-and-military-records-availability/166988/1 "2003-04-07T03:44:57Z")

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Long story short - my dad works with a guy that is very “gung ho” about being a Vietnam vet war-hero type and everyone at work thinks this guy is lying - either he wasn’t there or he was just some regular grunt.

The guys want me to find out “by using that computer thingy” if this guy served and when, and his rank. I tried to find his DD214 but quickly realized it’s only available to vets themselves, so I told the guys “no can do.” They’re upset with me and now it’s a challenge.

Are there any resources online I can use to find more info about this guy’s service? I only want legal information available to the American public, of course 🙂 Also, if there’s nothing online, can the FOI Act get me anywhere? I can have the guys at dad’s work write a letter and do it themselves if they’re so intent on it.

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**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\
**Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-and-military-records-availability/166988/2 "2003-04-07T03:52:11Z")

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Go to [Google](http://www.google.com) and run a search on “phony veterans” and loads of resources will come back.

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**Author:** ![AllShookDown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d9b06d/32.png) [@AllShookDown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllShookDown)\
**Post date:** [April 7, 2003, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-and-military-records-availability/166988/3 "2003-04-07T23:11:11Z")

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I didn’t dig any further to see what type of info you can get but it looks like you might be able to get something.

> [@](#):
>
> From the [National Archives and Records Administration](http://www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis/military_personnel_records/general_public.html) web site:
> 
> Access to Military Records by the General Public  
> (including genealogists who are not next-of-kin of the subject of the request)
> 
> General. \*\* Limited information from Official Military Personnel Files is releasable to the general public without the consent of the veteran or the next-of-kin. \*\*You are considered a member of the general public if you are asking about a veteran who is no relation to you, or a veteran who is a relative but you are not the next-of-kin. Next-of-kin is defined as the unremarried widow or widower, son or daughter, father or mother, brother or sister of the deceased veteran.
> 
> The type of information releasable is intended to strike a balance between the public’s right to obtain information from Federal records, as outlined in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and the veteran’s right to privacy as defined by the Privacy Act. Information will not be released if requested for unethical purposes.
> 
> The type of information releasable to the general public is dependent upon the veteran’s authorization.