Hi...

Although St. Louis may not have records, do try the V.A. if your father used the VA for any reason, he should have a file.

In the files I have read, I have found data that traced an indiviudal from post to post..as well as information about wartime treatments etc. The Amry kept track of dental visits, shoe replacements and visits to the dr at each post among other things.

As next of kin, you have access to the file.

Hope this helps.

Theron

tsnell@wi.rr.com

Thanks for the advice Theron. I will try the V.A. and see if they can provide any help.

Larry

Larry:

Norm gave you good advice. That is what I tell everyone now. I also acquired my dad's records from the VA in his home state of Michigan.

More later... Gotta run...

Hi Marion,

Thanks for your comments too. I look forward to your more later.

So you guys are saying is that I should contact the local V.A. and not the national office? I can do that. Is the best way to just call them and tell what I'm trying to do? They will probably be familiar with this type request.

Larry

Hello again...

I worked through the national VA. They sent the file to a local VA center, in my case at the time, Ft. Snelling, MN.

theron

Hi Theron,

OK, the National Office it will be. You are saying that if my Dad ever used the V.A. anywhere they should have a record, even as far back as the 1940's. That would be a real break. I really don't know if he ever used them or not but he could have when I was much too young to know I suppose. I know he didn't in his later years even though he could have.

Sure no harm in asking.

What do I request and what can I expect? I looked the the National Office site briefly and it looks like they are saying to send my request to St. Louis. No need to do that since I've been down that road.

Do you recall the forms you submitted? Or, if you can point me in the right direction, I'll find the correct form.

Sorry to be a bother.

Thanks,

Larry

Larry:

Here is exactly what I did. I went to this site and clicked on my home state. In our case it was Michigan. Then I found the address and sent them a letter, telling them I would appreciate a copy of my dad's discharge papers, and supplied my name, address, phone number, etc. Within two and half weeks, I had a copy in the mail.

http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp?isFlash=1

I also have several helpful research links in our Research Section, including information on how to collect the unit records from the National Archives in Maryland, and the Army Corps of Engineers Office of History.

Let me know if you have any questions. I know I SURE did when I began.

Oh, a very warm welcome. Sorry I didn't type more yesterday, but was working in my store and trying to throw in an reply to you.

Thanks for the reply Marian.

I will do as you suggest and contact the local VA first.

I saw your links to the National Archives and I will try that route if I fail to have any luck locally.

Thanks for the welcome and thanks for your kind offer of help. I suspect I'll need it.

Larry

My pleasure! It all comes around. I was the one frantic for data, and now I can step up to the plate and offer my help. Four and half years ago I was the one spinning in circles and pulling my hair out! Ouch!

NARA in Maryland won't have individual records, but daily, weekly and monthly unit journals, amongst other records. However within those records, they will mention individual names in context. I found my dad's name a couple of times already. Once when he was going on leave with some of his buddies, and then returning. Then once when he was injured on duty and sent to an evac hospital during the breakout from Anzio! Wow, that was an eye-opener!

Hey Marian,

I sent a letter to my local VA this morning as you suggested. The NARA intrigues me too. The information you received sounds like the very type thing I would like to have. I know from looking at some of the info you've posted on your dad that my dad had to have been nearby. They weren't in the same unit obviously but the same neighborhood certainly.

Any suggestions as to what I need to request from NARA other than the things you mentioned in your post? Especially since I'm not sure exactly what unit my dad was in, say for instance, when he was in North Africa. All I know for certain is the unit he was in at the end of the war and that's the one that started this thread.

As I mentioned in one of my earlier messages, I think, dad said his unit had it's name/designation changed several times so the ending name is all I know of for sure. That is certainly one of the reasons I'm trying for the medical records, if they exist, so I might be able to find out some other unit designations. Of course, I suppose it's always possible that the NARA will have something on the one unit I know for sure and that might leave a trail for me to follow from end to beginning so to speak.

One other question too. When I request the info from NARA do they send me a notification of what they have found and how much it will cost? I think the answer is yes based upon some of the information I've read on your site but I thought I'd ask. Seems like I read that you or someone else hired someone to go to NARA and copy vast quantities of information.

I'll keep plugging along and keep you posted on my progress.

Larry

Let's see what happens at the VA first. It may give indications of his previous unit(s). If so, then that solves that problem.

Once you get the pertinent information, then you contact NARA and request any information they have on the unit. They will perform a search and let you know what they have found. They will give you a cost estimate. Depending on what records they have, you may prefer to do it in batches.

You also have the option of going there yourself to retrieve records, have them copy so many, or even hire a research assistant to perform this chore. We can talk about that later...

A FREE option, yes FREE, is to contact the Army Corps of Engineer's Office of History. They will send you what they have. I obtained a lot of info this way. GREAT!

Here's what our forum SEARCH brought up for 2756th:

http://208.109.212.45/forum/index.php?act=...hlite=%2B2756th

Here's some info I found on that unit:

Cronk, Harry Alden - WWII - US Army; European theater (Seventh Army, 2756th Engineer Combat Battalion) German occupation.

http://www.fsu.edu/~ohp/WW2.htm#C

--------------------------------

http://members.tripod.com/1-101cav/ww2.html

Whoa Marion!

You provided me with the first solid evidence when you gave me the link to the 101st Calvary. Found the reference to the 2756th on the SAAR River and read from there. But sure enough, dad's unit was there. Considering that this was in Feb 44, I'm reasonably comfortable that he was too. I also recall him mentioning the Saar River at one time. He also mentioned Bavaria and the history you provided goes on to talk about that part of the world. Thank you so much!

I would have never thought to search the site you did. Obviously your years of experience gives you ideas of where to look. I've Googled 2756th ECS but did not run across this link. I guess I should have added more detail to the search. Is this site part of Florida State (FSU)?

Contact the Corps of Engineers! So obvious that I might have thought of that.... Eventually. I like their price too.

Yep, let's see what the VA provides and then see where we stand. What you gave me will keep me going for a while.

I appreciate this SO much.

Larry