b.Check
with the state historical society and the state veteran museum where he lived
before or after the war, they may have some records about him or his unit.
c.Check
with the local historical society where he lived when he entered the military.Many communities kept pretty good information
about local Soldiers during wartime.Some communities compiled this information and published books detailing
local Veterans’ experiences.
d.Check
with the local VA office where he lived after he returned from the war.If he applied for any of the VA benefits that
he earned, then they should have a file on him, which would contain some
information about his military service.If he did not survive the war but had dependents, you can still try this
because his dependents may have been able to use some of the benefits he
earned.
e.The county
courthouse where he lived after the war may also be a resource.Today in the military we are encouraged to
file our separation documents at our local courthouse, that way there will
always be a certified copy of these important documents if we lose our personal
copy.I do not know how far back this
practice started, but it is worth a try.During WWII the separation document was usually “WD AGO FORM
53-55”.I do not think there was a
specific form for this during WWI, because my great-grandfather’s separation
document was a simple, half page memorandum.
f.Search
through the old, local newspapers where he lived when he entered the
military.Local Soldiers often made the
local paper, more often in small towns, but sometimes in large cities as
well.This can be time consuming, yet
very rewarding.If you do not live in
the same community he lived in at that time, you can obtain copies of these
newspapers on microfilm through an interlibrary loan at your local
library.Plus, everyday more and more
newspaper archives can be found on the internet.
g.If he
belonged to the VFW, American Legion, or some other Veteran’s organization,
then it is possible that someone at the local post might have known him and
might be able to provide some useful information.Some posts maintain detailed information
about their current and past members, some posts do not.
h.Check
with family, even distant relatives.Some relative might have letters, mementos, records, or other pertinent
information your Veteran sent home during the war.Some relative may also have a scrap book of
newspaper clippings or other mementos.
Contact
Tom Bruss, the web site administrator for the History
of the 32D ‘Red Arrow’ Infantry Division and Brigade: