The National Archives in St. Louis, where the Military records are kept, just opened up millions of records for public viewing. There was a recent article in USA Today about it. A lot of records were damaged or destroyed in a fire in the eearly 70′s, but you may be able to find something there.

i’m sure there is some way to find out i know the army must keep some kind of records on that.

Find out as much as you can about him. Do you know his unit? If so, go online and try and find a reunion website for his unit. Maybe you can find someone who knows him and why he received the medal. You might also find history of the unit online that mentions him.

Go onto US.GOV and look up the National Archives. You’ll have to have basic information like is date of birth, rank, years that he served and so on. It may take a while, but you’ll get them. This worked for me. IF this doesn’t work, try your state Senator-they can be a big help.

Good luck

You can try NARA.com & request his service records. If he’s alive, he’ll have to sign, giving you permission; if not, his next-of-kin will have to sign. The website will give you instructions.

However, I was unable to get records for my great uncle (WWI); grandpa (WWII) & cousin (Vietnam) because the archive building in St. Louis, where most of the records are kept from WWI thru Vietnam had a fire & records burned. You probably won’t be able to get them; sorry.

Ask Grandma if he has a DDForm-214

That stands for Department of Defense Form (Form #) 214

It should have listed all of his achievements and service related info on it such as his Enlistment Date & Discharge Date etc.

Go to. (They hae a free trial) You can look up his service number. Then write to the Army records department to get his service record.