National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Guidelines for requesting WWII records of men lost at sea on board
Indianapolis.
You may read or hear the rumor that some Navy records do not exist.
This is not true. In 1973, a fire destroyed certain Army records.
Navy and Marine Corps records were not damaged.
All WWII personnel records are housed at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), National Personnel Records Center, in St. Louis.
https://www.archives.gov/st-louis.
For the men lost at sea on board
Indianapolis, there is only one type of personnel files available. It is known as a
"Individual Deceased Personnel File" (IDPF).
This is not to be confused with a Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). Men lost at sea do not have a OMPF. They have a IDPF.
Requesting the wrong type file will cause a delay in your request.
Because it has been over 62 years since the crew member was lost at sea, his IDPF is considered open to the public, therefore
anyone may request a copy of the file.
There is now a charge for personnel records. NARA provides the option of obtaining files of 5 pages or less for $25. It is possible that a newly enlisted or drafted man who came aboard
Indy in July 1945, may have a file less than 5 pages, but probably not.
Most requests fall into 6 pages or more and the charge is $70.00.
The cost could be higher if the veteran served in the Navy or on board
Indianapolis for one or more years prior to the sinking.
After you request the record, you will be sent an invoice for the final amount. You must approve the invoice and follow the instructions to pay the stated fee before NARA will begin copying the record.
Be Sure You Order The Correct Record.
If you make a normal request to NARA and fail to request the
entire personnel file, they assume you need only information that verifies the deceased service and discharge because most people need only this information when they are applying for veteran's benefits.
"Nearly half of all requests seek only a copy of the separation document, which is the necessary document required for veteran benefits. However, about ten percent of the requests that we receive ask for a copy of a file."
If you desire the entire contents of the veteran's file, again, you
MUST request this specifically.
Despite your request, you will still not receive every paper within the file because NARA has established what they define as an "Extract" of the file. You will receive only the following documents (if present in the file):
- Military Services Dates
- Character of Service
- Promotions and Reductions
- Duty Stations and Assignments
- Foreign or Sea Service
- Military Schooling and Training
- Awards and Letters of Commendation
- Disciplinary Actions
- Lost Time
- Enlistments Contracts
- Entry and Separation Physical Exams
- Immunizations
- Dental Examinations
- Clinical Summaries/Cover Sheets
NOTE: If, after receiving an extract of a file, a requester submits a follow-up request for additional information or documents, NARA will automatically send copies of all the other documents in the file.
According to NARA, "Until recently, we did not explain this policy when responding to requesters. As of September 28, 2009, all responses that contain file extracts include an explanation of the policy."
Because of this policy, obtaining the entire personnel file will be a two-step process.
- Review the file you receive.
- Use the form included with the files and request that NARA send the additional records in the file if you believe there is further information you are missing or would like to have.
What is
NOT in the file:
Detailed information about the veteran's participation in battles and their military engagements is NOT contained in the personnel record. However, as noted in the extract list, above, a list of awards the veterans was entitled to IS included.
IDPF's may be requested three ways:
-
Using eVetRECS system online at https://www.archives.gov/st-louis. However, the website requires the use of ID.Me to sign in. If you do not have a ID.Me identification, you will guided through the process to register and be approved for a ID.ME account.
Please review the instructions for using the eVetRECS system before attempting the process.
https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/evetrecs-help
You will be asked to select which information you are requesting. Do not request a DD-214. Indy crew members lost at sea do not have a DD-214.
If you do not see the option to select "Individual Deceased Personnel File", use the Comments section in Step 3.b, and type "Individual Deceased Personnel File".
-
You may download and print Form SF-180, here:
https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180
The form ask you to select which information you are requesting. Do not request a DD-214. Indy crew members lost at sea do not have a DD-214.
You must sign the form in cursive writing and include the date.
Return the form by mail or fax
-
If you are unable to download and print Form SF-180, you may write a letter to NARA requesting the record. You must include:
- The veteran's full name he used while in service
- Service number or Social Security Number
- Branch of service (Navy)
- Dates of service. If you do not know the date he entered service, have someone check his biographical page at project888.org to see if the date is listed.
- If the service number is not know, please include his date of birth and place of birth.
You must sign the form in cursive writing and include the date.
Forms or Letters are mailed to:
National Personnel Records Center
1 Archives Drive
St. Louis, MO 63138
Forms may be Faxed to: 314-801-9195
The length of time to receive your order is not stated on the NARA website. They state only that they work as quickly as possible and ask that you do not check the status of your order until after 90 days. Checking sooner will cause a delay in your order. After 90 days, the status of your order may be checked, here:
https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records
One other option is to use the services of a professional researcher to go to NARA, retrieve the file and send it to you. However, this is not an inexpensive option. Most researchers offer a free quote for their service.
I highly recommend Golden Arrow Research. They are located near St. Louis and are well established. Their website shows examples of the contents of a personnel file and will give you a better understanding of the files you will receive. Contact them for a free quote.
https://www.goldenarrowresearch.com
