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The place to start is with NARA. (National Archives and Records Administration) which holds the records of ex-servicemen.

Yeah, there was a humongous fire in 1973 but it didn't destroy anybody's records utterly (it is a common dodge by Vietnam phonies... the records damaged in the fire contained no Vietnam era vets, but were those of certain earlier soldiers and airmen). Let me clarify: even if Mr Lebovitz's personnel records were trashed in the fire, there are still pay records, medical records, unit histories, morning reports, general and special orders, and thousands of other pages of paperwork that the services generate about a guy.

This page tells you how to get records. If you are not the next of kin (and as a grandchild you are not) you need to get an acceptable NOK to initiate the query or sign SF 180 (that being, for instance, your mom or a surviving aunt or uncle). A more distant relative (or a stranger) can get records including units of assignment and awards and decorations though... that part of one's military record is a public record.

http://www.archives.gov/research_room/vetrecs/

Unit associations can also be a great help, but many of them are dwindling now as the survivors finally encounter their mortality. If he was in a unit that still exists (like the 1st Infantry Division, the 29th, or the 101st Airborne) the association may be a little livelier). Your best bet is to get the records.

My mother says that if I can find enough identifying information she will send through the request. She's as interested as I am, but less motivated. In the last few years I seem to have become the family historian and record keeper. It's a job I'm glad to have. I'll defintely try to get records through NARA once I can get together some info beyond his name (and I think I have this info, just in various places)

Thank you, and everyone else for all the advice and tips!

My mother says that if I can find enough identifying information she will send through the request. She's as interested as I am, but less motivated. In the last few years I seem to have become the family historian and record keeper. It's a job I'm glad to have. I'll defintely try to get records through NARA once I can get together some info beyond his name (and I think I have this info, just in various places)

Thank you, and everyone else for all the advice and tips!

Thanks for that link CN

When I started the search of my Dad's military service, All I knew was that he was part of the 69th Infantry Division .. I tried getting info by way of my Senator, but was told the records were destroyed in the fire of '73 and was never able to get much information that way

Just when I was about to give up .. I found out the guys from the 69th put up a website detailing many activities during the War.

With the help of a wonderful gentlemen by the name of Joe, we were able to track down more information to go on. It is also how I found out the guys from the 69th had also written a book shortly after the war detailing accounts of their battles.

Another wonderful man sent me the book for me to copy and to add to my file.

Also .. a great Aunt of mine that recently passed away .. I learned had saved many of my fathers letters from the war .. which I was able to piece together other parts of his time while in the Army

Livianne - Keep digging, it may take a little while but the information will start coming together