What to do if you think you've found a hollow hero.

American Legion Magazine | June 2003 | Dan Allsup

[SandRat]

Do you suspect your neighbor (or someone else) is exaggerating his Vietnam War record to impress the ladies? If so - and if he is - it's not all that difficult to find out.

The best place to start is the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, depository of the military records of everyone who ever served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Available information includes dates of service, ranks, type of discharge, citations and awards. Although a 1973 fire destroyed about 80 percent of all records between 1912 to 1960, NPRC can still verify military service from the Department of Veterans Affairs and various state agencies. Few Vietnam-era records were destroyed, and no Navy records were lost in the fire.

If your suspected phony hero will cooperate, ask him to sign a Standard Form 180, which can be downloaded from the National Archives and Records Administration Web site at www.archives.gov. The form is a proxy statement giving authority to obtain all the information available to the veteran himself, including his DD-214. Mail the SF-180 to NPRC with the veteran's full name and Social Security number. If you want to know if he earned a particular award, ask for the General Order awarding the medal in question.

In the more likely event that the veteran refuses to give you permission to research his service history, you can write NPRC and ask for his records under the Freedom of Information Act. Include his correctly spelled full name and as much personal information as possible, including branch of service, hometown, and his service number or Social Security number.

Then sit back and wait; the average turnaround time for requests is about four months. Requests that involve reconstruction efforts due to the 1973 fire may take longer.

Write NPRC at: National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Ave., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100.

If you suspect a fraud is wearing the Medal of Honor, call the FBI at (816) 512-8200 or the Congressional Medal of Honor Society in South Carolina at (843) 884-8862. You also can visit the society's Web site at www.cmohs.org.

The original author from whose article this was excerpted is Freelance writer Dan Allsup, a Vietnam-era veteran. The closest he got to Vietnam was when he was stationed in Taiwan, a popular rest and recreation spot for combat troops.

[SandRat]

Got this from the Early Bird News Compendium and very few if any of my fellow Freepers will be able to access it for the full story. It is accessible from the American Legion Magazine June 2003 issue on Pg. 16.

Hope this will help my fellow Freepers unmask the fakers from all wars.

[billhilly]

SR, the problem with this information is that it creeps like a
Slug. Even those of us who served honorably have difficulty obtaining records in a timely manner.

[RippleFire]

http://vikingphoenix.com/public/rongstad/military/veterans/phonyvet.htm

[Larry Lucido]

Okay, I admit it. I wasn't really with Scipio Africanus at the Battle of Zama.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

I was there. Zama was nice at that time.

[D.P.Roberts]

Why on earth would anyone with a life care?

[harpseal]

I took me close to three years to get a copy of my DD-214. My medical records still longer.

[sarasmom]

Please save me a little time and tell me, does the site you are talking about keep a list of requests for information?
Can a veteran, like myself, query who has asked for information about me?

[battlegearboat]

Who do you blame for this?

When discharged, a veteran is given his DD214.

He/She is told how important the document is. It is even printed on the document.

Veterans are urged to register their DD214 with the local court house.

I find it very hard to believe that it took you three years to get a copy. If lost, there are veterans groups, (DAV, AL, VFW, Vet Centers) all of which can process a request for this most valuable of forms that a veteran walks away from active duty with.

I work with veterans. I help them obtain missing records and get help from the VA.

Occasionally, I'll deal with some who are less than truthful. Some are outright frauds and I delight in exposing them.

May I recommend "Stolen Valor" by: B.G. Burkett and Glenna Whitley.

Please don't think that I'm accusing you of anything wrong. It's just that a three year search for a DD214 just doesn't sound right. Was this a long time ago? Did you not remember your serial number, SSAN, or change your name? Who the hell conducted the search and did they charge you for the service?

[Larry Lucido]

Hey, remember inspector Hansus Blixus, who spent 3 months in Africa and insisted that there were no Elephants of Mass Destruction? And don't get me started on "Carthage Bob"!

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

EMD's are potent!

[harpseal]

actually I had registered my original DD214 at my local court house in another state. When I sent my first form in it was requested that I fill out a second form with more details. While this was being processed I remembered I had filed my DD214 back in NH and got it that way. I then started the request for my medical records. the exact reason was due to shrapnel working out of my body thatmy then MD wanst to see the roiginal reports from. I eventually got everything and I have no idea why they could not locate them originally until I put down units served etc. No I did not go to a vetrans group or Vetrans service officer and I did not think to get my GI Bill benefit records. that were still at my Mother's house. So I guess it was my fault. The detailed medical records took a while to get but they came through and the information was given to the doctor and he said it explained a couple of things my memory hadn't. I did not realize I had had a bowel resection. May have been told at the time but I did not remember having a colostomy bag for any time then I realized that a bowel resection need not always include a colostomy bag particularly one that is there fior years. When a lot of years pass sometimes things take time to replace and memories of some unpleasent details fade.

[Coleus]

ping

[Chu Gary]

"It took me close to three years to get a copy of my DD-214. My medical records still longer."

As I was returning from SE Asia to the US, the Navy lost my medical records. I will never stop being grateful to them.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the ping Coleus.

I had my DD214 files with the local Coutrshouse and have copies at home and in a Safe Deposit Box. I also requested all my military records and have them in a safe place.

I don't remember how long it took to get my records, as I did it long ago, but I don't seem to remember waitng an unreasaonable time

[SandRat]

Sorry, don't know if that is available

[billhilly]

I can appreciate your experience, and would suggest to anyone contemplating social security to get whatever you have a need for, i.e., DD-214(s) as soon as possible. Years ahead of the time of need would be prudent.