Can you find my grandfather's military records U.S. Army WW-II?

Question

Never got  to meet my grandfather [[Beebe-672|Charles Wesley Beebe]], who was in the U.S. Army during, WW-II.  I have tried to find military records but, don't know how to do it right.  Could someone help me find more about him.  He was born June 01, 1889 in Jewell, Jewell County, Kansas, lived in Independence, Jackson County, MO, he died May  24, 1944 in Independence, Jackson, MO.  Occupation: owned combination Jewery store,  clock store (or) clock repair shop, located on (Spring maybe) Square in Independence.  He built, and kept the time set for the large clock displayed on the Square in Independence.  Would like to find address of it or the deed.  Any help would be greatly appreciated. :)

Comments

It looks like he was married with 2 children (Opal & Ralph) prior to marrying Dora.  Wife Lucy/Lucinda.  (possibly Lucinda Belleville?)

U S Census, 1910 Box Ward 2, Cedar, MO

Citing this Record: "United States Census, 1910," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M2T3-V7S), Opal A Beebee in household of George W Beebee, Box Ward 2, Cedar, Missouri, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 52, sheet 13B, family 348, NARA microfilm publication T624, FHL microfilm 1374781.

George W Beebee  Head M 69 PA

Abagal Beebee  Wife F 63 IN

Charles W Beebee  Son M 20 IA

Lucy C Beebee  Dau-in-law F 20 IA

Opal A Beebee  Granddauer F 1 MO

 

U S Census, 1920 Blue, Jackson, MO

Citing this Record: "United States Census, 1920," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M8HH-8BN), Charles W Beebe, Blue, Jackson, Missouri, United States; citing sheet 6A, family 130, NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1820923.

Charles W Beebe  Head M 31 Missouri

Dora R Beebe  Wife F 19 Missouri

Opal A Beebe  Daughter F 10 Missouri

Ralph L Beebe  Son M 8 Missouri  (likely not Dora's son because of ages)

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Hi Barbara,

You may be interested in learning whether or not more extended military recorods are available. For example, I'm fortunate enough to have my father's WWII 201 file.

Check out the article, by Norman Eisenberg, "20th-Century Veterans' Service Records Safe, Secure—and Available," 2005.    

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Thanks a lot Chris, for the 1910 and 1920 Census information for my grandfather.

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His military record, if it did not burn, is at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis. Anyone can request the files of personnel who died or were discharged by 1952. Just go to NARA's website and fill out Form 180 and send it in.

If his file burned but you have a final unit, Morning Reports can be searched (by going there or hiring a researcher in St. Louis.) These detail who entered and exited each company within a unit and usually you can trace service start to finish. Not always though.

If he died in May 1944, did he serve stateside and not go overseas? In what capacity did he serve - that might help with locating additional records.

Jennifer

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The personal records for WW2 veterans are stored at the NARA in St. Louis.  This building was burned in the 1970's during, of all things, an anti-war demonstration.  It is quite common to get a reply that a Vet's personel records were destroyed in the fire.  However, don't give up.  Many have re-submitted a request and the records were found.  Also NARA is trying to re-create some of the damaged records.

If you do hit a brick wall with this request, then there is always the NARA at College Park, MD.  This is where the records for the units are stored: i.e. records for divisions, regiments, batteries, etc.  You will need to know the Vet's unit.  These records consist of the orders, reports, maps and other documents that were issued from the unit or sometimes documents sent to the unit.  Therefore if a Vet received a Silver Star Medal, this would be issued most likely by the Division Headquarters.  One copy of the order would be in the unit's file and one copy would be in sent to the Vet's personal file.  Sometimes you will find more surprises in these records, such as drivers certificates.  Also, you can find names of others who were in the same company.  

If you don't know his unit, I always say the best place to begin is asking family members.  Look for mail that would have his unit in the address or an APO address.  If the address detail is missing, look for the contents which may refer to a ship or an event, such as the erruption of Monte Vesuvius.   And don't forget PHOTOS.  A photo may reveal a patch on a uniform or a building in the background or the unit ID which was commonly painted on the bumper of a jeep.

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Is it possible he was in WWI and not WWII? I could not find a record on https://aad.archives.gov/aad/series-list.jsp?cat=WR26 but, that is not 100%.

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The 1930 US Census entry for your grandfather states he was not a veteran at the time of census https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RHV-41J?i=9&cc=1810731 that counts WWI out.

Answer 1

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3R6-4F7

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-25122-37643-74?cc=1968530

The top link is for the extract from Family Search for probably his WWI Draft Card, the second link is an image of the form showing this man to be a jeweler in Jackson County, Missouri.  Wouldn´t he have been a little old to have been in WW2?

Answer 2

This is a very good source for records:

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/

Comments

Doug, This one looks like I might be able to find  out some information perhaps on my father as well.  Thanks very much!  Barbara Jean

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If he was born in 1889, he was too old to serve in WWII unless he was career army. You might want to try looking for WWI records.