VA Master Index record analysis
The only record or knowledge of military service is from VA Master Index. "Rct How Repl" is listed below name and above city/state. These unrecognized abbreviations may help identify service unit (currently completely unknown).
This is the record in question (L846-C3F) https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPTJ-G138
Audrey Camp Lambdin b 1893 English Indiana, d 1921 Jamestown ND. Lived mostly in ND from 1910. Death certificate lists alias John Taylor, which is also listed on VA Master Index. No idea why alias. No known descendants.
VA Master Index states enlisted 1920 and discharged 1921. No further service info known.
Fully understanding VA Master Index content and the aliases are high priorities. When would this card have been filled out, by whom & with what information? Would death certificate be present when Master Index filled out? If so, that could explain why the mysterious alias is in Index.
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@FamilyFound Rct stands for Regimental Combat Team, Recruit. Repl stands for Replacement. Sorry I could not decipher How??
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Thank you @SerraNola!
I at least have a tiny clue now.
Sorry I'm brand new to military record research. Is there any clue, based on this VA Master Index, as to his branch or unit?
Any additional place/forum to ask? Would this be an appropriate question for a FS consultation? I don't have access to a local FHL etc.
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@FamilyFound I don't see anything about his branch or unit on this card. The other codes on the right hand side say that he did have a pension claim and the claim number is given. Unfortunately, the National Archives have not digitized the VA claim files. Here is a link to information of where they are archived:
I don't know if a FS consultation would be helpful or not. The best site for online military records is Fold3.com. It requires a subscription, but I did try a search with all 3 of the names on the card and could only come up with his draft registration.
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@SerraNola thank you! Sorry didn't mention I had WWI draft card & had checked Fold3.
Wikipedia indicates he was Army, based on service number on Master Index. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_number_%28United_States_Armed_Forces%29?wprov=sfla1
So the VA Master Index card indicates a pension record? Very interesting. I had no idea how to determine the claim type. Had speculated that his family had filed for burial benefits although the grave marker is very plain, no military service indicated. Don't know if there was a burial benefit in 1921.
I have a request in at NARA to pull service records so maybe that will unearth the pension file. Also brand new to working with NARA. Maybe should start another NARA request for VA records
Again, thank you so much for sharing your understanding of this topic!
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@SerraNola NPRC says no service records available at Kansas City except Discharge Special Order. Would that mean that there are no files in "Deceased Veterans Claims (XC Files), October 1917–ca. 1945" RG 15 that you referenced?
I'm starting new thread related to understanding the Discharge Special Order.
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@SerraNola after months of waiting, XC finally delivered. I've attached it to his FS profile as a source. 99 pages, with duplicates.
Thank you for helping interpret the index card and pointing me to the NAID to initiate the NARA process.
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The XC file is uploaded here: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/sources/viewedit/Q6RM-V7D?context
Any tips on citing this record would be appreciated. Tried to provide enough information (in the uploaded file) so someone else can locate the same file.
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Your cource citation looks pretty good. I would add his name and give a bit more information about the repository. See below.
Veterans Affairs Pension File (VAXC) case file 1,231,061 for Audrey Camp Lambdin, alias John Taylor
Deceased Veterans Claims Files (XC Files), October 1917-ca. 1949
National Archives and Records Administration, St. Louis, MO
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