Military Records
A patron asked me the following questions: "Im guessing a draft registration card means the individual registered for military service, but doesn't necessarily mean they actually served in the armed forces. Is that correct? What types of records would indicate actual military service?"
I think the answer to her first question is yes! I could use help on her second question - thanks in advance!
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The answer to the first question is most definitely yes. Everyone was required to register for the draft whenever there was that requirement in the U.S. That then simply became the pool from which people were called up for active duty service. It really wasn't much of an issue until Vietnam, when many people refused to register, or even moved to Canada to avoid actually being drafted. But registration is certainly a clue that they very possibly served, especially depending on how close to the end of the war their minimum-age qualifying birthday was. If they were required to register just before the end of a major war, then they may not have ever served if the war ended and many were released from service due to a far lower need for military personnel.
As short and very incomplete answer to your second question is actually free until 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Memorial Day (today as of this edit). Ancestry owns Fold3, which (among other things) has many military records. Just go to fold3.com and enter a name, then start your search. Perhaps only the draft registration may come up, but other military records may also appear there. You might also look at a grave stone and see if there is any military marking on it - some veterans have service affiliation on them if they served, particularly in a major conflict. Check such sources as Find A Grave and look at any write up about the person, as well as their grave stone in case of clues there. If you can find an obituary, those often include mention of military service.
[Once Family History Centers and many public libraries open back up, you can still get Fold3 for free.]
Also, go to the FamilySearch Wiki (under "Help" at the top menu bar). Type in "Military Records" as well as "Military Records Tips for Beginners." There are many helpful leads there. The FamilySearch Wiki is, in my opinion (and even my own detriment due to my failure to use it often enough), one of the best public "secrets" out there!
--Chris
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As I have indexed these records, some have shown if they have served or not. It's been quite interesting. The draft card often doesn't show it but registration cards themselves from World War I and II do. Also from the Korean War does. Does that help answer the question? It really depends on the cards themselves that you are indexing. It also shows which division they served in and the dates they were released. So, some do and some don't. So the difference is, a draft was a requirement-as in Vietnam, the others were asked to register as a patriotic duty. Many registered but were denied due to flat feet, asthma, only son, only provider in the family, etc. It's quite interesting-but maybe only to me-since I'm a retired registered nurse.
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Thanks Christopher and Sharon!
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Almost all male US citizens and male immigrants, who are 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service. This is still true - see the Selective Service System website.
As has been stated registration does not equal serving. As for finding records for those that actually served; I suggest that you use the help center and look for "military service'.
If, your patron is looking for someone close to them - ask them if they have found a DD214 [Department of Defense form which give class of discharge]. This is what allowed veterans to qualify for a VA Home loan or College tuition funds.
This makes me think - if you find that they had a VA loan then they certainly served.
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DD214 forms have considerably more information about the person's military service beyond just type of discharge and VA eligibility - at least mine did when received 40+ years ago. It's a great document to find, if you can! I was advised to have mine filed permanently in the local courthouse, due to its importance.
--Chris
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