Re: Death Overseas where's death certificate

From the American War Orphans Network (AWON)Web Site:

Here's How:

The first record you should get is the record from the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA). This record will have the veteran's service
number in it and also may have a social security number. It will also
show designated next of kin and will contain marriage records and birth
certificates. To get these records call (800) 827-1000. This will ring at
your regional office. They will be able to tell you where your veteran's
record is and where to write. Then write to that address requesting a
complete copy of everything in their file. (Remember you are only
eligible for these records if you are next of kin and the veteran was killed
or missing in action.)

If you already have the selective service number, you will want to write
to the National Personnel Records Center for the veteran's "jacket" right
away also but do this only after you have the selective service number.
Ask for a copy of everything they have in your veteran's personnel
records, "jackets." Also ask for the "MED" records. (You must have a
selective service number and ask for "MED" records specifically as they
are only filed under the selective service number. These are not filed by
name). Additionally, you can apply for any medals which you lost or
never received. Write to:

National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Boulevard
St. Louis MO 63132

It takes a LONG time to get these records so the sooner you send-off
the better. Many of these records were burned in a fire at the center in
1973, which may have happened in your case. But they will send proof
of service. If you get lucky there will be much more. You can also apply
for medals which have been lost or never received. Ask for a copy of
the entire contents of their personnel record, or "jacket;" any medical
records or copies of Surgeon General Tapes "MEDS"; any records they
have regarding the award of medals.

Next, write for the mortuary records. These records were created to
document the disposition of remains or to document why there were no
remains. They have important information in them even if no body was
recovered. They are especially useful if the personnel records were
burned.

These are records created by the Mortuary Services which deal with a
war casualty's body and sending their personal effects to the next of kin.
Even if no body was recovered, there will be a report of the
investigation. All mortuary records for World War II, for all branches,
are kept at the Total Army Personnel Command (TAPC). These are
called the "Individual Deceased Personnel Files" (IDPF). Contact:

Army Commander
US. Total Army Personnel Command
ATTN: TAPC-PED-F
Alexandria VA 22331-0482
Phone: (703)-325-5300 Fax: (703)-325-5315

In addition, the Navy has index cards on deceased sailors. These
records, which relate to the remains, include a description of how the
seaman was killed. Write to:

Officer In Charge
Naval Medical and Dental Affairs
Mortuary Affairs Branch
PO Box 886999
Great Lakes IL 60088-6999
Phone: (800)-876-1131 ex 621, 627, or 628 Fax:
(847)-688-3964

The Marine Corps has copies of death certificates on microfilm. They
will send you a copy. Contact:

Marine Corps Commandant
Code M-HP-10
Hdqtrs Marine Corps
2 Navy Annex
Washington DC 20380-1775
Phone: (703)-696-1177 Fax: (703)-696-2072

The National Personnel Records Center maintains morning reports for
the period 1917-1974. These records were made each day in every
company in the Army. A morning report tells where the soldiers are, lists
casualties and people coming and going and even describes the weather.
Ask for morning reports from the date he would have entered that outfit
until a few days after your veteran died. Be specific about what unit he
was with (example: 5th Army, 10th Mt. Division, 87th Mt. Infantry,
Company A.) and where they were fighting (Italy). Send proof of your
relationship. It takes at least 3 months to get these records. Contact:

Chief, Army Reference Branch NCPMA-O
Military Personnel Records
National Personnel Records Center
9700 Page Boulevard
St Louis MO 63132-5100

The American Battle Monuments Commission is in charge of burials in
American military cemeteries overseas. 134,548 American servicemen
were buried in these cemeteries. Over 78,000 whose remains were not
recovered are listed on the Tablets of the Missing located at these
cemeteries and on East Coast and West Coast Memorials in the US.
The commission will send you a beautiful brochure and the exact location
of your veteran's grave or listing on the Tablet of the Missing. They will
also send, if you request it, a beautiful photograph of the cemetery with a
photo of the veteran's marker, or a photo of his name on the Tablet of
the Missing, superimposed. They will put flowers on the grave, or near a
name on the Tablet of the Missing, at any time for a small fee. If you do
not have a service number, they may supply that also.

When travelling overseas, primarily to visit the place of burial or a
memorial, immediate members of the family (widows, parents, children,
sisters, brothers and guardians) will be eligible for a "Non-fee" or
"Fee-Free" Passport. Apply to The American Battle Monuments
Commission at the address below for eligibility. This commission has
records of all those who are buried in American overseas cemeteries or
whose names are engraved on the Tablets of the Missing. Requests for
information and photographs should be addresses to the Commission in
Washington, DC. Contact: