database for former servicemen

[SkidGear]

Hey guys and girls, I have a general question for ya. Is there a database anywhere that you can type in a name of a soldier and it can pull up what rate, what ship they served on, and when and how long they served? I googled it and found on but they all want 30-50 bucks to use it. I was just wondering if any of you know of a place that i can search for it. The reason why I am asking is because my grandfather served in the Navy in ww2 and I was intrested in what regard he served. Parents do not know, he never came back...thanks again

 

[a-6intruder]

These guys can help, but only if a buddy or other relative entered any info.

http://www.lonesailor.org/nl_search.php

 

[a-6intruder]

This might be a better place to look, but your parent (or other next of kin of grandfather) needs to sign the release form.

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

 

[SkidGear]

thanks a6

Both of my grandfathers were navy, my father's father was a corpsman on the Andrew Jackson I believe, he survived the war, Guadalcanal,Solomans,and Marianas. but he never talked much about it, besides a jap dud bomb landed on the deck 5 ft above his head, and a little about casulties, He died when i was 10...My mother's father is who I am intrested in. I know he was a Navy Frogmen. I have some of his medals and ribbons, but I can not find where he was based or in what battle or in his case what pre-battle he died. The only picture that I have of him is him and his mate, posing on Omaha Beach on dday+1 .. he was clearing mines and stuff. I just wold like to know a little more about his involvment and stuff. I am trying to get into OCS and I wanted to at least know what my family history is....thanks again A6

 

[a-6intruder]

probably not the Andrew Jackson unless it was a little known troop carrier or merchant ship. Only two commissioned ships / boats by that name - one in the 1800s and a Ballistic Missile sub in the 60-80s.

 

[a-6intruder]

there was a troopship by the name of James Jackson. Archive might be able to determine which landings she participated in, and match w/ your grandfather's service. Some sites even have copies of logbooks.

http://www.armed-guard.com/ag96.html

 

[a-6intruder]

A more probable option - USS President Jackson AP 37 (w/ deck log showing summary of actions).

http://members.fortunecity.com/scottsworldwar2page/ap37.htm

 

[SkidGear]

That seems about right. it says solomans and guadalcanal.....thanks for all the help....i know a litle about him in the navy but no joy on searching with the names ...thanks again for your effort

 

[SkidGear]

I would almost say with complete accuracy it was the Predient Jackson

 

[a-6intruder]

I would almost say with complete accuracy it was the Predient Jackson

Cool. Always nice to know some family history. The frogman on D-Day will be a bit tougher, but Naval Special Warfare Command might have some info on units that participated. Probably some SEAL websites where someone would help you out with the research. Good luck!

 

[SkidGear]

Thanks again...yeah i am hitting a roadblock with that one....i know for fact he was there, he has a bronze star and something else from omaha beach area. They called it something else..my mother said that his last telegram was early feb 45...so i am guessing, and that is purely what it is, Battle of Manila Bay, is where it happened, but who knows, I will keep digging

 

[OUSOONER]

Keep us posted on tracking down your grandpa's exploits...what you discover could be very interesting.