Mariners-L Archives

From: Debbie Beavis <>
Subject: [Mar] Sources US Navy Fighting Ships
Date: Sat, 01 Apr 2000 23:53:24 +0100

SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR NAVAL FIGHTING SHIPS

Bud Shortridge


The following is a sample of the type of information that is available from
the following address.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES
8601 ADELPHI ROAD
COLLEGE PARK, MD 20740-6001

DECK LOGS: 1941 - 1961: Brief record of the daily administrative activities
of the ship....includes journal style entries of the ship's administrative
activities, location and course of travel, etc. (You need to provide the
name of the ship, date(s) of interest, & the ship's hull number.
NOTE: The National Archives also has custody of deck logs of US Navy ships
from 1800 through 1945. The logs from the 19th century through 1930 are in
bound volumes. Only microfilm copies of such records are offered as the
process of making paper copies can permanently damage the bindings. The
current fee (1991) for microfilm copies is $0.33 per image, which
corresponds to a page of text. The deck logs after 1930 can be taken
apart, and copies can be made at $0.25 per page. It is estimated that most
deck logs of this time period comprise approximately 45 pages per month,
although larger ships such as battleships and carriers comprise
approximately 55 pages per month. The deck logs of this time period
include a monthly roster of officers which lists name of officer, rank, and
his next of kin.

MUSTER ROLLS/PERSONNEL DIARIES: WW II through 1966...consists of quarterly
reports of a ship/unit's enlisted personnel with monthly update of
personnel changes. Contains the names, rank/ratings, and service numbers
of the individual servicemen.

NOTE: Anyone can obtain copies of a ship muster roll (list of personnel) or
organizational records by requesting them from the above address. Muster
rolls for US Navy ships from 1800 to 1966 are available. The muster rolls
through 1860 are contained within bound volumes and can be copied only as
microfilm. The muster rolls form 1860 through 1879 are in the form of
large sheets which can be copied as oversized electrostatic copies for
$1.80 per sheet (cost as of 1991) The muster rolls form 1879 through 1900
are in volumes which were compiled on an annual basis (microfilm copies
only). The muster rolls for 1900 through 1939 are also in bound volumes,
with each volume containing from one to several ships' muster rolls for a
limited time period (microfilm copies only). Muster rolls list only the
names of enlisted personnel and do not contain current addresses of former
naval personnel or their survivors.
Some of the rolls do include the original place of enlistment. These rolls
can be reproduced only as microfilm copies for $0.33 per foot of
microfilm. Paper copies are not available, nor can less than a full roll
of microfilm be reproduced. A number of images may be illegible due to the
poor quality of the original microfilm which was transferred by the Navy
Dept. The muster rolls from 1940 through 1949 are arranged so that one
ship is on each roll of microfilm. Do not send any money with information
request. Each requestor will be provided an order form with the
appropriate information listed, to use in ordering copies

CASUALTY REPORT: Includes casualty lists, reports of incidents resulting in
casualties, statements of witnesses or survivors, and other documents...You
must supply the name of the ship, hull number, name of
operation/battle/campaign, and dates.

ACTION REPORT: Materials represent the basic source of reports for naval
actions/operations during WW II. Need same information as listed above.

WAR DIARIES: Daily journals of events submitted by all but the most of
naval commands during WW II. Operational information they contain is
complementary to information provided by action reports...Analogous to the
form in the deck logs of navy ships. Supply same information as listed
above to get information.



NAVAL PERSONAL RECORDS: Copies of individuals military personal record.

NATIONAL PERSONNEL RECORDS CENTER
MILITARY PERSONAL RECORDS
9700 PAGE AVENUE
ST. LOUIS, MO 63132-5100
Phone 314-263-3901 (Switchboard)
341-538-4261 (Army)
DSN 639-4261
http://www.nara.gov/regional/stlouis.html

Current and former members of the military (or next of kin if deceased) can
obtain copies of their complete military personnel and medical
records. (Next of kin may be grandson, great-grand daughter, etc. in the
case of military members who have been dead for several years.) A request
should be made on a Standard Form 180 or by letter, if the form is not
available. This form may be obtained from most veterans
organizations. You can also attain this form by calling 1-314-538-4141
leave a message with your address on their recorder. A SF 180 will be
mailed to you. There is usually no fee for this type of request. No
reason is required for requesting the records, but all requests citing
medical emergencies and VA claims are processed first. If you wish to go
to this site: http://www.nara.gov/research/ordering/milordr.html This
will also instruct you on how to obtain military records.

This specific
site: http://www.nara.gov/research/ordering/ordrfrms.html will tell
you how to attain form 180
Anyone may receive limited information from the military personnel records
of former and current members of the military. Information is available
for all military records of living current and former military
members. This information is provided under the Freedom of Information
Act. The following information can be provided:

Rank/grade
Name
Duty status
Date of rank
Service number
Date of Birth
Dependants (including name, sex and age)
Gross salary
Geographical location of duty assignments
Future assignments (approved)
Unit of office telephone number
Source of Commission (officers)
Military/civilian education level
Promotion sequence number
Awards and decorations
Official photograph
Record of court-martial trials (unless classified)
City/town, state of last known residence; date of that address
Places of induction and separation

Place of birth, date and location of death and place of burial of deceased
veterans can also be released
Because of the Privacy Act, the general public will not be provided with
medical information, Social Security number or present address of any
current or former living member of the military.
SHIP PASSENGER MANIFESTS: Passenger manifests are lists of names of
individuals (civilian or military) who were passengers on Navy or merchant
marine ships. Passenger manifests prior to 1941 are maintained by:

NATIONAL RECORDS CENTER
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON, DC 20408
The manifests for the period 1942 to 1955 were apparently destroyed. The
manifests for 1956 to the present are maintained by:

NATIONAL PERSONNEL RECORDS CENTER
ATTN.: ORGANIZATIONAL RECORDS BRANCH
9700 PAGE BOULEVARD
ST. LOUIS, MO 63132

----------------------------

FOR COAST GUARD MUSTER ROLLS CONTACT THE WRITER


Please note that I have several addresses on where to obtain information on
other aspects of individuals serving or connected to the military. The
addresses and methods of attaining this info is to numerous to list:
contact me and I will gladly furnish you with specific addresses for your
specific search topic.

PHOTOs OF SHIPS:
Call 301-713-6625 or write to the following:
NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
901 M STREET SE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20374-5060
---------------------
PIKE MILITARY RESEARCH
1539 FOXHALL ROAD NW
DEPT. NAV1
WASHINGTON, DC 20007
http://www.militaryunits.com
---------------------
SEAWEEDS SHIPS
P. O. BOX 154
SISTERSVILLE, WV
26175
CALL 1-800-SEAWEED
--------------------
For naval photos prior to WW II: Information on sources only this is a
time-saver, not a photo reprint lab.

PHOTOGRAPHIC SECTION
NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, BLDG. 57
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20374-0571
If interested in obtaining a video of a Navy Fighting Ship go to the
following web site to
order: http://www.nara.gov/anar/nn/nns/order.html

Bud Shortridge

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• [Mar] Sources US Navy Fighting Ships by Debbie Beavis <>