Ron J
Active member
About a 6 weeks ago,i had snooping the Web,for any history, regarding Coast Guard vessels,different Lifeboat Stations etc,that my Father may have been stationed at. In searching Military.com ,i found out you can print a form, and with the proper information,name,Social Sec #, or govt assigned #, you can receive all military files related to that person, if its your own info,or your relative. FOR FREE! NO CHARGE! I printed and faxed the form,and anxiously awaited my Fathers Records. Monday i received them! I received copy's of every one of his enlistment papers,discharges,transfers,beneficiary forms,home addresses,monthly salary,rank advancements,and where and when he was stationed. Its almost like reading a diary.I can't believe all the information. Spent almost 4 hours,reading and documenting by years, my Fathers life history, from 1924 when he lied about his age,(17),till he retired in 1951!I can track when and where he spent his tours. I plan on documenting every thing,by year,and also acquire photos, and postcards of every base he was stationed at. Most are still there,either abandoned,or some building still standing.All locations were either C.G. Lifeboat Stations or Coast Guard Lighthouse Stations between Rhode Island, Cape Cod,to Portland Maine. Mostly stationed on Cape Cod,at a few locations. I gave the same form to some fellas at work,and they are proceeding to retrieve records for either themselves,or their Fathers. Great info,and i find it SO hard to believe it was FREE,from the Govt,and the postage was courtesy of the Taxpayers! RJ