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Almost always include:
Name
Dates of enlistment, attendance, and discharge
Beginning and ending rank
Military unit
May also include:
Date and/or place of birth
Age
Physical description
Occupation
Citizenship
Residence
Mentions of injuries or illnesses
Reference to time as a POW
Date and/or cause of death
Cemetery of burial
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National Archives:
www.archives.gov/locations/
General compiled sources such as the FHL Catalog:
www.familysearch.org/
Search/
searchcatalog.asp
Lineage Societies and Military Historical Organizations
Online & CD index and transcription projects
State libraries, archives or societies and/or compiled records for that locality as found in the Ancestors
Resource Guide
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To learn about an ancestor's military service
To find the necessary details to locate a pension file or military history
To learn place and/or date of birth
To learn other details such as residence, occupation or citizenship
To find a physical description
To find death and/or burial information
To find medical information
For insights into ancestor's personality and performance (e.g., promotions, AWOL notations, etc.)
To see if and where held as a POW
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