Looking for US military record (Vietnam)

Question

I would like to get military service details for my cousin Douglas Paul Atherton, born 5 Jul 1950 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. He enlisted after his 1968 high school graduation. He was stationed at SHAPE in Belgium, followed by Bien Hoa, Vietnam. 

I would like to add a complete sticker on his profile because I know he would have appreciated it. Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

Military records are available from the National Archives. I do not know if you will be able to get what you want, but you can ask for his records. Military records can be released on the request of the veteran and his/her next of kin. If you do not specify exactly what you want you will receive only the DD form 214 separation record. If you ask for "everything" you only get the DD form 214. You want to specify that you are requesting his Special and General Orders, DA form 20 qualification record, USAREC form 105 enlistment promise statement, DA form 3072 waiver, DA form 2376 release from active duty, DA form 8286 SGLI election, DA form 1811 physical & mental status on release from active service, DD form 396 statement of personal history, DD for 4 waiver, and ask for any other enlistment forms.

Comments

Thank you.  Is this the only way to get his dates of service, unit etc ? The basic facts (enough for a sticker) would be nice,  even if I don't get a more complete record.

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The DD form 396 statement of personal history will give the exact units to which he was assigned. If you only want a generic entry,then US Army Vietnam and SHAPE Europe would work. I do not know the exact terminolgyfor the stickers or categories. but I am confident others here who do that sort of thing will be more than happy to help. Ben Hoa was an Air Force Base but there were numerous US Army units there as well. I was at the Ben Hoa Air Force Base twice in 1968.

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Thank you very much!