Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 08/09/99

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
Should you have access to the St. Louis Record Center, I ask that you give me a hand, or alternatively, suggest something I might yet do in order to obtain a record of service as a Volunteer (out of college) during World War II. I hold an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Navy.

I executed the standard form requesting my military record on 12 February 1999 and mailed it that day. I was told at the V.A. Station at the Washington Hospital Center (where I was given the form) that I would receive a reply within about two weeks.

I was also told that the V.A. computer at the Hospital Center had no record of my having served in the Navy, but that this was not unusual because of some record problems there.

I left college during WWII to serve as a Volunteer. I have used only a portion of the G.I. Bill to obtain my degree in Engineering. On discharge, I waived a minor hernia repair concurring while on duty and had the surgery done by my own physician at Lennox Hill Hospital in New York City. I have never applied for (nor used) any VA benefits other than a portion of the G.I. Bill. I am now 78 years.

Unfortunately, it appears that a medical condition exists today which could benefit from some medical attention. Equally unfortunately, I do not now have the funds to pay for it, should diagnosis indicate some treatment or surgery. I do not have supplementary insurance extending Medicare.

For that reason, earlier this year I visited the VA Hospital Center in Washington and was told that there was no record of military service on their computer (as noted above).

Months have passed since I filed my request, and I have had no reply to my mailed request.

At that time I was given the standard form to fill out and mail to the St. Louis Records Center. I did that. I do not believe that my country, nor its taxpayers, owe me anything for the privilege of volunteering to serve without a quid pro quo. Millions of us did then, even through we were well able to remain in school, continue graduate school, and avoid military service. We all chose not to do so. However, should our system have available physicians who can make a diagnosis and perhaps suggest some relief which will keep me on my feet a little longer, I'd like to have the choice to make on my own as to what to do next.

Though I did volunteer immediately after Pearl Harbor at a time I was already in the N.R.O.T.C. in college, I do not expect that I should be given any credit for being required to remain a student until the school finally understood that I meant what I said.

I did serve as a volunteer for nearly four years to the best of my recollection. I was discharged in early 1948. I was discharged with the rank of EM 2/c from the U.S. Navy. My last duty station was aboard a destroyer, D.D. 380 (the U.S.S. Gridley), which was decommissioned at Pearl Harbor.

Anything you may be able to do to motivate the bureaucracy at St. Louis will be sincerely appreciated. I'd like to hear that I am real, and not just a SS number lost in Software.

David W.
Takoma Park, MD

Dear David:
Your service to America during WWII is greatly appreciated. I was glad to glad to help by securing friends at the Non Commissioned Officers Association, the Department of Veterans Affairs, The U.S. Archives, Naval Historical Office, and the Personnel Records Center.

Your letter serves as a good reminder that NOW IS THE TIME for al of us to look and check to make sure that our personal records are in order. Our families and survivors should know the locations of important papers such as last will and testament, DD Form 214 (Honorable Discharge), life insurance policies, bank account information, family addresses, countless other documents, and survivor information documents. Veterans who cannot locate these "vital records" should secure replacement documents for their personal records, to be used by their spouse or surviving family members. The Sarge was delighted to be of assistance to you, and hopefully to countless others who after reading this column will get their own personal affairs in order!

Shaft Kudos

Congratulations to my fellow VFWers who will be in Kansas City, MO, for the VFW's 100th National Convention, August 14-20. And a hearty pat on the back to good friend U.S. Army Lieutenant General Ron Blanck, the Army Surgeon General, who will receive the 1999 VFW Armed Forces Award at this special centennial event. Other award recipients are Derrick Thomas, linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs, who is receiving the VFW Hall of Fame Award, and famous military author W.E.B. Griffin, who will receive the VFW News Media Award. One of the highlights of this diamond anniversary celebration is the appearance of country music legend Kenny Rogers as headline performer at VFW's Annual Patriotic Rally at Kauffman Stadium on Monday, August 16. A perennial crowd-pleaser, Kenny Rogers' career spans nearly four decades and includes music, television, and film. His new album, "She Rides Wild Horses," debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard Top Country Album chart. Beginning at 8:00 p.m., the rally will include a variety of entertainers and conclude with a fantastic fireworks extravaganza. The rally celebrates American patriotism and the VFW's 100 years of service to America and its veterans, and is one of several VFW convention events open to the public for the first time.

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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