How to Find Navy Records

Searching for Naval records can be rewarding.

Naval personnel records provide details about a person's time in the service. Personnel files may contain medical information, training records, medals and awards received, and information about conflicts in which the person served. Naval ship logs are another source to consult. These records typically contain personnel information such as name, rank, serial number, and training records. They also contain specific entries concerning conflicts, sailing destinations, and daily ship procedures.

Things You'll Need

• Full legal name of person
• Birth date and place of person
• Naval serial number or social security number
• Dates of service
• Locations of service
• Place of discharge
• Standard form 180

Instructions

1. Order the Naval Personnel file from the National Personnel Records Center. Download and complete the National Archives standard form 180 to request military personnel records. Include as much information as possible to aid the record search.

   Request your type of report. The DD Form 214 verifies military service and contains little information beyond enlistment date, discharge date, training locations, employment information, and a signature.

   Medical records provide information on inpatient and outpatient treatment and dental records. Selecting "All Documents in Official Military Personnel File (OMPF)" will typically provide the DD Form 214 as well as all medical and dental records and detailed training and service information.

   Mail the form to the appropriate address indicated on the second page of the form.

2. 

   Ship logs provide a wealth of information.

   Consult the Naval History and Heritage Command web page for information on locating pre-World War I Naval records. The Civil and Old Military Records Branch, National Archives, holds records and abstracts of records for Naval officers from 1798 to 1902 and enlisted men from 1798 to 1885.

   A great deal of information is contained in officer records while the enlisted records prior to 1885 contain very little information.

   When sending a request for a record search, include as much information as possible concerning the full legal name of the person, birth date and place, serial number, dates of enlistment and discharge, and if known, locations of service.

3. Consult the Department of the Navy, Record Group 45 listing at the National Archives, for records on specific ships, ports, security, personnel, and other information.

4. Consult the Naval History and Heritage Command, or the World War II U.S. Navy Armed Guard and World War II U.S. Merchant Marine web sites for Naval Armed Guard resources. During World War II many men were assigned to the Armed Guard, a group which holds additional records.

   There are two types of Armed Guard reports held at the National Archives. The Armed Guard Voyage Report contains personnel listings that include full name, rank, and serial number. It also contains sailing information including dates and locations of all ports sailed to during the voyage. Daily training, safety check logs, and enemy contact are noted as well. The Armed Guard Personnel Report contains personnel listings which include full name, rank, serial number, and date attached to the ship. These reports also may contain medical and disciplinary information, leave and dates detached from the ship.

   Knowing the name of the ship and approximate dates the Armed Guard member was present on a ship will lead to a more successful search. Knowing the serial number is not necessary. If a report is found, the serial number will be listed which can then be used when ordering personnel files. If an Armed Guard member served on more than one ship, the reports will vary in content depending on who wrote them. Some reports contain greater personnel detail, while others do not.

Tips & Warnings

• Depending on the time period and conflict in which the Naval person served, different records were created. Researchers should consult the National Archives, Naval History and Heritage Command, and Armed Guard websites for additional resources and information.

• Naval personnel record requests are typically processed within three to four weeks. If additional information is required, the National Personnel Records Center will contact the requestor. If the requestor is not next-of-kin, only certain information will be released.

• It is advisable to search all possible record sources to obtain as much information as possible. At times, gathering any military records is done by locating one piece of information which leads to another, eventually providing a full picture of the service of the Naval person.

References

• National Archives: standard-form-180.pdf
• National Archives: Military Personnel Records, SF-180
• Naval History and Heritage Command: Navy Service and Medical Records
• Naval Historical Center: Navy Records Group 45
• Naval History and Heritage Command: Naval Armed Guard
• World War II U.S. Navy Armed Guard and World War II U.S. Merchant Marine

Resources

• Armed Guard Shipmates: American Merchant Marine at War - Revolution to World War II to today