Question:
I understand that my father’s military personnel file was destroyed in 1973 when a fire destroyed the records of the U.S. Army. Is there any where I can obtain his discharge papers now that he is deceased. He was in the military through most of the 1940’s. He later served in the New York National Guard.
Answer:
You can acquire the military discharge for your father from the Department of the Army in Watervliet, New York. They have records for those who served in the New York Army National Guard and the New York Air National Guard who were discharged within the past sixty years.
You can reach them by phone or mail at:
Department of the Army
Attn: MNP, Builiding 25
New York Army National Guard
1 Buffington Street
Waltervliet, NY 12189-4000
Mr. Steven Essex, (518)-272-6438