Fold3 - Words & Context Matter
This is one reason there is confusion about military research
Recently, Fold3 announced the arrival of a new World War I record set. The Arkansas, WWI Discharge Records, 1917-1919. The description from Fold3 and also the Arkansas State Archives is Key Information Included in the Records:
Biographical Data: Veteran’s age, place of birth, and place of residence at the time of service.
Military Service Details: Specific information regarding their enlistment, unit assignments, and discharge.
Casualty Information: For service members who died during the war, the records include the date of death and the location of their burial.
What’s Wrong About These Records?
First, these are not discharge papers. Let’s be crystal clear about that. A discharge paper is an actual paper, not an index card of service facts.
Second, a discharge paper was not issued for World War I or World War II for those who died or were killed while in service. For those who died in World War I, a Burial File would have been created. For World War II, an Individual Deceased Personnel File. Not a discharge because if you are dead, you cannot be discharged.
Third, these should be labeled Statement of Service Cards. If you read the fine print on the back of these cards - these are Statement of Service Cards. It is clearly indicated. These cards can be used to find valuable facts to include in your Timeline of Service and to continue your military research. However, they do not exist for every state. If they do exist for your state, you should check the State Archives or Ancestry, FamilySearch or Fold3. Remember though, they may be incorrectly called discharge papers.
Learn how to research WWI and WWII service
If you are ready to learn the 2-part research strategy to research any veteran even if the records burned and how to locate and navigate Army Morning Reports on NARA Catalog - register for one of my upcoming small group coaching sessions. These are focused trainings in Zoom Meeting format to answer your questions and teach you the military strategies and records you need to find answers.