HISTORICAL INQUIRY FORM
The Army Historical Foundation offers free Army history related research assistance. Please fill out the form below and you will be contacted by a Foundation historian within 10 business days.
Please note that we do not have access to personnel records. For personnel records, please contact The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The following is a list of the most frequently asked questions and corresponding resources to help you conduct your research, but if you still need assistance or would prefer to communicate directly with a Foundation historian, please fill out the historical inquiry form and a Foundation historian will reach out to you within 10 business days.
I want to learn more about what my family did in the Army.
- The Army Historical Foundation does not have access to personnel records, which will provide information on enlistment, training, assignments, awards, discharge, etc. But The Foundation can assist in locating information on what a unit did if you provide those details in the historical inquiry form.
- If the individual served during World War I and after, please contact The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR). https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/military-personnel
- Please understand that this facility received fire damage in 1973, which destroyed many Army service records, and it is possible that some records no longer exist.
- If the individual served before World War I, please contact the National Archives and Record Administration in Washington D.C. https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/pre-ww-1-records
- If you would like more assistance and guidance, please fill out the historical inquiry form and a Foundation historian will respond to you within 10 business days.
I need to acquire a replacement Purple Heart, Bronze Star, or other service medal.
- Please contact The National Personnel Records Center regarding replacement Medals, Awards, and Decorations. https://www.archives.gov/veterans/replace-medals.html
- Please understand that this facility received fire damage in 1973, which destroyed many Army service records, and it is possible that some records no longer exist.
- You can also find basic information and images of decorations and awards at The Institute of Heraldry https://tioh.army.mil/
- If you would like more assistance and guidance, please fill out the historical inquiry form and a Foundation historian will respond to you within 10 business days.
I’m looking for copies of documents.
- Depending on the type of document you are looking for, there are a few options to consider including unit associations, veteran groups, and the National Personnel Records Center.
- If the individual served during World War I and after, please contact The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR). https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/military-personnel
- Please understand that this facility suffered from a fire in 1973, which destroyed many Army service records, and it is possible that some records no longer exist.
- If the individual served before World War I, please contact the National Archives and Record Administration in Washington D.C. https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/pre-ww-1-records
- If you would like more assistance and guidance, please fill out the historical inquiry form and a Foundation historian will respond to you within 10 business days.
How can I locate a Veteran or Veteran Group?
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs https://www.va.gov/
- Directory of Veterans Service Organizations https://www.va.gov/resources/va-accredited-representative-faqs/
- If you would like more assistance and guidance, please fill out the historical inquiry form and a Foundation historian will respond to you within 10 business days.
Where can I learn more about the National Museum of the United States Army?
- To reserve a FREE General Admission ticket. https://tickets.thenmusa.org/Info.aspx?EventID=3
- To learn about upcoming events and programs hosted and organized by the Museum. https://www.thenmusa.org/events/
- To arrange a group visit to the Museum. https://www.thenmusa.org/group-visits/
- To donate an object to the Museum. https://www.thenmusa.org/get-involved/donate/
- FAQs about the Museum. https://www.thenmusa.org/about/faq/
- If you would like more assistance and guidance, please fill out the historical inquiry form and a Foundation historian will respond to you within 10 business days.
Where can I learn more about The Army Historical Foundation?
- To learn about upcoming events and programs hosted and organized by The Foundation. https://armyhistory.org/calendar/
- To donate to the Foundation. https://armyhistory.org/ways-to-give/
- To learn more Army History https://armyhistory.org/army-history-center/ and https://armyhistory.org/on-point/
- If you would like more assistance and guidance, please fill out the historical inquiry form and a Foundation historian will respond to you within 10 business days.
I would like to get something appraised.
- The Army Historical Foundation does not review or appraise artifacts or collections as a service. Below are several organizations where you can find appraisers in your local area.
- American Society of Appraisers https://www.appraisers.org/
- International Society of Appraisers https://www.isa-appraisers.org/
- Appraisers Association of America https://www.appraisersassociation.org/
- If you would like more assistance and guidance, please fill out the historical inquiry form and a Foundation historian will respond to you within 10 business days.
I would like to donate artifacts.
- The Army Historical Foundation is not a collecting institution and does not accept object donations, but there are options available for your consideration. Please note that this is not a complete list, but it is a list of the most frequently suggested museums and organizations that collect artifacts for storage and display.
- Air Force Historical Research Agency https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-the-Archive/Contributions-and-Donations/
- Air Mobility Command Museum https://amcmuseum.org/support-the-museum/donate-an-artifact/
- JFK Special Warfare Museum https://specialwarfaremuseum.org/donations
- National Infantry Museum https://nationalinfantrymuseum.org/support/
- National Museum of the United States Air Force https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Collections/Donate-an-Item/
- National Museum of the United States Army https://www.thenmusa.org/get-involved/donate/
- National World War I Museum and Memorial https://www.theworldwar.org/support/donate-object
- National World War II Museum https://www.nationalww2museum.org/artifact-donation-faq
- Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum https://www.soldiersandsailorshall.org/museum/donate-artifacts/
- United States Military Academy Library https://library.westpoint.edu/welcome/gifts
- U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum https://www.asomf.org/donate-artifacts/
- U.S. Army Center of Military History “Find an Army Museum” https://history.army.mil/Army-Museum-Enterprise/Find-an-Army-Museum/
- U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center https://ahec.armywarcollege.edu/donate.cfm
- If you would like more assistance and guidance, please fill out the historical inquiry form and a Foundation historian will respond to you within 10 business days.
