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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
3/12/2008 3:53:03 PM | I am hoping someone can tell me how to find a copy of either my fathers debriefing report or any of his crew when they were released from their POW camp? I have had many people tell me that all of them were debriefed before and after they returned stateside.
Any help would be appreciated.
My Dad was Jack T. Sharp and he was the ball turret gunner for LT. W.J. McKeon's crew.
Jackie
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Shade Ruff
3/13/2008 6:00:20 AM | Jackie,
I have seen these reports co-located with the MACR files in the National Archives Annex in Silver Spring, Maryland. In my uncle's (and the other surviving crew member's ) case, the MACR file also contained the debriefing reports compiled upon their return to U.S. control after being liberated in April 1945.
Regards,
Shade Ruff
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
3/13/2008 7:09:45 AM | Shade,
Are these reports only available in Maryland? I am in Florida and I never get to Maryland at all.
Jackie
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Shade Ruff
3/14/2008 5:38:30 AM | "Jackie Sheflin":
Shade,
Are these reports only available in Maryland? I am in Florida and I never get to Maryland at all.
Jackie
Jackie,
Unfortunately, I do not know.
Regards,
Shade Ruff
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donaldbyers
3/14/2008 8:13:47 AM | Jackie it seems to me that that have them at Maxwell Airforce Bass here is the e-mail address and I think they are with the MACR (url)(AFHRANEWS@MAXWELL.AF.MIL/url).
Wouldn't hurt to e-mail them.
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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win-win
3/14/2008 1:28:32 PM | Jackie:
If you're handy with the Internet, the National Archives Website (which I find hard to way-find) http://www.nara.gov:
- - Lists Archives' locations and holdings - by 'Record Group' (ie: RG and number);
- - Has a (long) list of their Record Groups and topics if you can find it; and
- - Has, somewhere on their Website, an E-mail 'contact us' resource where you can inquire about what you're looking for.
Otherwise, I'd suggest writing your detailed request, and ask what 'Records Group' that info would be in, to: 'Textual Reference Branch; National Archives; 8601 Adelphi Road; College Park, Md., 20740. This 'branch' has 'paper' records, including the originals of the 401BG Mission Reports. They will reply in writing:
- - If they have the info, they will advise you of the number of pages of photocopying and costs (minimal, particularly for only a few pages); and
- - If they do not have your information, they may be able to direct you the right Records Group holder/address that you can contact.
The better detail your request has, the better they can reply. Good hunting.
Win
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
3/14/2008 4:48:50 PM | Don,
I just wrote to the address you recommended and I will wait to see if I hear anything back, I have tried to navigate the National Archives before and have been so frustrated I gave up. That is without a doubt the most horrible site to try and find anything.
I wrote to them over a year ago and never even received a reply so that did not work. If anyone else has any other suggestions I would be happy to have you share them.
I never dreamed it would be so hard to find.
Jackie
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donaldbyers
3/14/2008 6:39:51 PM | "Jackie Sheflin":
Don,
I just wrote to the address you recommended and I will wait to see if I hear anything back, I have tried to navigate the National Archives before and have been so frustrated I gave up. That is without a doubt the most horrible site to try and find anything.
I wrote to them over a year ago and never even received a reply so that did not work. If anyone else has any other suggestions I would be happy to have you share them.
I never dreamed it would be so hard to find.
Jackie
I think you will get a better answer from this address as when I wrote to them they sent me the additional info with the MACR.
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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win-win
3/15/2008 2:38:36 PM | Jackie:
I've found all three primary 'sources' for Soldier/MACR info have their 'problems', and few 'shortcuts' - they all take a long time. But they probably have your stuff, and from my own delays and disappointments, I suggest investing in a phone call to each to ask them their 'best way' to request (to get what you want):
- - NARA - I agree, I've also found their Website to be impossible to use productively: Phone 1-866-272-6272 and ask who/where to write your request and details (I presume at: NARA; 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001). By the way, their Website indicates their record group 'RG.18' is for WWII USAAF records.
- - NPRC - As part of the NARA, its 'systems' are convoluted too: Phone 314-801-0800. As the Soldier's daughter, your written request (via letter or their form 180 - per their Website http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel) should get results (from them at, I presume: National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records; 9700 Page Avenue; St. Louis, MO 63132-5100).
- - AFHRA - They've always been painfully slow - they are woefully understaffed. But have always responded - they got heart. Phone (334) 953-2395. They will probably tell you where to write (I presume: AFHRA; 600 Chennault Circle, Bldg 1405; Maxwell AFB; AL 36112-6424) or may suggest their Website's 'contact us' E-mail address AFHRANews@maxwell.af.mil (which is also on their Website).
The only other MACR comment I can think of is: the MACR form is initiated when they first are missing, but it gets added to, re-typed, summarized and modified over time as, information becomes available. You're looking for it's final form, perhaps as a 'closed' file, to ensure it that 'everything' (and not a partial, in-progress file).
Again, good hunting
Win
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Jackie Sharp Sheflin
3/15/2008 4:45:15 PM | Win,
I will try the phone numbers as requested in the next few weeks. It certainly can not hurt to try. When I heard that trying to get Dad's DD214 form...(I think that is the correct number) ...I had been told it could take up to 2 years or more to get. I was trying very hard to get the info to replace his missing medals which had been stolen by a family member.(I knew that it would also take time to get them replaced) Believe it or not, I wrote to the president telling him how proud I was of my Dad and his life of military service and I ask for his help in getting the forms and the medal documentation. He forwarded the request for me and I had the forms in 2 months and the medals in 4 months. I was told this was a record by a friend who works for the government.
Note: They forms were not complete in any way but they were nice to have.
I guess sometimes it does not pay to be shy. I was able to get all but one of the medals and may have to buy one as one of them is no longer made. My plans are to have them mounted with his dog tags and other items and keep in the family for generations to come.
For those who have lost their medals you might want to know that the government will replace them once only to a family member with the proper request.
Jackie
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win-win
3/17/2008 11:53:22 AM | Hi Jackie:
Congratulations on your medals & awards replacement success - remarkable. And not being 'shy' when researching is a great lesson.
FYI, for when you call the NARA, my contact several years ago for Mission Reports there in the 'Textual Reference Branch' - paper records - was Mr. Davis Giordano. I don't know if he's still there, but was very helpful.
Good hunting,
Win
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