Hi all need some advice.
First off this is a pre-emptive question before the fact....

My Grandfather ( yep GRAND FATHER) on my fathers side served in WWI in the 82 Infantry Div, All American.

( Pepe' was like 47 when my dad was born, good for him says I )

My dad has always had a box with his medals, including a purple heart for wounds he got in I think the Argonne? or was that USMC?

ANd some books.

Anyway, Dad has decided that now that I am returning from Iraqnext month and am a history majorand am now in my early 40's and more mature that he can pass all of mygrand fathers sutff on to me.
I'm thinking about putting his medals in a SHadowbox with one of the old WWI Brown and WHite ( sorta like black and white) photo's of himand copies of the citations.

The question of course is, If we don't have the records of those orders and citations how can I go about finding them .

Thanks in advance

Well, you can try the National Records Center in St Louis. Don't know how much luck you'll have as many of the older files were destroyed in a fire in the 70's. Not certain how they respond to grandkids, so your father might have to make the request. Good luck.


http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/

(And, as I keep reminding my son the Marine, yes the Marines did get to go to WWI: as part of the Army's 2nd Infantry Division. )