VETERANS SERVICES
MILITARY RECORDS
Records Open to the Public
Military separation records that are at least 75 years old and all burial records are available for public viewing. Separation papers less than 75 years old cannot be accessed by anyone other than the veteran without the veteran's written or verbal approval. We have records dating as far back as the Revolutionary War. These records, along with others up to and including World War I, are open to the public. They have been used extensively for genealogical research and often contain original separation papers, letters, and various other information.
Records Restricted from the Public
Military records less than 75 years old are private. They contain copies of all claims and supporting documents sent to governmental agencies for processing. These records may also include medical, financial, birth, death, marriage, divorce, and adoption papers. They are private and will not, under any circumstances, be released to anyone other than the veteran.
Burial Records
We maintain burial records for all veterans in Crawford County. These records include the following:
- Branch of service
- Cemetery name and location of burial
- Cemetery grave and lot numbers
- County & State of burial
- Date of birth
- Date of death
- Dates of service
- Name
- Organization within branch of service
- Rank
- Service number
- Type of headstone (private of government)
- War period served
The above information is sent annually to the Pennsylvania Adjutant General's Office in Fort Indiantown Gap for final recording.
Recording DD-214's (Separation Papers)
All military members, when separated from the service, are encouraged to have their DD-214's recorded in the courthouse. This is for their own protection. We record both pages of the original DD-214 and return them to the veteran. The VA, some employers, and many other agencies, demand a "certified copy" of a DD-214. The only way to obtain a certified copy is to have the original DD-214 recorded with Veterans Services. The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, MO houses all military records. On July 12, 1973, the NPRC experienced a major fire which resulted in the loss of millions of records. Many veterans, who lost their DD-214's in the fire, did not hav ethem recorded elsewhere. Today, they can no longer prove military service. During the 50 years this office has been in existence, we have never lost a DD-214.
You may record a DD214 and obtain certified copies free of charge.
