How would I find the service record of a (not deceased) US soldier from WW2? ?

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Question:

My grandfather fought in the 82nd Airborne during WW2!. He is in his late 80s and has dementia so when I ask him questions about his service its bits and pieces!. All of my family knows stories of his service but we don't really have any definitive record of where exactly he fought and all!. There is alot of information on the net about 82nd and 101st Airborne groups but where would could I find copies of actual service lists/orders like from government sources!? I would like to be able to research his service as a soldier in WW2 with actual documents!. Thanks for any advice or answers!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Veteran's Administration!.
Some stuff here too:
http://www!.militaryindexes!.com/worldwart!.!.!.
You could have some trouble with the VA if he's still alive however -- privacy issues!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The 82nd Airborne likely keeps a unit history, and if you can figure out what regiment and company he was in, you could probably get a basic outline of where he was and the fights he was!. And if you're lucky, you might be able to find someone who served with grandfather who remembers things more easily!.

If he won any medals, the Army likely keeps some record of the ceremony with some explanation as to why he won those medals!.

Specific written orders, if the still exist are likely to be in various military and historical archives, which could be anywhere!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Check with the army archives - your local army office should be able to tell you how to go about it!. You may need to get a statement from your grandfather allowing you to access his records, as under the
Privacy Act, some information may not be given out without permission!. It would be a wonderful thing to have a record, with documention, to retain as part of your family's history!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You would have to request it, but you have to be next of kin!. And I believe there is a paper you would have to get the doctor to sign saying that he actually has dementia so the next of kin and authorize the release of the records!. Since he is still living it would be not be likely to just be able to get them any other way than that because of privacy laws!.Www@QuestionHome@Com