How to order from National Archives?

Question:I am looking for the muster rolls and deck logs for the lst 685 that served in World War II. It was a ship my grandfather served on, but the National Archives website is confusing. Anyone have any experience ordering through them, and if so where do I go to find what I need to order and place my order online? Thanks!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I am looking for the muster rolls and deck logs for the lst 685 that served in World War II. It was a ship my grandfather served on, but the National Archives website is confusing. Anyone have any experience ordering through them, and if so where do I go to find what I need to order and place my order online? Thanks!

Genevieve's answer is good but that hyperlink is to request personnel service records from St Louis. This link does not help for deck logs. You probably won't be able to get muster rolls from any govt site, as they were not deliberatly kept for this time period.

Here is a better hyperlink at http://www.thememoryhole.org/nara/nprc/m...

Please keep in mind this is not like an exciting novel, it's a standard log, so the entries are very boring usually. Here is a link that at the Naval Historical Center that has that describes what's in a deck log at http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq73-1... Try to give a specific dates, and unless you want only a couple days, you'll probably need to request a microfiche.

The only possible benefit is that if you read the sources below, not much is written on LST 685 before the end of WWII. So this will help you identify actions, engagements, and where and when the ship was, so you can look up these events as part of a larger naval history. For example, while there might not be much about LST 685 specifically, if you know the ship was at Okinawa for the battle, you can look up Okinawa Naval history to learn more.

National Archives is a great thing. This last summer i went there in person after dealing with them on line and thru the mail. I actually
got to hold in my hands my Grandads Civil War Discharge.

And to answer the question you need to contact them on line at National Archives.
They have a form on there that you can order thru the mail and fill it out and send it back with 10.00 and they will have they have it the copies Military records that you want. They also have a ton of other stuff there . A trip there is a lifetime experience.

absolutely, go for what you can get from the archives.
In addition.. can you add the NAME of the ship and other specifics, if you have them? there are military reunion sites that are fantastic and you may get some additional background or info.

http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/militar...
This page should help you. Basically just make sure you are clear and concise in your request. Fill out the SF 180 and mail it in. You can't order online unless you are the veteran, spouse or child. Grandchildren don't count. Here's the official verbiage:

"If you are a veteran or next-of-kin of a deceased veteran, you may now use vetrecs.archives.gov to order a copy of your military records. For all others, your request is best made using a Standard Form 180. It includes complete instructions for preparing and submitting requests. Please Note: All requests must be in writing, signed and mailed to us at the address shown below.

Address
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100"