THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, March 27, 1996 TAG: 9603270420
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MELISSA GUNDEL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
Where could I get a plaque on the Grampus (SS-523)?
The Grampus was commissioned in 1949. Unfortunately, there might not be a plaque available. Plaques and insignia were undergoing production in the late '50s or early '60s. Most ships would not have had them from the '40s or '50s. Also, those ships that had plaques would not have had them mass-produced - maybe just one or two. When the ship went out of commission, the plaques probably would have been forwarded to the curator of the Navy, who is at the Naval Historical Center in Washington. Any memorabilia of a decomissioned ship is maintained with the curator of the Navy. For starters, try calling the curator branch at (202)433-2220.
Or you could get a reproduction. Get a photograph of one, and then have one made up. There's a local shop that makes plaques.
Nancy Harbison Uniforms and Tailoring in Virginia Beach not only does plaques, but carries the military hats and patches as well. Call 463-3241.
How can I get a copy of my DD-214?
If you are still on active duty, or drilling in a reserve unit, contact your Personnel Office (afloat) or the Personnel Support Activity Detachment (ashore) that maintains your service record. If you are not on active duty, you can obtain a copy of your DD-214 from the Bureau of Naval Personnel, PERS-313D, 2 Navy Annex, Washington, D.C. 20370-3130.
BUPERS maintains your service record for 11 to 13 months after you have completed your military obligation, which includes inactive reserve time. After this, you should write to Director, National Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, Mo. 63132-5100. There is no charge for this \service.
I'm trying to compile some information on the Waller (DD-466). Is there some place I can obtain operational logs or the daily logs for the ships so we can find out what they did during World War II.
For starters, try the deck log section of the ship's history branch of the Naval Historical Center in Washington. Write to the Naval Historical Center, Ship's History Branch, 901 M Street, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20374.
I'd like the number to Tricare in Portsmouth.
The number is 677-6000.
What is the address of the Air Force Military Personnel Center?
Write to the center at DPMARA, 550 C St. West, Suite 11, Randolph AFB, Texas 78150-4713. by CNB