How to Search Military Records (Start Here)
Use the databases below to search military records. These are federal and nationwide sources. For state or county-level records, go to the specific state page.
⚠ Federal databases only cover federal-level data. State and county records require separate searches at the appropriate level.
SearchSystems.net has tracked federal record systems since 1997.
Use the databases below to search military records.
Afghanistan | War Casualties
Official Free
Casualties in Afghanistan. Browse fatalities, by nationality, by year or month.
Air National Guard Units
Official Free
U.S. Air National Guard index of unit locations, phone numbers, and web sites.
Army Casualties | 1961-1981
Official Free
The National Archives and Records Administration. Search by SSN, name, date of casualty, etc. for records of U.S. Army casualties documenting the peri
Army Personnel Locator (.gov or .mil only)
Official Free
Search the Enlisted Records and Evaluation Center (EREC) Army Personnel Locator (available only to .mil or .gov networks).
Civil War Battles
Official Free
Civil War Battles by state or campaign. Provides date(s), campaign, principal commanders, forces engaged, estimated casualties, description, and resu
Civil War Maps
Official Free
Library of Congress service for Civil War Maps by keyword or browse by place, subject, creator, or title.
Civil War | Battle Units
Official Free
National Park Service database of Union and Confederate Civil War Battle Units.
Civil War | Medal of Honor Recipients
Official Free
Civil War Medal of Honor recipients by name, birth state, or citation state.
Civil War | Poplar Grove Cemetery
Official Free
Civil War soldiers buried in the Poplar Grove National Cemetery at Petersburg, Virginia.
Civil War | Prisoners
Official Free
Civil War Confederate Soldiers who were imprisoned at Fort McHenry in Baltimore or Union Soldiers who were imprisoned at Andersonville, Georgia.
Civil War | Soldiers and Sailors
Official Free
National Park Service database of Civil War soldiers and sailors.
Coast Guard Facilities
Official Free
U.S. Coast Guard installations, including bases, stations, depots, air stations, lighthouse services, life-saving services, and shore facilities.
Gorgas Hospital Deaths | 1906-1991
Official Free
Gorgas Hospital Mortuary Registers for the documenting period of 1906-1991.
Iraq War Casualties
Official Free
Iraq War Casualty database indexed by date or search by name, branch, unit age, rank date, and/or cause.
Korean War Casualties
Official Free
National Archives and Records Administration records of Korean War Casualties.
Korean War | Casualties
Official Free
The National Archives and Records Administration. Search by serial number, name, service code, etc. for Korean War dead and wounded Army casualties do
Locating Veterans & Service Members
Official Free
Information on how to locate U.S. veterans and active duty service members.
Military Brats
Official Free
Search for Military Brats nationwide. Note: the only names listed are from individuals who have registered.
Military Records
Official Free
National Archives and Records Administration information on how to request copies of your military service records, including DD-214's.
Military Status Finder
Official Free
Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDS) status finder searches, including military status, evacuation tracking, active duty status, military lending and m
Missing Persons | Navy and Marines
Official Free
NCIS listing of missing United States Navy and Marine personnel.
Overseas Memorials and Burials
Official Free
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) database of World War I, World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War overseas burials and memorials.
US-Russia POW/MIA Joint Commission Documents
Official Free
Search by keyword for "documents obtained from archives in the former Soviet Union that pertain to Americans who are unaccounted for from World War II
Valley Forge Muster Roll
Official Free
Searchable muster roll of all of the soldiers who served at the Valley Forge Encampment. Search by name and/or state/regiment.
Veterans Gravesites
Official Free
Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration database of Veterans' grave sites.
Vietnam Dog Handlers
Official Free
Search for members of the Vietname Dog Handler association by name or member number.
Vietnam Military Occupation Specialty (MOS)
Official Free
Search the MilitaryUSA.com database for military occupation specialty (MOS) information by full or partial MOS and military branch. Requires registra
Vietnam POW/MIA Database - Department of Defense
Official Free
Search this Department of Defense database of Vietnam era prisoner of war/missing persons by last name, branch of service, or by home of record state.
Vietnam POW/MIA Database - Library of Congress
Official Free
Search this Library of Congress Federal Research Division database of Vietnam era prisoner of war/missing in action personnel database by keyword or p
Vietnam War | Medals & Decorations
Official Free
The National Archives and Records Administration records of awards and decorations of honor during the Vietnam conflict (1965-1972).
World War One News
Official Free
Search this database of 'The Stars and Stripes' U.S. Army World War I newspapers published from February 8, 1918, to June 13, 1919 by keyword/phrase,
World War Two Army Enlistment Records
Official Free
The National Archives and Records Administration enlistment and reserve corps records by army serial number, name, enlistment date, etc. for 1938-1946
World War Two Dead & Missing | Army & Army Air Force
Official Free
U.S. National Archives & Records Administration database of World War II dead and missing Army and Army Air Forces personnel by state and county.
World War Two Dead & Missing | Navy, Marines, Coast Guard
Official Free
U.S. National Archives & Records Administration database of Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard World War II dead and missing personnel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to search military records?▼
Start with the primary database listed above. Each system is specialized - use the Returns vs Excludes table to identify which one matches your needs.
Why does my search return no results?▼
Federal databases only cover federal-level data. If you need state or county records, go to the specific state page. Federal and state systems are completely separate.
Is there a single database for all these records?▼
No. Each federal agency maintains its own system independently. You must search the specific agency that handles the record type you need.
Other Federal Databases
Last reviewed: