Someone I know claims to have served as a Ranger. How can I verify his claim?
Personnel discharged before October 6, 1945 may have records at the
Military Personnel Records Center (MPRC)
9700 Page Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

MPRC contains records of Army officers separated between June 30, 1917 and October 6, 1945, Army enlisted men between October 31, 1912 and October 6, 1945. Also Army Air Corps and Army Air Force personnel records for these years. In July, 1973 a fire at the MPRC destroyed about 80% of the records for Army personnel discharged between November 1, 1912 and January 1, 1960. About 75% of the records for Air Force personnel with surnames from Hubbard through "Z," discharged between September 25, 1947 and January 1, 1964, were destroyed. Some alternate information may be obtained from records in the various state offices of the Adjutant General and in the offices of veteran service, military and patriotic organizations.

Records of Army and Air Force personnel separated after October 6, 1945, are at
Army Records Center
Department of the Army
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

You may make a request from these organizations under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

How do I research medals and awards for myself or another Ranger?
First, get an official record from the Army Records Center in St. Louis under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Also, for medals and awards reaching back to Vietnam, WWII, etc., you should research Army archives at the Center for Military History in DC. Even if you don't get specific citations, you will be able to verify morning reports and other documents about the unit.

You should also write the Ranger's congressman. They may be able to help their constituents in this way. With that information you can find the name of the Ranger's unit commander, and then do a search on the Internet. Often the best course of action is to contact former members of the Ranger's unit, especially if you can attend a reunion; unit members have good memories at times. If you are researching for someone else, and the members of the Ranger's unit can't or don't want to assist, or if their memories are dim, that could indicate the events didn't happen.

You can also contact the Ranger's unit coordinator in the 75th Ranger Regt Association. Some of them have web sites. Citations like this have to be checked and cross-checked and verified through statements and records - it's not easy to get an award after a long period of time, and there may be cynicism regarding people who want an award decades after the "never received it". But if you or a Ranger you know deserves the award, it's worth making sure that they and their families receive it. Researching is up to the Ranger and/or his friends and family. USARA does not have the resources to do this.

How can I contribute to the USARA's efforts?
The US Army Ranger Association, Inc., (USARA), is a Georgia Corporation organized, for tax purposes, as a Tax Exempt Organization pursuant to the provisions of Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c) (19). Accordingly, cash and appreciated assets such as stocks, bonds, airplanes etc. contributions to the USARA are deductible by the donor based upon the assets' market value on the date of the contribution or gift. Many donors choose to contribute appreciated assets since it avoids the tax on the capital gain while giving the donor the tax benefit of the fair market value of the donated asset.

USARA participates in many Ranger community causes such as the Ranger Memorial Foundation, Ranger Hall of Fame, Best Ranger Competition, and the Antelope Island Memorial. We also have our association programs such the USARA Memorial Building Fund, an award of $300.00 to the Soldier & NCO of the Year for the 75th Ranger Regiment and Ranger Training Brigade, $100.00 to the 75th Regiment Runners-up, as well as other Ranger and Special Operations causes. As a donor you can target your donation to a specific USARA cause or dedicate it to general use.

This is an appeal to please keep the USARA in mind when doing your periodic contribution, donation, and gift assessments and your estate planning.

You can contact your regional director, or send donations to:
U. S. Army Ranger Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 52126
Fort Benning, GA 31995-2126