Recently, Fold3 announced the arrival of a new World War I record set. The Arkansas, WWI Discharge Records, 1917-1919. The description from Fold3 and also the Arkansas State Archives is Key Information Included in the Records:
- Biographical Data: Veteran’s age, place of birth, and place of residence at the time of service.
- Military Service Details: Specific information regarding their enlistment, unit assignments, and discharge.
- Casualty Information: For service members who died during the war, the records include the date of death and the location of their burial.
What’s Wrong About These Records?
First, these are not discharge papers. Let’s be crystal clear about that. A discharge paper is an actual paper, not an index card of service facts.
Second, a discharge paper was not issued for World War I or World War II for those who died or were killed while in service. For those who died in World War I, a Burial File would have been created. For World War II, an Individual Deceased Personnel File. Not a discharge because if you are dead, you cannot be discharged.
Third, these should be labeled Statement of Service Cards. If you read the fine print on the back of these cards – these are Statement of Service Cards. It is clearly indicated. These cards can be used to find valuable facts to include in your Timeline of Service and to continue your military research. However, they do not exist for every state. If they do exist for your state, you should check the State Archives or Ancestry, FamilySearch or Fold3. Remember though, they may be incorrectly called discharge papers.
If you are ready to learn the 2-part research strategy to research any veteran even if the records burned and how to locate and navigate Army Morning Reports on NARA Catalog – register for one of my upcoming small group coaching sessions. These are focused trainings in Zoom Meeting format to answer your questions and teach you the military skills you need to find answers.
Coming in May 2026. All programs can be found here.
Tuesday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m. CST WWII Cafe (Free)
Wednesday, May 6, at 7:00 p.m. CST. WWII Death Records Guided Group Coaching (90-minutes)
NEW! Thursday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m. CST NARA Catalog Army Morning Reports Coaching (1-hour) If you have struggled to find he Morning Reports you need, join me for this 1-hour Zoom coaching and learn how to make the catalog less frustrating. I’ll also show you how to download full months’ reports.
Tuesday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m. CST Organize Your Military Research + Timeline
Wednesday, May 13 at 11:00 a.m. CST WWII Army Records Small Group Coaching (plus Morning Reports)
Wednesday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m. CST WWII Prisoner of War Records Small Group Coaching
Thursday, May 14 at 11:00 a.m. CST at 7:00 p.m. CST NARA Catalog Army Morning Reports Coaching
Thursday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m. CST WWII Records Small Group Coaching
Tuesday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m. CST WWII Army Records Small Group Coaching (plus Morning Reports)
Wednesday, May 20 at 11:00 a.m. CST Organize Your Military Research + Timeline
Wednesday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m. CST at 7:00 p.m. CST NARA Catalog Army Morning Reports Coaching
Friday, May 22 at 11:00 a.m. CST at 7:00 p.m. CST NARA Catalog Army Morning Reports Coaching
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