how do i find out the service record of a former US soldier.

[henry r]

i'm trying to find out the service record of a friends' father. if he served in the Australian military it would be no problem for me, but I have no idea how to go about it for a US serviceman.
a little googling recommends downloading a program from a particular site, but I couldn't find the link to the download there. (plus the site looks to have last been updated 20 years ago and that makes me rather nervous)

my friend was adopted when her father was in his 50's, by the time she was old enough to register what he said, he was basically an alcoholic and told a lot of stories with dubious amounts of truth behind them... so she doesn't know what of what he said was true and what was wasn't.

from his stories he served in korea, as a male nurse or a medic. he was a volunteer not a conscript. edit: she thinks he was army as he said soldier not marine.

there was a picture of him in uniform in their house. (as a dual citizen) her parents used to get cheques from the US government that she was told were for her as a dependant of a returned serviceman, so she thinks he must have served in active duty somewhere.

the guy i'm trying to find out about is:

Herbert Edward Johnson

born 16th july 1932 in chicago.


thanks.
henry.

Information

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[CINDERS]

Henry if you have his service number that would also narrow the field for the chaps.

[henry r]

sorry, no idea.

unfortunately even the picture is gone.

[CINDERS]

You may get lucky there are some pretty clever fellows here.

[browningautorifle]

There are sites to join that have US service records but without a number, you'll get the phone book. Even with the birthdate...

[Cosine26]

Google the National Personnel Records Center, NPRC is probably enough. Try this URL:
The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) | National Archives
Once you get to the web page just follow the directions.
I believe that if you just "click" on the underlined phrase, it will take you t the site.

[henry r]

Thanks cosine.

I had no idea of the sheer numbers of US veterans. This might take a little longer than i thought. It will be a little more complicated too...

[Flying10uk]

I wonder if you try looking through the applicable U.S. Korean War Service medal records to try to find Herbert Edward Johnson first which should give you a service number? Presumably he was entitled to a Korean Service Medal? It may be less names to trawl trough than just going straight to the service records.

[Cosine26]

henry r
My rough figures indicate that in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam there were ~ 34.6 million who served. This is not totally accurate for some served in more than one war. I served in WWII. Korea and would be counted twice. I also served during the Cold War so may have been counted three times.
FWIW

[Paul S.]

An easy route is to go to Ancestry.com if you are a member.