### Section F. Merchant Marine Service Records

#### Overview

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > This section contains the following topics:           |
| #### In th |                                                         |
| is Section |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

  ------------ ---------------------------------------------- ------------
  Topic        Topic Name                                     See Page

  36           General Information on Veteran Status Based on 2-F-2
               Merchant Marine Service                        

  37           Information Required for a Claim               2-F-5

  38           Merchant Marine Service Record Requests        2-F-8

  39           Service Medical Records (SMRs) for Merchant    2-F-11
               Marine Service Under the Jurisdiction of the   
               Army or Navy                                   

  40           SMRs for Merchant Marine Service Under the     2-F-12
               Jurisdiction of the Coast Guard                

  41           Merchant Marine Logbook Records                2-F-16

  42           Records Available for Combat-Related Injuries  2-F-19

  43           Records Available From the Marine Index        2-F-21
               Bureau, Inc. (MIB)                             

  44           Addresses for National Archives and Records    2-F-23
               Administration (NARA) Regional Archives        

  45           Exhibit 1: Merchant Marine Service Development 2-F-27
               Letter for the Public Health Service (PHS)     

  46           Exhibit 2: Marine Index Bureau Sample Pattern  2-F-28
               Letter to a Claimant                           

  47           Exhibit 3: U.S. Army Transport Corps or Navy   2-F-29
               Transport Service Development Letter           
  ------------ ---------------------------------------------- ------------

#### 36. General Information on Veteran Status Based on Merchant Marine Service

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains general information on veteran    |
| troduction | > status based on Merchant Marine service, including    |
|            | > information on                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the legislative background                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the benefits available                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   who is eligible for discharge certificates          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   applying for a *DD Form 214*, *Certificate of       |
|            |     Discharge or Release from Active Duty*, or a *DD    |
|            |     Form 1300*, *Report of Casualty*, and               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   determining where to send *DD Form 2168,            |
|            |     Application for Discharge of Member or Survivor of  |
|            |     Member of Group Certified To Have Performed Active  |
|            |     Duty with the Armed Forces of the United States*.   |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > December 13, 2005                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > *Public Law (PL) 95-202* acknowledged active duty     |
| #### a. Le | > service for certain World War II (WWII) Merchant      |
| gislative  | > Marine seamen effective January 19, 1988.             |
| Background |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### b    | > *PL 105-368*, Section 402, provides that the          |
| . Benefits | > "qualified service" of certain merchant mariners      |
|  Available | > between August 16, 1945, and December 31, 1946, is    |
|            | > deemed active duty service for purposes of the        |
|            | > following benefits:                                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   burial flags                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   burial allowance for certain indigent wartime       |
|            |     veterans                                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   plot allowance payable to a State for a burial in   |
|            |     certain "state-owned" cemeteries or cemetery        |
|            |     sections                                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   headstones and markers                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   interment in national cemeteries, and               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   markers in memorial areas of national cemeteries    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Important***: Merchant Marine service after August |
|            | > 15, 1945, does *not* establish eligibility for        |
|            | > compensation and/or pension.                          |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

36\. General Information on Veteran Status Based on Merchant Marine
Service, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > Merchant Marine seamen, who served under the Coast    |
| #### c. Wh | > Guard, Naval Transportation Service, or Army          |
| o Is Eligi | > Transportation Service in active, oceangoing service  |
| ble for Di | > during the period from December 7, 1941, to August    |
| scharge Ce | > 15, 1945, are eligible to receive discharge           |
| rtificates | > certificates.                                         |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Each of these services will issue a *DD Form 214*,    |
|            | > *Certificate of Discharge or Release from Active      |
|            | > Duty*, or a *DD Form 1300*, *Report of Casualty*, as  |
|            | > applicable.                                           |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > To apply for a *DD Form 214* or *DD Form 1300*, a     |
| #### d. Ap | > claimant must                                         |
| plying for |                                                         |
|  a DD Form | -   complete and sign *DD Form 2168*, *Application for  |
|  214 or DD |     Discharge of Member or Survivor of Member of Group  |
|  Form 1300 |     Certified To Have Performed Active Duty with the    |
|            |     Armed Forces of the United States*, and             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   submit the *DD Form 2168* to the appropriate        |
|            |     service department.                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Notes***:                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   If the Merchant seaman is deceased, the applicant   |
|            |     must submit a certificate of death with the *DD     |
|            |     Form 2168*.                                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   An applicant must resubmit the *DD Form 2168* and   |
|            |     supporting documentation to establish periods of    |
|            |     duty other than those which are shown in Item 18,   |
|            |     REMARKS, on the *DD Form 214*.                      |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### e    | > Use the information below to determine where the      |
| . Determin | > claimant should send the *DD Form 2168*.              |
| ing Where  |                                                         |
| to Send DD |                                                         |
|  Form 2168 |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| If the alleged service was      | Then send the DD Form 2168 to the  |
| employment ...                  | ...                                |
+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| as a civil servant for the U.S. | > Commander                        |
| Army Transport Service, which   | >                                  |
| was later redesignated as the   | > U.S. Army Human Resources        |
| U.S. Army Transportation Corps, | > Command                          |
| Water Division                  | >                                  |
|                                 | > ATTN: PSV-V                      |
|                                 | >                                  |
|                                 | > 1 Reserve Way                    |
|                                 |                                    |
|                                 | St. Louis, MO 63132-5200           |
+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| as a civil servant for the      | Naval Military Personnel Command   |
| Naval Transportation Service    |                                    |
|                                 | PERS-312                           |
|                                 |                                    |
|                                 | > Millington, TN 38054-5045        |
+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

36\. General Information on Veteran Status Based on Merchant Marine
Service, Continued

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  e\. Determining Where to Send DD Form 2168 (continued)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| If the alleged service was      | Then send the DD Form 2168 to the  |
| employment ...                  | ...                                |
+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+
| with the                        | > National Maritime Center         |
|                                 | >                                  |
| -   War Shipping                | > 4200 Wilson Blvd.                |
|     Administration, or          | >                                  |
|                                 | > Suite 630                        |
| -   Office of Defense           | >                                  |
|     Transportation or their     | > Arlington, VA 22203-1804         |
|     agents, and                 | >                                  |
|                                 | > ***Telephone number***: (202)    |
| -   acknowledged by the U.S.    | > 493-1039                         |
|     Coast Guard or Department   |                                    |
|     of Commerce, in a document  |                                    |
|     such as a Merchant          |                                    |
|     Mariner\'s                  |                                    |
|     Document/Certificate of     |                                    |
|     Service                     |                                    |
+---------------------------------+------------------------------------+

#### 37. Information Required for a Claim

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains instruction regarding the         |
| troduction | > information that is required for a claim, including   |
|            | > information on                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the forms required for a claim                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the required information on the *DD Form 214*       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the required statement for Item 18 on *DD Form 214* |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the correct voyage entries and release dates on *DD |
|            |     Form 214*                                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the information required on the *DD Form 1300*      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   claims establishment (CEST) processing              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Coast Guard certification, and                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Veterans Assistance Discharge System (VADS)         |
|            |     entries.                                            |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > December 13, 2005                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > Advise the claimant                                   |
|  a. Forms  |                                                         |
| Required f | -   that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot |
| or a Claim |     initiate development of a claim without a *DD Form  |
|            |     214* or *DD Form 1300*, and                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   to submit the original or a certified copy of the   |
|            |     *DD Form 214* or *DD Form 1300*.                    |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### b.   | > Each *DD Form 214* must contain the veteran's         |
|  Required  |                                                         |
| Informatio | -   name                                                |
| n on the D |                                                         |
| D Form 214 | -   department                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   component                                           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   branch: *U.S.C.G.\--Merchant Marine*                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Social Security number (SSN)                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   date of birth (DOB)                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   mailing address after separation                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   type of separation: *DISCHARGE*                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   character of service: *HONORABLE*                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   separation authority: *PUBLIC LAW 95-202*, and      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   separation reason: *END OF HOSTILITIES*.            |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

37\. Information Required for a Claim, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > The following statements *must* be shown on the *DD   |
| # c. Requi | > Form 214* in Item 18, REMARKS:                        |
| red Statem | >                                                       |
| ent for It | > "*The above individual falls into a special class of  |
| em 18 on D | > World War II merchant mariners. The complete sea      |
| D Form 214 | > service records for these individuals, which indicate |
|            | > specific sailing dates and vessel names, cannot be    |
|            | > located due to their no longer being in the Federal   |
|            | > records system; were lost with the ship; or the       |
|            | > individual served aboard the ship in a capacity for   |
|            | > which official records were not kept*."               |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > "*Based on the information available, the Coast Guard |
|            | > certifies that the above individual has at least 90   |
|            | > days of service aboard oceangoing vessels during the  |
|            | > period between 7 December 1941 and 15 August 1945*."  |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > The *DD Form 214* issued should show the              |
| # d. Corre |                                                         |
| ct Voyage  | -   entered on date (EOD) as December 7, 1941, or the   |
| Entries an |     date of the earliest voyage, and                    |
| d Release  |                                                         |
| Dates on D | -   released from active duty (RAD) as the date of      |
| D Form 214 |     completion of the last voyage or August 15, 1945.   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Notes***:                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   The actual voyages and inclusive dates of each      |
|            |     voyage will be shown in the REMARKS block, Item 18. |
|            |     If all of the voyages cannot be entered in the      |
|            |     REMARKS block, an attachment sheet to the *DD Form  |
|            |     214* will be provided.                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   For computation of service, only the actual dates   |
|            |     of each voyage are considered as qualifying active  |
|            |     duty for VA purposes.                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Do *not* use the information provided in Item 12    |
|            |     (RECORD OF SERVICE) to determine an applicant\'s    |
|            |     entitlement to VA benefits.                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### e.   | > If the death of a Merchant Marine seaman occurred     |
| Informatio | > during service, *DD Form 1300*, *Report of Casualty*, |
| n Required | > was issued in lieu of *DD Form 214*.                  |
|  on the DD | >                                                       |
|  Form 1300 | > The *DD Form 1300* should show the equivalent         |
|            | > military pay grade. If the pay grade information is   |
|            | > not provided, request pay grade verification by       |
|            | > following the instructions in M21-1MR, Part III,      |
|            | > Subpart iii, 2.J.74.                                  |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

37\. Information Required for a Claim, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > During claims establishment (CEST) processing, update |
| # f. CEST  | > the Beneficiary Identification and Records Locator    |
| Processing | > Subsystem (BIRLS) by entering the beginning and       |
|            | > ending dates of the three earliest voyages.           |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > If the three earliest voyages do not satisfy the      |
|            | > minimum 90-day active duty requirement for pension,   |
|            | > enter the three longest voyages.                      |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > The Coast Guard will certify 90 days of service in    |
| # g. Coast | > certain cases, without providing specific periods of  |
|  Guard Cer | > service, if there is proof of sailing on oceangoing   |
| tification | > vessels, but the records of vessels or dates of       |
|            | > voyages are incomplete due to the capacity served,    |
|            | > such as Captain or Coast Pilot.                       |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > The Coast Guard has sufficient evidence to            |
|            | > substantiate eligibility in each case.                |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Note***: Enter the date released from active duty  |
|            | > (RAD) as August 15, 1945, or the date of death, if    |
|            | > earlier.                                              |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > The Veterans Assistance Discharge System (VADS) unit  |
| #### h. VA | > at the Austin Data Processing Center enters \"*DEV*\" |
| DS Entries | > as the separation reason into BIRLS to suppress a     |
|            | > package of applications, which is sent to recently    |
|            | > discharged veterans.                                  |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > If \"*SAT*\" is shown in Item 26, Separation Code, on |
|            | > the *DD Form 214*, update BIRLS to reflect the        |
|            | > correct entry. Do not submit a request to clarify     |
|            | > this discrepancy, since all are considered            |
|            | > satisfactory service (SAT).                           |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Reference***: For more information on the VADS     |
|            | > data format field on the BIRLS vid screen, see the    |
|            | > SHARE User Guide.                                     |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 38. Merchant Marine Service Record Requests 

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on Merchant Marine    |
| troduction | > service record requests, including                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the information required when requesting service    |
|            |     records                                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   requesting                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   prisoner of war (POW) records, and                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   records for U.S. Maritime Service                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   determining continuity of treatment, and            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the problems associated with Merchant Marine        |
|            |     service medical records (SMRs).                     |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > December 13, 2005                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > When requesting medical records, pay grade data, or   |
| #### a. In | > other records                                         |
| formation  |                                                         |
| Required w | -   send a copy of the *DD Form 214* with the request,  |
| hen Reques |     or                                                  |
| ting Servi |                                                         |
| ce Records | -   include the following information from the *DD Form |
|            |     214* REMARKS Section:                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   the identification number of the vessel             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the name of the vessel                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the veteran's SSN (not included in death cases)     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the Z number, if available, and                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the veteran's date of birth.                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Notes***:                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   The names of vessels may not be sufficient for      |
|            |     identification of service records, since the names  |
|            |     of the vessels could have been changed. However,    |
|            |     the identification numbers were always retained.    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   The Z number was a number assigned to Merchant      |
|            |     Marine seamen that is comparable to a service       |
|            |     number.                                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Reference***: For more information on the address  |
|            | > codes for Merchant Marine                             |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > service records, see M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii,  |
|            | > 2.J.74.                                               |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

38\. Merchant Marine Service Record Requests, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > Time spent as a former prisoner of war (POW) does     |
| #### b. Re | > count as qualifying service for Merchant Marine       |
| questing P | > seamen. The Coast Guard (address code 52), has most   |
| OW Records | > of the names of those who were held captive. The      |
|            | > names were obtained from a list compiled by the Coast |
|            | > Guard and the Department of Defense (DoD) in 1950.    |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Notes***:                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   If verified POW dates are available, they should be |
|            |     listed in the REMARKS block of the *DD Form 214*,   |
|            |     above the actual voyages/dates of each voyage.      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   For POW records, the RAD date on the *DD Form 214*  |
|            |     can be later than August 15, 1945. If the veteran   |
|            |     was captured, the period of qualifying service is   |
|            |     from the beginning date of the voyage during which  |
|            |     the veteran was captured to the date the veteran    |
|            |     was repatriated.                                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Example**:* John Smith served on the ship, Ft.     |
|            | > Benjamin Harrison. The voyage began December 7, 1941, |
|            | > and the crew was captured and held until September    |
|            | > 13, 1945. Mr. Smith was repatriated on September 13,  |
|            | > 1945. His service from December 7, 1941, to September |
|            | > 13, 1945, is considered one period of qualifying      |
|            | > service.                                              |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) (address |
| ## c. Requ | > code 13) has records of Merchant Marine seamen        |
| esting Rec | > trained by the U.S. Maritime Service.                 |
| ords for U | >                                                       |
| .S. Mariti | > Request these records through the Personnel           |
| me Service | > Information Exchange System (PIES), using the Army    |
|            | > branch tab. The following information must be         |
|            | > provided in the request:                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the name used by the veteran during training        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   DOB, and                                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   SSN.                                                |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

38\. Merchant Marine Service Record Requests, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > If a disability compensation claim is filed           |
| # d. Deter |                                                         |
| mining Con | -   ask the claimant to provide evidence of continuity  |
| tinuity of |     of treatment for the claimed conditions from date   |
|  Treatment |     of separation to present, and                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   advise the claimant                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   that difficulty may be encountered in obtaining     |
|            |     SMRs                                                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   to provide as detailed information as possible, and |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   that the disabilities claimed *must* have occurred  |
|            |     during actual voyages, not merely while attached to |
|            |     a vessel.                                           |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > Merchant Marine SMRs                                  |
| # e. Probl |                                                         |
| ems Associ | -   are difficult to obtain, and                        |
| ated With  |                                                         |
| Merchant M | -   may not be as detailed or as complete as those VA   |
| arine SMRs |     has historically received from the Army, Air Force, |
|            |     Marine Corps, and Navy.                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Reference***: For more information on obtaining    |
|            | > Merchant Marine service records, see M21-1MR, Part    |
|            | > III, Subpart iii, 2.J.74.                             |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 39. Service Medical Records (SMRs) for Merchant Marine Service Under the Jurisdiction of the Army or Navy 

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on SMRs for Merchant  |
| troduction | > Marine service under the jurisdiction of the Army or  |
|            | > Navy. It includes information on                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the type of Merchant Marine service under the Army  |
|            |     or Navy, and                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   how to obtain SMRS for service under the Army or    |
|            |     Navy.                                               |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > December 13, 2005                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > A small number of Merchant Marine seamen served as    |
| ## a. Type | > civil servants employed by the U.S. Army Transport    |
|  of Mercha | > Service, later designated the U.S. Army               |
| nt Marine  | > Transportation Corps, Water Division, or the Naval    |
| Service Un | > Transportation Service.                               |
| der the Ar |                                                         |
| my or Navy |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > For service under the Army or Navy, the Merchant      |
| ### b. How | > Marine seaman's SMRs are located at the National      |
|  to Obtain | > Personnel Records Center (NPRC), Civilian Personnel   |
|  SMRs for  | > Records.                                              |
| Service Un | >                                                       |
| der the Ar | > To obtain the medical records, use the letter in      |
| my or Navy | > M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii, 2.F.45 for Merchant   |
|            | > Marine seamen whose service was documented by the     |
|            | > Army or Navy.                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > ***Note***: It is unlikely that the Public Health Service (PHS)     |
| > will have any medical records for Merchant Marine seamen who served |
| > under the jurisdiction of the Army or Navy.                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

#### 40. SMRs for Merchant Marine Service Under the Jurisdiction of the Coast Guard

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on Coast Guard        |
| troduction | > records for Merchant Marine service, including        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   more information on locating Merchant Marine SMRs   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the availability of SMRs                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   requesting SMRs from the Public Health Service      |
|            |     (PHS)                                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   instructions for submitting a request for SMRs to   |
|            |     the PHS                                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the action a regional office (RO) should take if it |
|            |     is unable to provide the required information to    |
|            |     the PHS                                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   instructions for locating records of overseas       |
|            |     treatment, and                                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   information concerning treatment onboard ship.      |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > December 13, 2005                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a.   | > For more information on locating Merchant Marine      |
|  More Info | > SMRs, see                                             |
| rmation on |                                                         |
|  Locating  | -   M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii, 2.F.39, and         |
| Merchant M |                                                         |
| arine SMRs | -   M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii, 2.F.40.             |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### b. A | > It is not possible to request SMRs for Merchant       |
| vailabilit | > Seamen who served under the jurisdiction of the Coast |
| y of SMRs  | > Guard, as these seamen do not have a medical file as  |
|            | > such.                                                 |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > However, these seamen were eligible to receive        |
|            | > medical treatment at PHS hospitals, and the PHS does  |
|            | > have microfilm copies of certain medical records.     |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

40\. SMRs for Merchant Marine Service Under the Jurisdiction of the
Coast Guard, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### c    | > If the claimant alleges treatment at a PHS hospital   |
| . Requesti | > *and* the claimant can furnish the minimum            |
| ng SMRs Fr | > information as required below, send a request to the  |
| om the PHS | > PHS.                                                  |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > For the PHS to conduct a search, the request          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   *must* include                                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   the veteran\'s full name and any aliases            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the veteran's DOB                                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the location (state, at a minimum) of the           |
|            |     clinic(s)/hospital(s) where the veteran was         |
|            |     treated, and                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the month and year of treatment (provide at least   |
|            |     the decade), and                                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   should include, if available                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   the veteran's SSN and/or Z number, which is         |
|            |     comparable to a service number, and                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   any other identifying information.                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Important***: Do *not* send a request to the PHS   |
|            | > if the veteran                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   is unable to furnish the minimum required           |
|            |     information, or                                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   did not claim treatment at a PHS facility.          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: The PHS must search reels of microfilm to |
|            | > find treatment records. Therefore, the more specific  |
|            | > information furnished, the greater the likelihood the |
|            | > desired records will be located.                      |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

40\. SMRs for Merchant Marine Service Under the Jurisdiction of the
Coast Guard, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > Prepare a request using the letter found in M21-1MR,  |
| ## d. How  | > Part III, Subpart iii, 2.F.45                         |
| to Make th |                                                         |
| e Request  | -   providing the information listed in M21-1MR, Part   |
| to the PHS |     III, Subpart iii, 2.F.40.c, and                     |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   attaching a *VA Form 21-4142*, *Authorization and   |
|            |     Consent to Release Information to the Department of |
|            |     Veterans Affairs*.                                  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > Send the request to:                                  |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Medical Records                                       |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Health Data Center                                    |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Hansen\'s Disease Programs                            |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > 1770 Physicians Park Drive                            |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Baton Rouge, LA 70816                                 |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Note***: Telephone 1-800-642-2477 or (225)         |
|            | > 756-3773 if priority/expedited assistance is          |
|            | > required.                                             |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Important***: All correspondence should include    |
|            | > the name and telephone number of the requester.       |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > If the information required to submit a request to    |
| ### e. Act | > PHS is not available, review M21-1MR, Part III,       |
| ion to Tak | > Subpart iii, 2.F.41 and 42 to determine if there is   |
| e if Unabl | > any possibility that records may be available from    |
| e to Provi | > National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)   |
| de Require | > or the Office of Maritime Labor and Training.         |
| d Informat | >                                                       |
| ion to PHS | > Once all possible sources for records have been       |
|            | > queried, route the claim to the rating activity for   |
|            | > final rating action.                                  |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Notes***:                                          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   The rating decision must outline the efforts made   |
|            |     to obtain the records.                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   The letter to the claimant must explain that a      |
|            |     search cannot be conducted for medical records      |
|            |     without the minimum required information outlined   |
|            |     in M21-1MR,Part III, Subpart iii, 2.F.40.c.         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

40\. SMRs for Merchant Marine Service Under the Jurisdiction of the
Coast Guard, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### f    | > The PHS does not possess records for veterans who     |
| . Locating | > were treated at military or other facilities          |
|  Records o | > overseas.                                             |
| f Overseas | >                                                       |
|  Treatment | > Use the table below to determine how to obtain        |
|            | > medical records if the claimant alleges overseas      |
|            | > treatment.                                            |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+---------------------------+------------------------------------------+
| If ...                    | Then ...                                 |
+---------------------------+------------------------------------------+
| a claimant alleges        | obtain as much identifying information   |
| overseas treatment        | about the treatment facility as possible |
|                           | from the claimant, such as the           |
|                           |                                          |
|                           | -   complete name, address, location,    |
|                           |     and nation administering the         |
|                           |     facility                             |
|                           |                                          |
|                           | -   date(s) of treatment, and            |
|                           |                                          |
|                           | -   conditions treated.                  |
+---------------------------+------------------------------------------+
| the treatment facility is | send a PIES request to NPRC asking for   |
| located in the U.S.       | clinical records, using request code     |
|                           | C01.                                     |
+---------------------------+------------------------------------------+
| the treatment facility is | write to the facility, enclosing a       |
| not located in the U.S.   | release of information form (*VA Form    |
|                           | 21-4142*) signed by the claimant,        |
|                           | explaining what is needed and why.       |
|                           |                                          |
|                           | ***Reference***: For information on      |
|                           | preparing PIES requests for service      |
|                           | records, see M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart  |
|                           | iii, 2.D.                                |
+---------------------------+------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > The PHS does not possess records of medical treatment |
| # g. Infor | > furnished onboard a ship.                             |
| mation Con | >                                                       |
| cerning Tr | > If the claimant alleges treatment for injury or       |
| eatment On | > illness onboard ship, logbook development may be      |
| board Ship | > appropriate.                                          |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Reference***: For more information on logbook      |
|            | > development, see M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii,      |
|            | > 2.F.41.                                               |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 41. Merchant Marine Logbook Records

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on Merchant Marine    |
| troduction | > logbook records, including                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the purpose of logbook records                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the effects of privacy restrictions                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   obtaining information on shipboard injuries         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the information to include in requests to the       |
|            |     National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the information NARA furnishes to claimants, and    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the records available                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   for vessels with foreign registration, and          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   from the U.S. Army Transportation Corps or Naval    |
|            |     Transportation Service.                             |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > December 13, 2005                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > Captains of Merchant Marine vessels employed by the   |
|  a. Purpos | > Coast Guard maintained daily logbooks. The logbooks   |
| e of Logbo | > are now in the possession of National Archives and    |
| ok Records | > Records Administration (NARA) regional archives.      |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > These logbooks are *not* the traditional ships' logs  |
|            | > often referred to as "deck logs," in which masters    |
|            | > recorded the daily entries that concerned the         |
|            | > position and operation of the ship.                   |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > The logbooks in the NARA regional archives were       |
|            | > issued to masters of vessels in accordance with       |
|            | > Federal laws and regulations passed to protect the    |
|            | > health and welfare of Merchant Marine seamen. Entries |
|            | > were required to record offenses and desertions       |
|            | > punishable by forfeiture of wages, and injuries or    |
|            | > illnesses of crewmembers.                             |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### b. E | > Since logbooks contain information relating to many   |
| ffects of  | > individuals that may be of a personal nature, they    |
| Privacy Re | > are subject to privacy restrictions. Therefore,       |
| strictions | > entries that relate to medical or disciplinary        |
|            | > matters concerning individuals other than the subject |
|            | > of the inquiry may be deleted by NARA.                |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

41\. Merchant Marine Logbook Records, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > Logbooks may contain entries pertaining to injuries   |
| ### c. Obt | > suffered by Merchant Marine seamen.                   |
| aining Inf | >                                                       |
| ormation o | > If a claimant alleges an injury or illness that       |
| n Shipboar | > occurred onboard ship, send a letter to the National  |
| d Injuries | > Archives requesting a logbook search for evidence of  |
|            | > the illness or injury. No release of information      |
|            | > authorization is required.                            |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > Letters to NARA requesting logbook searches for       |
| #### d. In | > evidence should be accompanied by a photocopy of the  |
| formation  | > veteran\'s *DD Form 214* and should include the       |
| to Include | > following information:                                |
|  in Reques |                                                         |
| ts to NARA | -   the full name                                       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   under which the veteran served, and                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   of the vessel on which the incident occurred        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | ```{=html}                                              |
|            | <!-- -->                                                |
|            | ```                                                     |
|            | -   the name of the port where the voyage ended, and    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the approximate dates of the voyage (month and      |
|            |     year).                                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Note***: If the voyage started at one port and     |
|            | > ended at different port, write to the NARA regional   |
|            | > archives for the port where the voyage *ended*.       |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Reference***: For information about the addresses  |
|            | > of the NARA regional archives, see M21-1MR, Part III, |
|            | > Subpart iii, 2.F.44.                                  |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > NARA will furnish individual Merchant Marine seamen   |
| #### e. In | > or their surviving dependents with one set of copies, |
| formation  | > free of charge, of the logbook entries needed to      |
| Furnished  | > verify the seaman\'s service in the Merchant Marine   |
| by NARA to | > between December 7, 1941, and August 15, 1945.        |
|  Claimants | >                                                       |
|            | > Claimants should state in their requests that the     |
|            | > information sought is needed to obtain financial      |
|            | > benefits from VA.                                     |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Note***: NARA requires reimbursement for           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   extra copies of logbook pages, as well as copies of |
|            |     logbook materials not needed to verify service in   |
|            |     the Merchant Marine during WWII, and                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   copies of entire logbooks.                          |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

41\. Merchant Marine Logbook Records, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > Logbook records are not available for vessels         |
|  f. Record | > registered in foreign countries, such as Panama.      |
| s Availabl | >                                                       |
| e for Vess | > ***Notes***:                                          |
| els With F |                                                         |
| oreign Reg | -   These vessels were not required to maintain and     |
| istration  |     turn in logbooks, even if the vessel was owned by a |
|            |     United States company and operated under War        |
|            |     Shipping Administration control.                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Neither the Coast Guard nor the National Archives   |
|            |     are able to provide crew lists for such vessels.    |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ####       | > Logbooks are not available for Merchant Marine seamen |
| # g. Recor | > who were employed by the U.S. Army Transportation     |
| ds Availab | > Corps or the Naval Transportation Service.            |
| le From U. | >                                                       |
| S. Army Tr | > ***Reference***: For more information on obtaining    |
| ansportati | > medical evidence for claimants who were employed by   |
| on Corps o | > the U.S. Army Transportation Corps or the Naval       |
| r Naval Tr | > Transportation Service, see M21-1MR, Part III,        |
| ansportati | > Subpart iii, 2.F.47.                                  |
| on Service |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 42. Records Available for Combat-Related Injuries

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on records available  |
| troduction | > to confirm the incurrence of combat-related injuries, |
|            | > including information on                              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   obtaining documentation of combat-related injuries  |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   records maintained at the Office of Maritime Labor  |
|            |     and Training                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   documents of interest to the Department of Veterans |
|            |     Affairs (VA)                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   where to send requests, and                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   what to include in the requests.                    |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > December 13, 2005                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a    | > Logbooks in the regional archives *do not* usually    |
| . Obtainin | > contain descriptions of wartime actions in which the  |
| g Informat | > vessel was involved.                                  |
| ion on Com | >                                                       |
| bat-Relate | > ***Note***: If a claimant alleges a combat-related    |
| d Injuries | > injury, write to the Office of Maritime Labor and     |
|            | > Training before initiating logbook development with   |
|            | > NARA.                                                 |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Reference***: For more information on obtaining    |
|            | > information from the Office of Maritime Labor and     |
|            | > Training, see                                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii, 2.F.42.d, and       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   M21-1MR, Part III, Subpart iii, 2.F.42.e.           |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > The Department of Transportation Office of Maritime   |
| ### b. Rec | > Labor and Training maintains records of citations and |
| ords Maint | > medals issued to WW II Merchant Marine seamen.        |
| ained at t |                                                         |
| he Office  |                                                         |
| of Maritim |                                                         |
| e Labor an |                                                         |
| d Training |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### c.   | > The Mariners Medal that was authorized for            |
|  Informati | > combat-related injuries, similar to the Purple Heart, |
| on of Inte | > is of particular interest to VA.                      |
| rest to VA | >                                                       |
|            | > If the veteran did receive a medal, a copy of the     |
|            | > citation should be of record and will contain details |
|            | > of the incident. The Mariners Medal was *not* given   |
|            | > for non-combat injuries.                              |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

42\. Records Available for Combat-Related Injuries, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > If a claimant alleges a combat-related injury that    |
| #### d. Wh | > cannot otherwise be documented, send a letter to the  |
| ere to Sen | > Office of Maritime Labor and Training at the address  |
| d Requests | > shown below, requesting a review of folders for       |
|            | > evidence that the veteran received a medal.           |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Address***:                                        |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Office of Maritime Labor and Training                 |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Maritime Administration                               |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Room 7302 (MAR 250)                                   |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Department of Transportation                          |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Washington, DC 20590                                  |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Note***: No release of information authorization   |
|            | > is required.                                          |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > A photocopy of the veteran's *DD Form 214* should     |
| ## e. Info | > accompany requests to the Office of Maritime Labor    |
| rmation to | > and Training. The following information should be     |
|  Include i | > provided if not shown on the *DD Form 214*:           |
| n Requests |                                                         |
|            | -   the name under which the veteran served             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the veteran\'s Z number, and                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the veteran\'s home address while serving during    |
|            |     WWII (city and state).                              |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 43. Records Available From the Marine Index Bureau, Inc. (MIB)

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on the records        |
| troduction | > available from the Marine Index Bureau, Inc. (MIB),   |
|            | > including                                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   types of records available at the MIB               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   who may request records                             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   MIB fees                                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the information required for the request            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the address for the MIB, and                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   notifying the claimant of MIB records.              |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > December 13, 2005                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > Some Merchant Marine records may be obtained from the |
| a. Types o | > Marine Index Bureau, Inc. (MIB), a private agency.    |
| f Records  |                                                         |
| Available  |                                                         |
| at the MIB |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##         | > The *claimant* must request the records directly from |
| ### b. Who | > MIB.                                                  |
|  May Reque | >                                                       |
| st Records | > Regional offices (ROs) should not send requests       |
|            | > directly to MIB.                                      |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### c.   | > The MIB charges a fee of \$25.00 for making the       |
|  MIB Fees  | > records search and the fee *must* be paid by the      |
|            | > claimant.                                             |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Important***: MIB cannot guarantee that records on |
|            | > file at the bureau will be acceptable to VA as proof  |
|            | > of eligibility for VA benefits, nor that any records  |
|            | > pertaining to the veteran\'s wartime service are      |
|            | > actually on file.                                     |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

43\. Records Available From the Marine Index Bureau, Inc. (MIB),
Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > The claimant should contact the MIB directly and      |
|  d. Inform | > request the forms for documentation of sea service    |
| ation Requ | > that may be on file at the MIB.                       |
| ired for t | >                                                       |
| he Request | > The claimant will need to provide:                    |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   the veteran's complete name                         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   DOB                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   place of birth                                      |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   SSN                                                 |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Z or Book (Bk) number                               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   current mailing address, and                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   any known mailing addresses during the period 1941  |
|            |     to 1946.                                            |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### e.   | > Claimants must send requests for information from MIB |
| Address fo | > to the following address:                             |
| r the MIB  | >                                                       |
|            | > Marine Index Bureau, Inc.                             |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > 67 Scotch Rd.                                         |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Ewing, NJ 08628.                                      |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > If all other development has failed to produce        |
| f. Notifyi | > records in support of the claim, send a denial letter |
| ng the Cla | > that                                                  |
| imant of M |                                                         |
| IB Records | -   incorporates the language of M21-1MR, Part III,     |
|            |     Subpart iii, 2.F.46, and                            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   advises the claimant that the claim may be reopened |
|            |     if the MIB search proves successful.                |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 44. Addresses for National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Regional Archives

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains information on the addresses of   |
| troduction | > the NARA regional archives, including information on  |
|            | > the                                                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   logbooks contained at the regional archives         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   specific logbooks available at each regional        |
|            |     archive, and                                        |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   address of each of the regional archives.           |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > December 13, 2005                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > NARA regional archives have logbooks only for         |
| ## a. Logb | > individuals whose service was documented by the U.S.  |
| ooks Conta | > Coast Guard or the Department of Commerce.            |
| ined at NA | >                                                       |
| RA Regiona | > ***Important***: The NARA regional archives do not    |
| l Archives | > have logbooks for individuals who served with the     |
|            | > U.S. Army Transportation Corps or the Naval           |
|            | > Transportation Service.                               |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > NARA, New England Region, maintains custody of        |
| b. Logbook | > logbooks of vessels with voyages ending in            |
| s Availabl |                                                         |
| e at NARA, | -   Boston, MA, from 1942 through 1953                  |
|  New Engla |                                                         |
| nd Region  | -   Portsmouth, NH, from 1942 through 1955              |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Portland, ME, from 1941 through 1955, and           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Providence, RI, from 1941 through 1953.             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Address:***                                        |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > National Archives                                     |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > New England Region                                    |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > 380 Trapelo Rd.                                       |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Waltham, MA 02154                                     |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

44\. Addresses for National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Regional Archives, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > NARA, Northeast Region, maintains custody of logbooks |
| ## c. Logb | > of vessels with voyages ending in the port of New     |
| ooks Avail | > York, N.Y., from 1942 through 1960.                   |
| able at NA | >                                                       |
| RA, Northe | > ***Address:***                                        |
| ast Region | >                                                       |
|            | > National Archives                                     |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Northeast Region                                      |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Building 22, Military Ocean Terminal                  |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Bayonne, NJ 07002-5388                                |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Important***: Before submitting a request for      |
|            | > information from NARA, Northeast Region, obtain the   |
|            | > year and logbook number from the U.S. Coast Guard,    |
|            | > Marine Inspection Office. This office maintains a     |
|            | > card index arranged alphabetically by name of vessel. |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > ***Address***:                                        |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > U.S. Coast Guard                                      |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Marine Inspection Office                              |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Investigation Section                                 |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Room 312                                              |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Battery Park Building                                 |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > New York, N.Y. 10004-1466                             |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #####      | > NARA, Mid-Atlantic Region, maintains custody of       |
| d. Logbook | > logbooks of vessels with voyages ending in the ports  |
| s Availabl | > of                                                    |
| e at NARA, |                                                         |
|  Mid-Atlan | -   Philadelphia, PA, from 1942 through 1956            |
| tic Region |                                                         |
|            | -   Baltimore, MD, from 1942 through 1957, and          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Norfolk, VA, from 1940 through 1955.                |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Address***:                                        |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > National Archives                                     |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Mid-Atlantic Region                                   |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > 9th and Market Streets, Room 1350                     |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Philadelphia, PA 19107                                |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

44\. Addresses for National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Regional Archives, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > NARA, Southeast Region, maintains custody of logbooks |
| ## e. Logb | > of vessels with voyages ending in the ports of        |
| ooks Avail |                                                         |
| able at NA | -   Savannah, GA, from 1941 through 1953                |
| RA, Southe |                                                         |
| ast Region | -   Tampa, FL, from 1942 through 1951                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Miami, FL, from 1943 through 1956                   |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Charleston, SC, from 1919 through 1958, and         |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Jacksonville, FL, from 1943 through 1951.           |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Address***:                                        |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > National Archives                                     |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Southeast Region                                      |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > 1557 St. Joseph Avenue                                |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > East Point, GA 30344                                  |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ###        | > NARA, Southwest Region, maintains custody of logbooks |
| ## f. Logb | > of vessels with voyages ending in the ports of        |
| ooks Avail |                                                         |
| able at NA | -   Houston, TX, from 1942 through 1973                 |
| RA, Southw |                                                         |
| est Region | -   New Orleans, LA, from 1942 through 1976             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Corpus Christi, TX, from 1943 through 1972          |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Galveston, TX, from 1941 through 1974               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Mobile, AL, from 1942 through 1956, and             |
|            |                                                         |
|            | -   Port Arthur, TX, from 1939 through 1970.            |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Address***:                                        |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > National Archives                                     |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Southwest Region                                      |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > P.O. Box 6216                                         |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Fort Worth, TX 76115                                  |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

Continued on next page

44\. Addresses for National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Regional Archives, Continued

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > NARA, Pacific Southwest Region, maintains custody of  |
| #### g. Lo | > logbooks of vessels with voyages ending in the ports  |
| gbooks Ava | > of                                                    |
| ilable at  |                                                         |
| NARA, Paci | -   Los Angeles, CA, from 1941 through 1956, and        |
| fic Southw |                                                         |
| est Region | -   Wilmington, Long Beach, San Pedro, Port San Luis,   |
|            |     and Port Hueneme, CA, from 1942 through 1954.       |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Address***:                                        |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > National Archives                                     |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Pacific Southwest Region                              |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > P.O. Box 6719                                         |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Laguna Niguel, CA 92677-6719                          |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### h.   | > NARA, Pacific Sierra Region, maintains custody of     |
|  Logbooks  | > logbooks of vessels with voyages ending in the port   |
| Available  | > of San Francisco, CA, from 1927 through 1957.         |
| at NARA, P | >                                                       |
| acific Sie | > ***Address***:                                        |
| rra Region | >                                                       |
|            | > National Archives                                     |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Pacific Sierra Region                                 |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > 1000 Commodore Drive                                  |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > San Bruno, CA 94066                                   |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > NARA, Pacific Northwest Region, maintains custody of  |
| #### i. Lo | > logbooks of vessels with voyages ending in the ports  |
| gbooks Ava | > of                                                    |
| ilable at  |                                                         |
| NARA, Paci | -   Seattle, WA, from 1940 through 1958, and            |
| fic Northw |                                                         |
| est Region | -   Portland, OR, from 1942 through 1958.               |
|            |                                                         |
|            | > ***Address***:                                        |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > National Archives                                     |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Pacific Northwest Region                              |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > 6125 Sand Point Way NE                                |
|            | >                                                       |
|            | > Seattle, WA 98115                                     |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

#### 45. Exhibit 1: Merchant Marine Service Development Letter for Public Health Service (PHS)

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains a Merchant Marine Service         |
| troduction | > development letter for the Public Health Service      |
|            | > (PHS).                                                |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > December 13, 2005                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a.   | > A Merchant Marine Service development letter for the  |
| Merchant M | > Public Health Service (PHS) is below.                 |
| arine Serv |                                                         |
| ice Develo |                                                         |
| pment Lett |                                                         |
| er for PHS |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > Medical Records                                                     |
| >                                                                     |
| > Public Health Service                                               |
| >                                                                     |
| > Health Data Center                                                  |
| >                                                                     |
| > Hansen's Disease Center                                             |
| >                                                                     |
| > 1770 Physician's Park Drive                                         |
| >                                                                     |
| > Baton Rouge, LA 70816                                               |
| >                                                                     |
| > SUBJ: Merchant Marine medical treatment records                     |
| >                                                                     |
| > We are attempting to locate all medical records for the following   |
| > veteran:                                                            |
| >                                                                     |
| > NAME *(required)*                                                   |
| >                                                                     |
| > SSN *(if known)*                                                    |
| >                                                                     |
| > DATE OF BIRTH *(required)*                                          |
| >                                                                     |
| > WHERE THE VETERAN WAS TREATED BY THE USPHS *(at least the state)*   |
| >                                                                     |
| > MONTH AND YEAR OF TREATMENT *(at least the decade)*                 |
| >                                                                     |
| > VETERAN'S Z NUMBER *(if available)*                                 |
| >                                                                     |
| > OTHER IDENTIFYING INFORMATION:                                      |
| >                                                                     |
| > The veteran has filed a claim for VA compensation benefits based on |
| > World War II service as a                                           |
| >                                                                     |
| > Merchant Marine. To process this claim, we need all available       |
| > medical treatment records for that service.                         |
| >                                                                     |
| > We have enclosed VA Form 21-4142, "Authorization and Consent to     |
| > Release Information to the                                          |
| >                                                                     |
| > Department of Veterans Affairs," and an additional copy of this     |
| > letter for you to attach to your response so that we can quickly    |
| > associate the reply with our records for this veteran. If you have  |
| > any questions about this claim, please contact                      |
| > \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ at telephone     |
| > number \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.                  |
| >                                                                     |
| > Your assistance in resolving this claim is very much appreciated.   |
| >                                                                     |
| > Sincerely yours,                                                    |
| >                                                                     |
| > Veterans Service Center Manager                                     |
|                                                                       |
| Enclosures                                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

#### 46. Exhibit 2: Marine Index Bureau Sample Pattern Letter to a Claimant

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains a sample of a Marine Index Bureau |
| troduction | > letter to a claimant.                                 |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > December 13, 2005                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| #          | > A sample of a Marine Index Bureau letter to a         |
| #### a. Sa | > claimant is shown below.                              |
| mple of a  |                                                         |
| Marine Ind |                                                         |
| ex Bureau  |                                                         |
| Letter to  |                                                         |
| a Claimant |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > Mr. John Burns                                                      |
| >                                                                     |
| > 1234 Independence Avenue                                            |
| >                                                                     |
| > Washington, DC 12345                                                |
| >                                                                     |
| > Dear Mr. Burns:                                                     |
| >                                                                     |
| > A private agency, MIB (Marine Index Bureau, Inc.), may have records |
| > on file pertaining to the veteran's sea service as a U.S. Merchant  |
| > Marine during World War II. You should be aware that there is no    |
| > guarantee records in the MIB folders will be acceptable to the      |
| > Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as proof of eligibility for VA  |
| > benefits. There is also no guarantee that MIB has any records       |
| > pertaining to your (the veteran\'s) wartime service.                |
| >                                                                     |
| > If you wish to request a search of the MIB file system, you should  |
| > make such a request directly to this agency. There is a fee of \$25 |
| > for this search, which must be paid by you. Submit a check or money |
| > order drawn to Marine Index Bureau, Inc., with your request. Send   |
| > your request to: Marine Index Bureau, Inc., 67 Scotch Rd., Ewing,   |
| > NJ 08628.                                                           |
| >                                                                     |
| > When submitting your request, you *must* provide: your (the         |
| > veteran\'s) complete name, date of birth, place of birth, Social    |
| > Security number, Z or Bk number, current mailing address, and any   |
| > known mailing addresses during the period 1941 to 1946. You must    |
| > also certify that you are requesting only your own (the veteran\'s) |
| > records, and that they will be used to make application for         |
| > veterans benefits and for no other purpose.                         |
| >                                                                     |
| > Upon receipt of your request, along with any information needed to  |
| > enable MIB to conduct its search, the MIB will perform a search of  |
| > its record system for any reports concerning service during the     |
| > World War II period. A document containing the results of the       |
| > search will then be sent to you.                                    |
| >                                                                     |
| > Sincerely yours,                                                    |
|                                                                       |
| Veterans Service Center Manager                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

#### 47. Exhibit 3: U.S. Army Transport Corps or Navy Transport Service Development Letter

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### In   | > This topic contains a development letter for the U.S. |
| troduction | > Army Transport Corps or Navy Transport Service.       |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### C    | > December 13, 2005                                     |
| hange Date |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+
| ##### a.   | > A development letter for the U.S. Army Transport      |
| U.S. Army  | > Corps or Navy Transport Service is shown below.       |
| Transport  |                                                         |
| Corps or N |                                                         |
| avy Transp |                                                         |
| ort Servic |                                                         |
| e Developm |                                                         |
| ent Letter |                                                         |
+------------+---------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| > Office of Personnel Management (OPF/EMF)                            |
| >                                                                     |
| > P. O. Box 18673                                                     |
| >                                                                     |
| > St. Louis, MO 63118                                                 |
| >                                                                     |
| > Dear Sir or Madam:                                                  |
| >                                                                     |
| > We are attempting to locate medical records for the following       |
| > veteran:                                                            |
| >                                                                     |
| > NAME:                                                               |
| >                                                                     |
| > SSN:                                                                |
| >                                                                     |
| > ORGANIZATION:                                                       |
| >                                                                     |
| > DATES OF SERVICE:                                                   |
| >                                                                     |
| > OTHER IDENTIFYING INFORMATION:                                      |
| >                                                                     |
| > Mr. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ has filed a claim for VA disability  |
| > compensation based on World War II service as a Merchant Marine. To |
| > process this claim, we need all available medical treatment records |
| > for that service.                                                   |
| >                                                                     |
| > Mr. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_'s medical records should be located  |
| > at the National Personnel Records Center, Civilian Personnel        |
| > Records, 111 Winnebago St., St. Louis, MO 63118.                    |
| >                                                                     |
| > VA headquarters was informed by the Office of Personnel Management  |
| > in Washington, D.C., that the best way to request these records is  |
| > to write to your office. VA was also told that you would request    |
| > the veteran's records from Civilian Personnel Records, photocopy    |
| > them, and send the photocopies to VA.                               |
| >                                                                     |
| > If you have questions about this claim, please contact              |
| > \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ at telephone                     |
| >                                                                     |
| > number \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.                          |
| >                                                                     |
| > Your assistance in resolving this claim is very much appreciated.   |
| >                                                                     |
| > Sincerely yours,                                                    |
| >                                                                     |
| > Veterans Service Center Manager                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+