If You Find An Error

We get a small but steady stream of messages about errors in the database. If you believe you've found an error in the database, please read this page before you send us any information about it!

There definitely are errors in the database; we can see some of them ourselves. However, there are also some things that look a bit odd, but aren't really "wrong".  Check What is an Error? below to be sure we're talking about the same thing.

AS A MATTER OF POLICY, WE DO NOT CORRECT ERRORS IN OUR COPY OF THE DATABASE. Our database is simply a reflection of what the DoD has (or more accurately, had in November 1993). It reflects the official records. If we "correct" something in our copy of the database, the official record is still wrong. Not much sense in that, is there? We have listed the individual service casualty offices below.

Finally, KEEP YOUR TEMPER!  A certain percentage of the people we hear from are very upset about real or imagined errors. These data have passed through a lot of hands, from the company clerk of the person's unit through several levels of the government, to us. No one involved is trying to disrespect anybody, but everyone can and does make mistakes, you included. What is important is to work together to properly identify and correct any errors that exist.

WHAT IS AN ERROR ?

By "error", we mean information that is in the database and clearly and obviously wrong.

• if you don't find someone in the database, it may be a problem, but it is not an "error". Go HERE if that's what's happening.

• "Wrong" home-of-record information is almost certainly not an error.  A servicememeber's "home of record" is generally wherever they say it is. There are several ways to define where someone is "from", and the servicemember may not have been using the same definition you are when they filled out their forms.

• Casualty date problems may or may not be errors. This is particularly true with POW/MIA casualty dates. Go HERE for an explanation.

• Wrong location of casualty can sometimes be caused by a person's presence in classified locations, particularly if Cambodia was involved. The TAGCEN file has numerous examples of Army casualties whose location of casualty was revised after the war.

• Last but not least, some things may be errors because of the version of the database that we have. We're going to update our version in the coming months, but right now we have the 1993 version, and there have been remains recovered and probably other changes since then. [Check the DPMO site for the latest POW/MIA information.]  We're sorry about such errors, but we're doing what we can do fix that problem.

So Just what is an "error", Mister Smarty-Pants?

Glad you asked. :-)  An "error" is information that is present but obviously wrong. For example:

• "promotion" to a lower rank. There are about a hundred of these in the database, probably clerical errors.

• typos, such as Chigago IL as home of record, or similar things.

• wrong ethnicity.  We've received several reports of this; again, probably a typo in the original list.

You get the idea.

Whom to Contact With Information About Errors.

Below are the official offices in the service branches that deal with casualty affairs. They are the people who have the ability to change the official record.  If you do contact these offices, REMEMBER:

• BE POLITE!  It is understandable that you might be upset about an error on someone's record, but these people are not Communist agents, they are the comrades-in-arms of the person whose record you are trying to correct. We shouldn't need to say this, but based on some of the mail we receive, there are a few people who need to hear it.


• BE REASONABLE.  These people are in the military, and they have to do things according to regulation. They are probably not allowed to change an official document just because a voice on the phone tells them to do it. They did not write the regulations or the laws, but they have to follow them.


• BE PATIENT. These offices are not just the Vietnam casualty offices, they deal with all casualties for their services, including current non-combat casualties. If someone in the service dies in a car accident, these offices are the ones who handle it. Be respectful of their workload!


• Make it clear whose record you are talking about. These offices are in charge of thousands of casualties, and not just from Vietnam. Provide name, rank, service or social security number, any identifying information you have.


• Make it clear what you believe the error to be, what the right information is, and HOW YOU KNOW that. If possible, provide copies of documents or other evidence. No one thinks you're lying, but memories DO play tricks after thirty years, much as we don't like to admit it.


• DO NOT contact them with or for information about POW/MIA issues. That's not their area.

Remember to triple-check to make sure that your error actually is an error. Provide a source for the correct information if at all possible. Remember the Golden Rule, and help them to help you.

Air Force Military Personnel Center
AFMPC/DPMC
ATTN:  Ms. Lafontaine
Randolph AFB, TX  78150-6001

Director
Casualty/Memorial Affairs Operations Center
Total Army Personnel Agency DAPC-PED
2641 Eisenhower Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22331

Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps
Casualty Section
Code MHP-10
Washington, DC 20380-0001

Department of the Navy
NMPC-122
Casualty Assistance Branch
Washington, DC 20370-5120

Unfortunately, we have no contact source for civilian casualties.