Help Me Hank: MIA Military Files

Roger Demers, Korean War Veteran
"I was a medic most of the time."

He remembers his first posting when he was just a kid…

Roger Demers, Korean War Veteran
"We were in the 14th infantry."

He remembers the day he shipped out…

Roger Demers, Korean War Veteran
"We were sent to Korea."

His war stories for his children and grands make it all part of the family history…

Roger Demers, Korean War Veteran
"We camped out under Mount Fuji."

But when it was time to start applying for military medical benefits, Roger's discharge and service paperwork was nowhere to be found.

Roger Demers, Korean War Veteran
"Lots of papers got lost, I have a lot of papers and they got lost somewhere."

But his daughter figured hey, it’s the U.S. Army, they must have copies of everything.

Brenda Demers, Vet's Daughter
"He served in Korea from 1948-1952, there's got to be some kind of records somewhere."

So they sent out a flurry or inquiries and requests and waited to hear the good news. Instead they heard about the fire.

This 1973 fire in St Louis, they were told, destroyed millions of records at the National Records Center and Roger's files were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Brenda Demers, Vet's Daughter
"And I'd say, ‘is my dad ever going know or is anyone ever going know he was a vet?’"

Medical benefits, housing, even recognition on war memorials -- if there were no records, it was as if Corporal Demers never existed.

Brenda Demers, Vet's Daughter
"He was forgotten and that’s how we felt."

Then Brenda decided to call in the reinforcements.

Brenda Demers, Vet's Daughter
"I figured I’m going to call Hank."

We went straight to the top brass, head of the states veterans affairs commissioner, medal of honor winner Tom Kelley. He confirmed the missing documents, especially the discharge, were crucial.

Thomas G. Kelley, Sec. Veterans' Services
"It’s the most important piece of paper that the individual has."

But Kelly says that though some see this fire as an obstacle, he sees it as a challenge.

Thomas G. Kelley, Sec. Veterans' Services
"You never say never, there’s always something that can be done."

And in Roger's case, copies of the St Louis records could be right here in Massachusetts.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News
"So if someone is told there is no way to get those records is that true?"

Thomas G. Kelley, Sec. Veterans' Services
"Oh, absolutely not."

Some Mass vets records are here in the state’s Veterans Services Office, some are with local veterans agents and sure enough, we found many of Rogers important documents.

Roger Demers, Korean War Veteran
"At least they know I was there and I can prove I was there."

And look what arrived with the paperwork, the announcement that Roger was a decorated veteran, two medals for his military service are on the way.

Roger Demers, Korean War Veteran
"It makes me feel great and proud."

For more information:

Memorandum For Veterans Service Officers