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Research

Below are links to approved research sites.  

For the official history and operational history of the Marine Corps,  including unit history, Marine Corps heritage, archival materials and publications, please see the USMC History Division website or contact the division at [email protected] located on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.
NATIONAL MUSEUM
OF THE
MARINE CORPS
Research the material history of
the Marine Corps
MARINE CORPS HISTORY DIVISION
Research the official institutional and operational history of the Marine Corps
NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
 Search online for Veterans' records,
military photos and videos
NAVAL HISTORY AND
HERITAGE COMMAND
Research the history of the U.S. Navy
U.S. ARMY CENTER OF MILITARY HISTORY
Research the history of the U.S. Army
AIR FORCE HISTORY
AND MUSEUMS
Research the history of the U.S. Air Force
USCG HISTORIAN'S OFFICE
Research the history of the U.S. Coast Guard

FAQS

Where can I acquire service records of former marines?
The National Museum of the Marine Corps does not hold service records on individual Marines. Service information on former Marines is held at the National Archives and Records Administration, the National Personnel Records Center, or Headquarters, Marine Corps.
WHERE CAN I SEE HISTORIC MARINE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS?
Audio-Visual materials relating to the U.S. Marine Corps are held at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), and the Defense Visual Information (DVI)Directorate.   The USMC Archives also maintains a Flickr page of USMC historic photos.
Where can i find my marine recruit platoon photos and yearbooks?
Parris Island: Platoon photos are available at Parris Island back to 1939. Photos from between 1939 and 1950 are limited, however. Individual photos of Marines are also available but only go back for four years. Recruit training series books are not available. To find out how to get photos, call Recruit Photo at (843) 228-1555.
San Diego: Recruit series book, platoon and individual photos are available at the Yearbook Office. Yearbooks and photos are kept for two years. They can be reached at (619) 296-3840. Yearbooks and photos older than two years can be purchased at the Museum Historical Society. The Museum Historical Society has an archive of old recruit platoon graduation photos dating back to the 1930’s and also offers some recruit yearbooks for sale. Yearbooks from the 1980's and 1990's are available in limited quantities. Platoon graduation photos and yearbooks may be purchased through the Society at (619) 524-4426.

how do i find INFORMATION ABOUT MY individual marine medals and decorations?
Military Awards Branch (MMMA)
Headquarters, US Marine Corps
2008 Elliot Road
Quantico, VA 22134
Phone: (703) 784-9206
Fax: (703) 784-9866
how do I find INFORMATION ABOUT marine Corps unit awards and decorations?
Historical Reference Branch*
Marine Corps History Division
3078 Upshur Avenue
Quantico, VA 22134
Phone: (703) 432-4874
Fax: (703) 432-4892
*Provide lowest level echelon known when making request (i.e.: Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines)
Awards Branch, which issues awards and maintains back-up information, may also need to be contacted:
Military Awards Branch (MMMA)
Headquarters US Marine Corps
2008 Elliot Road
Quantico, VA 22134
Phone: (703) 784-9206
Fax: (703) 784-9866

HOW DO I RESEARCH MARINE CORPS ARTIFACTS?
The National Museum of the Marine Corps collects artifacts selectively and responsively – accepting only those items which are needed and the Museum has the resources to properly care for. Beyond utilizing the collections for exhibitions, the collections of the Museum serve as research aids and reference materials for historians, authors and film makers.   Please contact the Museum for assistance.
HOW DO I LOCATE AN INDIVIDUAL MARINE THAT I SERVED WITH?
Provided by the USMC History Division:
1.) Contact one of the many Marine Corps Associations. Although the Marine Corps History Division can not vouch for or endorse any information obtain from an unofficial website, associations may be able to help by putting you into contact with the person you seek or someone with information on that person. Simple internet searches will yield numerous possible sites. The links below are just a few examples:

1st Marine Division Association
2d Marine Division Association
3d Marine Division Association
4th Marine Division Association
6th Marine Division Association
1st Marine Aircraft Wing Association
Raiders Association
Montford Point Marine Association
Women Marines Association
Marine Corps Reserve Association
2.) Leatherneck Magazine publishes personal announcements for free in the Mail Call Section. Please visit the Marine Corps Association’s website to learn submission rules and procedures.

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