In anticipation of our upcoming ‘What Are You Working On?’ blog series, Rachel Sutcliffe, an Archives Technician in the Holdings Maintenance Division at NARA, shares her experiences and insights on some very interesting records.
One of the best things about working with the National Archives’ records as an employee is that you get to discover something unexpected in records you would not normally request as a researcher. What may on the surface look like a run of the mill re-housing project ends up revealing a treasure-trove of poems and verse that are sometimes funny and other times profound. This is exactly what I found working with the Navy deck logs from the Vietnam War and World War II. But first, you may ask what are these logs? Deck logs contain the Navy’s daily chronology of certain events on, to, and around the ship for administrative and legal purposes. In them, you will find everything from ship movements and location to accidents, honors, and arrests occurring during a particular month. You can find the vast majority of them in Record Group 24 here at the Archives.
It is hidden in these daily reports that we discovered poems conveying the average sailor’s patriotism, pride, and feelings of intermittent boredom and anticipation. While working on a holdings preservation project for the deck logs for ships in commission during the Vietnam War, my co-workers and I started to notice something different in some of the daily log entries. At first, we thought they were isolated pranks written by sailors somehow related to each other attempting to amuse themselves in the face of a very boring, monotonous job. Yet when I tried to see if these officers were somehow related, whether by author, ship, or captain, I came up empty handed. I did, however, see a trend. I noticed that when these poems did pop up, they were on the first of January. After a little research and discussion with a colleague, I found out that the Navy had a tradition of writing the first deck log of the New Year in verse. These poems, little diamonds in the rough, have been part of Navy tradition for at least 73 years and they reveal a side of the average sailor’s experience on ships taking part in big moments in American history. While some ad hoc poets like PN 1 Garcia of the USS Rigel pay homage to our country’s greatest poets like Edgar Allen Poe in 1972, others like AR Grainger ENS of the USS Severn, also from1972, tap into classic verse such as “T’was the night Before Christmas” for rhythmic inspiration. Many others still try their hand with creating their own rhyme and meter as they fold in the necessary information of the ship’s location, movements and status in their poetic and often deeper telling gem. These short, lyrical, verses are not only entertaining surprises, but testaments to being able to encounter an historical glimpse of one sailor’s imagination and emotion in the most unlikely of places.
Update:
Thanks for all of the inquiries about the Navy deck logs!
If you are looking to do some research yourself in these interesting records, please contact the Archives II Reference Section for logs that are more than 30 years old at:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978” (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Navy deck logs from 1980 and later are still in the custody of the Navy. The records are held by the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) at the Washington Navy Yard. Requests can be sent to:
Naval Historical Center
Ships History Branch
805 Kidder Breese SE
Washington Navy Yard
Washington, DC 20374-3643.
We would recommend checking NHHC’s web page for more information before sending your request, particularly the two policy and procedures pages under the “More Information” section at the bottom of the home page. Veterans may submit a request for the deck log through the Veterans Administration. Alternatively requests may be submitted directly to NHHC. A request submitted directly to NHHC would be considered a general public FOIA request.
Happy researching!
can anyone tell me how to find the deck log for uss hunterdon county lst838 in vietnam in 1967 i was offered a purple heart twice that year for minor wounds but my pride would not let me acept they were so minor i was 19 then i’m 63 now in bad health and i don’t wear my pride like a badge anymore and iwas told if i could get the ships log at the time of the wounds i might still be able to get my purple hearts,with respect Donald Roberts
Donald – You can request deck logs from the Archives II Reference Section. Their contact information is
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Telephone 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
If you know which month’s log you need, please include that in your request along with the name of the vessel.
Requests for medals may be made using our online service for veterans called eVetRecs or you may submit standard form 180 by mail to
Navy Personnel Command
Liaison Office Room 5409
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
More information about requesting medals can be seen on our web site. Best of luck with your request.
-Rebecca
Your an inspiration to our military. Thank you for your service, Merry Christmas !
It’s very interesting the way this page starts out about finding hidden treasures from within Navy Deck logs, and the poems written on the first deck log entry of the New year. This is exactly what I would like to find. I wrote the Midwatch entry aboard USS Benjamin Stoddert DDG 22 on midwatch of Jan 1, 1980. All written in rhyme. I have often told my children and relatives about this tradition and that I once wrote such a poem. Is there any way I can get a copy of this midwatch entry for a memento?
Richard – I will check with our reference staff to see if our deck logs are as recent as 1980 or if those might still be with the Navy. I’ll let you know what I find out as soon as I hear back from the reference staff. – Rebecca
Richard – I heard back from our staff about the 1980 deck log for the USS Benjamin Stoddard. Navy deck logs from 1980 and later are still in the custody of the Navy. The records are held by the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) at the Washington Navy Yard. Requests can be sent to
Naval Historical Center
Ships History Branch
805 Kidder Breese SE
Washington Navy Yard
Washington, DC 20374-3643.
I would recommend checking NHHC’s web page for more information before sending your request, particularly the two policy and procedures pages under the “More Information” section at the bottom of the home page. As a veteran you can submit a request for the deck log through the Veterans Administration. Alternatively you can submit a request directly to NHHC. A request submitted directly to NHHC would be considered a general public FOIA request.
– Rebecca
One further comment about the midwatch entry of January 1, I was told about two weeks in advance that I was going to have that watch, and to bear in mind about how I might write that entry rhyme. Although I balked and asked that they get somone else ( besides I was a short timer), I was told that this was an honor, And I should feel glad that I was picked to write this. As it turned out, I was glad I did, and being able to find this deck log entry, would be going back to my exact thoughts over half a lifetime ago.
I would like to locate the ship’s log of the “USNS General Daniel I. Sultan” (T-AP-120)” for April 1956. What is the name of the record where this information lies and the series number and (hopefully!) the roll number?
Thank you.
Julia – You can request Navy deck logs from the Archives II Reference Section. Their contact information is
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Telephone 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941 – 1978” (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number 118). The records have not been microfilmed so there isn’t a roll number for the logs. In your request please include the ship name as well as the month and year of the particular log you would like to request.
Best of luck with your research.
-Rebecca
Are deck logs available for USS Pelican – AMS 32 early 1955 prior to being lent to japanese. I was on board at that time.
Harry – Deck logs for 1955 are held in our College Park facility. Our reference staff can let you know if they have the particular log you are seeking. Their contact information is
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Telephone 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
In your request please include the ship name as well as the month(s) and year of the particular log you would like to request.
Best of luck with your research.
-Rebecca
May I purchase a complete deck log of the ship I was on during WW2
USS St Mary’s APA 126
Hi, Rudi –
You can request Navy deck logs from the Archives II Reference Section:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Good luck with your research!
Meredith
Hello, Rebecca –
I saw that same info in your blog, but i didn’t realize that the “General Daniel I Sultan” would be included in the “Navy deck logs” category as it carried civilian passengers and had, in addition to its USN officers, a large number of civilian crew members. I apologize for the redundancy.
Hello. I am seeking the deck logs for the USS Midway during the years of 1974 to 1976, especially from January through June of 1975, and during Operation Frequent Wind and during Operation Pacer Ho.
Please let me know the costs involved. I am specifically interested in when and where the USS Midway docked and transferred supplies in Vietnam, Thailand, and Guam. My husband served on that ship.
Thank you for your help.
Sophia
Hi, Sophia –
The cost for obtaining Navy deck logs will be dependent upon the number of pages requested. The Archives II Reference Section will be able to give you an estimate of the cost at the time of your request. Here is their contact information:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Good luck with your research!
Meredith
Hi,I am intereted in obtaining the deck logs of the USS BRISTRER DER 327 for MARCH 14-16, 1967. and THE USS AMERICA CVA 66 ,1968-1969 in the Nortern Tonkin Gulf.
Hi, RooseveltCollins –
You can request Navy deck logs from the Archives II Reference Section:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Good luck with your research!
Meredith
I’ve actually started a website with entries from Vietnam-era ships (decklogproject.org), and soon there will be a database you can search to see if your ship is there. In the meantime, if you let me know which ship you’re interested in (including hull number), if I have it I can send you a PDF file.
Paula
Hi! I was on the Uss Rich DD820 when it had the collision and was decomissioned, I believe it was in 1977.I am trying to get the decklogs for thiswould you please help me,from what I see hear it might be in Archives 11,but I’m not sure what should I do?
Hi, Mike –
You can contact the Archives II Reference Section to inquire about Navy deck logs from a particular ship:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Good luck with your research!
Meredith
Hello, I’m about to request deck logs and would like to know if I can request time frames such as 12-15-1966 to 12-25-1966 or do I need to request a month at a time. I have about 4 specific time frames to request.
Hi Doug,
Good question- we’ve sent your question on to the research archivists who work with these records and will have an answer posted for you soon!
Thanks,
Kristen
@Doug- Yes! Our colleagues in the reference room say that requesting specific inclusive date ranges is fine. And just as a reminder, make sure you include a mailing address when requesting the records.
Good luck with your research,
Kristen
i am seeking the deck logs for the uss dehaven dd727 from march through june of 1963 and also from sept through november of 1963. i need proof that the dehaven went up to saigon river in vietnam for a medical claim thank you tom dam hondocr500@yahoo.com
Hi, Tom –
You can contact the Archives II Reference Section to request Navy deck logs from a particular ship:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the date range (months and years) of the particular log you would like to request.
Best of luck,
Meredith
I’am in need of deck log for the USS AMERICA CVA66 from Jan 1972 thru jJan 1973
Hi, John –
You can request Navy deck logs from the Archives II Reference Section:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Good luck with your research!
Meredith
I would like to have copies of the deck log for the USS KOINER- DER-331 from December 1966 to October 1968 if this is possible,how to go about getting them.What will the cost be?
Yours truly
John E Cecil
P.S. I was a crew member and have the muster list for April 1967
John,
You can contact the Archives II Reference Section to request Navy deck logs from a particular ship:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the date range (months and years) of the particular log you would like to request. In your request, ask the Archives II Reference Section staff how much the cost will be.
Good luck with your research!
Jill (Admin)
I have read most of your repleys. I am seeking decklogs on the USS Cochrane DDG 21, November 1972 and December 1972 for a medical claim. I and 3 other sailors set foot in Da Nang Harbor for a few hours to drop of a sailor that died on board ship. Do I need to contact Archives II Reference Section, etc.(ARC Identifier 594258/HMS Entry Number 118?
Hi Roberto,
Yes, that is correct. You can contact the Archives II Reference Section to request the Navy deck logs from the USS Cochrane DDG 21:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the date range (months and years) of the particular log you would like to request.
Good luck with your research!
Meredith (admin)
I am looking for decklogs for the USS Drayton, DD 366, for March 1944 and again for November/December 1944. I have a great uncle who was killed aboard this ship. Who would I contact and what will the cost be?
Thank you, Jane Kelly
Hi Jane,
The Archives II Reference Section is the contact to request Navy deck logs. The cost for obtaining the deck logs will be dependent upon the number of pages requested. The Archives II Reference Section will be able to give you an estimate of the cost at the time of your request. Here is their contact information:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Good luck with your research!
– Meredith (admin)
I am looking for the crew list of the US Naval Cargo Handling Battalion Two while I was in Vietnam. To be specific, May of 1966 and the home towns if possible. Also the dates Cargo handling Battalion Two was recommissioned for vietnam and decommissioned.
Hi Robert –
You can obtain the crew list for a particular ship by contacting the Archives II reference staff:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978” (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Good luck with your research!
Meredith (admin)
I am looking for information on the USS Unicoi and her encounter with the German Sub U576 July 15, 1942. My father was Ensign Herbert Ames and I understand thru newspaper articles his crew was responsible for sinking this sub. How would I get any information/deck logs etc. concerning this? Thanks so much!
Hi Holly,
The Archives II Reference Section is the contact to request Navy deck logs. The cost for obtaining the deck logs will be dependent upon the number of pages requested. The Archives II Reference Section will be able to give you an estimate of the cost at the time of your request. Here is their contact information:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Good luck with your research!
– Mary (admin)
Thanks Mary, I appreciate your speedy reply!
Holly
I was ships company on USS St Marys, APA 126, from christening to decommissioing.-1944-1946. I have found a posting by Rudi Ricci ofAug 8, 2010, about the ship. Is there anyway that I can get in touch with him? He was not listed on the original ships roster.
Darrell R. Thomas, Qm3/c USNR
My Dad served on USS SC 714 in Loco Coco Panama in 1944-45. He died in 1963 when I was 6 yrs old. He served on the USS Sigsbee 1945-46 until June 1946, and I have pretty good records about that, but nothing on USS SC 714. How can I get the must rolls and deck logs for the USS SC 714 while he was on board? I am trying to connect with anyone that may have known him, may have pictures of him, and I generally want to know what kind of person he was and what his experience was like. The military records I do have show him as an exceptional sailor with 4.0 conduct marks from basic training thru discharge in 1946, a commendation from the Sigsbee Commander and rapid promotion thru the ranks to Yeoman in a short amount of time. His name was James Joseph Hynes Jr, Y3c. I am his son Jim Hynes. jimhynes@pacbell.net I know I may be out of time or close to it, so I would appreciate ay ideas you might have ASAP. Thank you
Hi Jim,
You can contact the Archives II Reference Section to request Navy Deck logs for your father’s ship. Here is their contact information:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Additionally, if you haven’t already requested your father’s personnel file from the National Archives, you can submit an online request using eVetRecs at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/ (this service is only available for veterans or their next of kin). More information about requesting military service records is available on our website: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/
Best of luck with your research!
Meredith (admin)
Hi Meredith, thank you so much for this information. I already have my Dad’s records from the National Processing Center. Is there any more I could get through evetsrecs? I didn’t realize you responded to my original request until I stumbled across this today (I was looking for an email in my pacbell account), but now I know I need to check this website for responses. I have connected with the Sigsbee crew and they have invited me to their reunion in October. A sailor that served with my Dad in the Ship’s Office sent my original photos of him, and we have spoken several times over the phone. He has given me a general sense for who my father was; he was a much better man than I was led to believe. These are the first images of my Dad in almost 50 years. It has been quite a journey in a short amount of time. Now I just need to find out about the USS SC 714. The Sigsbee vets are pulling chains trying to help me on this. I will follow your suggestions as to how to get records on the USS SC 714. Thank you
I have been trying for 5 years to find the deck logs for the USS Bon Homme Richard, CVA31 from 1970 Viet Nam cruise. I was an AO3 attached to Fighter Squadron 51 on board the “Bonnie Dick”. One night two of our squadron aircraft had landing gear collapse and I went up to the flight deck and assisted one of our other AO’s downloading the ordnance and throwing it over the side. I have ptsd from that incident, but the wonderful VA, wants the exact date of it happening. I can not locate anything that is remotely close to the deck logs…can you help me….PLEASE. thank you.
Hi, Dean –
Have you tried contacting the Archives II Reference Section for the deck logs for your ship? If not, you can request Navy deck logs here:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Good luck!
Meredith
Meredith I want to thank you so very much for the information. I followed your advice and contacted the archives and they found what I had been looking for for several years. You gave me the right information and it was what I needed. Again, thank you. Dean
I am looking for ships deck logs for the Uss Manitowoc LST 1180 during March 1971 and June 1971 in Danang harbor for the VA to prove I was there and that we were pierside both times. Thank You, John Shaw
Hi, John –
You can contact the Archives II Reference Section to request Navy deck logs for your ship:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Good luck!
Meredith
My brother received his Purple Heart after he was Home(from Vietnam) and stationed @ Fort Polk ,Louisiana. WE have the medal but we need the documents. Can you send us to the area in which to get this info: Thank Sandra
Hi Sandra,
To locate records relating to the issuance of a purple heart (or any other type of service medal) you will need to contact the National Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. Phone: 314-801-0800. If the service was related to the Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, further address your inquiry to the Navy Personnel Command, Liaison Office Room 5409. The military reference staff will be able to tell you whether they have the paperwork at St. Louis or if it is still with the military branch that issued the medal.
Good luch with your research!
John
I am trying to locate the U.S.S. Coral Sea’s ship log from Oct 71 thru Jan 72. Where do I search or where do I go?
Hi, Phillip
You can contact the Archives II Reference Section to inquire about Navy deck logs from a particular ship:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Good luck with your research!
adam
I am in need of the deck log from USS Ozbourn DD 846 from Oct 1970 to Jan 1972
Hi Walt,
You can contact the Archives II Reference Section to inquire about Navy deck logs from a particular ship:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Good luck with your research; hope you find what you’re looking for!
Maureen (admin)
I’m looking for the ships deck log from the USS Hull DD945 for 5/30/1971, 5/31/1971, and 6/28/1971. I need to prove that the ship was docked at Da Nang Harbor. THANKS TJ
Hi TJ,
You can request Navy deck logs from the Archives II Reference Section:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the months and year of the logs you would like to request.
Good luck with your research!
Nichole
Hello,
I am looking for deck logs for the decommissioned USS St Paul from 1-1-1967 to 12-31-1969 for an Agent Orange claim. Could you please let me know how to request and approximately how long it takes to receive? Ot appears there is now a deadline to complete the medical claims are 8-30-2011, time if of essence.
Thank you very much,
Jerry
Hi Jerry,
You can request Navy deck logs from the Archives II Reference Section:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118). In your request, please let the reference staff know your request is urgent, and be sure to provide very specific information about the ship name as well as the months and years of the logs you would like to request. As long as they have all the necessary information, they should be able to provide immediate turnaround for your request.
Best of luck with your research!
Meredith
Meredith,
Thank you for your reply. We have sent our request.
Sincerely,
Jerry
I see that you have included the email address for the Archives II Ref. Section. Can request for deck log records be sent via email or does it have to be in written letter form?
Thanks Kevin
Hi Kevin,
Yes, absolutely! You can send your complete reference request for Navy Deck logs via email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
Please be sure to reference the series: “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118), and include the ship name as well as the months and years of the logs you would like to request.
Good luck with your research!
Meredith
Hello Meredith- Question 1-What is the easiest way(?) to research the FOUR ships my husband served on 1962-1972 off off Vietnam. I need to show he left the ship or was “In Country” for Veterans Administration death claim. Should I just order all dates for each ship while in Vietnam waters? I do not have the exact dates of when he went ashore.
Question 2- Since there are so many sailors and widows that have to prove claims by using deck logs, is there any plan to ever digitize the Vietnam era navy ship logs for review online?
Thanks
Hi Marie,
We would suggest contacting the Archives II Reference staff to search the deck logs; they may be able to help you identify when the vessel was considered to be “in country.” Please include the names of the ships as well as the months and years you would like to request. Here is their contact information:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978 (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118).
Also, have you requested your husband’s personnel file from the National Archives? There might be more specific information about the dates he served on the vessels. Veterans and their next of kin can request copies of military service records through our website: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/
Finally, I have inquired about whether or not there is a plan to digitize the Vietnam-era deck logs in the near future. I will let you know if there is more information to provide.
Best of luck with your research!
Meredith
Hi Marie – We have just recently started to digitize the Navy Deck Logs from the Vietnam War era. The deck logs that have been digitized are available through NARA’s online catalog http://www.archives.gov/research/arc/. Currently online there are some logs for the America (CVA-66), the Bennington (CVS-20), the Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), the Coral Sea (CVA-43), the Forrestal (CVA-59), the Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42), the Hornet (CVS-11), and the Intrepid (CVS-11). To search the online catalog for the deck logs, use the search terms: Navy Deck Log and [ship name] (for example, Navy Deck Log Intrepid). We will be adding digitized copies of additional Vietnam War era Navy Deck Logs over the next several months.
-Rebecca
I served on the USS Bon Homme Richard during the 1970 cruise when at the request of the South Vietnamese government, that ship docked in Da Nang harbor. I have not been able to find official documentation on this event although I know it happened. I also confirmed this event with the ship’s PAO officer at the time, Lt jg Jed Levine.
Could anyone please tell me if the USS Princeton was in Vietnam during late1961-1962. I am a Marine trying to find the helicopter carrier I was on. Thank you.
Is it possible to get a copy of the decklog’s for the entire cruise of my ship, and the list of crewmembers? Am writing a book titled WestPac ’73 and my ship was the USS Gray DE1054 now FF1054. This info will help supplement my diary I kept during this cruise from July ’73 to Jan ’74. Thank-you.
I am trying to find deck logs for the USS Ticonderoga especially from Dec. 1965 when Bob Hope came aboard for his USO show. Can you help me?
I am trying to find the deck log for the USS Cochrane from 1 Nov. to 30 Nov. 1972. Can you help me?
Hello all,
You can request Navy deck logs for a particular ship from the Archives II Reference Section:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118). In your request, please be sure to provide very specific information about the ship name as well as the months and years of the logs you would like to request.
Best of luck with your research!
Meredith
I served on the U.S.S. Zelima AF49 from 65-67 and have access to deck logs for a portion of 66-67 and had boots on the ground (twice) in VietNam but do not have the exact dates. Is there a location I can request personnel records that would have info indicating leaving the ship for official business while anchored or moored to a pier in VietNam.
Hi Royce,
If you have not done so already, we suggest requesting your personnel records from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, MO. More information on requesting records is available on our website: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/ However, it is important to note that your personnel record may not have documentation of “boots on ground” in Vietnam because of spotty records, if your mission was classified, etc. and, because of the 1973 fire at the NPRC. The latter depends on when you were discharged from the military. For more information on the fire, please visit: http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/fire-1973.html .
You might also look in unit records or deck logs for proof of “boots on ground” in Vietnam. Morning reports and unit rosters are held at the NPRC ( http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/morning-reports-and-unit-rosters.html ) and after action reports, lessons learned, etc are held with our Textual Reference Division in College Park, MD. Their contact information is:
National Archives
Attn: RD-DC, Rm 2400
8601 Adelphi Rd
College Park, MD 20783
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
Based on the information you gave, we suggest contacting the NPRC for your personnel records and contact the Textual Reference Division in College Park, MD to inquire about the availability of the deck logs and the cost of copies.
Best of luck with your research!
Meredith
Do you also keep Engineering Logs? We also did the Jan 1 Engineering logs in a poem style on the ships I was on. It was the only time I knew of that we were allowed not to follow standard form for filling out the Midnight Entry.
Where can I find Deck logs prior to 1941? Such as 1901-1940. Are there separate logs for Marine ships detachments?
Hi Ray,
Pre-World War II Navy and Marine Corps records are held in our Washington, DC (Archives I) location. You can contact our Archives I Reference Section to obtain Deck Logs from this time, and they will also be able to answer questions about Marine ship detachments. Their email address is: archives1reference@nara.gov
Best of luck with your research!
Meredith
I am looking for ship logs from April of 1969 to November of 1969 for the USS Litchfield County LST-901.
Looking for USS Chanticleer ASR-7 ships log for the years of 1966 thur 1968
I am trying to locate a shiplog for the Franklin D. Roosevlet CVA-42 for 02-26-1970. There was an EA-3B Skywarrior coldcat that day and i need proof of this happening. Can you help me….thanks
I thought i was going to hear a reply in 10 days on the shiplog i requested. Is there anything else i need to do.
Anneta you called me on 2-15-12 and left me a message. It was about getting a shiplog for the Franklin d. Roosevelt cva-42, for the date 02-26-1970. If you would please call me back…terry
I got my copy of the shiplog i requested, and i just wanted to thank everyone involved in helping me out. It showed exactly what happened that day, and again thank all of you.
I am needing to obtain deck logs for the USS Ranger CV-61 for the years 1968-1969 pertaining to Vietnam for my father’s claim and time is of the essence.
Correction on the ship’s name..USS Ranger CVA -61. Time period still 1968-1969. Thanks.
Hi Penny,
You can request Navy deck logs from the Archives II Reference Section:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Best of luck with your research!
Meredith
I’m looking for deck logs for the William H. Standley DLG 32 from Jan. 1, 1969 thru March 30, 1970. Can you help or send me in the right direction..
Hi Steve,
You can request Navy deck logs from the Archives II Reference Section:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Best of luck with your research!
Meredith
How do I find the Captians logs . I have the Deck Logs but there is not much in them..
USS Grapple ARS 7
June 1970 to December 28 ,1973
As a radarman aboard a DE in 1972 I worked in CIC. Are CIC logs archived anywhere? Are they accessible like the deck logs?
Hi Dennis,
I sent your questions about CIC logs to a Navy specialist here at NARA, and he responded with some more information:
According to the Navy Records Management Manual, the only logs that are retained as permanent records are the deck logs of commissioned US naval vessels. All other logs (medical, quartermaster, bell, flight, etc) are not retained and are disposed of as the manual dictates. With the CIC, if the DE was involved in a particular action or event, data from the log may have been used in the operational report or action report filed after the engagement. Since the operational report is the final (permanent record) report, the log is no longer needed.
If you are interested in researching the operational reports, the best place to find the information you are looking for would be with the Naval History and Heritage Command’s Operational Archives at http://www.history.navy.mil.
Good luck with your research!
Mary
Hi,
Please help me to obtain a copy of the deck logs of the USS Fred T. Berry (DD858) for the year 1966 (Vietnam tour of duty included)……….Thank You……..Richard
Hi Richard,
You can obtain Navy deck logs by submitting a request to the Archives II Reference Section:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Best of luck with your research!
Meredith
Pls. furnish the logs of the USS LST 109 from 12/25/1944 to 01/30/1946.
Hi William,
You can obtain Navy deck logs by submitting a request to the Archives II Reference Section:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Best of luck with your research!
Meredith
I am trying to find a place that has listings of command crews such as ships and shore commands I was stationed at between 1959 and 1979. I would appreciate any help. Thank you
Meredith,
Thanks for your help before. I’ve gotten the deck logs that were needed; but it did not include the crew list/crew roster. I am needing the crew list for the USS Ranger CVA-61 for 1968-1969, It is imperative that I have this as well for my father’s claim with the VA. As I have to prove he was on the ship. Thanks so much for your help.
Hi Penny,
We suggest that you contact our Archives II reference staff directly with the details of your request; they will be able to tell you what records are available. They can be reached by phone at 301-837-3510, or by email at Archives2reference@nara.gov
Best of luck with your research,
Meredith
Penny, your fathers DD 214 should show that he was on the Ranger for the time period you are looking for. Dick Bacon USS Bennington CVS 20 1961-1965 rkbacon@comcast.net
If I were to go to the National Archives in Maryland, what would the procedure be to be able to read the deck logs of the USS Willis A Lee for 8/1966, and 9/1966?
My question is similar to the one above from James. Because the information I am researching from my father’s discharge, I only know a year, not a month. If I want to read a deck log for the entire year of 1944, would it be possible if I went to the National Archives in Maryland?
Hi Adrianne,
Yes, the National Archives at College Park, Maryland has the Navy deck logs from 1942 and later, so you should be able to go there and pull the logs for a particular vessel for 1944.
John
Good afternoon,
I’m trying to find photos of the electrical department in the USS Ranger CVA-61 for the years 1964 – 1966
Thank you
I am trying to find proof that the USS Providence was in Da Nang harbor between 1966 and 1968.
Hi Daniel,
You can obtain Navy deck logs by submitting a request to the Archives II Reference Section:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Good luck with your research,
Meredith
I was on board the USSTiconderoga CVS-14 on a short cruise in late october 1970. The name of the cruise was HUKASWEX 4-70. Can you give me the exact dated of this deployment?
Hi George,
The best way to find out is to submit a reference request to our Archives II Reference Staff. If you provide the name of the ship and a span of dates, they will be able to you if they can discern the exact date of deployment. Here is their contact information:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Good luck with your research,
Meredith
how can i obtain copies of muster rolls of uss oklahoma city clg5 and/or commander seventhflt from june thru july1970. ok city deck logs had missing information that i left the ship were in i sat foot in vietnam.
I was in Vietnam on the USS Rogers DD 876 1971 The month of july .We docked at Danag and I was on a work detail to load cargo on the ship. will the deck log show that?
Hi Steve,
The best way to find out what the Deck Logs contain is to contact our Archives II Reference Staff. They will be able to tell you the particular information the logs contain. Please submit a reference request to the Archives II Reference Section:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Good luck with your research,
Meredith
Hello everyone – I am trying to do research on the USS Midway which became a military museum in 2004. I’m trying to find out whether or not women served on the aircraft carrier, and if so, in what capacity. My preliminary online research thus far has produced conflicting accounts. Any ideas on where I could go – archives, logbooks, etc – to find such information specifically on the USS Midway? Thanks very much in advance.
Would like to research Deck Logs for USS MOCTOBI (ATF-105) 1971-1972 for VA Claim re: Agent Orange. I will be in the DC area on Nov 28th 2012.
I am a member of Fold3 and would like to know if the deck logs referred to in this blog are the same records Fold3 calls “War Diaries.” Thanks!
Hi Adrianne,
Navy deck logs and war diaries are two distinct types of records, but they can contain similar types of information. Deck logs usually chronicle routine activities aboard ship, such as personnel issues, accidents, combat, location, etc., and provide a third party record that can be used to verify or confirm events. These records range from 1941 to 1978 and are filed in Record Group 24: Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel.
War diaries, on the other hand, were kept to describe operations and not personnel, so it is rare to find names listed in them. They describe the activity of a naval unit or command (not just ships) for a given period of time. You might find more contextual information about a ship’s activities in relation to specific operations, references to operational plans, and orders with goals and achievements. The National Archives files these records in Record Group 38: Records of the Chief of Naval Operations. The dates for War Diaries range from December 10, 1941 to September 2, 1945 (with some going as far as December 1945). There are also a limited number of diaries for the Korean War (June 1950 to July 1953), though these are still restricted pending a review.
I hope that helps!
Kristen
very important to get info of USS Aeolus ARC-3 ships log 1971-1972 westpac cruise.
Hi all,
The best way to find Navy deck logs for specific ships is to contact the Archives II Reference Section:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118). In your request, please be sure to provide very specific information about the ship name as well as the months and years of the logs you would like to request.
The more details you’re able to provide, the better the archivists will be able to help you. Good luck with your research!
Kristen
West PAC crew 1961 a and o shop. Larry Hodges. Uss ranger.
i was on uss guadalcanal LPH7 from 1962 tell 1966 i need to show that we were in viet nam i need deck log thank you keneth rost
Hi Keneth,
You can obtain Navy deck logs by submitting a request to the Archives II Reference Section:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Good luck with your research,
Meredith
I’m looking for the Deck Logs for the USS Nashville PG-7 from July 21, 1899 to July 25, 1900. Can you point me in the right direction please?
Thank you,
John Anderson
Hi John,
Navy Deck logs from 1940 and prior are located at the National Archives in Washington, DC. You can therefore request deck logs for the USS Nashville from the Archives I Reference Section: Archives1reference@nara.gov
In your request, please be sure to include the name of the ship and the dates (months and years) you would like to request.
Best of luck with your research!
Meredith
Are deck logs for the USS Arlington, AGMR2 available for viewing on line?
Hi Nora,
Deck logs for the USS Arlington are not currently available online, however, NARA recently announced a partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to digitize historic deck logs, so they should be in the future. You can read more about the partnership on our website.
In the meantime, Navy Deck logs post-1940 are located at the National Archives in College Park, MD. You can request files for the USS Arlington from the Archives II Reference Section by emailing them at Archives2reference@nara.gov. In your request, please be sure to include the name of the ship and the dates (months and years) you would like to request.
Good luck in your research,
Kristen
Deck Log USS Midway 1975 crossed the Equator I think Nov 1 1975, Looking for Coordinates to try to replace lost Shellback Certificate.
I was on the USS Fred T Berry DD 858 in 1966 during Vietnam tour. I need copies of deck logs, showing we were in Brown waters. In 1996 I suffered 4-5 Ischemic Strokes and in 2008 1 Ischemic Heart Attack.
Hi Alvin,
You can obtain Navy deck logs by submitting a request to the Archives II Reference Section:
Archives II Reference Section
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Rd.
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3510
Email: Archives2reference@nara.gov
The series is “Logbooks of the U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1978″ (ARC Identifier 594258 / HMS Entry Number A1 118). In your request, please include the ship name as well as the month and the year of the particular log you would like to request.
Best of luck with your research,
Meredith
On p. 59 of the winter 2012 issue of Prologue, it says under caption: “ship logs from the pre Civil War period through WWII are now available online.” Can you please provide the link. Thanks.
Hi Jack,
Online access to historic Navy, Coast Guard and Revenue Cutter ship logs between the pre-Civil War period through World War II are available through a digitization and transcription project by the National Archives and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Digital images of the logbooks are available at http://www.oldweather.org.
Citizen archivists and citizen scientists are encouraged to create an account and begin transcribing these records. These logbooks provide a glimpse of a wealth of historic weather data and climate patterns, as well as invaluable information on U.S. maritime history, military operations, scientific exploration, diplomacy, advances in technology, and near-hourly accounts of dramatic adventures on the high seas, including rescues and shipwrecks. More information about the project is available in our press release: http://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2013/nr13-11.html
Best of luck with your research,
Meredith
Hello: I sent an e-mail to Archives II requesting logs for ships on the Mississippi River 1863 (Vicksburg area) but was told to send the specific request to Archives I.
I did so over a week ago but have had no reply as yet.
What is normal wait time.
I Need you help! I am trying to locate USS Sides FFG-14, dry-dock SIMA Long Beach CA. Deck or engineering logs 14, August 1987, # 2 SSDG Crankcase explosion. No Faculties
I am searching for my uncles ship info but cannot find hull designation or the ship in any navy ship records. His name was Barrett J Lindstrom and was on the YF-613 USS”Sho Nuff” in the pacific war specifically the battle of Leyte Gulf, I have searched ship records, crew records and cannot find info on his ship.I have a letter from one of his shipmates written to my grandfather after he was killed confirming the ship number including a picture. Would be greatly appreciated of any help or direction on how to find such info. If you need more info on his service please let me know what I would need to submit and to who to complete this search. My family would be very happy to get any type of help with this search info. Thanks to all who serve. Matt Lindstrom
Hello Matt,
My father was also on YF-613 about the same time as your uncle. I don’t have a lot of information, but would share what I have. Have you found any information since posting this? I would love to know what you know. I’m trying to create a timeline of my father’s service.
Looking for westpac cruise book from USS Sides FFG-14 in 1988 . Any info.?
Would a deck log show crew members returning from liberty? I need verification that I was aboard the USS Midway during Operation Frequent Wind, April 1975. VA has no proof that I was involved and my Presidential Unit Citation was destroyed due to a fire. Any help would be greatly appreciated A.S.A.P.!