Washington Military Records
This entry was originally written by Dwight A. Radford for Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources.
A series of guides on the Washington State and Territorial Militia entitled Washington National Guard Pamphlet, by Virgil F. Field, was published in the 1960s by the Washington State Military Department, Office of the Adjutant General, at Camp Murray in Tacoma. This seven-volume work is an overview history of the Washington National Guard during the territorial period, Indian Wars, Civil War, Philippine Insurrection, World War I, World War II, and the post-World War II era. It is an excellent introduction to the Washington State or Territorial Militia.
The Washington State Archives has early service records for the Indian Wars, which include muster rolls, correspondence and financial records, as well as records of residents of the State Soldiers Home and State Veterans Home to the mid-1930s.
Washington veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War could apply for a state bonus. These applications and supporting papers were originally filed with the state auditor and are now deposited at the Washington State Archives. Information listed in these files includes residence of the veteran, occupation, relationships, birthplace, and military information. Also housed in the state archives are National Guard special orders and circular letters as well as National Guard statements of service cards for those guardsmen who participated in World War I and World War II.
The World War I Draft Registration Cards are at the National Archives (see pages 11-12), on microfilm through the FHL, and online at www.ancestry.com.
