The Investigation

I was performing some Google searches and found information about my Aunt.

After hitting some brick walls (not a lot shows up in Google from way back then), I opted to get some of her records. Having served in the Navy they are available to family through the National Personnel Records Center.

My Aunt Al (Althea) served in the Navy for quite some time during the war and after, attaining a rank of Lt. Commander. She was nursing supervisor and ward supervisor and appears to have also been in Japan working at a hospital.

I received some medical records (she was injured in a car accident) and was finally discharged from service with high blood pressure.

I also read all of her service records pertaining to fitness for duty, performance reviews and recommendations for promotion. She appeared to have a few faults noted however they were not major, as attested by her promotions.

If you have a service person in your family tree, you may wish to investigate their documents.