Title Info: Veterans Affairs, Department of, World War I Service Statement Cards, 1917-1919

In 1919 Congress passed an act directing the U.S. Department of War to compile a summary of each WWI veteran’s wartime record and provide this information to each state. The information taken from the veterans’ service records and placed on 4 x 6 index cards include full name, serial number, race, place inducted, place of birth, unit assignments, ranks attained, engagements fought in, wounds received, dates served overseas, date of demobilization, and degree of disability (if any). This database includes information taken from these cards, as well as a digitized image.

In March 1920 the State of Washington passed the Veterans’ Equalized Compensation Act, or the “Veterans’ Bonus” as it was known. Under the act, every “bone fide resident of Washington” at the time of enlistment would be eligible for bonus payment for every month served overseas. In order to apply, the veteran supplied evidence of service such as discharge papers. The World War I Service Cards, made available from the U.S. Department of War in October 1920, were used to authenticate the claims.

In addition to the World War I Service Cards, the Washington State Archives has all of the Veterans’ Bonus Applications which include an extensive application form, copies of the discharge papers, and significant other information about the veterans. These records are not included in this database, but can be obtained by contacting the Washington State Archives.