Personnel Information
Provided By Roger Ekman, Capt. USN Ret

Personnel, Muster and Deck Logs

The Naval Historical Center does not have custody of crew lists or current addresses for former crewmembers. However this information can be compiled from several other sources. The names of the officers usually appear on the first page of each month’s deck log. The enlisted men assigned to a naval ship or command are listed on muster rolls, which are also submitted monthly.

The Textual Reference Branch, National Archives, Washington, DC 20408 (202-501-5671) holds copies of the deck logs from 1801 through December, 1940, as well as microfilm copies of the muster rolls through 1938.

The Textual Reference Branch, National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001 (301-713-7250) has custody of the deck logs from 1 January 1941 through 1967 as well as microfilm copies of the muster rolls from 1939 through 1971. After 1956, a list of officers is usually included with the muster rolls. The Textual Reference Branch at College Park also has custody of the Bureau of Naval Personnel Casualty Files, which has the official list of Navy casualties for each World War II action. The Bureau of Naval personnel lists of the World War II casualties, which have been placed on microfilm and microfiche, can be ordered from the Naval Historical Center. By using the list of officers in the deck logs and muster rolls, one can complete a list of the crew. Then by using the crew list and the list of casualties, the names of survivors of a World War II ship or vessel can be created.

The Deck Logs from 1968 through 1978 and from 1990 to the present are at the Washington National Records Center, but access to them is controlled by the Deck Logs Section, Ships History Branch, Naval Historical Center, 901 M Street SE, Washington, DC 20374-5060 (202-433-0824). From 1979 through 1989, the logs only exist on microfiche, which is held by the Deck Logs Section. For specific information, contact that office. 

The muster rolls from 1972-1974 are in the custody of the Bureau of Naval Personnel (PERS-093), Washington, DC 20370-0920.

The muster rolls from 1975 to the present are held by the Enlisted Personnel Management Center (Code 311), New Orleans, LA 70159-7900, ATTN Personnel Accounting

The Navy will not divulge addresses but will forward letters if possible. Send the letter to: Department of the Navy Personnel Command, 5720 Integrety Drive, Millington, TN 38055. Enclose a check for $3.75

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