OK OK - Stephen “Steve” Lee Murphy, last seen in Claremore sometime in 1976, not reported missing until July 2022

[Bagpus]

bbm

@Boxer iirc you are/were military? The subject of this thread disappeared in the early/mid 80's, some family members told the OP that he went AWOL?

Would he have been discharged, or still AWOL/AW?

Thanks, Laughing

Perhaps @Richard could also help with this question?

 

[Richard]

Perhaps @Richard could also help with this question?

The military does not discharge anyone who is missing - either Missing in Action, or on Unauthorized Absence (UA/AWOL).

IF he went UA from the Marine Corps, he would still be carried on a "Deserter List" which is maintained and updated by a specific unit attached to the Marine Corps Personnel Office.

When someone goes UA, a number of administrative steps are taken by the service member's unit. After 30 days, with the service member still missing from the unit, he/she is declared a deserter (for administrative purposes) and the service record is forwarded to the National Military Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO. If a crime has been committed in the course of the person going UA, the Criminal Investigative Service (in this case NCIS) would also be notified.

If he went UA and was eventually returned to the Marine Corps, there would be either a court martial, or possibly an Administrative Discharge Hearing to determine the disposition of his case - usually resulting in a discharge under "other than honorable" conditions.

A service record - or a summary of it in the form of a page DD-214 - can be obtained by writing to the US Marine Corps section of the National Military Personnel Records Center under various conditions. If he did receive a discharge from the Marine Corps, you could see what kind of discharge it was, and learn other information regarding where he was stationed, his rank, any awards etc. You can search for the proper forms and regulations at their on - line website.

Not just anyone can request an individual's Service Record because they are protected under the Privacy Act of 1974. However, a request citing the Freedom of Information Act, and including the fact that you are the Next of Kin and an explanation of your reasons, might allow them to release to you a copy of that service record.

If he did something which would have been considered of a criminal nature, it is possible that the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) might have a file on him that could be requested as well.

 

[Snoangel26]

The military does not discharge anyone who is missing - either Missing in Action, or on Unauthorized Absence (UA/AWOL).

IF he went UA from the Marine Corps, he would still be carried on a "Deserter List" which is maintained and updated by a specific unit attached to the Marine Corps Personnel Office.

When someone goes UA, a number of administrative steps are taken by the service member's unit. After 30 days, with the service member still missing from the unit, he/she is declared a deserter (for administrative purposes) and the service record is forwarded to the National Military Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO. If a crime has been committed in the course of the person going UA, the Criminal Investigative Service (in this case NCIS) would also be notified.

If he went UA and was eventually returned to the Marine Corps, there would be either a court martial, or possibly an Administrative Discharge Hearing to determine the disposition of his case - usually resulting in a discharge under "other than honorable" conditions.

A service record - or a summary of it in the form of a page DD-214 - can be obtained by writing to the US Marine Corps section of the National Military Personnel Records Center under various conditions. If he did receive a discharge from the Marine Corps, you could see what kind of discharge it was, and learn other information regarding where he was stationed, his rank, any awards etc. You can search for the proper forms and regulations at their on - line website.

Not just anyone can request an individual's Service Record because they are protected under the Privacy Act of 1974. However, a request citing the Freedom of Information Act, and including the fact that you are the Next of Kin and an explanation of your reasons, might allow them to release to you a copy of that service record.

If he did something which would have been considered of a criminal nature, it is possible that the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) might have a file on him that could be requested as well.

I have attempted to get his file twice with no luck as I don't have a social security number or service number. I just recently got the exact dates of service from the detective. She also told me that he was discharged for Awol and Misconduct. The detective also told me they ran his fingerprints that they have on file from a juvenile incident, and those came back as nothing. In other words he only had juvenile record for his prints, no other criminal activity that has come back as of yet.

 

[Richard]

I have attempted to get his file twice with no luck as I don't have a social security number or service number. I just recently got the exact dates of service from the detective. She also told me that he was discharged for Awol and Misconduct. The detective also told me they ran his fingerprints that they have on file from a juvenile incident, and those came back as nothing. In other words he only had juvenile record for his prints, no other criminal activity that has come back as of yet.

Try sending an official "Freedom Of Information Act" written request to them. Include enough other information besides the SSN, such as birth date, description, photo, etc. Explain to them that this is a missing person case and that you are his next of kin.

The Marine Corps Service Record would contain such information as his photo, description, weight, height, possibly even his finger prints. His USMC Medical record might also include information which could be used to identify him, such as dental x-rays, broken bones, scars, etc.

If such a request be turned down, you might reapply and mention that you would like a DD-214 to apply to the Veterans Affairs Office (VA) for benefits.

I have been turned down by the NMPRC in the past for various reasons. You have to persist. Obviously, THEY have his SSN, and that would be something you need to try and locate him - or to request any benefits from the VA.

 

[Snoangel26]

Try sending an official "Freedom Of Information Act" written request to them. Include enough other information besides the SSN, such as birth date, description, photo, etc. Explain to them that this is a missing person case and that you are his next of kin.

The Marine Corps Service Record would contain such information as his photo, description, weight, height, possibly even his finger prints. His USMC Medical record might also include information which could be used to identify him, such as dental x-rays, broken bones, scars, etc.

If such a request be turned down, you might reapply and mention that you would like a DD-214 to apply to the Veterans Affairs Office (VA) for benefits.

I have been turned down by the NMPRC in the past for various reasons. You have to persist. Obviously, THEY have his SSN, and that would be something you need to try and locate him - or to request any benefits from the VA.

Thank you very much. I try that as well

 

[Laughing]

@Snoangel26 , did you tell us that you've talked with your Congressional Representative's office? That office should be able to get the service record?

You & the detective are still waiting, I think?

Hang in there, Dearie, hand on there!

jmho ymmv lrr

 

[Snoangel26]

@Snoangel26 , did you tell us that you've talked with your Congressional Representative's office? That office should be able to get the service record?

You & the detective are still waiting, I think?

Hang in there, Dearie, hand on there!

jmho ymmv lrr

Yes the detective and I are still waiting. I have talked with someone in my congressman office. I don't know if they are able to get the service record. I'll reach out to them again. Thank you.

 

[Snoangel26]

I tried once again to gather Stephen's military records. Can not get them still. This is the response I receieved.

 

[HmmMysterious]

I tried once again to gather Stephen's military records. Can not get them still. This is the response I receieved.

He served from 1975-1984. How come they can't find him?

 

[Snoangel26]

He served from 1975-1984. How come they can't find him?

Good question.

 

[carbuff]

That's VERY odd.

Is there any chance he served under another name?

 

[Stunned]

That's VERY odd.

Is there any chance he served under another name?

Or didn’t serve at all?

 

[Snoangel26]

Or didn’t serve at all?

I don't understand since the detective gave me the dates and said she was waiting

 

[AliceInPain]

I don't understand since the detective gave me the dates and said she was waiting

Do you know where the detective got the dates from?
Sounds from the response you got they were going by using all the info you provided.
Maybe the dates are incorrect?

 

[doublestop]

You'd think they could find his records with nothing more than name and birthdate/place. I wonder if it's possible he claimed to be going into the military so he could get away from home, but did something else instead. Or perhaps was in a different branch of the service?

 

[Laughing]

I tried once again to gather Stephen's military records. Can not get them still. This is the response I receieved.

Oh, so not the response you expected!!!

Have you been able to talk to the detective?

You certainly deserve more for all your thorough work on this!!!

(Guess I'm not wishing hard enough?)

So sorry about this, @Snoangel26

Best, Laughing

 

[HmmMysterious]

You'd think they could find his records with nothing more than name and birthdate/place. I wonder if it's possible he claimed to be going into the military so he could get away from home, but did something else instead. Or perhaps was in a different branch of the service?

The letter mentions the staff did extensive searches for any records about Steven. So I think they did consider different service branches

 

[Snoangel26]

Oh, so not the response you expected!!!

Have you been able to talk to the detective?

You certainly deserve more for all your thorough work on this!!!

(Guess I'm not wishing hard enough?)

So sorry about this, @Snoangel26

Best, Laughing

I was hoping I would get something. Seems the only way to get records is with SSN. Still haven't heard back from the detective either. I'm going to try her again tho.

 

[Snoangel26]

Do you know where the detective got the dates from?
Sounds from the response you got they were going by using all the info you provided.
Maybe the dates are incorrect?

She said she got the dates when she checked about service.

 

[Colbica]

Hello, just someone who wants to help, only have a little info to offer and might be insignificant or doesn't apply to your situation but figured it might be worth mentioning. My father, who is close to 80 years old, is a veteran. He has encountered many issues dealing with VA affairs because when he enlisted he was only 16 and managed somehow to enlist with a different date of birth (making him appear as though he was 18 years old) This has caused him numerous problems throughout the years, as his SS# associated with his DOB doesn't match his VA records. Perhaps, your dad's records are difficult to locate for a similiar reason. I know you dont have his SS#, but was implying maybe his DOB could be off if he enlisted early like my dad.