My point was that only next of kin can obtain the FULL service record of a veteran. I would imagine that such information as injuries, illnesses, medical treatment, disciplinary actions, etc., that are of a particularly personal or sensitive nature may not be available. Information such as shipboard and shoreside assignments would likely be available to you. So my recommendation is to proceed with a request and hope for the best. Include the fact that you are related to the person, if there is a way to so indicate.
Next of kin includes siblings. Is there another uncle or aunt still living who is the brother or sister of your uncle?
I have made a search at the subscription website Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com) for Edwin Bargiel and came up with some promising information that may be useful to you, if you do not have it already. I find an Edwin S. Bargiel, born 6 November 1918, died 6 October 1986, in El Dorado, Arkansas. (Another source gives his death as December 1986, no day specified.) He is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Rison, Arkansas, with his spouse Mae Smith Bargiel (1909-2007). His Social Security number was 430-05-4072. At some point in the time period 1950-1993 he lived at 607 North Jefferson Avenue, El Dorado, AR 71730. Another record indicates that he served in the U.S. Navy, enlistment date 29 May 1942, discharge date 23 November 1945. (I believe that the Coast Guard may have been considered part of the Navy during World War II.) If the above information describes your uncle, some of the detail may be useful in making a request for his service record.
Good luck.
Ron Carlson, Webmaster
Armed Guard / Merchant Marine website
www.armed-guard.com
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