“DD” in DD214 stands for Department of Defense. The DoD was created in 1949. Before January 1, 1950, several similar separation forms were used by the military services, including the WD AGO 53, WD AGO 55, WD AGO 53-55, NAVPERS 553, NAVMC 78PD, and the NAVCG 553. ALL of these are DD214 equivalents and perfectly, legally valid to establish your eligibility for veteran’s benefits. You cannot get a DD214 per se, but Touchstone can provide you with a copy of your original separation documents. So, if someone asks you for your DD214, they are asking for your separation documents – using DD214 then only in the generic sense.