How to Find WWII Military Records

The WWII Memorial has a registry of American participants in the war.

Finding the proper World War II military records can mean the difference between knowing if your ancestor hit the beach at Normandy or fought with the 21st Panzer Division there. The National WWII Museum places the number of American soldiers who served at 16 million. Knowing who fought in the war, and the circumstances they endured, serves to make sure they are probably honored. Records also provide insight and understanding about decisions made by the Military High Command.

Instructions

1. Gather the most accurate and complete information possible concerning the persons or topics you are investigating. Narrowing your focus by year, name or unit can drastically improve your chances of finding relevant information. The more varied the types of media (documents, photos, oral recordings) you consider, the better.

2. Search your national archives (NARA and the Library of Congress in the U.S.). The countries that participated in WWII maintain vast databases of data related to the conflict. Researchers have digitalized many of these archives, allowing you to perform most, if not all, of your research from home.

3. Check with a local university about their archives/special collections. Many colleges conserve and collect media and personal effects (letters, dairies, photos) related to a number of eras, including WWII. Although you may need to physically search the archives, they often contain records not found elsewhere.

4. Visit museums dedicated to WWII. Smaller museums can rarely afford to digitize their collections; however, exhibits are also a valid research tool. Larger museums often provide an opportunity to interview WWII veterans.

5. Seek out books written about WWII, preferably on your topic of interest. Even if the book does not provide the information you desire, the bibliography may contain a wealth of possible leads to other books or sources. This allows the author of the book to do the research legwork for you.

Tips & Warnings

• If you speak another language, the national archives of foreign countries are a viable tool with which to find records.

• A fire in 1973 destroyed almost all of the detailed personnel files related to WWII. In many instances, there is no record for an individual beyond basic enlistment information, according to the NARA.

• Beware of services that require you to pay a fee in order to access their records. Quite often, these records are available for free in government archives.

References

• The Library of Congress: A Guide to World War II Materials
• National Archives and Records Administration: Finding Information on Personal Participation in World War II
• The National World War II Museum