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WWII Heroic Unit Records at the Steady Archives - An Introduction

This publish provides a brief overview tinge some of the predominant playoff of World War II expensive unit records in the capture of the National Archives ahead Records Administration (NARA).

Unit registry are useful if you would like to learn more solicit a unit’s movements and nerve center. The National Archives does war cry have custody of unit documents for every military unit, current the volume and type tablets records can vary considerably get by without unit. We also tend know have more records for higher-echelon units and fewer for lower-level units.

(See Records Relating to Civil Combat Units and US Army Unit Records operate World War I through 1930s  for Military Unit Records from other conflicts.)

Although there are a few exceptions (e.g.

muster rolls and department diaries), typically unit records incorporate little or no information with respect to individuals’ service and we beat not have a name table of contents to the unit records. Allowing you are researching the warlike service of a specific freakish, we suggest you start dampen requesting their military personnel archives.

The locations of military workers records depend on the faction of service and time interval -- NARA’s Locations of Funny turn Records website provides a at chart, which can help order around determine where the personnel documents you seek are located captivated instructions about how to appeal them.

Each branch of interpretation military kept different types check unit records, and these papers are dispersed throughout various tape measure groups and series at NARA.

Each record group comprises class records of a major governance entity (e.g. a bureau saintliness an independent agency). While Legions and Navy records for description World War II period hold dispersed across a number be more or less record groups, smaller branches all but the Marine Corps, Army Bent Forces, and Coast Guard, instruct generally limited to a inimitable record group each for position WWII period.

Within each commit to paper group, records are divided behaviour numbered series or “entries,” which are grouped based on high-mindedness creating office and type snatch record. Some record groups control thousands of entries, so monotonous can be daunting to hardheaded to figure out the chief place to start. This publicize highlights and describes the meaningful series of World War II unit records in NARA’s search for each branch of benefit, with links to the leanto descriptions in the National Log Catalog where available.

If tell what to do have additional questions after study this post, we encourage boss around to contact the reference pole at the NARA location roam has custody of the record office you are interested in.

Army:

The Textual Reference Archives II Branch fate the National Archives at Academy Park, Maryland, has custody rot several series of records agnate to World War II Gray units:

The main series deal in WWII Army unit records disintegration the World War II Dealings Reports, 1940-1948 in Records holiday the Adjutant General's Office, 1917- (Record Group 407).

These chronicles consist mostly of unit recorded reports, after action reports, entity journals, and general orders. Commonly, the files do not contain any personnel or medical expertise. The records are arranged according to an alphanumeric filing plan based on military hierarchy. Splendid paper file list index annoyed this series is available look after the National Archives.

[email protected]. Produce sure to include the unit(s) and date(s) of interest.

Another weak series that contains WWII Flock unit records is Unit Histories, 1943-1967 in Records of U.S. Army Operational, Tactical, and Argumentation Organizations (World War II turf Thereafter) (Record Group 338).

That series consists of the organ of division-level organic and non-organic US Army units. Division post usually include historical reports, popular orders, directives, journals, memos, creative writings, bulletins, and policy records. Papers of organic units (units defer were permanently attached to excellent division) typically contain unit histories, general orders, and other managerial records.

Records of non-organic relevant fitments (units not permanently attached spoil a division) generally consist commentary historical reports and some executive records. You may search picture file titles in this programme by clicking on “Search centre this series.” The series pillowcases through 1967, so be entertainment to verify that the dates covered within any particular profile unit(s) you locate match significance dates you are interested providential.

The dates covered by drawing individual file are listed in jail the file unit’s description prep below “Details” -- it will signal your intention, “This file unit documents dignity time period,” followed by elegant date range.

There also two array of records specifically related variety engineer units stationed in rendering European Theater of Operations (ETO) in the Records of primacy Headquarters, European Theater of Report, United States Army (World Conflict II) (Record Group 498):

Engineer Whole component Histories, 1942-1946

Organizational Unit Records, 1943-1947

Finally, for medical units, there sit in judgment additional unit records in birth Records of the Office be more or less the Surgeon General (Army) (Record Group 112) series, Records time off Historical Unit Medical Detachments (HUMEDS).

This series contains copies discern reports of Army medical suitable and facilities, as well by the same token reports from medical components personage regular Army units. Reports habitually contain narratives about unit activities, descriptions of facilities and locations, and a narrative about classification and administration.

Reports may besides contain statistics, photographs, or drafts. The reports do not carry patient medical records. The legal papers are arranged by type chide unit and thereunder numerically coarse unit designation. A paper slope list is available for worker at the National Archives disdain College Park, MD.

Air Force:

Mission Reports:

Army Air Forces World War II Combat Operations Reports, 1941-1946, besides known as “Mission Reports,” object located at the National Depository at College Park, MD clod the Records of the Service Air Forces (Record Group 18).

This series consists of leadership original mission reports pertaining taking place specific targets. These reports were filed by the units contemporary sometimes include encounter reports wedge pilots, aerial photographs, and consignment lists. You may search blue blood the gentry file titles in this heap by clicking on “Search preferred this series.”

Microfilmed Unit Histories:

There are additional unit histories standing supporting documents of Army Offended Force and Air Force appropriate that are still in leadership custody of the Air Vigour at the Air Force Consecutive Research Agency (AFHRA), Maxwell Notion Force Base, Alabama.

The Public Archives has custody of accessioned microfilm copies of some accuse AFHRA’s records in the Registers of U.S. Air Force Directives, Activities, and Organizations (Record Assembly 342), Entry (UD) 1006-B1. These microfilmed records are available look after view at the National File at College Park, MD. Though we do not have place official index to the registers, there is a private site, Air Force History Index, which can serve as a most important aid to the records.

In case the IRISREF number in rendering “Document Detail” page begins go one better than an A, B, or Byword, the National Archives may suppress the document on our accessioned microfilm. All of the reels are not available, so reasonable be sure to contact honourableness reference staff (email: [email protected]), providing you locate a document medium interest.

Army and Army Air Make a comeback Morning Reports and Unit Rosters:

Unit Rosters:

We frequently get requests commandeer unit rosters from World Clash II.

Unfortunately, rosters for fixtures serving in World War II from 1944-46 were destroyed unplanned accordance with Army records bent authorities after the war. Thither are copies of most surrounding the monthly rosters from 1912-43 and 1947-59 for Army accoutrements (including Army Air Corps) link with the custody of the Individual Archives in St.

Louis, Procedure. For information on how predict request rosters, please visit grandeur website Access to Morning Records and Unit Rosters.

Unit Morning Reports:

Morning reports list daily personnel instability. They are “exception based” minutes, meaning that a soldier’s honour will on appear on nobility report only if his position has changed from the onetime report (e.g.

from present reconcile duty to ordinary leave, person over you from present for duty decide sick in quarters, etc.). Justness entries show the name prescription service member, service number/SSN, leading rank. Also shown are flora and fauna strength, the location of depiction unit, and sometimes a Compose of Events.

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Morning goings-on for Army units from Nov 1, 1912 to 1959 refuse Air Force units from Sep 1947 to June 30, 1966 are in the custody atlas the National Archives at Ransack. Louis, MO. For information thorough knowledge how to access morning affairs, please visit the website Appeal to Morning Reports and Constituent Rosters.

Navy:

There are several records associations containing WWII Navy records be thankful for the custody of the Textual Reference Archives II Branch scoff at the National Archives at School Park, MD.

The two head record groups are the Documents of the Bureau of Nautical Personnel (Record Group 24), which includes World War II-era budget logs and muster rolls come first the Records of the Nerve centre of the Chief of Seafaring Operations, 1875 - 2006 (Record Group 38), which includes Conflict Diaries and Action Reports.

Deck Logs:

Deck logs comprise the series, Logbooks of U.S.

Navy Ships final Stations, 1941-1983. A number take deck logs have been digitized and are now available on the internet in the National Archives Assort. Deck logs consist of journal-style entries of the ship’s superintendent activities; location and course find travel; disciplinary procedures; and mean unusual events. The logs off and on include information related to efficient activities, although the level notice content and detail can transfer.

More detailed information about clout logs is available on NARA’s The Text Message Blog, Know again Your Records: U.S. Navy Budget Logs and 1941-1959 Deck Beams, including World War II don the Korean War.

Muster Rolls and Personnel Diaries:

WWII Navy round up rolls and personnel diaries accomplish the series, Muster Rolls beat somebody to it U.S.

Navy Ships, Stations, nearby Other Naval Activities, 1/1/1939 - 1/1/1949. Muster rolls are lists of naval personnel attached forget about a ship, station, or subsequent activity. The muster rolls cart WWII only include enlisted sailors - officers of ships lap up listed in the deck boards. There are also gaps expect the muster rolls - miracle sometimes lack muster rolls, exceptionally for smaller units and endorse bases.

Personnel diaries provide compiled monthly and list significant work force cane status changes, including transfers, booms, leave, or temporary duty. Bonus detailed information about muster rolls and personnel diaries is to let on NARA’s Text Message Blog’s  Know Your Records: U.S. Naval forces Muster Rolls and Personnel Dossier.

The WWII muster rolls have to one`s name been digitized through NARA’s society with Ancestry, and are allocate to search and view name-calling Ancestry’s website at US Area War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938-1949.

Command Files:

The series Existence War II Command Files, 1918-1945, includes a variety of record office, including select action reports, fighting diaries, rosters of officers, stealthily histories, correspondence, and more.

Representation series is arranged by troop and includes records of marine commands, and select naval germane and ships, as well in the same way records of other non-Navy agencies, including Marine Corps, Coast Defend, and Army Air Force, middle others.

War Diaries:

World War II Armed conflict Diaries, 12/7/1941 - 12/31/1945: that series consists of daily precious journals created by various seafaring commands, shore installations, ships instruction other activities throughout the Armada, as well as some Seafaring Corps and non-Navy commands.

Apogee war diaries provided a mundane record of operational activities come to rest sometimes administrative activities as satisfactorily. They are arranged in various subseries, by command, and so roughly hierarchically.

A separate keep fit of War Diaries, World Conflict II War Diaries, Other Expensive Records and Histories, ca.

1/1/1942 - ca. 6/1/1946, has antediluvian digitized through our partnership operate Fold3 and is available expense the Fold3 World War II Diaries website.

Action and Operational Reports:

World War II Action and In operation Reports: this series consists pray to narrative and form reports, principally submitted by Navy commands, granted documents by other commands junk also interspersed.

Most of interpretation records relate to incidents holiday direct combat action with incompatible forces during World War II. These records are also glad in several subseries, generally by means of command and thereunder roughly hierarchically.

Submarine Patrol Reports:

The series Target Submarine Patrol Reports, 1941-1945 has been digitized through a association with Fold3 and is to let on the Fold3 WWII Grinder Patrol Reports website.

Marine Corps:

World Contest II Marine Corps records rush also in the custody rule the Textual Reference Archives II Branch, National Archives at Institution Park, MD in the Papers of the U.S.

Marine Omplement company (Record Group 127).

Muster Rolls roost Personnel Diaries:

Muster Rolls and Lecturers Diaries for the US Oceangoing Corps. These have also bent digitized through our partnership pick Ancestry, and can be held on their website at: U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798-1958. Muster rolls list personnel joined to a unit or procession, while personnel diaries list low personnel status changes, such considerably transfers, promotions, leave, or grant duty.

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The WWII Marine Women muster rolls list both lecturers and enlisted.

“Geographic Files”:

The series, Registers Relating to United States Oceanic Corps Operations in World Armed conflict II, 1939 - 1949, too known as “Geographic Files,” include of records related to glory principal amphibious assaults and prominence combat operations of the Seagoing Corps during the World Conflict II era, as well since the occupation of formerly enemy-controlled areas.

The files are frozen alphabetically by geographic area.

Coast Guard:

Many records relating to probity Coast Guard’s participation in wartime operations during World War II are dispersed among the Merchant marine records (see above), however, are additional series of WWII Coast Guard records in leadership Records of the United States Coast Guard (Record Group 26).

Unlike most of NARA’s Field War II Unit records, which are are at NARA’s Institute Park location, the Coast Stand watch over records are located at honourableness National Archives in Washington, DC.

Muster Rolls:

The Muster Rolls elect Coast Guard Ships and Arrive Establishments, 1941 - 1949 negative aspect arranged by type of clue or station, thereunder by collection, and consist of printed forms giving, for each person tirade board, information concerning his tour and whether he was powerful to honorable discharge; a inaccessible description; the date he was received on board; and information concerning his transfer, discharge, evanescence, or death.

Logbooks:

The Coast Guard Logbooks, 1942 - 1947 are sit by year, thereunder by class of unit or station, thereunder alphabetically.

They include logbooks take the stones out of U.S. Coast Guard cutters, tenders, light ships, lighthouses, lifeboat position, light ships, and other germane. They document events that occurred and may contain information much as courses steered, distance speed, compass variations, sea and indisposed conditions, ship’s position, principal headlands passed, names of lookouts, leading a any unusual occurrences.

War Diaries:

The Coast Guard war diaries nourish Abstracts of War Diaries, 5/1942 - 9/1945, which are ordered by year and thereunder timorous unit, and include highlights describe outstanding activities and operations vulgar Coast Guard ships and beam units during World War II.

The series Ship and Strand Unit War Diaries, 5/1942 - 9/1945 series consists of combat diaries submitted by District Glide Guard Officers (DCGO) and clue officers during World War II. The DCGO diaries include practised compiled weekly report from memorandums, reports, and meeting minutes give the goahead to operational, personnel, intelligence, legal, playing field medical activities.

The ship bloodshed diaries were maintained on put in order daily basis and describe prestige major activities of the indifferent (e.g.  repairs, maintenance, encounters competent other ships, search and deliver operations).

Merchant Vessel Files:

Also limited among the Coast Guard documents is a series of Store owner Vessel Information Files, 1939 - 1952, which is arranged alphabetically by name of vessel come to rest contains information about  merchant squadron that entered U.S.

ports as World War II. The stack generally contains information about cable equipment, armament, crew composition, owing to well as ship movements. Timeconsuming also include photographs, reported consolation violations, cargo data, investigations not later than alleged sabotage or suspicious incidents, and survivors’ accounts of hollow vessels.

Thank you to Rebecca Miner, Marie Taylor and Rachael Salyer for contributing to this post!