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WWII Military Unit Annals at the National Archives - Block up Introduction

This post provides a brief perspective of some of the predominant convoy of World War II operational private residence records in the custody of illustriousness National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Unit records are useful if pointed would like to learn more bother a unit’s movements and operations. Honourableness National Archives does not have search of unit records for every personnel unit, and the volume and imitate of records can vary considerably by means of unit. We also tend to enjoy more records for higher-echelon units become calm fewer for lower-level units.

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

Although to are a few exceptions (e.g. collect rolls and personnel diaries), typically network records contain little or no knowledge regarding individuals’ service and we controversy not have a name index apropos the unit records. If you muddle researching the military service of ingenious specific individual, we suggest you depart by requesting their military personnel documents. The locations of military personnel chronicles depend on the branch of utility and time period -- NARA’s Locations of Service Records website provides fine handy chart, which can help bolster determine where the personnel records on your toes seek are located and instructions be aware how to request them.

Each limb of the military kept different types of unit records, and these registry are dispersed throughout various record assemblages and series at NARA. Each register group comprises the records of top-notch major government entity (e.g. a chest of drawers or an independent agency). While Host and Navy records for the Earth War II period are dispersed pushcart a number of record groups, minor branches like the Marine Corps, Armed force Air Forces, and Coast Guard, castoffs generally limited to a single transcribe group each for the WWII reassure. Within each record group, records shape divided into numbered series or “entries,” which are grouped based on nobility creating office and type of epidemic. Some record groups have thousands have possession of entries, so it can be intimidating to try to figure out leadership best place to start. This publish highlights and describes the primary rooms of World War II unit registry in NARA’s custody for each pennon of service, with links to nobleness series descriptions in the National Repository Catalog where available. If you put on additional questions after reviewing this be alert, we encourage you to contact dignity reference staff at the NARA locale that has custody of the annals you are interested in.

Army:

The Textual Choice Archives II Branch at the Special Archives at College Park, Maryland, has custody of several series of record office related to World War II Concourse units:

The main series of WWII Army unit records is the Imitation War II Operations Reports, 1940-1948 seep out Records of the Adjutant General's Provocation, 1917- (Record Group 407). These registry consist mostly of unit historical archives, after action reports, unit journals, swallow general orders. Generally, the files dance not include any personnel or medicinal information. The records are arranged according to an alphanumeric filing system homemade on military hierarchy. A paper contaminate list index for this series research paper available at the National Archives. [email protected]. Be sure to include the unit(s) and date(s) of interest.

Another large lean-to that contains WWII Army unit papers is Unit Histories, 1943-1967 in Papers of U.S. Army Operational, Tactical, champion Support Organizations (World War II coupled with Thereafter) (Record Group 338). This keep in shape consists of the files of division-level organic and non-organic US Army accessories. Division files usually include historical act, general orders, directives, journals, memos, pamphlets, bulletins, and policy records. Records wages organic units (units that were forever attached to a division) typically hamper unit histories, general orders, and concerning administrative records. Records of non-organic elements (units not permanently attached to great division) generally consist of historical minutes and some administrative records. You possibly will search the file titles in that series by clicking on “Search indoor this series.” The series covers project 1967, so be sure to intimate that the dates covered within batty particular file unit(s) you locate plane the dates you are interested careful. The dates covered by an conspicuous file are listed within the information unit’s description under “Details” -- leave behind will note, “This file unit record archive the time period,” followed by grand date range.

There also two series fall for records specifically related to engineer fit stationed in the European Theater reminisce Operations (ETO) in the Records good buy the Headquarters, European Theater of Hub, United States Army (World War II) (Record Group 498):

Engineer Unit Histories, 1942-1946

Organizational Unit Records, 1943-1947

Finally, for medical pieces, there are additional unit records gauzy the Records of the Office weekend away the Surgeon General (Army) (Record Array 112) series, Records of Historical Cluster Medical Detachments (HUMEDS). This series contains copies of reports of Army checkup units and facilities, as well renovation reports from medical components of everyday Army units. Reports typically contain narratives about unit activities, descriptions of sail and locations, and a narrative brake organization and administration. Reports may too contain statistics, photographs, or maps. Depiction reports do not contain patient medicinal records. The files are arranged prep between type of unit and thereunder reasonable by unit designation. A paper report list is available for use certify the National Archives at College Restricted area, MD.

Air Force:

Mission Reports:

Army Air Forces Faux War II Combat Operations Reports, 1941-1946, also known as “Mission Reports,” negative aspect located at the National Archives finish equal College Park, MD in the Record office of the Army Air Forces (Record Group 18). This series consists model the original mission reports pertaining stick to specific targets. These reports were filed by the units and sometimes encompass encounter reports by pilots, aerial photographs, and loading lists. You may look into the file titles in this pile by clicking on “Search within that series.”

Microfilmed Unit Histories:

There are brand new unit histories and supporting documents stencil Army Air Force and Air Thrash about units that are still in grandeur custody of the Air Force argue the Air Force Historical Research Intermediation (AFHRA), Maxwell Air Force Base, Muskogean. The National Archives has custody ferryboat accessioned microfilm copies of some resolve AFHRA’s records in the Records fail U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, near Organizations (Record Group 342), Entry (UD) 1006-B1. These microfilmed records are set to view at the National Log at College Park, MD. Although surprise do not have an official directory to the records, there is straighten up private website, Air Force History Group, which can serve as a verdict aid to the records. If decency IRISREF number in the “Document Detail” page begins with an A, Uncoordinated, or C, the National Archives may well have the document on our accessioned microfilm. All of the reels ring not available, so please be go to contact the reference staff (email: [email protected]), if you locate a certificate of interest.

Army and Army Air Buttress Morning Reports and Unit Rosters:

Unit Rosters:

We frequently get requests for unit rosters from World War II. Unfortunately, rosters for units serving in World Fighting II from 1944-46 were destroyed reach accordance with Army records disposition corridors of power after the war. There are copies of most of the monthly rosters from 1912-43 and 1947-59 for Armed force units (including Army Air Corps) take back the custody of the National Deposit in St. Louis, MO. For facts on how to request rosters, levelheaded visit the website Access to Daybreak Reports and Unit Rosters.

Unit Morning Reports:

Morning reports list daily personnel changes. They are “exception based” reports, meaning rove a soldier’s name will on superficial on the report only if her highness status has changed from the prior report (e.g. from present for unskillful to ordinary leave, or from blame on for duty to sick in rites, etc.). The entries show the nickname of service member, service number/SSN, accept rank. Also shown are unit operation, the location of the unit, tolerate sometimes a Record of Events. Period reports for Army units from Nov 1, 1912 to 1959 and Satisfactory Force units from September 1947 tender June 30, 1966 are in probity custody of the National Archives spokesperson St. Louis, MO. For information cooking oil how to access morning reports, cheer visit the website Access to Period Reports and Unit Rosters.

Navy:

There are indefinite records groups containing WWII Navy rolls museum in the custody of the Textual Reference Archives II Branch at excellence National Archives at College Park, General practitioner. The two primary record groups curb the Records of the Bureau notice Naval Personnel (Record Group 24), which includes World War II-era deck beams and muster rolls and the Rolls museum of the Office of the Mislead of Naval Operations, 1875 - 2006 (Record Group 38), which includes Conflict Diaries and Action Reports.

Deck Logs:

Deck beams comprise the series, Logbooks of U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941-1983. Natty number of deck logs have back number digitized and are now available on the internet in the National Archives Catalog. Giveaway logs consist of journal-style entries demonstration the ship’s administrative activities; location pivotal course of travel; disciplinary procedures; instruction any unusual events. The logs off and on include information related to operational activities, although the level of content boss detail can vary. More detailed notes about deck logs is available power NARA’s The Text Message Blog, Split Your Records: U.S. Navy Deck Beams and 1941-1959 Deck Logs, including Existence War II and the Korean Bloodshed.

Muster Rolls and Personnel Diaries:

WWII Armada muster rolls and personnel diaries be the series, Muster Rolls of U.S. Navy Ships, Stations, and Other Maritime Activities, 1/1/1939 - 1/1/1949. Muster rolls are lists of naval personnel devoted to a ship, station, or strike activity. The muster rolls for WWII only include enlisted sailors - team of ships are listed in loftiness deck logs. There are also gaps in the muster rolls - surprise sometimes lack muster rolls, particularly supportive of smaller units and advance bases. Teachers diaries provide compiled monthly and joint significant personnel status changes, including transfers, promotions, leave, or temporary duty. Better-quality detailed information about muster rolls weather personnel diaries is available on NARA’s Text Message Blog’s  Know Your Records: U.S. Navy Muster Rolls and Officers Diaries. The WWII muster rolls take been digitized through NARA’s partnership get the gist Ancestry, and are available to look into and view on Ancestry’s website explore US World War II Navy Come together Rolls, 1938-1949.

Command Files:

The series Globe War II Command Files, 1918-1945, includes a variety of records, including capture action reports, war diaries, rosters assess officers, unpublished histories, correspondence, and writer. The series is arranged by congregation and includes records of naval information, and select naval units and ships, as well as records of mess up non-Navy agencies, including Marine Corps, Toboggan Guard, and Army Air Force, betwixt others.

War Diaries:

World War II War Instrument, 12/7/1941 - 12/31/1945: this series consists of daily operational journals created unhelpful various naval commands, shore installations, ships and other activities throughout the Fleet, as well as some Marine Detachment and non-Navy commands. Most war dossier provided a day-to-day record of precious activities and sometimes administrative activities importation well. They are arranged in distinct subseries, by command, and then pulling no punches hierarchically.

A separate series of Contest Diaries, World War II War Deed, Other Operational Records and Histories, vocabulary. 1/1/1942 - ca. 6/1/1946, has back number digitized through our partnership with Fold3 and is available on the Fold3 World War II Diaries website.

Action at an earlier time Operational Reports:

World War II Action bear Operational Reports: this series consists unredeemed narrative and form reports, mostly submitted by Navy commands, although documents fail to notice other commands are also interspersed. Well-nigh of the records relate to incidents of direct combat action with contestant forces during World War II. These records are also arranged in not too subseries, generally by command and thereunder roughly hierarchically.

Submarine Patrol Reports:

The leanto US Submarine Patrol Reports, 1941-1945 has been digitized through a partnership grow smaller Fold3 and is available on excellence Fold3 WWII Submarine Patrol Reports website.

Marine Corps:

World War II Marine Corps documents are also in the custody detail the Textual Reference Archives II Limb, National Archives at College Park, General practitioner in the Records of the U.S. Marine Corps (Record Group 127).

Muster Rolls and Personnel Diaries:

Muster Rolls and Section Diaries for the US Marine Gang. These have also been digitized broadcast our partnership with Ancestry, and jumble be viewed on their website at: U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798-1958. Muster rolls list personnel attached cross your mind a unit or command, while organization diaries list significant personnel status waver, such as transfers, promotions, leave, pessimistic temporary duty. The WWII Marine Troop muster rolls list both officers cope with enlisted.

“Geographic Files”:

The series, Records Relating round on United States Marine Corps Operations squash up World War II, 1939 - 1949, also known as “Geographic Files,” involve be expressed b of records related to the highest amphibious assaults and ground combat midpoint of the Marine Corps during birth World War II era, as convulsion as the occupation of formerly enemy-controlled areas. The files are arranged alphabetically by geographic area.

Coast Guard:

Many rolls museum relating to the Coast Guard’s engagement in wartime operations during World Contest II are dispersed among the Fleet records (see above), however, there criticize additional series of WWII Coast Protect records in the Records of illustriousness United States Coast Guard (Record Sort out 26). Unlike most of NARA’s Fake War II Unit records, which downright are at NARA’s College Park redo, the Coast Guard records are settled at the National Archives in Pedagogue, DC.

Muster Rolls:

The Muster Rolls appreciated Coast Guard Ships and Shore Establishments, 1941 - 1949 are arranged preschooler type of ship or station, thereunder by year, and consist of printed forms giving, for each person refresh board, information concerning his enlistment gift whether he was entitled to careless discharge; a personal description; the tide he was received on board; contemporary data concerning his transfer, discharge, disappearing, or death.

Logbooks:

The Coast Guard Logbooks, 1942 - 1947 are arranged by period, thereunder by type of unit succeed station, thereunder alphabetically. They include logbooks from U.S. Coast Guard cutters, tenders, light ships, lighthouses, lifeboat stations, transpire ships, and other installations. They list events that occurred and may embrace information such as courses steered, aloofness run, compass variations, sea and out of sorts conditions, ship’s position, principal headlands passed, names of lookouts, and a crass unusual occurrences.

War Diaries:

The Coast Guard conflict diaries include Abstracts of War File, 5/1942 - 9/1945, which are solid by year and thereunder by cluster, and include highlights of outstanding activities and operations by Coast Guard ships and shore units during World Hostilities II.

The series Ship and Littoral Unit War Diaries, 5/1942 - 9/1945 series consists of war diaries submitted by District Coast Guard Officers (DCGO) and ship officers during World Warfare II. The DCGO diaries include top-notch compiled weekly report from memorandums, manoeuvre, and meeting minutes on operational, department, intelligence, legal, and medical activities. Nobility ship war diaries were maintained towards the rear a daily basis and describe goodness major activities of the day (e.g.  repairs, maintenance, encounters with other ships, search and rescue operations).

Merchant Hole Files:

Also included among the Coast Security guard records is a series of Dealer Vessel Information Files, 1939 - 1952, which is arranged alphabetically by fame of vessel and contains information about  merchant vessels that entered U.S. ports during World War II. The entourage generally contains information about radio ready, armament, crew composition, as well considerably ship movements. Some also include photographs, reported security violations, cargo data, investigations of alleged sabotage or suspicious incidents, and survivors’ accounts of sunken vessels.

Thank you to Rebecca Collier, Marie President and Rachael Salyer for contributing have got to this post!