Discovering Your Family’s WWII History: A Guide to Uncovering the Past

January 3, 2025 - At the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), we frequently hear from people eager to learn more about their family members' service during World War II. This quest often stems from a deep desire to preserve their loved one’s legacy, especially when they passed away without sharing the details of their experiences. Fortunately, the growing availability of online resources makes this process more accessible than ever. We’ve compiled a guide to assist you in uncovering your family’s World War II history.

Step 1: Start by collecting all available information from your family. Look for photographs, letters, and military documents like discharge papers, and ask other family members for help. Even small details like locations or branches of service can be invaluable.

Step 2: Explore Fold3.com’s vast archive of military records. You can create a free account and search using your family member's full name, approximate service dates, and location. You can look up Draft Registration Cards, Service Records, Commendations lists, and World War II Memorials there.

Step 3: Search the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), a treasure trove for military history enthusiasts. Key resources include Official Military Personnel Files (OMPFs), After Action Reports, and World War II Casualty Lists.

Step 4: Collaborate with Online Communities Engage with forums like WW2Talk or Reddit’s r/WWII. These communities often have knowledgeable members who can help interpret records, identify military insignia, or provide advice on further research. Although in-person reunions are less common for World War II veterans, there are still vibrant websites and Facebook groups where veterans and their families can post and share information.

Step 5: Honor Their Legacy. Once you’ve pieced together your family member’s story, consider ways to honor their service: Create a digital scrapbook or family history blog., share their story with organizations like the CAF to preserve it for future generations, and attend airshows and events to connect with the history they lived.

Researching your family member’s World War II service can be enriching, connecting you with a rich history that shaped the world. While the process may take time and persistence, each discovery brings you closer to preserving your loved one's legacy.

Resources:
* Fold3 User Contributed – https://www.fold3.com/publication/1024/user-contributed
* National Archives – https://www.archives.gov/
* WW2Talk – https://www.ww2talk.com/index.php
* Reddit/WWII – https://www.reddit.com/r/WWII/?rdt=42819

Main Photo – Historian Carol Cain while visiting the WASP Archives at the Texas Women’s University, Denton, Texas. WASP collection.