[Mi-local-history] Military research

[Oster, Adam (MDE)]

Hi Sara,
A good place to start is to see if the National Archives has any records of the father's military service: https://www.archives.gov/research/military. You'll want to alert them that its possible that their father's records were lost in the 1973 National Personnel Records Center fire<https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/fire-1973>, but its certainly good to double-check.

Its also good to look in the local newspaper where the patron's father grew up. Often updates connected to a person's military training or service overseas will get mentioned in the local paper.

They should also check out the United States Military Records wiki entry on FamilySearch.org: https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/United_States_Military_Records. It has a number of different resources, including a list of guidebooks that would provide additional "how-to" resources for researching a person's WWII experience.

Hope this helps!
Adam

Adam Oster, Community Engagement Librarian
Library of Michigan
Michigan Department of Education
702 W. Kalamazoo
PO Box 30007
Lansing, MI 48909

ostera at michigan.gov<mailto:ostera at michigan.gov> | 517-335-1469 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan>
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From: Mi-local-history <mi-local-history-bounces at mcls.org> On Behalf Of Sara VanLente via Mi-local-history
Sent: Monday, March 4, 2024 12:11 PM
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Subject: [Mi-local-history] Military research

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Hi All-
I am attempting to help a patron begin some basic research on her father's (deceased) military career.  She knows that he served overseas during World War II, but is hoping to find some more information about where he was stationed and some battles he may have fought in.  Sadly, he did not share any of this information before he passed.  Any ideas on how to even begin this search?  Thanks in advance for any replies.


Sara Van Lente
Howard Miller Public Library

14 S. Church St.
Zeeland, Mi 49464

616-772-0874
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