Finding Your Father's War: A Practical Guide to Researching and Understanding Service in the World War II US Army

Finding Your Father's War: A Practical Guide to Researching and Understanding Service in the World War II US Army by Gawne, Jonathan. paperback edition. ISBN: 9781612001999.

Originally published in 2006 and selling through three printings, this invaluable guide has been revised and updated for a new edition. In this work, leading military historian and researcher, Jonathan Gawne, explains and shares the techniques he uses to research archives, libraries, veteran associations, and myriad other sources of information to track down wartime careers. The book provides an overview of the Army in World War II, from the basics up. It goes on to explain how to find information from such sources as discharges, uniforms, paperwork, the National Personnel Records Center, National Archives, other facilities, and what you can expect from veterans organizations (and how to find them). The book also helps you to assemble the data you have collected and piece together the story of your relatives wartime service. Detailed appendices also give information on such things as insignia of ranks and branches, listing of common MOSs, a breakdown of each division by sub unit, with a brief history and a listing of their campaigns, a capsule history of each campaign, and a bibliography of useful books on various campaigns and units. Color illustrations of campaign ribbons, decorations, insignia, and rare photos accompany the detailed text. Table of Contents Introduction to the Second Edition The War in a Nutshell SECTION 1: Introduction to Army Units Background information on the composition of the World War II US Army SECTION 2: Individual Records The various Army records pertaining to an individual soldier SECTION 3: Organizational Records The Army’s records of what a man’s unit did during the war SECTION 4: Finding Records Places around the country where you can find records of your soldier’s service SECTION 5: Introduction to Army Units Identifying what you may already have and what it can tell you about your relative’s service APPENDICES Appendix A: The Infantry and Airborne Divisions in World War II Appendix B: The Armored and Cavalry Divisions in World War II Appendix C: Army Groups, Armies, and Corps in World War II Appendix D: Major Army Commands of World War II Appendix E: The Army Air Forces in World War II Appendix F: Vehicle Markings in World War II Appendix G: The Campaigns of World War II Appendix H: Official Abbreviations Used in World War II Appendix I: The Green Books and Select Bibliography Appendix J: Separation Qualification Record Appendix K: Concentration Camp “Liberator” Units Appendix L: Common MOS Definitions