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

by Jonathan Gawne

Overview

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 MOS's, 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.

REVIEWS

"... helps you assemble the data you have collected and piece the story of your relative’s wartime service together. It also gives advice on preserving the memories - oral histories, photos, artifacts, documents, etc. ... addresses an increasing need to record and understand the lives of the "greatest generation and their service to the country." - HistoryBuff.com, 01/2007

"...for those interested in WWII army service, there is no source better than FINDING YOUR FATHER'S WAR". We are greatly impressed with the depictions "...Gawne provides a wealth of background information and keys to interpreting military records and items from the WWII period.... This book is a great starting point."
ARMY Magazine,04/2007

"...This work is a road map for users seeking to trace their relative’s wartime army service... a Useful source for genealogists and readers interested in the wartime military."
CHOICE, 06/2007

“…a useful book for anyone trying to establish the history of any US veteran during W.W.II.”
Military Trader Magazine, 10/2007

“…a thoroughly comprehensive guide to the U.S. Army in the World War II period… covers an enormous range of subjects…”
The NYMAS Review 41, Summer 2007

“…very practical useful guide to assist all those whose relatives served in the wartime US Army. …very well illustrated… Finding You Father’s War is highly recommended for all those who find themselves in need of assistance in doing research on World War II.”
Journal For America’s Military Past Spring/ Summer 2007

“…a terrific guide that details how to go about researching and understanding the lives of a generation of servicemen that answered their nation’s call when the world was at war.”
On Point Magazine Winter 2007-8

“… a fascinating book…no veteran post should be without it.”
Daily Times (Delaware County), 04/2008

“…a great read not only for genealogists wishing to research an ancestor, but also for those who simply have an interest in the United States Army during World War II… written so that anyone, even those with no military background, can understand, yet also includes more advanced information… detail is phenomenal… a must read reference book for any professional genealogist or military historian…”
Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, 12/2009

“…focus is on researching individual and social history. Using this book will help you write a family history narrative.”
Genealogy Book reviews

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612001999
Publisher:	Casemate Publishers
Publication date:	06/20/2013
Edition description:	2nd Edition
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 9.40(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Jon Gawne is considered one of the leading experts on the history of American Army uniforms and equipment in both world wars. His numerous articles for Militaria Magazine have covered everything from the shortage of winter clothing during the Battle of the Bulge to the history of dog tags. His writings have been translated into many languages, including French, Italian and Czech, and are equally popular in both Europe and the US. He has been a technical consultant for films and museums. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife and a small spoiled dog, in a house overrun with books, documents and military memorabilia.

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Second Edition vii

The War in a Nutshell 1

Section 1 Introduction to Army Units: Background information on the composition of the World War II US Army 19

Section 2 Individual Records: The various Army records pertaining to an individual soldier 95

Section 3 Organizational Records: The Army's records of what a man's unit did during the war 129

Section 4 Finding Records: Places around the country where you can find records of your soldier's service 159

Section 5 Tangible Evidence of Service: Identifying what you may already have and what it can tell you about your relative's service 185

Appendices

Appendix A The Infantry and Airborne Divisions in World War II 233

Appendix B The Armored and Cavalry Divisions in World War II 249

Appendix C Army Groups, Armies, and Corps in World War II 255

Appendix D Major Army Commands of World War II 281

Appendix E The Army Air Forces in World War II 293

Appendix F Vehicle Markings in World War II 309

Appendix G The Campaigns of World War II 317

Appendix H Official Abbreviations Used in World War II 325

Appendix I The Green Books and Select Bibliography 329

Appendix J Separation Qualification Record 342

Appendix K Concentration Camp "Liberator" Units 343

Appendix L Common MOS Definitions 346

Editorial Reviews

… a fascinating book…no veteran post should be without it.

DAILY TIMES

…very practical useful guide to assist all those whose relatives served in the wartime US Army. …very well illustrated… Finding You Father’s War is highly recommended for all those who find themselves in need of assistance in doing research on World War II.

JOURNAL FOR AMERICA'S MILITARY PAST

…a useful book for anyone trying to establish the history of any US veteran during WWII.

MILITARY TRADER

a terrific guide that details how to go about researching and understanding the lives of a generation of servicemen that answered their nation’s call when the world was at war.

ON POINT

…a thoroughly comprehensive guide to the U.S. Army in the World War II period… covers an enormous range of subjects…

NYMAS Review

…a thoroughly comprehensive guide to the U.S. Army in the World War II period… covers an enormous range of subjects…

NYMAS

…focus is on researching individual and social history. Using this book will help you write a family history narrative.

Genealogy Book reviews

...focus is on researching individual and social history. Using this book will help you write a family history narrative…

Genealogy Book Reviews

Gawne compiled this source from his own experience researching his father's military records. One of an increasing number of reference manuals that provide details on the organization and workings of the WW II-era US Army, this work is a road map for users seeking to trace their relatives' wartime army service.
—W. F. Bell, formerly, Lamar University

Choice Magazine

. . . a useful book for anyone trying to establish the history of any US veteran during WWII.
—J.A. Graf

Military Trader

. . . a thoroughly comprehensive guide to the U.S. Army in the World War II period . . . covers an enormous range of subjects . . .
—A. Nofi

The NYMAS Review

. . . very practical useful guide to assist all those whose relatives served in the wartime US Army. . . . very well illustrated . . . Finding You Father's War is highly recommended for all those who find themselves in need of assistance in doing research on World War II.

Journal For Americas Military Past

…a great read not only for genealogists wishing to research an ancestor, but also for those who simply have an interest in the United States Army during World War II… written so that anyone, even those with no military background, can understand, yet also includes more advanced information… detail is phenomenal… a must read reference book for any professional genealogist or military historian…

APGQ

… a fascinating book…no veteran post should be without it.

Daily Times

…very practical useful guide to assist all those whose relatives served in the wartime US Army. …very well illustrated… Finding You Father’s War is highly recommended for all those who find themselves in need of assistance in doing research on World War II.

Journal for America's Military Past (Spring / Summer 2007)

…very practical useful guide to assist all those whose relatives served in the wartime US Army. …very well illustrated… Finding You Father’s War is highly recommended for all those who find themselves in need of assistance in doing research on World War II.

Spring/Summer 2007 The Journal of America’s Military Past

"a terrific guide that details how to go about researching and understanding the lives of a generation of servicemen that answered their nation’s call when the world was at war."

On Point: The Journal of Army History

a terrific guide that details how to go about researching and understanding the lives of a generation of servicemen that answered their nation’s call when the world was at war.

On Point

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