Government Research Resources

The following data has come from various sources including Scott Burris of Army Air Forces and www.b24.net. We hope these references will help you in your research.

National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records

This is where you obtain Service Records (201 file) located in St. Louis. Note that a fire in 1973 destroyed many records, nearly 80% of them. You'll need their Standard Form 180 and an understanding of the Privacy Act of 1974.

With access to a printer and the Adobe Acrobat Reader software available below, you may download and print a copy of the Standard Form 180 - Request Pertaining to Military Records. The front and back of the form are separate files which must be downloaded separately. NOTE: Please download both sides of the form as the back of the form contains important mailing addresses and instructions.

The Standard Form 180 is formatted for legal size paper (8.5" X 14"), please print that way if your printer can accommodate. If your printer can only print on letter size paper (8.5" X 11"), select "shrink to fit" when the Adobe Acrobat Reader "Print" dialog box appears. To order SF-180 click here.

Mailing Address for the Military Personnel Records Center:
National Personnel Records Center
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100

293 file, Individual Deceased Personnel File

If the individual you are researching was killed in action, the disinterment file will have information about the identification and reburial process. The U.S. Total Army Personnel Command handles these requests. Some have suggested the preferred method is to also email the information to: hrc.foia@conus.army.mil

Mailing Address for Individual Deceased Personnel File
Commander
U.S. Total Army Personnel Command Attention: TAPC-PAO (FOIA)
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22332-0404

National Archives

https://www.archives.gov

MACR's, KU-Reports, Tactical Mission Summaries, replies may take two to four months. Records pertaining to the military in W.W.II are maintained at National Archives at College Park, MD (Archives II).

Mailing Address for MACR'S,KU Reports and Tactical Mission Summaries.
National Archives and Records Administration
Textual Reference Branch
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone 301-713-7250

Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA)

https://www.afhra.af.mil

Located at Maxwell AFB Alabama. A great potential source for unit information and for purchasing microfilm records. Replies may take five to six months, but the wait is well worth it. Contact us for a list of requestable reels. Do not request information on individual service members.

Mailing Address for unit information and for purchasing microfilm records
AFHRA/RSA
600 Chennault Circle
Maxwell AFB, Alabama 36112-6424
Phone (334) 953-2437 FAX (334) 953-4096

Air Force History Support Office (AFHSO)

https://www.afhistory.af.mil

Located at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. In conjunction with the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, which is the primary repository of historical information, the office responds to requests for information from private organizations, government agencies, and the general public.

Mailing Address for the Air Force History Support Office (AFHSO)
AFHSO/HOS
Reference and Analysis Division
200 McChord Street, Box 94
Bolling AFB, DC 20332-1111
Phone 202-404-2261

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

https://iris.custhelp.va.gov

Phone (800) 827-1000

The VA has procedures to help you find surviving service members.

USAF & USAAF Aircraft Accident Reports

http://www.accident-report.com

If your research involves a plane crash in training, transit, or combat, these guys are well worth checking into. They have a comprehensive database of some unique materials.

B24.net POW Camps

https://www.b24.net/powCamps.htm

The internets most comprehensive WWII POW camps for airmen.

Lynn.Gamma@maxwell.af.mil

To request documents or information from AFHRA.

Penn state Special Collections Library

https://libraries.psu.edu/about/collections/eighth-air-force-archive

Penn state Special Collections Library, the 8th Air Force Collection.

National Archives’ online database

https://aad.archives.gov/aad/

WWII enlistment records and POW records.

National Archives at College Park, MD

https://www.archives.gov/college-park/researcher-info#pull

Information for researchers about the National Archives at College Park, MD, including how to contact the staff.

ArmyAirForces.com

http://www.armyairforces.com

Very helpful researcher forum plus databases for MACRs, units, Military Occupational Specialties, and a dictionary of terms used in WWII.

BBW

http://www.b24bestweb.com

B-24 Best Web. Another very helpful researcher forum plus over 5,400 photos of B-24s.

Nationwide Gravesite Locator

https://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/

Database of all persons buried in a national or state veterans cemetery within the United States. Can be used to determine if there was a group burial.

American Battle Monuments Commission

https://www.abmc.gov

Website of the American Battle Monuments Commission, including information on all US military cemeteries overseas and a database of burial listings.

AAIR Air Force Accident Reports Search

https://www.aviationarchaeology.com/

Database of Aircraft Accident Reports, searchable by pilot’s name, date, location, aircraft serial number, group, squadron, and home base.

Collings Foundation Wings of Freedom Tour

https://www.collingsfoundation.org/events/category/wings-of-freedom-tour/

Tour schedule for the Collings Foundation’s B-24 and B-17.

http://www.csn.ul.ie/~dan/war/crashes.htm

Foreign aircraft that landed in Ireland 1939-1946.

USASC-USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Military Aircraft Serial Numbers

http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/usafserials.html

Great information and search engine for aircraft serial numbers 1906 to present

Foundation for Adopting Graves American Cemetery Margraten

https://www.adoptiegraven-margraten.nl/en/

Association for Adopting of Graves at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, The Netherlands

American Ex-Prisoners of War

http://www.axpow.org/

American Ex-Prisoners of War Organization.

Army Air Forces Collection

http://www.aafcollection.info/

Training manuals, postcards, and documents about the U.S.A.A.F. in WWII.

486th Bombardment Group

http://www.486th.org/Photos/Misc/CallSigns.htm

Bomb Group call signs

Free photos of World War II

http://historylink101.com/ww2_color/index.html

Color photos of the U.S.A.A.F in WWII

Stalag Luft Online

http://www.merkki.com

Information about Stalag Luft I, including a prisoner roster

8th Air Force Historical Society

http://www.8thafhs.org

The 8th Air Force Historical Society. Check for information about reunions and special projects.