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
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)
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)
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)
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
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
Very helpful researcher forum plus databases for MACRs, units, Military Occupational Specialties, and a dictionary of terms used in WWII.
BBW
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
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
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
Information about Stalag Luft I, including a prisoner roster
8th Air Force Historical Society
The 8th Air Force Historical Society. Check for information about reunions and special projects.