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

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.

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

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.