Researching our past Veterans?

[mason22]

i lost my grandfather this past sunday. The only history i know or have of his military career is what i've been told from my uncle and father. He never went into details about his service time. He was in the Normandy Invasion, was a waste gunner on B17s until they had a crash landing and he suffered a back injury. He was then stationed at HQ in england for the remainder of his service.

I would like to research as much as i can about his military career....not to mention my uncles and fathers service time.

Do any of you know or can anyone point me in a few directions to get started? My uncle says i can get in touch with the military HQ in Missouri....but that was all the detail he could give.

any help would be greatly appreciated.  

grandpa.

[rod367th]

http://www.b-17combatcrewmen.org/


http://www.gunners.net/




http://www.archives.gov/index.html

[rod367th]

If you can find out which group he was in I can then get you in touch with their group leaders. also Forgot to tell you ask your State reps  either congress or House. There is no charge just will take longer. Ask for his miliatay records.

[mason22]

thank you!

8th or 9th airforce....is about all i know.

[Rafe35]

http://www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis/military_personnel_records.html

Check this out, Mason.....hope this will lead you the way.

[ET]

His discharge and separation documents should give you his serial number and maybe a clue to his assignments.

[Naso]

My Condolences, Mason.

[Toad]

Mason, be advised there was a big fire in the archives back in the 60's or 70's. A lot of the records were lost.

Give it a shot though.

[Nefarious]

His Serial Number is the best way to start, Rafe pointed you to the best link, after you find his units he served in, then you go to the Unit Associations and such.

In my experiences, I came across lots of material that aided me in my search when my Grandpa Joe passed, a Combat Veteran of the Battle of the Bulge. My other grandpa who is still living, likes to tell me storys of his Army years they mostly involve fun times, He served in 45 and during the occupation of Germany.