Hey all, I am looking to get more info on my great-grandfather, or helpful hints on where to look for more info. I know for a fact that his records were lost in the '73 fire, so all I really have is a name and a few scattered details. I've received very minimal information from the Army, but a lot of the information is conflicting including two different exit dates and several awards that he shouldn't have been able to received based on the little we know about his job and posting. I wasn't sure what details are allowed to be shared re: name, rank, station, etc. so I thought I would post generally and go from there.
Christian, Start with what you have. His name, service number, units he served with and the information you have recieved about him already is a good place to start. Was he Commonwealth or American? Scott
Christian, Welcome aboard. There is plenty of knowledge and expertise here. Your great grandfather clearly served in the US military, as you refer to the 1973 fire at St Louis. We do have US members, though our focus is on British and Commonwealth matters. We have a "sister" site ww2f.com which might help It is vital you add his full name, Date of Birth, Service Number and if known their unit. Members can check their resources and do some online research. Others may be looking now and in the future for them; we regularly have people join who have found a post or thread about a relative. It might be worth checking if there is a local newspaper article about him. I've had the help from this US historian in the past: WW2 Casualties Database | Military Records Research | WW2 Research Inc There are often Facebook groups and dedicated websites for specific US unit veterans. If you can please upload what you have now, originals and if ready your own notes then help can be provided. It helps to add a ‘tag’ when you create a thread, only you can do this. It is for the formation / corps involved or a theme like intelligence. Searching tags can identify threads, otherwise it takes a bit longer. Some help via PM next; which is a now four pg. PDF. Also available on: WW2 Soldier Research - Tips and Links for New Researchers (update) Plus: How to Start a new Thread / Edit Post / Upload Image
Thank you both! I will hopefully be able to get all this information from my storage tomorrow but I will look at the site you linked in the meantime as well as the sister site.
Grandfather was American. His name was Joseph Columbus Bennett, rank at time of exit was S/Sgt, and his serial was 34-996-121. He entered service in June 1944 in the Army Air Corp, and was stationed at Los Alamos. The rest of the information I have is all conflicting. I have that he was either a 442 Entertainment Specialist, a 502 Administrative NCO, or an 611 Ariel Gunner. His exit date is either Aug. 1946 or Aug. 1949.
Welcome to the forum As suggested do try ww2f.com Which has an American focus Do keep us updated on your search it is very interesting.
I did try the other forum suggested, but after registering I am unable to post or even message the mods for help. Do you know if that is usual and I have to be let in, or do I need to do some kind of onboarding work?
Hello Christian, have you already been down this route in your searching? NARA - AAD - Display Full Records - Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records) Have you already contacted St Louis to see what they may (if anything) hold on your great-grandfather? You need to provide them with your great-grandfather's service number in un-hyphenated form; i.e. 34996121 (as well as full name, date of birth details etc). Here's the link to start. It will walk you through and allow you to make an "online" application, should you wish to of course. Request Military Service Records | National Archives And, should you not have them already, here are his draft registration "card" details (courtesy of FMP, a USA based subscription site). Good fortune to you with your search. It is a good thing, an absolute plus, that your great-grandfather's middle name is "Columbus". It has helped when searching no end. Anything else I can find remotely I'll be sure to post up here for you. Kind regards, and again good luck, always, Jim.
Christian, have you tried Air Force Records? Given your great-grandfather's service may have crossed the time when the US Army Air Force became the US Air Force in '47 there's a slim chance that your great-grandfather's records may have ended up with them (in a different or even duplicate file/boxset). If up to now you've only enquired down the USAAF route, trying down the USAF route may just yield something new (maybe). Kind regards, always, Jim.
Jim, I have already gone the St. Louis route, and everything I have (plus one picture) is from them. Everything else was supposedly destroyed. I will try the USAF route! I didn't think they would have anything but it's definitely an avenue to try.
Well done Christian, chase it down till there's nowhere else to chase. Good luck with all. Kind regards, always, Jim.