Tips to Find World War II Photos of Your Veteran
Shining a light on finding our veterans’ photos
Although my father didn’t talk much about the war, he kept several photos of his crew in front of their plane, as well as a few pictures of himself in his Army Air Corps uniform. He hid them safely in a drawer for his entire life. It's wonderful to have those photos now—especially the one with my father and all his crew smiling for the camera before they boarded their plane for one of their last missions together.
Recently, someone asked me for advice on how to find a photo of her father from his time in World War II, since he left none behind. If you're trying to locate photos of your veteran, here are a few tips to get started.
1. Start with your family. Ask relatives if they have any photos or other keepsakes. Asking around might trigger memories—a forgotten box in a drawer or a long-lost trunk in an attic.
2. Gather all the information that you know—service number, date of birth, military branch, unit or division, theater of operation (Europe, Pacific, etc), and dates of service.
3. Search online archives and databases.
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) (https://www.archives.gov) offers articles on how to find photos of military units during World War II. https://unwritten-record.blogs.archives.gov/2017/03/30/ Articles on the NARA website give guidance for searching photos of the Army Air Corps, Army Units, Navy, and Marine Corps Units.
Fold 3 (https://www.fold3.com) —military records and photos.
Ancestry.com — Military databases may include draft cards, service records, and photographs.
Specific military branch and unit websites (for example, my father’s military branch and unit was the Army Air Corps, 8th Air Force, 91st Bomb Group, 401st Bomb Squadron).
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) https://www.abmc.gov. For those who died in service, memorial photos may be available.
4. Search local newspapers. Hometown newspapers often published articles with photos,
about men enlisting, going off to war, missing in action, dying, or becoming prisoners of war.
Local historical societies and libraries are great resources.
5. Contact Veteran Associations.