WWII Military Records
By Gerald Whitcombe, military records archivist · Updated 4 June 2026
For veterans, genealogists, and historians, wwii military records provide the paper trail that documents service, decorations, and discharge details from World War II. These records are scattered across federal archives, state agencies, and private organizations, and finding them starts with understanding where they are held and what survived. This guide covers the National Personnel Records Center, the 1973 fire that destroyed many Army files, and practical alternatives when the original record is gone. See also our guide to military records.
What Are WWII Military Records
Wwii military records typically include a serviceman or servicewoman's enlistment papers, service history, training records, medical entries, and separation or discharge documents such as the DD Form 214 or its wartime equivalent. Together these files establish dates of service, unit assignments, rank, awards, and reason for discharge.
Beyond the official personnel file, world war 2 service records can also include morning reports, unit rosters, pay records, and hospital admission cards, each held by different repositories depending on the branch of service and the year.
The National Personnel Records Center
The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), part of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and located in St. Louis, Missouri, is the primary custodian of U.S. military personnel files for the 20th century, including WWII-era records. Veterans, next of kin, and authorized researchers can request copies of these files directly from NPRC.
- Requests can be submitted online through the NARA/eVetRecs system or by mail using Standard Form 180
- Next of kin (spouse, parent, sibling, or child of the veteran) generally have access rights when the veteran is deceased
- Processing times vary widely depending on record availability and request volume
The 1973 Fire at NPRC
On July 12, 1973, a major fire broke out at the NPRC facility in St. Louis and burned for several days. The 1973 fire nprc destroyed an estimated 16 to 18 million Official Military Personnel Files, with the heaviest losses affecting Army personnel discharged between November 1912 and January 1960, and Air Force personnel with surnames Hubbard through Z discharged between September 1947 and January 1964.
No duplicate copies or microfilm backups of these files existed at the time, which means many wwii military records for Army veterans were permanently lost. NPRC archivists have since developed reconstruction techniques using alternate sources, but some files could not be recovered at all.
Alternative Sources When Records Were Lost
Because of the 1973 fire, researchers who find wwii veteran records incomplete or missing at NPRC often need to rely on secondary sources to reconstruct a service history.
- State archives and state veterans affairs offices, which sometimes hold separate discharge filings
- Unit morning reports and payroll records, which survived independently of the personnel files
- Wwii draft cards from the Selective Service System, digitized and available through NARA and genealogy databases
- Pension and disability claim files held by the Department of Veterans Affairs or NARA
- Newspaper archives, local historical societies, and American Legion or VFW post records
Tips for a Successful Records Search
Before submitting a request, gather as much identifying information as possible: full name, branch of service, service number or Social Security number, and approximate dates of service. This detail helps NPRC staff locate a file or determine whether it was affected by the fire.
If the personnel file itself was destroyed, request a Fire-Related damage determination, and pursue the alternative sources above in parallel rather than waiting on a single request.
See our main guide to military records, or read about researching military ancestors and military medals and awards.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find WWII military records for a family member?
Start by requesting the Official Military Personnel File from the National Personnel Records Center using Standard Form 180 or the eVetRecs online system. If the file was affected by the 1973 fire, supplement your search with draft cards, pension files, state archives, and unit records.
Were all WWII Army records destroyed in the 1973 fire?
No. The fire destroyed an estimated 16 to 18 million files, mostly Army records for personnel discharged between 1912 and 1960, but many files survived or have since been partially reconstructed using pay records, medical files, and other secondary documentation held elsewhere.
Can civilians request someone else's WWII service records?
Access depends on your relationship to the veteran. Next of kin, such as a spouse, parent, child, or sibling of a deceased veteran, generally have expanded access, while unrelated researchers may only receive limited information available under public access rules.