The American Civil War saw immense loss, with over 620,000 soldiers dying from battle, disease, or imprisonment. Amid this devastation, one truth became clear: many soldiers were dying without...
Category - Military Research
A Voyage of Hope and Healing: The USS Benevolence
Explore the extraordinary journey of the USS Benevolence, a World War II hospital ship dedicated to repatriating American POWs from Japan. Discover its impactful role in Operation Magic Carpet; the...
Secrets Beneath the Surface: The Story of Project Greek Island
Uncover the hidden secrets of Project Greek Island, a bunker in the mountains of West Virginia that played a crucial role during the Cold War.
Memorial Day: Honoring Sacrifice and Remembrance
Memorial Day is a significant day in American history, holding a special place in the hearts of many. Understanding its origins, traditions, and evolution can deepen our appreciation for this day of...
Echoes of Time: The Living Legacy of Old Fort Niagara
Settle in as we journey to a site steeped in the ebb and flow of North American history. Located at the mouth of the Niagara River, this fortress offers a panoramic view of Lake Ontario and an even...
Christian F. Schilt: The Unsung Hero of Early Marine Aviation
Join me on a journey through the skies as we uncover the legacy of Christian F. Schilt. He pioneered Marine aviation and revolutionized aerial combat strategies during his time. Let’s buckle up and...
Research Basics: A Short Introduction to Researching Your Revolutionary War Ancestors
Do you want to know if you have a Revolutionary War ancestor, or discover more about one you already know is part of your family tree? This is how you do it.
The Birth of the U.S. Navy
The history of the U.S. Navy is longer than the history of the United States. It's even longer than the idea of the United States.
How to Trace Your Ancestor’s World War I History
WWI was a century ago. Now, more people are starting to become interested in tracing the military histories of their WWI ancestors. Records are located in a variety of places. Here is how to find...
How to Research World War II History
There are a great many ways to discover what a relative did during WWII. Here are some of the best ways to Start Studying World War II History.
Do You Know the History of Veterans Day?
Do you know the history of Veterans Day? Since our nation celebrates it on November 11, we should all know how the holiday originated. Here are the details.
A Closer Look at Military Records #2
The Civil War presents a unique case in military records for the United States. This is because only Union records were kept by the federal government for decades. It was the early twentieth century...
A Closer Look at Military Records #1
Military service is built into this country’s history. The service of hundreds of thousands of people over the past two and a half centuries has generated records that can be used to improve one’s...
The Fighting American Doughboys
The term ‘doughboy’ is one which remained a popular nickname for US servicemen for almost 100 years and which almost certainly had its origins in the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848.
The Loss of Millions of Military Records
The National Personnel Records Center suffered a fire in 1973 that destroyed millions of military service records from 1916 to 1964. Here's what happened.