Hello, This is my first post on this site, and I'm hoping some people can guide me in the right direction so that I can further my family research regarding a family member's WWII service. Some starter questions: 1. When were lapel pins given to soldiers in WW2, when they entered service, during service, or at the time of discharge? I ask this question because my uncle's lapel pins don't seem to match his arm patch. 2. Are there a list of WW2 researchers on this site that go to the national archives to hunt down information? Thanks, Ryan
Welcome! I'm not a researcher but there are some good ones here. Some suggestions to help with the hunt: Identify as much as you can about your servicemember, branch of service, dates served, any known locations, what units they were assigned to, anything tidbits you can come up with.
That's what I've done so far. Thanks to family letters, I was able to find where he started and where he was when honorably discharged, but he seemed to move around a lot, and we lost track of him at points. I think I have a better start for someone if I decide to work with someone again, although I'm just not sure what to expect. There are a few mysteries that I'm lost on. His army jacket has the 3rd Army patch but his lapels are from the 442nd. I know he was in France at some point, so that makes sense for the 3 army patch, but the 442nd lapel is a mystery. He wasn't Asian and he wasn't an officer, so I have no idea how he would have got those lapels. He was at Camp Shelby at one point in the 271st infantry. Any additional guidance on where to go next would be appreciated.
Welcome, WW2 records, especially after the fire in 1973 ( National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) | USAGov ) can be disheartening but stick with it. I'm been slowly gathering formation on a few Family members service during WW2 and bit by bit filling in a few gaps. Fifteen years so far. It sounds like you're on the right track. If you can add any information I'm sure there is someone on here that can help lead you further.
The WW2 archives are held at the National Archives Branch here in St. Louis, Bellefontaine Neighbors to be exact. Standard warning: If you go there bring your own coffee, they have no clue. There are folks who have experience with the Archives, they can give you a fee schedule. Your call on that.
I'm not a researcher either, but many of us (including me) had success with Geoff at Golden Arrow. I'm sure there are others, but that is the only only one I've had experience with.
