How Do I Find Out My Grandfathers WWII Service Record?

I am trying to research my grandfathers service record but am coming up with nothing. I know very little except he was in the Army (I believe he said it was the Army Air Force) and was stationed in India. I know his full name, birthday, etc.., but I don't have any family members still living that can give me anymore clues...

I searched http://aad.archives.gov and couldn't find anything. Can anyone tell me a good place to start my search?

Thanks,
JD

 

honestly maybe the best bet would be to google his name as odd as that sounds , if his first name is a common name try to add the state he was from.

Or you could fill as much as the sf180 as possible and send it to the national archives to see if his record is available, most of the records were destroyed in a fire though. If you dont mind what information do you have on him maybe some members here could help find either his enlistment card, or be able to help find some other info on him.

 

I've tried Google and didn't get anything. His name was Harold L. Durham and he was from central Arkansas. I've attached a photo of him with his uniform with some pins someone may recognize. I'd appreciate any information or suggestions of where to search...

Thanks,
JD

 

Is this him?:

NARA - AAD - Display Full Records - Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, ca. 1938 - 1946 (Enlistment Records)

KY isn't that far from AR and this is the only Harold L. Durham listed. I'd follow Fgrun83's advice and go for it. At least you have a serial number to on from this.

 

JayD--The pin on his lower lapel is the Distinctive Unit Insignia for the Air Corp Training Command. They were a part of this command while learning their military occupation Speciality (MOS). For the trainees, it was a temporary assignment. Of course the cadre--permanent personnel at the facility wore this also.
So he was in the Army Air Corp and possibly with the 10th Air Force. I think alieneyes got you a good start. Wish we could be more help--Good luck

 

Buten42, LRusso216 & alieneyes:

Thank you for your help. The link alieneyes provided was not him as he was born in 1916. I've also attached a couple of more pics that are a bit better quality. I also noticed the pins on his lapel in one of the photo's is different thank in the other photo (looks like two swords crossing). I'll see what else I can dig up. Thanks again to everyone for all of your help!

JD

 

The 2nd pic didn't load so here it is...

 

ok, let me try to post this pic one more time

 

I could be wrong and the pin may not show crossed swords. I posted a pic so maybe someone else could tell. Calvary would not suprise me though as he was a big horse person and was a mounted patrol sheriff for a while after the war. I also have his .44 pistol from WWII with a serial number if that would even be helpful...

 

Are you sure they are not crossed rifles, which is one half of the standard US army other ranks lapel badges? What the other badges are in the other photo I can not see.

Jerry

 

After looking a bit closer, they could be crossed rifles but I'm not 100% sure.

 

Jay, can you give us his middle name? Sometimes what happens is things get reversed on paper. I have had grandkids swear their grand dad was Peter Paul Jones and even when I have shown them it was Paul Peter Jones, they don't accept it until they compare the dates of birth.

DEFINITELY not saying this is the case here, at all. Just trying to cover every possible base for you to get you the answers you seek.

 

His middle name was Lucas and he was from Little Rock, Arkansas. I'm not sure where he enlisted though...

If they are crossed cannons, what would this indicate? Unfortunately I'm having to take a picture of the picture of my grandfather with it still in the frame as it is very fragile and I'm afraid of tearing it if I remove it. The bubble glass is causing some reflection so the pics aren't 100% clear...