About Finding Your Father's War
There is no one simple sure fire way to find information on a serviceman that will work for everyone. Inmost cases it involved a lot of detective work. However, there are ways to make it a lot easier. The most important is to know what you are looking for, and how to understand it when you find it. To help you accomplish that the book is divided into 5 sections:
1. Basics of the WW2 US Army and overview of the war
2. About records specific to individuals
3. About records specific to units.
4. Where and how to find records
5. Tangible evidence (medals decorations photos, uniforms, etc.)
Appendixes include campaigns, brief unit histories, medals and decorations, vehicle markings, and a whole lot more.
Questions you might ask:
When and where can I buy it?
FYFW will be printed this summer and it will be available in major bookstores everywhere, as well as on all internet book shops. It may be pre-ordered from Amazon from this link.
Why not just hire a professional researcher?
Sure, you can do that. It can be costly, and as there are no standards for researchers you may not get what you are after. The National Archives maintains a list of researchers, but the only criteria to be on that list is to ask, and not have too many complaints against you. There is also something quite satisfying in doing it yourself.
Why not cover the Navy and Marines as well?
A good question. This books deals with the Army and the Army Air Force. The reason that a similar book is not needed as greatly by those searching info on a loved one in the Navy and Marines is that in 1973 80+ % of the Army personnel records were destroyed in a major fire. The Navy and Marine records were untouched, so that their individual records still exist and make research a lot easier. The majority of those that served in the Army or Air Force no longer have these personal records to star from, so the work is a lot harder and can be much more frustrating.
I've seen a hardcover edition but can not find one to buy?
The book has only been released in softcover in order to keep the price low. The military book club made a special deal to print a limited number in hardcover editions for their members. They are offering this special edition through some other book clubs as well (history, etc.). It is the exasct same book, just with a hard cover.
Who is the Author?
Jonathan Gawne started researching his father's service in WW2 many years ago. Along the way he has written extensively on various military subjects with a specialty in the development of uniforms and personal equipment, as well as little known units. His best known books are Spearheading D-day, Battle for Brest, and Ghosts of the ETO.
And yes, I do collect material from the war, so am always happy to give a home to anything from photos, to uniforms, to ration boxes and just about anything. From the common to the unusual.