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From Lost Leads to False & Incomplete Stories

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The Risks of Using a Museum for Veteran Research

Families searching for their World War II veteran’s records may assume a local or national military museum can provide the information they seek. After all, military museums are filled with display cases full of medals, uniforms, stories, and artifacts. One would think the knowledge to research military service would be known by their staff. Right?

WRONG.

Display case from the 101st Airborne Museum in Bastogne, Belgium, October 16, 2015.

While military museums are equipped to gather artifacts and tell stories, perhaps even record oral histories (which they may not research to prove validity), they are not taught how to accurately research a veteran’s service. Relying on a military museum to gather facts and put a report, story, or book together, will usually leave you with an incorrect story and missing facts. An incorrect story for which you paid a lot of money.

Before you invest time and your hard earned money into a museum for research, let me help you understand why hiring a professional military researcher is the way to go if you want an accurate story.

Reasons to Not Hire a Museum

Museum staff are not trained in military research.

Museums hire those who have degrees in curation, writing, exhibit design, and conservation. There are no degree programs teaching you how to research veteran service. I know because I have a history degree and this was not something offered.

When I started researching my veteran ancestors 15 years ago, the word in the genealogy community and world was, All the Records Burned. Knowing that I could find answers, I studied, over thousands of hours and my own money, the records from World War II. I created the 2-part strategy to research any veteran even if the file burned. Then I wrote the books and created the classes which I teach. Still today, besides my comprehensive programs, there are only a few people teaching accurate military research. And they aren’t in military museums.

Families don’t know what they don’t know, so how can they ask?

Military museums and less than ethical researchers know the general public doesn’t know what it doesn’t know. It’s well known, that there was a fire at NPRC in 1973 so they can get away with charging you a lot of money to only give you a Final Payroll Worksheet if the service file burned. The Final Payroll Worksheet by the way, only says they served. It’s of no use to actual research as it normally doesn’t provide a unit.

The museum can give you a fake narrative of your veteran’s service because they didn’t reconstruct it and verify it using other records like Morning Reports, Rosters, Payroll Reports, Muster Rolls, and online databases which provide puzzle pieces. When you don’t know the research process or what records to request, the museums can charge a lot and give you nothing.

Museums do not access the necessary military records.

From the information pages and start your project pages, it’s clear the museum will request the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) from the NPRC in St. Louis and if it burned, well you’re out of luck and money. The museum tells you nothing may be discovered (to cover their butt), but not that they aren’t doing accurate research. Now, if they get a file, you can pay more to see what other pieces of paper or online source you can find on your own, they will provide. Basically, they aren’t telling you what could be available so how would you know if they don’t look for it?

Museums offer packages which may not provide all the information you need and deserve.

It is clearly stated in the FAQ and package details on the museum websites, what they provide. The problem is, if you don’t know what you actually need and they are not giving you full information about what can be found, how can you make an educated decision to hire or not hire?

Let’s look at the Research a Veteran page from the National WWII Museum’s Website. It tells you for $150 + tax you can hire them to request your veteran’s OMPF and if applicable, the Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF). But if the OMPF burned, that’s all you’ll get unless they have some piece of information in their library that may relate to your veteran’s service.

Two points to consider here:

  • You can request this file on your own through NARA’s website. Once you have it, if you need help deciphering it or moving forward, you can hire a researcher or go to a genealogy society for help.
  • Another option is to purchase a coaching session with a professional like me to learn what the file and contents mean and where to go next. This particular session is not for hiring me to do a project, but to help you do it on your own.
  • If you hire a military research professional, this is one of the many files we will obtain for you. If it burned or if it is complete, we still obtain many other records to tell you where your veteran was and what they were doing while in service.

I invite you to read the FAQ on the National WWII Museums’ Page (scroll down below the package pricing) and notice how they basically tell you repeatedly that if the OMPF burned, you are out of luck. If they find there is a full OMPF then they will ask you for more money to do more research.

You risk receiving generalized or incorrect information.

Military museums request that you send them the veteran’s Separation and Discharge Paper so they have a unit to research. They assume that a veteran was only in one unit and the unit on the discharge paper was a combat unit.

This is the wrong way to approach research. Why?

  • The unit on a discharge paper is not the only unit in which someone served. If we are talking Army and Army Air Force, it could be a combat unit. It could be a discharge unit only. The unit in which they were transferred to go home. For other branches, the discharge lists ships, stations, and units in which someone served and the research needs to be done to see when that happened.
  • Service members often moved through units from training to combat. Army and Army Air Force in particular, especially by 1943, moved through Replacement Depots as well before going to a combat unit. You have to reconstruct this service to know when someone was in a unit. How can you tell their story if you don’t know exactly when they were in a unit?
  • If someone was in the 5th Infantry Division throughout his entire combat experience, you still have to reconstruct to determine if this is true. If he was wounded end of July 1944 and removed from the 5th Division into the hospital system, then a Replacement Depot, and then back into the 5th by December 15, 1944 – the history belonging to the 5th Division while he was away does not apply to his service story. He wasn’t there to experience it so it isn’t his story. Museums will overlook this or not know to consider it – therefore you will receive inaccurate information.

Let’s look at another museum, the Pritzker Military Museum and Library Military Genealogy Page. Be sure to scroll down their page and download the FAQ PDF as it contains more information, similar to what the WWII Museum says about what they can and cannot access. They also request and will search the unit on your discharge paper, but will you get an accurate story? No.

The Museums specify they will search their archives or library for information.

This means if they do not have the appropriate military records, you will receive no information. It also means if they have not properly reconstructed military service, you may receive inaccurate or false reports or books as the end product. Museums also tend to have generalized unit histories prepared to copy and paste into a report they provide. Ask yourself, do I want a general history or MY veteran’s history?

A Better Option – Hire a Military Research Professional

If you are interested in obtaining the accurate story of your veteran’s service and the documents needed, consider hiring a professional researcher. There are a few excellent researchers out there, myself included.

Each of us runs our business and offers differently, so you need to ask yourself what it is you really need. Some firms only pull records to send you, leaving you to decipher what it all means. Others, like mine, provide research reports and personalized service to ensure you get what you need and all questions are answered.

To help you figure out which path to take, I wrote an article about questions to ask and things to consider before hiring any research professional. A Word of Caution: Hiring a Military Researcher

My experience with clients who hire a museum first.

I have recently had a few clients hire me after hiring the National WWII Museum to conduct research. These people only received a Final Payroll and maybe a General Order or Special Order from them. The OMPF burned and the client didn’t want to spend more to get nothing.

Reviewing the offers by various museums, to me it’s clear they are looking for new revenue streams but not actually providing answers in the best way. Honestly this boggles my mind because these museums are supposed to be experts. Yet, they have no idea how to accurately move through the process to find answers.

Let’s Work Together to Find Your Veteran’s Story

I offer free phone consultations to any potential client. I do not have a form on my website that asks for info and gives you a package price. Each project is customized based on your specific needs and questions.

Prior to a consult I ask for documents you have, information I need to start digging, and the questions you’d like answered. Then I dig a little and determine what can be done. At that point, we schedule a phone call where I explain my two-part research strategy, what you receive in both parts, and fees and time. I’m one of the only professional military researchers that provides research reports with your documents. Everything is clearly explained so you can easily share with family. I also am one of the few who can take your research and turn it into a book.

In each phone call to discuss options, we do not rush. I listen to the stories about your veteran. I ask a lot of questions and take the time to explain everything you receive and the fees and time associated. Throughout the project, I stay in touch and when it’s complete, I’m available to answer your questions or listen as you process the sometimes shocking information I discover.

If you’d like to learn more and discuss a possible project, email me at jennifer@ancestralsouls.com and let’s get started.

Have you hired a military museum for research? What was the result?

© 2025 World War II Research and Writing Center

Writing the Stories of War Workbook

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In 2016 I launched my book Stories from the WWII Battlefield Volume 3: Writing the Stories of War. This book is now available as a PDF workbook download on my website, Ancestral Souls Wisdom School.

Description:

Stories can save us. Stories have the power to heal. Stories help us preserve the past and provide hope that history will not repeat itself. For some cultures, storytelling is the primary method for transmitting a family or group’s collective history. For others, writing the stories to share with family or the world, is the method. When we write, we must ask ourselves, what writing really matters?

Consider the words you write as your legacy. Find ways to share your writing to document your life, to remember those who are no longer here, and to honor those who survived a time when the world was collapsing in chaos.

All the questions researchers need to start writing the stories of World War II from a U.S. perspective or overseas theater of war perspective, to honor those who lived in those chaotic years, are included in this volume. This book contains more than 500 writing prompts plus writing workbook, covering multiple themes for writers in the U.S. and overseas. This is the most important writing reference guide researchers need to begin writing the stories of World War II.

Are you ready to start writing? Purchase your Workbook today.

© 2025 World War II Research and Writing Center

War’s Echo in the Body

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The Medical Legacy of World War II Service

As Veteran’s Day approaches I felt called to look into the service of my great uncle, Frank J. Kokoska. My mom told me Uncle Frank had a lot of health issues, mostly in his hands and feet, due to his World War II service. Until the last few days, I really had no idea what those might have been. Although I assumed at least one disease, malaria, based on the fact he served in a Combat Engineer unit in the Pacific Theater. I always tell students it’s never a good idea to assume anything in military or family history research, and so far I’ve not found evidence of malaria but I have found a couple of other diseases.

Frank J. Kokoska

My great uncle Frank was born in Chicago, Illinois on 17 August 1906.1 In 1940 just before World War II began, he worked as a Conductor and Motorman for Rapid Electric Transit Line (’L’) in Chicago.2 At the age of 34, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Frank J. Kokoska

The family story was that Frank enlisted as a way to help “keep his nephew Frank J. Winkler” safe. He promised his sister Jenny Kokoska Winkler, that he would make sure Frank made it through the war.

No one could have promised that. It was unrealistic but probably made Jenny feel better that her son was going to war and someone would take care of him. Frank had been drafted in October 1943 after starting college. He was the family’s only son which made him the favorite son and grandson.

Frank J. Winkler

Frank Winkler ended up training at Camp Wolters, TX, an Infantry Replacement training center before being shipped to the European Theater of Operations (ETO), where he joined the 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division on 23 June 1944 and was Killed In Action within 24 hours near La Fossardiers, France. His date of death was 24 June 1944.3

You can read Frank Winkler’s story in my book, Stories of the Lost. While Frank Winkler was shipped to the ETO, his uncle Frank was shipped to the Pacific (PTO) to serve in C Co. 108th Combat Engineer Bn.4

Frank Kokoska’s Health Issues

While I’m still in the process of researching Frank’s service, here is what I know about his health issues once overseas.

12 September 1944 – 19 September 1944 Frank was admitted to the 161st Station Hospital base section “F” with FUO (fever of unknown origins) which was later diagnosed as Dengue Fever. Dengue fever is an illness spread by the bite of mosquitos infected with a dengue virus.5

I wondered what was the difference between Dengue Fever and Malaria if both are transmitted by mosquitoes. Apparently, the two diseases are spread by two different types of mosquitoes. Dengue is caused by the dengue virus while Malaria is caused by the Plasmodium parasite. Dengue fever usually presents as: a high fever along with nausea, vomiting, rash, headache, and body aches. Malaria often presents as: fever, headache, and chills. I’ve often heard veteran families say that their veteran suffered the rest of their life from Malaria. I wonder if that is because the parasite infection was not properly treated and the parasite removed? I’m no doctor so I’m not sure.

9 November 1944 – ? Frank was admitted to the 237th Station Hospital at Finschaffen, New Guinea for dermatitis eczematoid on both hands. Dermatitis may result in different types of skin inflammation, typically characterized by itchiness, redness and a rash.6

6 December 1944 – ? Frank was again admitted to the 237th Station Hospital at Finschaffen, New Guinea for dermatitis eczematoid.7

March 1945 – Frank was admitted for Prostatitis, chronic (non-gonococcal); Diagnosis: Arthritis, Chronic, osteo-(hypertrophic degenerative), according to a Hospital Admission Index Sheet. A few months later, in July 1945 when Frank left the hospital he was processed for discharge.8

As you can see I have a lot of research to do on Frank’s service. But his health issues did make me think about the impact of service on a veteran and the family’s health.

Veteran Health Impacts the Entire Family

In conversation about the health of our nation’s veterans, we often hear people talk about issues and diseases related to Agent Orange and Vietnam service. I think we forget about our veterans who served prior to that and the chemicals, bugs, and conditions they endured which impacted their health.

I hear many clients tell me their dad served during the Battle of the Bulge and had trench foot. His feet were never the same the rest of his life. It impacted his ability to walk, withstand cooler or colder temperatures, and live a healthy, “normal” life.

Other clients whose fathers were Prisoners of the Japanese and endured Beri beri, malaria, dengue fever, malnourishment, and an assortment of other diseases, were impacted the rest of their lives. Perhaps they had malarial issues surface now and then. They had trouble keeping weight on or eating.

We know from World War I and gas attacks that the chemicals used to defeat the enemy (also used in World War II and other wars) created a host of illnesses within the veteran while in service and afterward. Those illnesses may have created changes in their DNA, eggs or sperm, which would have resulted in children born with potential issues.

We have learned throughout the years that chemicals absorbed or breathed into the body can create impacts on egg and sperm and therefore create generational health issues. Studies have been done on this and the stress and trauma related to military service that get passed down. This article is not a study on this and those article are easy to locate online if you are interested.

This article is however an invitation for you to ask deeper questions. Go beyond, the ‘what did grandpa do in the war’ type of questions to ‘how did the trauma, stress, weather, bugs, and chemicals’ impact his health? How did that impact the family when he returned home? How did it impact his descendants?

The Impact on the Family

Not only might have children inherited potential issues as a result of service and what the veteran was exposed to, but the entire family had to process and deal with the changes in the returning veteran.

The diseases and illnesses suffered overseas may have continued once the veteran was home and trying to resume a “normal” life. Hospital visits and stays were common among many families whose veterans had endured a lot of illness. Changes in family routines to accommodate illness, health, movement, and other issues had to be addressed. Families often also endured an early death of their veteran due to his exposure while in service.

These are issues we rarely touch on. Issues we need to address so our families can process and heal the trauma of war.

I certainly have a lot more research to do on Frank and my other family’s veterans, but this gives me a lot to think about. Have you explored these issues in your family history? What did you discover?

© 2025 World War II Research and Writing Center

  1. National Archives and Records Administration, U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2005;), Database online. Ancestry.com, Social Security Death Index (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2007;), Database online. Number: 349-09-5303; Issue State: Illinois; Issue Date: Before 1951. ↩︎
  2. Ancestry.com, 1940 United States Federal Census (Name: The Generations Network, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2002;), Joseph Kokoska Year: 1940; Census Place: Cicero, Cook, Illinois; Roll: m-t0627-00777; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 16-145. ↩︎
  3. Army Morning Report, 115th Infantry Regiment dated 4 July 1944. Entry for Frank J. Winkler, ASN 36695605. National Archives, RG 64, National Archives, College Park, MD. ↩︎
  4. Frank J. Kokoska Letters, , letter from overseas about war bonds and monthly paycheck. Lists C Co 108th Engineer Bn and ASN 20617411. Letter date 24 April 1944. ↩︎
  5. National Archives and Records Administration, “Morning Reports ca. 1912-1946. RG 64 Records of the National Archives and Records Administration,” digital images, NARA, NARA Catalog (https://catalog.archives.gov : download 1 November 2025), A&D Sheet Number 137, 161st Station Hospital dated 12 and 20 Sept 1944; citing entry for Frank J. Kokoska. ↩︎
  6. National Archives and Records Administration, “Morning Reports ca. 1912-1946. RG 64 Records of the National Archives and Records Administration,” digital images, NARA, NARA Catalog (https://catalog.archives.gov : download 1 November 2025), C Co 108th Eng Bn (C) dated 9 March 1944 entry for Frank J. Kokoska. ↩︎
  7. National Archives and Records Administration, “Morning Reports ca. 1912-1946. RG 64 Records of the National Archives and Records Administration,” digital images, NARA, NARA Catalog (https://catalog.archives.gov : download 1 November 2025), A&D Sheet dated 7 Decmeber 1944 for 237th Station Hospital; citing entry for Frank J. Kokoska. ↩︎
  8. “U.S., World War II Hospital Admission Card Files, 1942-1954,” digital images, National Archives and Records Administration; Hospital Admission Card Files, ca. 1970 – ca. 1970; NAI: 570973; Record Group Number: Records of the Office of the Surgeon General (Army), 1775-1994; Record Group Title: 112, Ancestry (https://ancestry.com : viewed/copied 18 August 2021), entry for Frank J. Kokoska; ASN 20617411; Mar 1945-July 1945 Convalescent Hospital Stay. ↩︎

Remembering the Fallen

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Behind every World War II service record lies a story of courage, sacrifice, and loss—especially for those who were taken prisoner, went missing, or died in service. Military records, specifically the Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF), hold the keys to uncovering these powerful stories, revealing the truth of what happened and honoring the men and women who paid the ultimate price.

On Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. CDT, I’m presenting WWII Sacrifice.

In this program you’ll learn:

  • What records were created by the American Grave Registration Service for World War I & World War II. How to access those records and tell your veteran’s story.
  • We will explore online resources for locating information.
  • We will identify Prisoner of War records and where to locate them.
  • I’ll share a case study on James Privoznik who was Killed in Action 11 January 1945. Through our research, writing, and travel journey, I’ll tell you his story and how I found information when most would say it is impossible.
  • Students also receive a program workbook and several IDPFs to download and examine. These IDPFs contain a lot of interesting information.
  • Replay available.

Access to the program workbook, files, and replay is six months.

Register today to save your spot for this important webinar, WWII Sacrifice.

© 2025 World War II Research and Writing Center

World War II Sacrifice Program

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Live webinar, Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. CST, World War II Sacrifice.

Our Fallen Deserve to be Remembered

Behind every World War II service record lies a story of courage, sacrifice, and loss—especially for those who were taken prisoner, went missing, or died in service. Military records, specifically the Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF), hold the keys to uncovering these powerful stories, revealing the truth of what happened and honoring the men and women who paid the ultimate price.

In this program, you’ll learn how to locate, interpret, and piece together POW, MIA, and death records to reconstruct the full story of a veteran’s experience—from capture to liberation, or from loss to legacy. Let the records guide you as you give voice to the silent heroes of your family’s past.

A replay will be available for this program. Learn more and register at World War II Sacrifice.

© 2025 World War II Research and Writing Center

When to Hire a Ghost Writer for a Veteran Book

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I believe every person carries within them at least one story that is waiting to be written, shared, and remembered. For many, that story is tied to a family veteran. Maybe it was a father who never spoke about the war but lived its effects for the rest of his life. Maybe it was a grandfather whose medals, letters, and flag sit in a dusty box deep inside a closet. These are loved ones whose legacies deserve to be documented and shared.

Let’s be honest, the thought of starting a book project can send someone into freeze mode because it can be overwhelming. It’s possible you might even feel a little intimidated at the thought of sharing your words. I’m not a writer, how could I possibly tell a story? Is that what you’re thinking? The problems are, you feel overwhelmed, are unsure where to start, may not have all the documents you need, and just don’t understand the processes to complete a book project.

This is where I can help. We can work together and I can be your co-creator, your storyteller, developmental editor, or even your ghost writer. I can help you turn your thoughts and words into a powerful book ready for publication.

You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s explore the ways a ghost writer can assist you on your book writing journey.

What Clients Require

It’s been my experience the last 15 years of being a military researcher and writer, that many clients want to create some sort of veteran book. It might a simple photo book. Perhaps a book based off a trip to Europe. Some have asked for complete veteran biographies from birth to death. In other cases it has been a collection of family veteran stories told in one volume.

The problem for the clients who have hired me to write or co-write has been that they normally do not want to write an entire book themselves. Although, I have had a couple clients do all the writing and I served as Developmental Editor. Some other issues clients have faced are lack of time, little desire to do the work, or lack of knowledge on the process of research, writing, and publishing.

There is nothing wrong with these problems or issues. We are not meant to be great at everything. We have the ability to hire an expert in areas we need assistance. If the toilet clogs, we call a plumber. Car dies we call a mechanic. Need a book written, we can call a ghost writer.

Benefits of a Ghost Writer

How can a ghost writer help you bring to life your veteran’s story?

  1. I am able to help you organize your materials, prepare research plans, and transform fragments of story, memory, emotion, and documents into a cohesive story.
  2. Listening to you in discussions throughout the process, I am able to help craft the voice of the book to your voice. I also help ensure the voice remains yours throughout the book.
  3. With my extensive research background, I am able to help you discover answers where you may have hit a brick wall. This allows you to fill in blanks and tell a deeper story. Additionally, I will help you verify and cite the sources for the information you present.
  4. Through the research process we can also identify which family stories are fact, which are fiction, and which are somewhere in between. It is important to distinguish these within your book so readers are not confused.
  5. I can help you bring depth and emotion to the book. I will often suggest other things to add to the story, including the impact of war on the veteran, family, and future generations. More of my clients are including this aspect of the veteran story in their private family books. Others are now including some details in books published for public consumption.
  6. As a ghostwriter, I also serve as a project manager who can help guide you from start to finish. Concept to published book.

These are just some of the ways a ghost writer can help bring your veteran book to life. Whether you need assistance in some of the writing or all of the writing, a ghost writer can help.

Are you ready to start writing your veteran book? Veteran’s Day is approaching along with the fall and winter holidays. It’s a great time to get started on research, writing, and gathering materials and stories from family.

From War to Words

If you would like to dive more deeply into the process of writing a veteran’s book, there is still time to join my new workshop, From War to Words. This is a brand new 3-Part Workshop + Coaching + Project Guides to Help You Turn Service into Story, and Memory into Legacy. Workshop one begins Wednesday November 12, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. CST.

As we approach the holidays, now is a great time to start thinking about writing a veteran book. Family gatherings can provide new stories, photos, genealogy and military documents, and insight.

This is not just another webinar series. It’s a writing journey—with coaching support, research tools, writing prompts, PDF guides, and expert guidance through research, writing, design, and publication.

© 2025 World War II Research and Writing Center

From War to Words

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Have you ever dreamed of preserving your veteran’s story in a book—but didn’t know where to begin? Maybe it feels overwhelming. Maybe you’ve told yourself, “I’m not a writer…so how could I possibly do this?” If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you’re exactly who this new program was created for.

With Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas just around the corner, you’ll soon have opportunities to sit with family, collect stories, photos, documents, and reconnect with the roots of your veteran’s journey. What better time to begin shaping a legacy that could be shared, printed, and ready for the world in 2026?

That’s why I’m thrilled to introduce From War to Words — a 3-workshop guided journey designed to help you move from uncertainty to authorship with clarity, confidence, and support every step of the way.

Workshop Structure

Over the course of three separate Zoom workshop dates, I will guide you through the basic processes of creating a book from start to finish. You will receive the following.

PDF Guides. This workshop offers several PDF guides and my writing prompt book to help you through the process of research, writing, and publishing.

Coaching. During this process you will receive three 30-minute coaching sessions. The first should be scheduled as soon as you register for the program and must be held before Wednesday, November 12. This allows me to understand your writing goals, where you are starting, and provide additional resources in the workshops based on student goals and needs. A second coaching session will come after Session 1. A final session can be scheduled for after Session 2 and before December 19. Coaching sessions must be booked and used within the time frames designated or they are lost.

Homework. Included in the workshops will be some homework for you to complete. This ensures you commit and start the book writing process. It also allows me to provide feedback, resources, and coaching to help move your book forward. After review of the homework we will have a private 30-minute Zoom coaching session.

Additional Education. There will not be time to teach you my two-part military research strategy which is vital to know to accurately research your veteran and save time and money. With this in mind, each student also receives access to my military research strategy webinars, Research a Veteran and The Greatest Generation. These webinars are available in the product with workbooks, for you to watch on your own.

This is not just another webinar series. It’s a writing journey—with coaching support, research tools, writing prompts, PDF guides, and expert guidance through research, writing, design, and publication.

Learn more and register to save your spot today! The journey begins November 12.

© 2025 World War II Research and Writing Center

Every Veteran Has a Story—Let’s Find Yours

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The way we access genealogical and military records has changed dramatically since 2020. Many people are now able to do most or all of the military research on their own. The biggest problem for most people is that they aren’t sure how to begin, what records they need, and how to accurately reconstruct military service, even with the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). Additionally, the myth that all the records burned so nothing is possible still circulates. And it’s wrong. There is so much information you can obtain. Answers ARE available if you know where to look.

To help people research their veterans, especially those who want to do the majority of the work on their own, I’m now offering new ways to work with clients.

  1. Coaching Session. For people who want to do as much of the research themselves, clients can invest in a 60-minute coaching session. In this session we will construct a research plan, I will advise on what records you need to begin and where to locate them. I will also advise on when or if you’ll need to work with a researcher to obtain some of the records. Want to learn how to research on your own? Purchase access to the Honoring Our Heroes Program.
  2. Research Project. Work with me on a research project. See below on everything my clients receive.
  3. Writing or Book Project. I offer ghost writing services, developmental editing and book design services. Preserve and honor the remarkable stories of yourself, your ancestors, veterans, and the legacies they’ve left behind. We understand the importance of capturing and sharing these unique narratives that span generations. Our mission is to guide you through the process of unearthing and documenting your family’s rich history, while also providing a supportive environment to explore and heal from generational and war trauma. All of my writing services are outlined at the Ancestral Souls Wisdom School under Writing Services.

Read Research Testimonials.

If you’d like to explore possibilities, email me at info@wwiirwc.com to set up a free phone consult.

© 2025 World War II Research and Writing Center

Webinars & Institutes Aren’t Always Helpful

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Let’s face it. Since 2020 when we were forced away from in-person genealogy and military research gatherings and pushed online to watch endless webinars or attend endless Zoom work meetings, most of us are burnt out. We don’t want to watch another webinar that may not get us to our research goals. We don’t want to spend money on genealogy institutes which require fees for the institute, travel, lodging, meals and anything else that we require to attend.

Webinars, conferences, and in-person institutes are great if you are seeking general military research knowledge. But for many these are too expensive, too lengthy, and may either be too advanced or too general to provide the personalized answers you need for your unique military research and writing journey.

Every family story, every archive search, and every project comes with its own set of challenges—and webinars, conferences, and institutes simply can’t always address all the roadblocks you’ll encounter along the way. That’s why so many people leave these sessions inspired, but still stuck.

Coaching changes that.

Introducing Research a Veteran Coaching. 60-minute private coaching sessions.

With one-on-one guidance, you get tailored strategies, clear next steps, and direct support that meets you exactly where you are. Instead of wasting money and hours sifting through conflicting advice, wondering if you’re “doing it right,” and still not finding answers, you’ll move forward with clarity and confidence.

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Naval Armed Guard Records

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When I say World War II Navy, what’s the first thing that pops into your head? Was it, a sailor on a ship? That’s what I thought. Most of us associate sailors on ships as all there was and is to the U.S. Navy. Did you realize there were Naval Armed Guard members? Pilots and gunners on Navy aircraft? Men and women who never boarded a ship but served stateside? During World War II there were many jobs filled by members of the Navy. The Naval Armed Guard, of which my grandpa was part, was a vital component of the overall machine.

The Naval Armed Guard protected merchant vessels transporting troops, food, weapons and ammo, machines and other cargo around the world during the war. Naval Armed Guard members may appear on Muster Rolls for station (on land) training and moving between ships or stations. These same men may fall “off” the Muster Rolls when they transfer to a Merchant Marine vessel.

One thing you might discover as you research someone who served as Naval Armed Guard is that those records are closely tied to the Merchant Marine records. So if you are doing Merchant Marine research, it’s a good idea to also look at Naval records.

So how do we find information on our Naval Armed Guard members? How can we learn about their experiences on these civilian vessels commandeered for military use? I can help with this.

Of course the first place to locate information is the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). These are held at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri. If your Armed Guard member died while in service, you will also want to request his Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF), also at the NPRC.

Using the OMPF and IDPF, you can create a timeline of service documenting by date all the ships and stations your Armed Guard veteran moved through. The OMPF will provide you with the dates he boarded or departed a ship or station. Creating a list of the specific vessels on which he served along with the dates is vital to securing additional records to help you understand what his experience was while on those vessels and at sea.

Are you ready to learn about those records? You might be surprised at what is available and the amount of detail you can discover!

Joseph, Libbie, Richard, Joseph (grandpa) and Robert. 1944, Chicago.

My grandpa Joseph was on three Ships – a combination of Merchant Ships or Liberty Ships. The family story went something like this…one of his ships was kamikazeed and when he woke up after the blast, he was the only one alive around him. There were some other similar stories but I can’t remember them. Allegedly grandpa was a little crazy as a result.

I knew my grandpa had some big secret since no one would talk about him. As a baby genealogist in 1996, I ordered the Armed Guard Deck Logs since at that time, I was unable to get his OMPF. I thought the Deck Logs would help me sort out what happened to him on the ships. You know what, they did.

The Deck Logs for the three ships on which he sailed said NO ENEMY CONTACT. If that was the case, why the family stories? Well, it wasn’t until the early 2010s when I was able to obtain a copy of grandpa’s OMPF with medical notes and discovered the truth.

I discovered the family stories were lies. Likely made up to save face in the community. Passed down so no one would question why grandpa was in the Veteran’s Hospital and the family secret of him being diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was taken off his third ship, kept a secret.

The Deck Logs told me nothing like what I’d heard had happened and the OMPF confirmed the family lore was a lie.

Armed Guard Deck Logs

There are a few variations of Deck Logs. Some are simply, Deck Logs. Others may be Port Director Logs. Regardless of title, these records will provide you with some basic information. These records are held at NARA College Park, Maryland.

Tip! If you are researching Vietnam service, there are some Deck Logs available online on the NARA Catalog.

  • Name of the Vessel on which the man is serving.
  • Names, Rank, Service Number of those coming aboard or departing a vessel. This allows you to search the collaterals.
  • Daily recap of what took place on the ship or at Port.
  • Training information.
  • Incident information.
  • Places the ship sailed and docked.
  • Type of cargo they carried.
  • Issues with the ship or the crew.

Explore the SS Henry Durant Deck Log 1945

Armed Guard Reports

Armed Guard Reports are another valuable resource. Similar to Deck Logs and sometimes almost identical, they documented the Navy personnel on board the Merchant vessel. These reports documented:

  • Name of the Vessel on which the man is serving.
  • Names, Rank, Service Number of those coming aboard or departing a vessel. This allows you to search the collaterals.
  • Daily recap of what took place on the ship or at Port.
  • Training information.
  • Incident information.
  • Places the ship sailed and docked.
  • Type of cargo they carried.
  • Issues with the ship or the crew.
  • Issues to be addressed when the ship was in port

Tip! You will not find specific information on Merchant Marines serving aboard these vessels in these reports unless something major took place. Merchant Marines had other types of records. These are great records if you are researching a Merchant Marine because you will learn a lot about the voyages and sometimes about the action that they were involved in while aboard.

We always have to remember when reading any military record, that there was a standard as to what had to be documented. Every branch had standards for all their records. Some report writers put the bare minimum while others wrote novels. Here are a couple of examples.

Armed Guard Report for the SS Henry Durant in 1945. This is a ship my grandfather was assigned to as Naval Armed Guard. You can see the report writer put the basic information required. I had hoped there would be more details as to what took place on the vessel because this was the last ship on which my grandpa served. It was the ship from which he was taken and sent to a Naval Hospital in California due to mental issues. Part of me wishes the Armed Guard Report would indicate some ruckus my grandpa caused on the ship – but no such luck.

Armed Guard Report for the SS John Lykes in 1942. This report was given to me by my NARA research as part of a client project for reference. The client’s father was not on this vessel until 1944 but my researcher wanted me to see the level of detail that could be on a report. I was amazed at the information provided and in some ways relieved that my grandpa didn’t serve until much later in the war when the submarine threat was lessened.

Movement Report Cards

Movement Report Cards, created for the Merchant Marine vessels are also housed at NARA College Park. These are valuable because they tell you the dates a ship docked in port and departed port. Yes, that same information is in a Deck Log or Armed Guard Report, but Movement Cards give all this to you in a condensed manner. This information can easily and quickly be added to your Timeline of Service for your Navy or Merchant Marine veteran.

Movement Card for the Daniel Willard, 1944 – early 1945.

Maritime Administration Records

The Maritime Administration has some records on Merchant Vessels but honestly, their website is a pain to use. To save you some time, visit their Vessel History page and search for the vessel on which your veteran served.

If you enter Sea Quail – a ship my grandpa served on it will come up with this page. Take a look around and notice the kind of information that may be contained on a ship history page. While the information for this vessel is limited, there are Status Cards and Documents available to download which may provide more information.

Keep in mind this is a database of multiple vessels and your ships may or may not be included. Or, the time period you seek may not be included.

NARA Reports

The National Archives has a wealth of information for Naval Armed Guard and the Merchant Vessels on which they sailed. A few other types of records you may discover include:

  • Action Reports (World War II) You will find some War Diaries on Fold3 as U.S. WWII War Diaries (Navy Records).
  • Records of Individual Convoys
  • Submarine War Patrol Reports
  • War Diaries (World War II) You will find some War Diaries on Fold3 as U.S. WWII War Diaries (Navy Records).

As you can see, there are many more valuable records for Navy and Merchant Marine service that go beyond the Naval Muster Roll. As NARA digitizes more World War II records, I encourage you to search their catalog to see if anything else turns up for your ships.

What questions do you have about these records? What have you discovered that wasn’t mentioned here? Where are you stuck? Please comment below.

Additional Resources

U.S. Navy Armed Guard website. This site contains information on the Merchant Marines as well.

Naval History and Heritage Command

Stories from the World War II Battlefield: Navigating Service Records for the Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Merchant Marines (Volume 2)

WWII Education – Uncovering a Sailor’s Story in a Navy Service File

Navy Resources

Uncovering the Truth of Our Family’s War Stories

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