World War II
The Second World War officially began on 3 September 1939 and ended on 2 September 1945. Approximately 70 million soldiers in total fought in the war from Allied or Axis countries. Countries that participated in the ware were Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Soviet Union, United Kingdom and the United States. Neutral European counties were Switzerland, Spain, Portugal and Sweden. Over 50 nations eventually became involved and an estimated 60 to 80 million people died which included up to 55 million civilians.
Bried Timeline
- 1937, July 7 Japan invades China
- 1938, March 11 Germany annexes Austria
- 1938, September 29 Munich Pact signed
- 1939, April 7 Italy invades Albania
- 1939, August 23 Germany and the Soviet Union sign non-aggression agreement
- 1939, September 1 Germany invades Poland
- 1939, September 3 Great Britain and France declare war on Germany
- 1940, April 9 Germany begins invasion of Norway and Denmark
- 1940, July 10 Battle of Britain begins
- 1941, June 22 Germany invades the Soviet Union
- 1941, December 7 Japan bombs Pearl Harbor
- 1941, December 8 United Staes declares war on Japan
- 1941, December 11 United States declares war of Germany and Italy
- 1942, June Battle of Midway
- 1942, August-November Battle at Guadalcanal
- 1942, September 8 American and British forces land in French North Africa
- 1943, September 9 American troops land in Salerno, Italy
- 1944, June 4 Allied troops liberate Rome
- 1944, June 6 D-Day invasion of Normandy
- 1944, August 20 Allies reach Paris
- 1944, October 20 Americans land in the Phillipines
- 1944, December Battle of the Bulge
- 1945, March 7 Americans enter Germany
- 1945, April 12 Franklin Roosevelt dies
- 1945, April 28 Benito Mussolin executed by Italian partisans
- 1945, April 30 Hitler commits suicide
- 1945, May 8 V-E Day
- 1945, August 6 United States drops atomic bomb on Hiroshima
- 1945, September 2 Japan surrenders
Resources
Contravitch, James T., comp. United States Army Unit Histories: A Reference and Bibliography Manhattan, KS: Kansas State University, 1983.
Dornbusch, Charles E. Histories of American Army Units, World Wars I and II and Korean Conflict. Washington, DC: Office of the Adjutant General, Special Services Division, 1956.
National Archives and Records Administration (Washington DC) African-Americans in the military, 1945. Originals held by National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC. Digital image available in FamilySearch catalog.
National Archives and Records Administration (Washington DC) Records relating to baptisms performed by Army chaplains, 1917-1952. Originals held by National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC. Digital image available in FamilySearch catalog.
National Archives and Records Administration (Washington DC) Records relating to marriages performed by Army chaplains, 1917-1952. Originals held by National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC. Digital image available in FamilySearch catalog.
Military Service Records and Official Military Personnel Files
Military personnel records can contain information such as: enlistment/appointment; duty stations and assignments; training, qualifications, performance; awards and medals; disiplinary actions; insurance; emergency data; administrative remarks; separation, discharge, retirement (including DD form 214 or equivalent); other personnel actions. The record does not contain detailed information about participation in battles and engagements.
The National Personnel Records Center stores records of individual service for members who no longer have a service obligation. This includes veterans who are completely discharged, retired or died. If the individual left service less than 62 years ago the records are non-archival and managed under the Federal Records Center program. Non-archival records are subject to access restrictions.