Tracking Soldier and or Battalion?

jmac513 · #1 (**permalink**) December 26th, 2007, 07:38 PM

My grandfather was in WWII in Fifth Army 194th Field Artillery Group Head Quarters, is it at all possible to track where he or his battalion was during his time in WWII?

T. A. Gardner · #2 (**permalink**) December 26th, 2007, 08:16 PM

Carslile Barracks in Pennslyvania and the associated records section has on microfiche the daily reports and after action reports for virtually all US Army units during WW 2. These would include the present location of the unit for that day or time period. So, yes it is possible to track a unit on a day-by-day basis but it going to be alot of work on your part to dig up the records involved.

Erich · #3 (**permalink**) December 26th, 2007, 08:26 PM

194th FA Bn, Btry 'C' '50-53

Mr. Hugh Greg, phone # 712-362-5174
Mr. Hugh Greig 712-362-5174 103 N 8th St Estherville IA 51334-2208 .netTerry is correct and the files need to be checked out by you
712-362-5174

higrieg@netins.net
this may help; note the dates though, but the gent should be able to get you on your way possibly.

E ~

travelinbabs · #4 (**permalink**) January 13th, 2008, 08:12 PM

This is very interesting -- does one need to go there to do the research? I'm non-military, so would I be given access? -- or is it possible to some kind of inter-library loan thing -- I don't know what the military would call that -- but I'm looking for info on my dad, and this type of documentation would be very helpful.

Thanks

T. A. Gardner · #5 (**permalink**) January 14th, 2008, 06:21 PM

Yes, these records are available to the public but, access may be limited to professional researchers in many cases. You can hire one or if you have your grandfather's full name, service number, date of birth, etc you can request a copy of his full service record through a Freedom of Information Act Request which the government will fill. Unit records are best gotten using professional help if you don't know how to do the research as the record system is huge and somewhat confusing. You would also need some idea of which series to start in.

travelinbabs · #6 (**permalink**) January 14th, 2008, 06:45 PM

Thanks, TA -- I didn't mean to steal the thread... I found a web site for Carlisle Barracks, last night, after logging off of this forum

I have been a professional researcher, so I pretty much know how to do it, though the military is a bit different from other sources of info.

That said... in my father's case, the army records extant on him have less info than I was able to garner from the copy of his discharge paper. So I'm trying to locate people that he knew who can fill in the blanks for me.