Understanding your veteran relative’s history can be a rewarding experience. When it comes to researching a World War II United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) airman, one of the key pieces of information is their serial number. This number can reveal a wealth of details about their service. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to read a WW2 USAAF airman’s serial number, where these numbers can be found, and how they can aid your genealogical research.
What is a WW2 USAAF Airman’s Serial Number?
The structure of the serial number
A WW2 USAAF airman’s serial number is a unique identifier assigned to each service member. What you probably didn’t realize, however, is that these numbers typically start with certain digits that convey specific information about the airman. For instance, enlisted men’s serial numbers generally began with a “1” followed by their region of enlistment (e.g., 12 for the Northeast, 14 for the South), while officer serial numbers started with an “O”.
Here’s a breakdown of the basic structure:
First Digit(s): Indicates the status (enlisted or officer) and usually the region in which they enlisted/came from.
Middle Digits: These numbers vary and are unique to the individual.
Last Digit(s): Often used for check or error detection purposes (such as the last 3 or 4 digits being included on an awards card to avoid confusion with an identically-named veteran.
DECODING the serial number
Understanding the serial number can help determine key details about your relative’s service. For example:
- 12xxxxxx: Enlisted in Delaware, New Jersey, or New York after July 1940
- O-xxxxxxx: Commissioned officer
By decoding these numbers, you can pinpoint where (and in what capacity) your relative served. For example, from what state did they join up? Were they an enlisted man, or an officer groomed for leadership?
Breakdown of starting digits
The “11” through “19” serial prefixes were for enlisted men who joined up within the 48 contiguous states (and Alaska) after July 1940. For serials starting with “2,” it implies the veteran was a National Guardsman. And for “3,” it reflects draftees and/or service members who entered service later in the war (roughly 1943 onwards, but not exclusively).
Serials starting with “1” (Enlisted men):
11xxxxxx: Enlisted in CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT
12xxxxxx: Enlisted in DE, NJ, NY
13xxxxxx: Enlisted in MD, PA, VA, WV, Washington D.C.
14xxxxxx: Enlisted in AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN
15xxxxxx: Enlisted in IN, KY, OH
16xxxxxx: Enlisted in IL, MI, WI
17xxxxxx: Enlisted in CO, IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WY
17xxxxxx: Enlisted in AR, LA, NM, OK, TX
18xxxxxx: Enlisted in AK, AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA
Serials starting with “2” (National Guard):
201xxxxx: Enlisted in CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT
202xxxxx: Enlisted in DE, NJ, NY
203xxxxx: Enlisted in MD, PA, VA, WV, Washington D.C.
204xxxxx: Enlisted in AL, FL, GA, MO, NC, SC, TN
205xxxxx: Enlisted in IN, KY, OH
206xxxxx: Enlisted in IL, MI, WI
207xxxxx: Enlisted in AR, LA, NM, OK, TX
208xxxxx: Enlisted in AK, AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA
209xxxxx: Enlisted in AR, LA, NM, OK, TX
Serials starting with “3” (Draft/conscription enlistees; practically speaking typically found in men serving later in the war):
30xxxxxx: Drafted outside the USA, or in Hawaii, Panama, the Philippines, or Puerto Rico
31xxxxxx: Drafted in CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT
32xxxxxx: Drafted in DE, NJ, NY
33xxxxxx: Drafted in MD, PA, VA, Washington D.C.
34xxxxxx: Drafted in AL, FL, GA, MI, NC, SC, TN
35xxxxxx: Drafted in IN, KY, OH, WV
36xxxxxx: Drafted in IL, MI, WI
37xxxxxx: Drafted in AR, LA, NM, OK, TX
38xxxxxx: Drafted in AK, AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA
39xxxxxx: Drafted in AR, LA, NM, OK, TX
Officer Serial Numbers
O-xxxxxxx: Commissioned officer
Other Prefixes
R-xxxxxxx: Reserve officers
W-xxxxxxx: Warrant officers
These prefixes help in identifying the enlistment region and status, providing a starting point for deeper research into the airman’s service. This could be particularly useful information for someone with unclear details about where their relative was living in the early 1940s, for example.
Where to find your relative’s WW2 serial number
Service Records and Military Documents
The most reliable place to find a WW2 USAAF airman’s serial number is in their service records. These records can be requested from the National Archives, but be aware that the majority of records were lost in a devastating 1973 fire. Key documents where you might find the serial number include:
- Enlistment records
- Discharge papers (DD Form 214)
- Service medals and awards documents
- Other sources that the National Archives may have, such as final payment paperwork
If official records are not available, there are other sources where a serial number might be found:
- Personal Letters and Correspondence: Letters sent home often included the airman’s serial number.
- Uniforms and Dog Tags: These items often had the serial number engraved or stitched on them.
- Photographs: Sometimes, photographs of the airman in uniform might display their serial number on their uniform.
WHY the serial number is important for WW2 genealogical research
Tracing Military Service
The serial number is a useful tool for tracing an airman’s military service. With this number, you can access service records which provide details about training, assignments, promotions, and more. This information can give you a comprehensive view of your relative’s military career.
Understanding the Airman’s Journey
The serial number is an absolutely critical detail to help you understand the airman’s journey through different bases and theaters of war. By cross-referencing your serial number with military databases, documents, and records, you can track movements and assignments. This is one of the foundational ways to find your relative’s history in World War 2.
Connecting with Historical Context
As you probably already know if you’re reading this, by researching the units and assignments associated with the serial number, you can connect your relative’s experiences with broader historical events. This context can enrich your understanding of their service and provide a more vivid picture of their wartime experiences.
Using the USAAF serial number in genealogical family research
Accessing Archives and Databases
Many online databases and archives require a serial number to access detailed records. Websites like Ancestry.com and Fold3 have extensive military records, and entering the serial number can unlock a treasure trove of information. You should know, however, that if your serial number returns disappointingly few results, it does not mean that records are absent — simply that they weren’t cataloged for easy retrieval.
Joining Veteran Groups and Forums
Veteran groups and forums, especially on Facebook, often have members who are experts in military history and genealogy. Sharing your relative’s serial number in these communities can help you connect with others who might have additional information or resources. Many of these community members have already conducted extensive research on their own journeys, and may be able to give you a leg up if you’re willing to reach out.
Verifying Family Stories and Anecdotes
Family stories about your relative’s wartime experiences can be verified and expanded upon by researching their serial number. This number can corroborate details about where they served, what missions they participated in, and more.
Deciphering a WW2 USAAF airman’s serial number is an essential step in uncovering your relative’s military history. By understanding the structure and significance of these numbers, knowing where to find them, and using them in genealogical research, you can piece together a detailed and meaningful picture of your veteran relative’s service. This journey not only honors their memory but also connects you with an important part of your family’s heritage.
By delving into the past through these serial numbers, you preserve the legacy of those who served and ensure their stories are remembered and cherished for generations to come. And at the end of the day, that’s what this is all about.
Leave a Reply