business and finance | February 24, 2026

How do I find my military ancestors?

How do I find my military ancestors?

You can find veterans’ military service records from World War I to the present from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). The NPRC houses many types of records, including Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF).

What are OSS records?

As-built record drawings – search utility. Most of the on-site sewage system (OSS) record drawings, also known as as-builts, dating from 1998 are available online. The record drawings include both new construction and repairs to failing systems.

How long was OSS training?

It only lasted for three years and three months but it became the basis for the modern Central Intelligence Agency. Top image: Jedburghs in front of B-24 just before night takeoff. Area T, Harrington Airdrome, England, circa 1944. Photo courtesy of the National Archives, Identifier 540066.

Where was the OSS located?

Their mission, location, and true identity were secret. The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) had many training facilities. Most were located in Maryland and Virginia.

When was OSS declassified?

The documents come from a larger OSS collection, much of which was declassified by the CIA in the 1980s. The IWG release consists of documents previously withheld by the CIA because of the sensitive information they contained on sources and methods.

Was the OSS successful?

OSS proved especially useful in providing a worldwide overview of the German war effort, its strengths and weaknesses. In direct operations it was successful in supporting Operation Torch in French North Africa in 1942, where it identified pro-Allied potential supporters and located landing sites.

Where can I find the OSS personnel files?

Descriptions of 23,973 personnel files from the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) between 1941 and 1945 are available in the National Archives Catalog. To search for an individual’s name in the OSS personnel files:

Where can I find the Office of Strategic Services personnel files?

(National Archives Identifier 540055) Descriptions of 23,973 personnel files from the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) between 1941 and 1945 are available in the National Archives Catalog. To search for an individual’s name in the OSS personnel files:

What is the arrangement of OSS records?

After World War II, a group of OSS veterans in the Strategic Services Unit (SSU) arranged most OSS operational records according to OSS locations, offices, and file categories. For a list of these categories, see the Arrangement of OSS Records.

When did the CIA start releasing OSS records?

In 1980, the CIA began transferring OSS records to the National Archives. Records were first reviewed for declassification by the CIA, with sensitive documents withdrawn before transfer. The transfer, processing, and creation of finding aids followed at the National Archives and records were made available to the public.