where to find WWII submarine personnel information?

[ws6guy]

My wife found out recently that her grandfather was a submariner in WWII. He passed away about 20 years ago and didn't talk much about the war. She new he was Navy but no idea he was a submariner, especially at 6ft tall. Unfortunately his sub sank and lost all on board except for him, he was on land getting his appendix removed. I never met him but by all accounts he seemed like a great man, not sure how someone over comes loosing their whole crew but it spared. Lately my wife has been reading a lot about the war especially anything she can find about submarines during the war.

I'm not sure if it is possible but I'd like to find out what sub he was a signed to. Anyone know where to start searching?

 

[Libertarian01]

I would start here: https://www.history.navy.mil/research/archives/research-guides-and-finding-aids/crew-lists.html

Good luck,

Doug

 

[actaeon277]

Since it's a granddaughter, she may be able to request records.
https://www.archives.gov/
Click on "Veteran's Service Records".

Different records are available, I can't remember what's available to granddaughter.
If you can get a copy of his "service jacket", that will list shore duty and sea duty stations.

 

[actaeon277]

https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/about-service-records-0
This page may apply to you.

 

[actaeon277]

If you know any info, this may help..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_lost_United_States_submarines


There were 52 subs (US) lost in WWII.
This lists estimated time of loss, and estimated positions.
Estimated, well because when subs are lost, they generally just disappear, to be later listed as "Missing. Presumed Lost.", or "On Eternal Patrol".
Only a few subs had any survivors, and then only a few.
Of those few, many were in prison camps, only found when the war was over.

 

[ws6guy]

thanks for this info fellas. Starting look like we'll need to have her mom request the service records.

 

[Alamo]

I just ran across this site: Lost 52 Project

It's a group dedicated to finding the 52 lost WWII US submarines. I haven't looked through the site, dunno if it will help, but here you go.

 

[AllenM]

https://www.fold3.com/freetrial.php

 

[actaeon277]

And, if you find anything out, we'd be interested to hear about it.

 

[actaeon277]

My wife found out recently that her grandfather was a submariner in WWII. He passed away about 20 years ago and didn't talk much about the war. She new he was Navy but no idea he was a submariner, especially at 6ft tall. Unfortunately his sub sank and lost all on board except for him, he was on land getting his appendix removed. I never met him but by all accounts he seemed like a great man, not sure how someone over comes loosing their whole crew but it spared. Lately my wife has been reading a lot about the war especially anything she can find about submarines during the war.

I'm not sure if it is possible but I'd like to find out what sub he was a signed to. Anyone know where to start searching?

Any updates?
Were you successful?

 

[ws6guy]

Unfortunately we didn't get very far, wife being a granddaughter didn't get us access to his records. We enlisted the help of my wife's mother but she hasn't looked anything up yet. I'm sure she will because she enjoys family history stuff but she'll take her sweet time doing it.

 

[actaeon277]

Thanks for the update.

 

[K_W]

Unfortunately we didn't get very far, wife being a granddaughter didn't get us access to his records. We enlisted the help of my wife's mother but she hasn't looked anything up yet. I'm sure she will because she enjoys family history stuff but she'll take her sweet time doing it.

Grandchildren can't access records? What happens in a few years when Boomers exceed life expectancy?

 

[jedi]