Anyone know how to find the family of a deceased WWII soldier?

[Uncledave]

I visited the US Cemetary in Normandy this past weekend and, being Jewish and from NY myself, put a stone on the grave of a Jewish soldier who was also from NY and took a photo.

I'd like to email the photo and a note to the family of this soldier - letting them know that somebody recently stopped by. I have the info from his grave: name, rank, hometown city and date of death (June 6th 1944).

Can any of you military freepers pint me in the right direction?

Thanks.

[gunnygail]

Very hard. DoD doesn't like to release next of kin info because dirtbags call and harrass them. HOWEVER, go to military.com and see if you can find his unit and search for his buddies. Or search for him on their database and find a home state, home of record. Might help. Good luck.

[Atlantic Friend]

Man, it's damn nice of you. I wish I could direct you to someone to help you - maybe the Veterans of Foreign Wars association ? They have a website, IIRC.

[ops33]

Could you please tell me the significance of leaving a stone on the grave? I remember at the end of Schindler's list when some of the surviving Schindler Jews, their children and grandchildren, placed stones on his grave and have always wondered about its meaning.

[ex-snook]

I would try the VA. They had insurance records. What they did is write to the people and they may even forward your letter to them. The people can then reply as they see fit. [I did this to find a lost army buddy].

[OldFriend]

I believe there is a group of JEWISH WAR VETERANS.....see if you can locate them.

[goarmy]

Go to your local VFW and see if these seasoned fellas can help. They'll cast a net and something's bound to turn up. Good luck.

[Sophie]

Try the War Department. This is where I found relatives who fought in the war. It's possible you can locate families there as well.

[mass55th]

First step would be to do a Google search for his name, and then the family name. If you find any pages pertaining to that family's last name, you can try posting messages asking for relatives.

If you have his hometown and state, see if there aren't any old newspapers available for that year. You might find an obituary that may provide the name of some family members. From there, you could check local phone directories to see if anyone with that last name might still be listed. You may have to make a few phone calls before you come across the right family, but it can be done. I've done it with Civil War soldiers.

[mystery-ak]

Try googling his name....I goggled my dad's name who died in 1960 and found his obit notice in the paper, census records in the 30's and a few other items about him.....it's worth a try.

[CLRGuy]

Here's some explanation of the tradition of leaving stones at a grave.. not sure if it is accurate, but it is interesting :)

http://www.templesanjose.org/JudaismInfo/time/Life_Cycle/pebbles.htm

[Fantelina]

Try going to www.rootsweb.com It is the largest genealogy site in the world and see if he is listed and follow the descendants.

[PAR35]

Try the War Department.

That might be difficult. The Department of War was abolished in 1947.

[warn205]

I can help you.

I am a Legacy member of 12th Armored Division Association and have helped people research info about their loved ones.

In 1973 there was a fire, in a warehouse maintained by the National Archives, located in St. Louis, MO. This warehouse contained almost all the records of WW2 veterans, leaving future generations with a difficult task of finding answers to questions similar to yours. This is the location where the Form 180, mentioned in an earlier post, would end up. Because of the fire, the form would be returned to you explaining what I have just written.

Because of the complexity of the task you have undertaken, please contact me directly at twozerofive@tds.net. I invite anyone else who would like to participate to also contact me. Hopefully you have recorded the individual's Unit information and date killed. Even just knowing the name, this info can be retrieved on line from the cemetery where this person is buried.

I don't have all the answers but I can lead you to sites which may yield results.

[IGOTMINE]

Yes it was. We need to bring it back. This "Department of Defense" crap just ain't cutting it!

[Snoopers-868th]

There are Vet web-pages all over the web. Put the Unit in a google search, trying different ways and see what it brings back to you. Put the unit on this thread maybe someone will be able to point you easier.

[PAR35]

This "Department of Defense" crap just ain't cutting it!

The War Department never lost a war. The Department of Defense never won a war.

And that would make a good sound bite for a campaign ad.

"In 1947 the Democrats abolished the Department of War and the Department of the Navy and set up the so-called Department of Defense. The War Department never lost a war. The Department of Defense never won a war."

[NTegraT]

This is a slim chance because very few veterans have been honored so far. http://www.wwiimemorial.com, then click WWIIRegistry on the left, then [Search the Registry] across the top, place the information you have and maybe something will be there for you. I do not know how you get in touch with the source, if there's a listing, but at least it's a living person.

Please everyone, submit your family members and friends so this database and memorial can be more complete. They're backed up on work right now, so that's a good sign.