RESOURCES

If you are doing your own research on Eighth Air Force servicemen, or POWs, whether for a book, website, or personal project, here are some recommended resources to check. 

• National Archives Catalog: This website has millions of records, where you can find things like draft cards, air medal citations, and other documents. Tragically, over 18 million records were lost in 1973 in a fire at the National Personnel Records Center in Missouri, but new records are being found, digitized, and uploaded all the time, so if you don't find anything now, keep checking back.

• Your family member's bomb group website: In my case, I was very fortunate that R.O. was in the 384th Bomb Group because 384thBombGroup.com is one of the best Eighth Air Force Heavy Bombardment Group websites out there. It has a plethora of documents, photographs, and information related to 384th servicemen. 

• Newspapers: This website features millions of newspapers from all over the world. You can search by name, date, hometown, city, state, and more.

• Ancestry: This website features over 30 billion records, photographs, yearbook photos, documents, and more. 

• The University of North Texas' Portal to Texas History: This website has over 2 million photographs, newspaper articles, maps, and documents that tell the stories of Texas history, military veterans, and civilians.

• Local Library: Your local library, or the library of your family member's hometown, or places they trained in, are great places to check for photos, documents, and newspaper articles. 

• Friends of the US Air Force Academy Library Stalag Luft 3 Collection: This website features many photos, documents, records, and stories about Stalag Luft 3. The website and archive were created by Lt. Gen. A.P. Clark, who was one of the commanding officers and POWs at Stalag Luft 3. 

• Facebook Groups: Facebook groups like the Eighth Air Force Society (official) and your family member's bomb group, such as the 384th Bomb Group Heritage Association, are great places to connect with family members and historians. 

• Books: Books are a great resource often forgotten in the digital age. Below are some books that helped in my research.

  • As Briefed... A Family History of the 384th Bombardment Group by Walter Owens

  • The Mighty Eighth by Roger A. Freeman

  • Behind the Wire by Ewell Ross McCright and Arnold Wright

  • The Battle of Hamburg by Martin Middlebrook

  • Heritage of Valor by Colonel Budd Peaslee

  • Screaming Eagle by Colonel Dale Smith

  • American Ex-Prisoners of War Membership Directories