How to Find Jewish Military Records from World War I and World War II

For many Jewish families, military service during World War I and World War II is a powerful but often under-documented chapter of their family story. Jewish men — and later women — served in armies across Europe, the United States, the British Empire, and beyond. Some survived and returned home. Others perished in battle, in captivity, or later during the Holocaust. Tracing these records can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach and resources, you can uncover remarkable details about your ancestor’s service.

Start with What You Know

Before diving into archives, gather everything already in your family’s possession. Look for draft cards, discharge papers, military medals, photographs in uniform, passports, letters, or even oral histories passed down through generations. Pay close attention to names, dates of birth, places of residence, and any mention of a regiment, unit, or military branch. Jewish soldiers often served under localized or transliterated names, so note spelling variations.

Knowing which country your ancestor lived in at the time of the war is crucial. Borders shifted dramatically after both wars, and a town that was Austrian in 1914 may have been Polish or Ukrainian by 1930.

World War I Military Records

World War I records can be challenging, but they are far from impossible to find. Many Jewish soldiers served in the armies of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, the Ottoman Empire, Britain, France, and the United States.

For U.S. soldiers, start with World War I draft registration cards. These records often include birth dates, occupations, addresses, and next of kin. They do not confirm service but provide vital context.

European WWI records are often held in national or regional archives. Countries like Germany and Austria maintain regimental rosters, casualty lists, and pension files. Jewish soldiers may also appear in pre-war census records that later connect to military service.

A lesser-known resource is Jewish community memorial books (Yizkor books), which sometimes list local men who served and died in World War I — even decades before the Holocaust.

World War II Military Records

World War II generated far more documentation, but Jewish military service is often fragmented due to displacement, persecution, and name changes.

If your ancestor served in the U.S. military, look for draft cards, enlistment records, unit histories, and burial records. Keep in mind that many U.S. Army personnel files were destroyed in the 1973 National Personnel Records Center fire, but alternate records such as morning reports and payrolls can help reconstruct service.

For British and Commonwealth forces, service records, medal cards, and casualty lists are key. Jewish refugees who escaped Europe often enlisted in the British Army or auxiliary units.

In Europe, Jewish men served in Polish, Soviet, French, and other national forces. Some later joined partisan units or resistance movements. These records may be found in military archives, Holocaust research institutions, and survivor testimony collections.

Holocaust-Era Overlap

For Jewish soldiers, military service and Holocaust history frequently intersect. Some veterans were later deported, imprisoned as prisoners of war, or targeted due to their Jewish identity.

Institutions such as Yad Vashem and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum hold collections that include military service references, POW records, and post-war testimonies. A soldier’s military background may appear indirectly in transport lists, camp records, or survivor questionnaires.

Name Challenges and Language Barriers

One of the biggest obstacles in Jewish military research is names. Jewish soldiers often used Yiddish, Hebrew, Russian, German, or Anglicized versions of their names depending on the country and period. A single individual may appear under several spellings across different records.

When searching, try multiple variations and be flexible with dates. Learning basic military terms in the relevant language can dramatically improve search results.

Photographs, Medals, and Unit Histories

Do not underestimate the power of context. Even if you cannot find a full service file, regimental histories, unit war diaries, and battlefield maps can help you understand where your ancestor served and what they experienced.

Photographs with insignia or medals can often be identified with the help of military historians or online forums dedicated to uniform identification.

Be Patient — and Persistent

Finding Jewish military records from World War I and World War II is rarely a one-step process. It often requires piecing together clues from civilian records, community sources, and multiple archives across different countries.

But when you succeed, the reward is profound. Military records do more than list dates and ranks — they restore agency, courage, and humanity to ancestors whose lives were shaped by the most turbulent events of the twentieth century.

With patience and persistence, you may uncover not just a soldier’s service, but a powerful chapter of Jewish resilience and survival.