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bill-beigel-ww2-researcher

WW2 Researcher Bill Beigel

There are two things most family historians, relatives, and descendants of World War II veterans have in common: We are extremely proud of our families’ World War 2 heritage and we know little to nothing about our relatives’ experiences during the war.

To find the answers we’re looking for, most of us turn to the internet in search of military records, databases, or articles. The search for U.S. WW2 military records, in particular, can be confounding. It can also be profoundly emotional, especially if you’re searching for information on a family member, as most of my clients are.

As a professional military records researcher and historian, I have conducted customized military records research for well over a thousand clients and have located nearly two thousand veterans’ files since 1999. In response to many requests from clients and readers of my blog, I have added some additional services and more ways that I can work with people who are searching for military service records from World War 2. You do not have to be a relative of a U.S. veteran to research military files from World War 2 and from subsequent wars.

The type of information I research is not available on the internet, or through any single source. Even outside the internet, there is no single source, service, library, government department, or database that contains all casualty records – or veterans’ records – for people who served in World War 2.

The internet is a great place to start your search, and you may find information that has been published about the person or unit you’re interested in. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, if you aren’t sure if you have all the information that is available, or if you’ve gone through many channels without success, please get in touch with me through this web site and let’s work together on it.

I’ve had many requests from people who want different levels of help in researching U.S. military casualties, especially for WW2, which is my particular specialty. In addition to the full-service research I have offered for more than 15 years, I now offer several other options. I hope you find one that’s a fit for you.

Veteran's Records Research - Individual Personnel Records (Request a Quote)

Choose this option if you want to hire me to conduct a full search of existing military service records, as well as other published information, and put together the story of your veteran who served and survived World War 2. I typically spend 5 – 7 hours per veteran, sometimes much longer. Some reports may take many months to obtain from government sources. I will stick with your case until it’s solved and will email you updates with my progress.

You will receive copies of all records that I locate, in addition to an explanation of anything in the records that may be unclear. My research fee also covers the cost of certain files from sources that charge a processing fee.

In general, the information that I am able to locate will include the following:

– Records of his induction into the US Armed Forces
– Copy of his Selective Service (Draft) card, bearing his signature, information on his physical characteristics, and next of kin
– Page/s from the After Action Report from his unit for a representative day of that unit’s combat service (Army or Air Force)
– A thorough review of any newspaper accounts (probably from his hometown) which might describe some aspect of his military service
– A thorough review of any records of his high school and/or college experience, if available
– A copy of his final pay voucher from the military, which may provide us with further information on his service
– All records of his service in the custody of his home state, including his WWII Bonus File, if one exists
– Other records that I may locate from various sources during my research

To begin, please complete this form with details about the person you want to research. I charge a flat fee for the research and analysis, regardless of how complex a case may be. There is no cost or commitment to submit your query.

Please note: This service includes locating a veteran’s Individual Military Personnel records. I will search for all available records that the military and the veteran’s home state kept on his service. Sometimes unit records are requested in addition to personnel records to learn details that are not provided at the individual-record level. For research help with Unit Records searches, please see my separate service listing below.

Full-Service Veterans’ Records Research (Personnel Records): $275

You may skip the form above to submit your order directly through PayPal.




Veteran's Records Research - Individual Personnel Records (Request a Quote)

Choose this option if you want to hire me to conduct a full search of existing military service records, as well as other published information, and put together the story of your veteran who served and survived World War 2. I typically spend 5 – 7 hours per veteran, sometimes much longer. Some reports may take many months to obtain from government sources. I will stick with your case until it’s solved and will email you updates with my progress.

You will receive copies of all records that I locate, in addition to an explanation of anything in the records that may be unclear. My research fee also covers the cost of certain files from sources that charge a processing fee.

In general, the information that I am able to locate will include the following:

– Records of his induction into the US Armed Forces
– Copy of his Selective Service (Draft) card, bearing his signature, information on his physical characteristics, and next of kin
– Page/s from the After Action Report from his unit for a representative day of that unit’s combat service (Army or Air Force)
– A thorough review of any newspaper accounts (probably from his hometown) which might describe some aspect of his military service
– A thorough review of any records of his high school and/or college experience, if available
– A copy of his final pay voucher from the military, which may provide us with further information on his service
– All records of his service in the custody of his home state, including his WWII Bonus File, if one exists
– Other records that I may locate from various sources during my research

To begin, please complete this form with details about the person you want to research. I charge a flat fee for the research and analysis, regardless of how complex a case may be. There is no cost or commitment to submit your query.

Please note: This service includes locating a veteran’s Individual Military Personnel records. I will search for all available records that the military and the veteran’s home state kept on his service. Sometimes unit records are requested in addition to personnel records to learn details that are not provided at the individual-record level. For research help with Unit Records searches, please see my separate service listing below.

Full-Service Veterans’ Records Research (Personnel Records): $275

You may skip the form above to submit your order directly through PayPal.




Military Casualty Research & Analysis - Individual Personnel Records ($250)

Choose this option if you want to hire me to conduct a full search of military casualty records and put together the story of your veteran who was killed in WW2. I typically spend 7 – 10 hours per veteran, sometimes much longer. I charge a flat fee for this service, regardless of how complex a case may be; also, my fee covers the cost of certain records I will obtain for you. Some reports may take many months to obtain from government sources. I will stick with your case until it’s solved and will email you updates with my progress.

I will perform a full, custom records search and locate the following:

– All records of death, including date, cause, exact location
– Date of birth
– Name and home address of designated next-of-kin and/or beneficiaries
– Address and hometown at the time he entered the service
– Service-entry date
– Records of the recovery and identification of his remains
– Copies of correspondence between the military and next-of-kin regarding his death
– Inventory of personal effects, possessions, and documentation tracing their return, if any
– All records of original burial location
– All records of permanent interment (whether in the U.S. or overseas), including copies of forms signed and notarized by next-of-kin authorizing final burial

My full research and analysis service includes everything above, plus a comprehensive written report and analysis of all files located. I will reorganize the files so that they are clearer to the modern reader and provide an explanation of the military terms and acronyms in the file, along with a general review of the contents. Clients will learn and understand just what happened to the veteran and his unit or crew. Anything unusual about the records for a given individual will also be highlighted. I am often able to provide additional context and interesting details due to my many years as an historian and researcher.

To begin, please complete this form with details about the person you want to research. There is no cost or commitment to submit your query.

Please note: This service includes locating, analyzing, and interpreting a non-surviving veteran’s Individual Military Personnel records. I will search for all available records that the military and the veteran’s home state kept on his service. Sometimes unit records are requested in addition to personnel records to learn details that are not provided at the individual-record level. For research help with Unit Records searches, please see my separate service listing below.

Full Military Casualty Research & Analysis (Personnel Records): $250

You may skip the form above to submit your order directly through PayPal.




Full-Service Military Casualty Research (Personnel Records): $175

You may skip the form above to submit your order directly through PayPal.




Unit Records Research - Track a Veteran by Unit (Request a Quote)

“Tracking Dad Across Europe or the Pacific” 

This has proven to be one of my most popular research approaches. This service includes customized research on a military unit, air or naval crew involved in an operation or incident. Researched documents may include After Action Reports (AAR), Missing Air Crew Reports (MACR), unit journals and diaries, Morning Reports, and/or others, which may be requested for virtually any time period that the unit was in action.

Using various unit research methods I have developed, I can locate the complete path taken by a soldier, on a day-by-day basis, for his company, battalion, regiment or division across Europe or the Pacific during World War 2. This can tell us your veteran’s exact location at specific points in time, as well as additional information on his unit, provide information on casualties (killed, wounded, POW) incurred by the unit, transfers in and out, and more. The price for this work will vary, depending on the length of time to be investigated, difficulty in obtaining specific records, and similar details.

Please send me the details of your research request by completing the form at the link below. There is no charge to request a quote; I will get in touch with you to discuss your project.

Request a Quote

Step-by-Step Research Instructions With Phone Consultation ($79)

If you want to conduct your own WW2 military casualty research, but need guidance on where to look, help understanding terms, and other useful information, I can help you get started with this guided research option.ww2-research-steps-image-sm

It took me several years to research my own relative, and I know how difficult these searches can be. I have developed a set of step-by-step instructions – one for each branch of service – to help you get started. If you choose this option, I will also schedule a 30-minute phone call with you to discuss the particulars of your specific search.

Use the PayPal link below to purchase my step-by-step instructions. I will email you the instructions within 24 hours (usually within just a couple of hours) and set up a time for a call with you to review your specific research project and the steps you’ll need to take.

Step-by-step instructions plus 30-minute phone consultation: $79


Branch of Service


Phone Consultation ($65/hr)

If you need a phone consultation with any part of your research, or understanding files you have located and you want to schedule a call with me, I would be delighted to talk with you. You can email me through my Contact page to set up an appointment, or prepay and I will contact you to set up an appointment.

Phone consultation by appointment: $65
Rate: $65 up to 1 hour; $65/hourly or fraction thereof


Analysis of Military Records Located by You ($125)

If you have located military records on an individual, but you need help fully understand them, this service is designed to help you.

I will fully review and organize the records you have found and give you a comprehensive written report and analysis of all the files you’ve located. I will also let you know if more records might be available for your veteran. I will also summarize the findings and highlight anything unusual about the records, if applicable, and add information that I can contribute based on my years as a historian and researcher. This process can take from 2 – 4 hours.

Once you purchase this service, I will email you to request the records that you have found and schedule a call with you to discuss them before I perform my review and write up my interpretation of your files. I will also tell you whether there may be additional files available for the person you’ve researched.

Cost for this service: $125
Purchase this service and get started right away.




Group Research: Unit/Squadron, Civic Memorial, University, etc. (Request a quote)

This service might include research on a military unit, air or naval crew involved in an operation or incident, or it might include researching all of the individuals killed from your hometown or county, school or university, such as for a monument or other memorial. Services may include a full audit of your list of names, documents such as After Action Reports (AAR), Missing Air Crew Reports (MACR), unit journals and diaries, Morning Reports, and others, for virtually any time period that the unit was in action, and other services.

Blog posts or media coverage from some of my past group research projects include:

Please send me the details of your research request by completing the form at the link below. There is no charge to request a quote; I will get in touch with you to discuss your project.

Request a Quote

To learn more, visit my FAQ page, search my database, request a customized research project through my contact page, or email me directly.

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