NARA WWII Public Use Data

This is a copy of National Archives public use data that has been PIKed for use in the FSRDC.

The military data contain information on 8.3 million soldiers who served in the Army and the Army Air Force during World War II.

Data and Resources

This dataset has no data

Additional Info

Field Value
Record creation timestamp 2025-06-26 18:57 UTC
Record last modification timestamp 2026-06-26 19:34 UTC
Agency dataset ID 1744
Alternative title(s)
  1. NARA_WWII_PU
Program
Program Title
Preferred citation
Source(s) Census Bureau
Other Source(s)
URL(s) for general survey info
  1. https://www.archives.gov/research/military/ww2
Co-Reviewer(s)
Authorizer(s) Census Bureau
Other Authorizer(s)
Funder(s)/Sponsor(s) Other (specify)
Other Funder(s)/Sponsor(s)
  1. National Archives and Records Administration
Additional information about restricted dataset
DOI
Earliest Year of Data Available 1930
Most Recent Year of Data Available 1949
Smallest geographic unit Address
Smallest geographic unit (other)
Universe
  1. WWII veterans
Spatial coverage
  1. National (50 States, DC, Puerto Rico)
Classification Demographics
Unit of observation Individual
Unit of observation (other)
Sample

The data we have for WWII veterans are as follows: - unique Army soldier serial number - full name - year of birth - race - nativity - marital status - education - pre-war occupation - height and weight - date and county where the soldier enlisted/was drafted - service branch - terms of enlistment - military rank at the time of entering service - an indicator for whether the soldier died during the war
Frequency of data collection
    Frequency of data collection (other)
    Method of data collection Administrative records
    Method of data collection (other)
    Reference date
      Reference date (other)
      Data collection notes
      Number of cases
      Number of variables
      Linkage capabilities
      Linkage variables
        Where to apply https://www.census.gov/about/adrm/fsrdc.html
        Fees

        Possible seat fee dependent on consortium membership. URL for more information: https://www.census.gov/about/adrm/fsrdc/about/fsrdc-network-fees.html
        Access modality FSRDC
        Usage restrictions

        Users accessing these surname identifiers must not have surname PII in their project space. Census Bureau restricted-use data must be used for statistical purposes and cannot be used for purposes of enforcing laws or regulations or for profit.
        Public Use File available True
        Public-use version https://www.archives.gov/research/military/ww2
        Summary of differences

        The Census version of the data has PIKs added.
        Geography differs from restricted-use file (RUF)
        Variable detail differs from Restricted Use File (RUF)
        FTI flag
        Trust level Trust Level 4
        Provisioned by state
          Provisioned by other geographic unit
            Provisioned by month
              Provisioned year(s)
                Provisioned by other time unit
                1. 1930-1949
                Provisioning units other than time or geography
                  Can non-citizens apply Yes, if residency requirements are met
                  Variable selection requirement
                  Supporting documentation
                  Documentation for application