Military Personnel Photographs
The Still Picture Branch does not have collections of portraits/headshots, group photos, or yearbooks created during training. According to the military, graduates’ formal photos, both individual and group, were taken by private local commercial photographers and offered for sale at the time taken. Unfortunately, those items rarely became part of official military records nor were they retained by the commercial photographers responsible for shooting the photos.
SGT. G. McNoun, a still photographic technician assigned to the 833rd Combat Support Group, takes a photo in the portrait studio. Local Identifier: 330-CFD-DF-ST-85-03456; National Archives Identifier: 6388157
The Still Picture Branch has many candid photos that feature U.S. military personnel. We have various name indexes, filed by last name, where one can complete a search for candid photos of a specific person. It is important to note that less than one percent of individuals who served can be found within these indexes. Many of our captions do not identify the people shown and a name will only appear in the index if the individual is listed in a photographic caption. Additionally, only select portraits for high-ranking military individuals may be found outside of the indexes.
The Still Picture Branch houses official U.S. military photographs of activities, events, and facilities produced by and related to each branch of service. For an overview of our holdings, please see our Civil War, World War I and II, and Other Military topic pages on our homepage.
Please consult the records listed below and within the National Archives Catalog for a search of military photographs of specific individuals. We recommend clicking the hyperlinked series designator within the “Records” column, then clicking the blue “Search within this series” button, and entering keywords to search. Additionally, helpful search tips are available on our blog. If you have any questions or require assistance during your search, please contact us at stillpix@nara.gov. For in-depth research related to these records, researchers are encouraged to visit our research room in College Park, MD. Alternatively, those unable to visit may wish to hire an independent researcher.
Contact Us
Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF)
Sample of a photograph included within an OMPF; National Archives at St. Louis; National Archives Identifier: 145783446
While there is no guarantee a photograph will be attached, a photo may be enclosed within an individual's Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). You can find more information about requesting an OMPF at https://www.archives.gov/veterans. A detailed list of locations of OMPFs is found at https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/locations. For the most complete copy of a personnel file, in Section I of the SF-180, on the line for "Other" (Specify), write "Complete copy of every page of personnel file - not an extract."
Still Picture Branch Records
All Military Photos Dated after 2007
The Still Picture Branch houses permanent photographic records after their transfer from federal government agencies. We have not received the majority of military photographs dated after 2007. Military photographs dated after 2007 are still within the holdings of the Department of Defense. You may wish to contact the Defense Media Activity (DMA).
All Military Photographs Dated 1982 to 2007
Portrait of U.S. Navy, Captain Alan W. Frost; Local Identifier: 330-CFD-DN-SC-89-02478; National Archives Identifier: 6439938
| Dates | Records | Notes |
| All Branches' Military Photographs Dated 1982 to 2007 | 330-CFD: Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files Fully digitized online |
We suggest conducting keyword searches for the name you are looking for as well as locations, units, and types of work that were completed using the search within this series function. Since many people's names are not included in the captions, it may be possible to locate images of a veteran or units by broadening keyword searches. If you do not find any images on your subject, that indicates we likely do not have anything within our holdings.
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Civil War/Pre-World War I Era
| Dates | Records | Notes |
| 1860 to 1865 |
111-B: Mathew Brady Photographs of Civil War-Era Personalities and Scenes Fully digitized online
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This series is fully digitized online and may be searched for specific names. Alternatively, a listing of the photographs created by the War Department in 1897 is available as the “List of the Photographs and Photographic Negatives Relating to the War for the Union.” |
| 1776 to 1930s |
111-SCY: Index to U.S. Army Signal Corps Black-and-White Photographs Not yet digitized
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This index is available onsite in our research room. Early portraits of individuals are typically photographic copies of original artworks. |
World War I
Portrait; Local Identifier: 111-SC-102219; National Archives Identifier: 329588499
| Dates | Records | Notes |
| 1776 to 1930s |
111-SCY: Index to U.S. Army Signal Corps Black-and-White Photographs Not yet digitized
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This index is available onsite in our research room. Each photo in this index for an individual from World War I can be found within the series 111-SC: Photographs of American Military Activities. |
| 1917 to 1919 |
111-SCZ: Lists for Signal Corps Photographs of American Military Activity Catalogue of Official A.E.F. Photographs |
The Catalogue of Official A.E.F. Photographs was created by the Signal Corps as a listing of their photographs taken during World War I. A version is available online, and includes a section for personalities on pages 49 to 109. Each photograph identifier number within this list can be found within the series 111-SC: Photographs of American Military Activities. |
Air Force
Also known as the Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces until 1947.
| Dates | Records | Notes |
| 1911 to 1941 |
18-P: Photographs of Flight Personnel List fully available online
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While this series is not fully digitized, the list of each included individual is searchable within the National Archives Catalog. |
| 1943 to 1946 |
18-T: Official Portraits of U.S. Army Air Force Pilots, Tuskegee, Alabama Fully digitized online |
This series has photographs of fighter pilots who received their training at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama. |
| Ca.1910 to ca. 1980 |
Fully digitized, coming soon
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These records have been fully digitized and are currently undergoing a quality control review before being uploaded to the National Archives Catalog. A portion of World War II photographs can be found online within the series 342-FH: Photographs of Activities, Facilities and Personnel. |
| High Ranking: 1960 to 1981 |
342-P: Photographs of Air Force Officers and Officials List fully available online
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While this series is not fully digitized, the list of each included individual is searchable within the National Archives Catalog. |
| ca. 1940–ca. 1953 |
342-FH: Photographs of Activities, Facilities and Personnel Partially digitized online |
Nearly all World War II, overseas photographs from the series 342-FH are digitized online. The series includes select group photographs, typically taken overseas in England. Unfortunately, many individuals are not directly named and searchable within the captions. As such, we typically recommend searching broadly for subjects such as the unit designator, locations where they served, types of aircraft they flew, etc. |
Army
Lieutenant General George S. Patton; Local Identifier: 111-P-200278; National Archives Identifier: 276536941
| Dates | Records | Notes |
| 1940 to 1954 |
111-PX:Index to Personalities in the U.S. Army Signal Corps Photographic Files Fully digitized online
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The first portion of the index covers World War II and the Korean War, and can be found within the National Archives Catalog. A tutorial for how to search these records can be found on our blog. |
| 1955 to 1981 |
111-PX: Index to Personalities in the U.S. Army Signal Corps Photographic Files Fully digitized online
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The second portion of this index covers the Vietnam War through 1981, and can be found within the National Archives Catalog. A tutorial for how to search these records can be found on our blog. |
| High Ranking: 1776 to 1970 |
List fully available online
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While this series is not fully digitized, the list of each included individual is searchable within the National Archives Catalog. |
Coast Guard
| Dates | Records | Notes |
| 1886 to 1967 |
26-G: Photographs of Activities, Facilities, and Personalities Fully digitized, portion available online |
The personality section is fully digitized online and can be found under the subject heading “Personalities” within boxes 79 to 88. Please note that only a portion of this series is digitized online, and the remainder is undergoing a quality control review before being uploaded online. |
Navy
Photograph of Vice Admiral Horacio Rivero, Jr., United States Navy; Local Identifier: 428-KN-4823; National Archives Identifier: 315835212
| Dates | Records | Notes |
| 1900 to 1947 |
Fully digitized online
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This index is fully digitized and available through the National Archives Catalog. A tutorial on how to search these records can be found on our blog. |
| 1947 to 1958 |
Not yet digitized
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This index includes informal and group photographs, and should be used in companionship with 428-WX: Index to Portrait Photographs of Personalities in the General Photographic File of the Department of Navy. While this index is not digitized, it is described within the National Archives Catalog. |
| 1947 to 1958 |
Not yet digitized |
This index includes formal portraits, and should be used in companionship with 428-VX: Index to Photographs of Personalities in the General Photographic File of the Department of Navy. While this index is not digitized, it is described within the National Archives Catalog. |
| 1958 to 1981 |
428-GX: Vis-Aid Index to the General Photographic Files of the Department of the Navy Not yet digitized
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While this index covers general Navy photography from 1958 to 1981, boxes 192 through 324 specifically relate to personalities. |
Marine Corps
| Dates | Records | Notes |
| 1927 to 1958 |
127-PX: Indexes to Photographs of Marine Corps and Noted Civilian Personalities Not yet digitized
|
The first portion of this index covers pre-World War II through the post-Korean War era, and is described within the National Archives Catalog. |
| 1959 to 1981 |
127-PX: Indexes to Photographs of Marine Corps and Noted Civilian Personalities Not yet digitized
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The second portion of this index covers the pre-Vietnam War era until 1981, and is described within the National Archives Catalog. |
Space Force
We do not yet have records related to the Space Force.
Outside Resources
Additional information from outside resources not directly associated with the National Archives is provided below as a courtesy. Requesters are encouraged to verify the information directly with the contact listed. This information is current as of January 2024.
All Branches
Portrait of PFC Harold Gonsalves; Local Identifier: 127-GR-53-310614; National Archives Identifier: 74240911
Defense Media Activity (DMA)
- https://www.dma.mil/
- Defense Media Activity (DMA) holds military photographs prior to their transfer to the National Archives for permanent storage. A portion of their photography can be viewed online via DVIDS.
Military Yearbook Project
- https://militaryyearbookproject.org/
- The Military Yearbook Project is a crowdsourced effort to gather group military photographs.
E-Yearbook.com
- https://www.e-yearbook.com/military-academy-yearbooks.html
- For a fee of $5 per month, E-Yearbook provides access to their selection of military and military academy yearbooks.
Together We Served
- https://saveourstories.togetherweserved.com/
- Together We Served is a social media website where veterans and their families can connect and share their military histories.
Air Force
USAF MSGT William T. English BMT Flight Photo Archives, Lackland Air Force Base
- https://www.bmtflightphotos.af.mil/
- The USAF MSGT William T. English BMT Flight Photo Archives at Lackland Air Force Base is in the process of collecting BMT photographs, and as such, there are numerous gaps in what is available online. Please note you will need a year and group number to locate a group photograph, which is typically included within an Official Military Personnel File (OMPF).
Army
US Army Center for Military History
- https://history.army.mil/
- While the US Army Center for Military History will likely not house individual portraits, they have copies of unit histories available online, which may assist with genealogical research.
Army National Guard
- Typically records related to the National Guard are held by the associated state. For access to personnel records of non-active duty National Guard enlisted personnel and officers, please contact the Adjutant General of the appropriate state using the addresses listed on the National Guard Association website at https://www.ngaus.org/states-territories/state-association-directory.
Coast Guard
Rear Admiral Harry G. Hamlet, Commandant of the Coast Guard; Local Identifier: 26-G-20908; National Archives Identifier: 205587735
Coast Guard Recruit Training (CGRT) Alumni
- https://cgrtalumni.org/bootcampphotos
- The CGRT Alumni are working towards gathering every Coast Guard recruit company photo. As such, there may be some gaps in what is currently available online.
United States Coast Guard (USCG) Historian's Office
- https://www.history.uscg.mil/
- While the Coast Guard Historian’s Office may not have individual portraits, they have a select list of notable people available on their website.
Navy
Naval History and Heritage Command
- https://www.history.navy.mil/
- The Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) may not have individual portraits; however, they have general photography available through their website. Additionally, the NHHC has a collection of naval training and education yearbooks available for reproduction for a fee. While they do not have every year or location, they list the specific years/classes available.
US Navy Recruit Training Command (Great Lakes, IL)
- The Great Lakes Navy Exchange Recruit Store/Photo Lab has group photos from 1996 to present; however, they do not have individual portraits. To order photos, one must have the division number and year graduated.
- Phone: 847-578-6205, Email: glphotolab@nexweb.org; Orders will not be accepted over the phone and must be sent via email.
Marine Corps
Marine Corps History Division
- https://www.usmcu.edu/Research/History-Division/
- The Marine Corps History Division does not house individual portraits; however, they may have helpful information to start your research.
Marine Corps Recruit Deport (MCRD) Parris Island
- https://www.mcrdpi.marines.mil/About/FAQs/
- For photographs from MCRD Parris Island, Group photos of platoons are permanently archived, although some have been lost or destroyed over the years. Individual portraits are only archived for 4 years.
Marine Corps Recruit Deport (MCRD) San Diego
- https://www.mcrdmuseumfoundation.org/photos-and-grad-books
- Group photographs, graduation books/yearbooks, and composite photographs from MCRD San Diego may be available through the MCRD Command Museum.