Historic Staff Spotlight: John Mendelsohn

We are taking a look at past staff and their many contributions to the National Archives throughout history. Today’s staff spotlight is on John Mendelsohn, who was the National Archives expert on records related to the Holocaust and the Nuremberg Trials. Archivist John Mendelsohn displaying a page in one volume of the 39-volume set of … Continue reading Historic Staff Spotlight: John Mendelsohn

Top Ten of 2022

As we say goodbye to 2022, we’re taking a look at the most popular posts of the year. We would like to thank the National Archives staff who have worked so hard this past year to Make Access Happen through their numerous contributions.  10. In 10th place comes a post for Constitution Day—Drafting the U.S. … Continue reading Top Ten of 2022

End of an Era: The National Defense Service Medal

Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an expert archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri.  The awards system of the United States Armed Forces is complex with a plethora of awards. They range from awards given for acts of valor to those given for blanket participation in the service branches. … Continue reading End of an Era: The National Defense Service Medal

Fall In! Morning Reports with the National Archives

Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an expert archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri.  Information is vital in warfare, whether it’s the latest intelligence on enemy movements or orders transferring materials and weapons. Reports relay the necessary information for soldiers, NCOs, officers, and generals, helping them to make … Continue reading Fall In! Morning Reports with the National Archives

Contact, Brawls, and Chambering: The Combat Action Ribbon

Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an expert archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri.  Not all service members in the United States Armed Forces serve in combat. In fact, fewer than 15 percent of enlisted personnel ever see combat or are assigned a combat role. How can one … Continue reading Contact, Brawls, and Chambering: The Combat Action Ribbon

Valor from Abroad: Foreign Awards in the U.S. Armed Forces

Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The U.S. Armed Forces have been deployed all over the world, serving in conjunction with foreign militaries carrying out operations for a host of reasons: combating insurgency and enemy regimes, humanitarian relief, and joint training exercises, … Continue reading Valor from Abroad: Foreign Awards in the U.S. Armed Forces

Protecting Human Welfare: The Humanitarian Service Medal

Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. It is part of a series on records at the National Personnel Records Center. Humanitarian Service Medal. (U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry) On June 30, 2020, the Department of Defense issued a memorandum authorizing all military … Continue reading Protecting Human Welfare: The Humanitarian Service Medal