Historic Staff Spotlight: Eunice Whyte—Navy Veteran of both World Wars

As we commemorate Veterans Day, we want to thank all of the veterans who have served our country throughout the years. Today’s historic spotlight is on National Archives employee Eunice Whyte, who served in the U.S. Navy in both World Wars.  Only two women served in the U.S. Naval Reserves during both World War I … Continue reading Historic Staff Spotlight: Eunice Whyte—Navy Veteran of both World Wars

National Personnel Records Center Fire Series: The Aftermath

This post, the final in a series of three looking at the 1973 National Personnel Records Center fire and its aftermath, comes from Jen Hivick, an archives technician at the NPRC in St. Louis, Missouri. In the year following the disastrous fire at the Military Personnel Records Center, employees struggled to find a new normal. … Continue reading National Personnel Records Center Fire Series: The Aftermath

Becoming Bigger and Better: The NPRC After the Great Fire of 1973

Fifty years ago, a fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, MO, destroyed millions of military personnel records. Visit the National Archives website for more information about the fire and its aftermath. Today’s post from Thomas Richardson, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center, was originally published in 2021 and has been … Continue reading Becoming Bigger and Better: The NPRC After the Great Fire of 1973

National Personnel Records Center Fire Series: The Fire

July 12, 2023, marks 50 years since the disastrous 1973 fire at the Military Personnel Records Center in St. Louis that destroyed millions of military personnel records. To commemorate the occasion, we are featuring a three-part series on the fire and its aftermath. This post comes to you from Jen Hivick, an archives technician at … Continue reading National Personnel Records Center Fire Series: The Fire

Historic Spotlight: Budge Weidman

April is Volunteer Appreciation month, and the subject of today's historic highlight was not a staff member at the National Archives but instead served as a volunteer who led a major all-volunteer project on Civil War–era records: Budge Weidman. From 1994 to 2009, Budge Weidman served as the volunteer project manager of the Civil War … Continue reading Historic Spotlight: Budge Weidman

Facial Hair Friday: Carlton Chapman and the Ultimate Sacrifice

Carlton Chapman was born in Pembroke, a small town in Southwestern Virginia, in 1912. He was working for the Norfolk and Western Railway when the United States entered World War II. In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a machine gunner with the 761st Tank Battalion. "Cpl. Carlton Chapman...is a machine-gunner … Continue reading Facial Hair Friday: Carlton Chapman and the Ultimate Sacrifice

Historic Staff Spotlight: Lucille Joppy

We are taking a look at past staff and their many contributions to the National Archives throughout its history. Today’s staff spotlight is Lucille Joppy, who served as president of the union that represented National Archives employees in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Lucille B. Joppy (née Lucille Briscoe), was born in Washington, DC, on … Continue reading Historic Staff Spotlight: Lucille Joppy

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

Navajo Code Talker: Adolph Nagurski

November 11 is Veterans Day. Visit the National Archives website for more information on related events and resources. Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an expert archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri. The Navajo code talkers were pivotal U.S. Marines in the Pacific Theater of World War II, … Continue reading Navajo Code Talker: Adolph Nagurski