Call Number:

3944

Repository:

Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Extent:

10.5 linear feet (; 21 boxes)

Language:

English

Date:

1944-1945 (inclusive)

Creator:

Philadelphia Record.

Abstract:

Between 1944 and 1945 the Philadelphia Record newspaper routinely published lists of those servicemen who were killed, wounded, missing or imprisoned during World War II, primarily from Philadelphia and the surrounding regions. The resultant collection is comprised of the index cards generated by the newspaper for publication, and later, reference purposes.

Founded in 1877, the Philadelphia Record long held standing as one the Philadelphia area’s most esteemed newspapers. Initially owned by William Singerly, the paper was purchased by the locally prominent Wanamaker family in 1898 and then by newspaper magnate J. David Stern in 1928.

In the 1930s, competition stiffened between the Record and its primary morning competitor, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and in 1947 the Record went out of business, ultimately selling its assets to the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.

Almost 1.25 million Pennsylvanians served in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II with over 33,000 of them killed, wounded, imprisoned or missing during the war. As one of the leading newspapers serving the Philadelphia region, the Philadelphia Record regularly published information about these local casualties of the war. In the process, staff for the newspaper compiled an index card file that they maintained for reference purposes as well as publication.

This collection consists of approximately 20,000 3x5 index cards that document servicemen, primarily from Philadelphia and surrounding regions, who were killed, wounded, missing or imprisoned during World War II. Each card, at minimum, lists the servicemember's name, rank and branch of service, his status, and the war arena in which he was serving at the time. Some cards contain the additional information of the serviceman’s age, next of kin and their address. In some instances two cards are provided giving updated information on a serviceman’s status.

The cards are arranged alphabetically by last name.