This guide contains information on finding an Army unit's lineage and history, which is a brief history that notes when a unit was constituted, organized, redesignated, inactivated, and reactivated. It also includes the official campaign participation credits and decorations the unit is entitled to. Feel free to e-mail Ask-a-Librarian if you have questions or comments concerning this guide or call the CARL Reference Services at (913) 758-3053.
Step 1 -- We recommend starting your unit lineage search at the Center of Military History's Lineage and Honors Information website. Note that while the CMH site has a fair number of unit histories, it is far from comprehensive. It focuses on active units.
Step 2 -- If the unit you're searching for is not listed at the CMH Lineage and Honors Information website, we recommend searching through the books of the Army Lineage Series, included below.
Step 3 -- You can try searching other lineage websites found below on the right.
Step 4 -- You can try using the CARL Search Box at the bottom of this guide to search for the unit. Note that some of these resources are available only to CARL account holders.
Air Defense Artillery -- Call Number 358.130973 M155a
Armies, Corps, Divisions, and Separate Brigades -- Call Number 355.310973 W749a 1999
Armor-Cavalry (Part I) -- Call Number 357.0973 S932a (inactive but still useful)
Armor-Cavalry (Part II) -- Call Number 357.0973 S932a (inactive but still useful)
Aviation -- Call Number 358.400973 D999a
Continental Army -- Call Number 355.30973 W952c
Field Artillery (2 Parts) -- Call Number 358.120973 M155fj
Organizational History of Field Artillery, 1775-2003 -- Call Number 358.1230973 M155o
Infantry -- Call Number 356.110973 M216i (online version does not contain unit lineages)
Maneuver and Firepower: the Evolution of Divisions and Separate Brigades -- Call Number 355.30973 W749m 1998
Military Intelligence -- Call Number 355.34320973 F514mi 1998
U.S. Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Unit Patches and Lineage -- provides lineage information for active and reserve medical units. The page provides a shoulder sleeve insignia (patch) chart. Click on the unit's shoulder sleeve insignia (patch) to see its lineage.
U.S. Army Transportation Corps - Unit Histories -- has information on some Transportation units.
WW2 US Medical Research Centre -- provides unit histories and rosters associated with the U.S. Army Medical Department during World War II.