The 1973 National Personnel Records Center Fire

The St. Louis fire destroyed between 16 and 18 million records. The complete account and heartening reconstruction efforts can be read at the National Archives-St. Louis website. The National Archives has been able to recover all or in part of 6.5 million records. This St. Louis Dispatch article describes the ongoing "labor of love and duty."

World War II Remembered as veterans share their accounts

"World War II Remembered, a book of 56 recollections by “the greatest generation,” published by Kendal at Hanover, a retirement community in New Hampshire, rose over 6.6 million percent (to #6 from #396,999) because of a story on last night’s NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams." The success of this new book was reported on the EarlyWord.com blog/website, a favorite site of Niles Young Adult Librarian, Donna Block.

Free Tax Assistance for Combat Zone/Hazardous Duty Area Veterans

The Illinois CPA Society's CPAs for the Public Interest, in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service, offers the Military Service Tax Preparation Project to provide free personal income tax return filing assistance to members of the US Armed Forces who have recently returned or are still serving on active duty in a combat zone or qualified hazardous duty area. This news item was provided by Niles Reference Librarian, Darlene Fox, who regularly edits the Niles Reference Department's blog Good To Know.

Over 400,000 buried at Arlington National Cemetery, far more than thought

The Washington Post published an Associated Press story on Wednesday, January 25, summarizing the testimony of cemetery Executive Director Kathryn Condon who told the Senate hearing that there are now more than 400,000 people interred there. That’s 20 percent more than previous estimates of about 330,000.

Book Sentry January 2012

Book Sentry

Spot the incoming new books on military history, particularly those providing context for the library's Veterans History Project.

If you see a book that looks good, click on "Check Our Catalog" and place a hold. We will let you know when it comes for you!

Fatal Crossroads: The Untold Story of the Malmedy Massacre at the Battle of the Bulge
By Parker, Danny S.
2011-11 - Da Capo Press
From a leading expert comes the gripping tale of the largest single atrocity committed against American POWs on the Western Front in World War II. 288 pp. 25,000 print.

A Train in Winter: An Extraordinary Story of Women, Friendship, and Resistance in Occupied France
By Moorehead, Caroline
2011-11 - Harper
BookPage Notable Title
In January, 1943, 230 women of the French Resistance were sent to the death camps by the Nazis who had invaded and occupied their country. This is their story, told in full for the first time--a searing and unforgettable chronicle of terror, courage, defiance, survival, and the power of friendship to transcend evil that is an essential addition to the history of World War II. 384 pp.

The Second World War: A Military History
By Corrigan, Gordon
2011-11 - Thomas Dunne Books
Here is a rare overview, which could be useful wherever one can buy only a limited number of titles on this subject of World War II. A member of the British Commission for Military History, Corrigan is an expert on the subject. 672 pp.

Grant's Final Victory: Ulysses S. Grant's Heroic Last Year
By Flood, Charles Bracelen
2011-10 - Da Capo Press
In a masterful narrative, a prominent historian brings to life the last year of General Grant's life--a tragic, poignant, and inspiring story. 352 pp. 40,000 print. e

National Archives Puts Popular Records Workshops Online for First Time!

Dick Eastmann's January 4th newsletter reports that the National Archives has for the first time placed online Youtube videos on how to conduct research using military records.

Operation Hailstone on Truk Lagoon

On February 16, 1944, Americans launched Operation Hailstone, which has been called the Japanese Pearl Harbor,

The bombardment lasted for three days,wiping out 60 ships and 275 airplanes, sinking them to the bottom and making for the reputedly biggest ship graveyard in the world.