Seeking Chaplain & JAG records of 35th Infantry Division

Dear Mr. Arnhold,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

We searched the National Archives Catalog and located Records of Divisions, ca. 1918 - 1942 in the Records of the American Expeditionary Forces (World War I) (Record Group 120) that  includes records of the 35th Division during World War I and may include records relating to chaplains and JAG officers. We also located General Correspondence, 1917 - 1919; Correspondence with Offices at General Headquarters and with Chaplains Attached to American Army Units, 1917 - 1919; and Correspondence Relating to Personnel, 1917 - 1919 from the the Office of the Senior Chaplain for the AEF in Record Group 120. In addition, we located General Court Martial Orders of the 6th - 78th Infantry Divisions, 1917 - 1919 in Record Group 120.

Plus, we located World War II Operations Reports, 1940-1948 in the Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1917-1985 (Record Group 407) that includes records for the 35th Infantry Division and may include records relating to JAG and chaplains. Also in Record Group 407 is

Lists of Commissioned Officers in the Medical Department, Chaplain Service, Military Academy, and Military Storekeeper, 1918 - 1920.

Additionally, we located 17 series relating to Chaplains and 18 series relating to Judge Advocates in the Records of Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, United States Army (World War II) (Record Group 498).

Next, we located Records Relating to Chaplains, 1917 - 1920; Chaplains' Registers, 7/1/1920 - 4/1951; General Correspondence, 1920 - 1975; and; in the Records of the Office of the Chief of Chaplains (Record Group 247).

Further, we located Records Relating to Personnel, 1918 - 1926 and Correspondence with Judge Advocates and Staff Judge Advocates with the United States Army Forces in the European Theater of Operations and United States Forces in the European Theater, 1943 - 1946 in the Records of the Office of the Judge Advocate General (Army) (Record Group 153).

For more information about the records listed above, please email the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RDT2) at Archives2reference@nara.gov.

Morning reports for Army units from November 1, 1912 to 1959 and copies of most of the monthly rosters from November 1912 - 1943 for Army units are in the custody of the National Archives at St. Louis (RL-SL).  Rosters for units serving in World War II from 1944 - 1946 were destroyed in accordance with Army disposition authorities.  Also at RL-SL are Monthly Reports and Personnel Records, 1920 - 1950 in Record Group 247. For information about these records, please contact the National Archives at St. Louis (RL-SL) via email at stl.archives@nara.gov.

Please note that the World War I rosters have been digitized and are available on FamilySearch at United States, World War I, military muster rolls and rosters, 1916-1939.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance received from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NARA has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission-critical work while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of NARA staff. As a result of this re-prioritization of activities, you may experience a delay in receiving an initial acknowledgement as well as a substantive response to your reference request from RDT2 & RL-SL. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.

We searched the Library of Congress Veterans History Project and located multiple entries relating to the 35th Division and the 35th Infantry Division. Because of the large number of results, we did not check them all to see if any contain references to chaplains or JAG.

We also searched online and located the publications  35th division, summary of operations in the World War. Prepared by the American Battle Monuments Commission and Presenting The 35th Infantry Division In World War II, 1941-1945, although the initial search of these books did not locate anything on chaplains or JAG. You may be able to locate additional histories of the 35th and its component units online, in book retailers, and in libraries.

Finally, you may also wish to contact the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps Museum, the National Museum of the United States Army, the 35th Infantry Division Museum, the 35th Infantry Division Association, the 35th Division Association, the Kansas Museum of Military History, the Museum of Missouri Military History, the National WWI Museum and Memorial, the National WWII Museum, and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services.

We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck with your research!