CMH Answers 

No. The U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH) Library and Archives, located at Fort McNair, is not open to the general public for research. Due to security and limited resources, access is restricted.

Researchers requiring Army historical materials:

• Contact the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (AHEC) .
• Qualified researchers may request an appointment via CMH Answers. Submit requests at least 30 days in advance; all are subject to cancellation.

Researchers with valid credentials can submit a visit-related request using CMH Answers.

• Requests must be submitted 30 days in advance.
• Requests may be cancelled due to security or resource limitations.

Response times may be delayed due to high volume and limited staff.
Priority is given to Army units, DoD organizations, and government agencies. Other inquiries will be answered as resources allow.

1. Review the Master Index of Army Records.
2. Check the Army History FAQ topics below.
3. Explore Online Bookshelves for reference materials.
4. For veteran/veterans’ group searches, contact the Department of Veterans Affairs or Directory of Veterans Service Organizations .

Tip: Many basic Army history questions can be answered at your local library—consult a reference librarian or use interlibrary loan services.

Please review the information in the General Information & Visit Requests section above and use CMH Answers for applicable questions.

Use CMH Answers for questions about:

• Organizational history, lineage, and honors
• Official Army histories
• Staff rides or military programs

Only active MTOE unit commanders may request new certificates by submitting a request on unit letterhead through the CMH Answers process.
Inactive units: lineage is not posted online. Updates occur only after a new certificate is prepared.

Do not contact CMH for Medal of Honor issues.
See the Congressional Medal of Honor Society or email U.S. Army HRC: usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.tagd-ask-hrc@army.mil

Congressional inquiries should go to the Office of Congressional Legislative Liaison (OCLL), not CMH.

The CMH team cannot conduct extensive research but will attempt to answer within available resources. You may be referred to other sources if needed.

CMH does not maintain or compile lists/photos of unit commanders or senior NCOs. Recommended sources include the Organizational History File, Master Index of Army Records, Published Unit Histories, Press Releases, and Branch Associations.

Visit the National Personnel Records Center for modern records and National Archives for earlier service.

Eligible organizations (veterans, museums, etc.) may submit requests via the U.S. Army Tank Automotive and Armaments Command. See email for details.

Explore:

• The Campaigns of the U.S. Army
• Defense Casualty Analysis System
• WWII, Korea, and Vietnam Casualties by State

Identify the unit your relative served in, then consult unit histories and personnel records to trace assignments, movements, and actions.

See CMH’s webpage listing all U.S. Army five-star generals.

Project HORIZON was a 1959 plan to build a lunar base. The full technical reports are available on CMH’s site.

Shrapnel refers to preformed projectiles released by an explosion, while shell fragments are random pieces of casing from exploded shells.

U.S. Army photos and videos created before 1988 are at the National Archives. More recent media is held by the Defense Visual Information Center.

Refer to their respective historical offices:
– Naval Historical Center
– Air Force Historical Support Division
– Air Force Historical Research Agency
– U.S. Marine Corps History Division
– U.S. Coast Guard Historian’s Office

“D” and “H” stand for the day and hour an operation begins. They are placeholders used in planning until specific dates/times are set.

It began as a naval tradition and became the highest honor rendered. Today, it honors heads of state and top officials. Always an odd number.

Both names are technically correct. “Pointe du Hoc” is the original Norman name, while “Pointe du Hoe” reflects Parisian French spelling.

Elvis Presley served in armor battalions from 1958–1960. He trained at Fort Hood and was later stationed in Germany with the 3rd Armored Division.

Email the CMH Web Development Support Team:
usarmy.mcnair.cmh.mbx.web-development-support-team@army.mil

No. CMH does not host external content or resolve issues on third-party platforms.

• Public accessibility and 508 compliance
• Content accuracy
• DoD or government requests

Other inquiries are answered as time permits.

For all media, press, or public affairs inquiries regarding the U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH), please contact:

Francis Lee Reynolds, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Army Center of Military History (CMH)
francis.l.reynolds.civ@army.mil

Media representatives seeking official statements, interviews, or information about Army history, CMH publications, or events should direct their requests to the Public Affairs Officer listed above.