Itaian Prisoners of war WWII?

Question

My Girlfriends father has recently been looking into his fathers past with out much success. I was wondering if some one knew of a website or an information beareau that could help?

Basically, from what I can gather, the story goes like this...

My girlfriends father's father (to make this easier he will be called Antonio) was captured by the American's in Sicily circa 1942-1944. Captured he was then transfered to America as a prisoner of war (POW). This is where it gets quite scetchy. We know he was transported to the California area (San francisco we believe) where he lived for 4 years.

We are trying to trace Antonio's history from Sicily to the states. The name of the camp, his port of entry into the US, and where he stayed. Anything else would be bonus. Can anyone help at all? Are there any websites set up for these things or are there any organisations that i could help.

Answer 1

Well...its a longshot but try making inquiries with the Department of Defense. I suspect that they may be the keeper of records for all POWS from both Germany and Italy (not too many Japanese POWS because most all died fighting or by suicide rather than be captured).
If not them they may be able to steer you in the right direction like perhaps the National Archives or The Library of Congress.
Good luck. You'll find what you're looking for with some digging.

Answer 2

Find the nearest group that does genealogy research and they can help you. Most likely if he went to San Francisco he would have been sent to one of the internment camps the same as where the Japanese people were sent. Or at that time they may have had a facility at the Presidio of San Francisco. That's where the command was for all Western states. Usually a library will have a group that does genealogy, especially if it is a larger city. Check with the library to begin with.

Answer 3

If all else fails the International red crossd may help or the government of who ever acted as the Protecting power for Italy

Answer 4

Try this:
Each roster contains:
name,
POW number,
rank,
arm of service (service code),
service command number,
organization (POW camp code),
station,
notes.
Additional files contain:
breakdown of POW numbers (location of capture, etc.),
service code abbreviations,
POW camp codes deciphered into camp names.

System Requirements: Windows 98 or more recent, CD Drive, Network Browser.

http://www.amazon.com/Italian-Prisoners-Continental-March-1945/dp/0972965114

Answer 5

definite of direction! what do you think of they might do, bypass away you to proceed killing there squaddies!? if i've got been a German i does no longer ask you to provide up, i might in simple terms shoot you.