I am trying to find a specific photo of a Fletcher class destroyer refuelling in in heavy weather in the Pacific in WW II. I have the reference number for the National Archives and Records Administration but I can't work out how to get to the photos. Is it possible to view the photos online or do I have to order the specific photo?
TIA,
Julian

NARA WONT search for you. You pretty much have to have the actual number, but if you can narrow it down to a year, month, Fleet Operation, that would help a lot as there are lots of pics of DDs UNREP with carriers and AOs out there.... you gotta narrow your search...

Hi Ray,
thanks for the information.
Regards,
Julian

Be a little cautious about the reference number as well. 80-G or 80-GK types of numbers will work for having someone look it up and scan it in for you, but some of the 19N numbers will not work. Additionally, a lot of shipyard numbered their photos, and these numbers have nothing to do with their current status or availability in the Archives. So a photo from, say, Mare Island Navy Yard that has "123-45" on it is not sporting a number that has any use today; that was an internal number only to the shipyard, and I have yet to find any yard that turned over a list of those photos (none of the US west coast yards did).

80G & 80-GK = good
19N = maybe
anything else = wild goose chase

Thanks Tracy, I'll try and scan the photo I am bothering everyone with.
cheers,
Julian