WWII Snapshots are easy to come across. They appear in bundles at flea markets and yard sales. It’s very uncommon to be able to positively identify a US soldier in a snapshot – let alone one that has relatives actively seeking information on ancestry.com. Please see below for a step-by-step breakdown of my research on this photo.
Step 1: Purchase of Photo
A $12 eBay Purchase
With the purchase made, I had to wait a week for the photo to arrive without any research potential on the photo. All I knew was that the shot was of a tanker with sand/dust goggles standing in front of a Sherman tank in France. An interesting shot, albeit sleightly out of focus…..
John Housman Jr.
Step 2: Research Photo
Researching photos can be a daunting task without a proper research database at hand. Luckily, I subscribe to ancestry.com as well as a number of other databases. In this case, I was able to make the proper ID with the US census record combined with the WWII draft record. What do we know from the photo? It turns out that the photo arrived with an ID on the reverse: Johnny Housman-Tanker of Braceville, Illinois. It’s a great starting place and provided the key to the unlocking of the positive ID of the photo.
John Housman Jr. WWII from Braceville, IL
With the info at hand I was able to make an easy identification using the tools at hand. A quick search yielded the following info:
John F. Housman Social Security Number 358-05-2949
Born 10/11/1918
Died 9/17/1992
And his enlistment which appears to be off be off by a year:
WWI Draft Registry
I’m sure the family of John Housman Jr. will find this site and I hope they will share some info on their father/relative. I’m more than happy to send the original to an identified member of the family. I know you’re out there !
Portraits of War 
very interesting info!! I am john f housman iii from coal city, the soldier in this picture was of my grandfather who passed away when I was 16 years old, I would be interested in the info you have to share with the rest of my family. please email me at jfh0129@gmail.com, I look forward to hearing from you
Yes, this is also my Grandpa, John Francis Housman. He fought in WWII at the Battle of the Bulge in France.
Great Grandfather for me. He held me as a baby, but that was it. Interesting to see a piece of family history. Thank you for posting this.
Do you want the photo?
I would purchase this photo. It is of my grandfather.
I can just send it to you free of charge
Thank you!
Just came across a picture of my father, John F. Housman from Braceville Illinois. Very much interested in getting the photo. I noticed that a few of my nieces and nephews requested it but never received it.
Willing to pay for it. I also can send you another photo of my dad in military to prove its him.
Thank You