World War II Database

1.  David Stubblebine says:
30 Nov 2015 02:30:06 PM

When discussing US Navy Enlisted Ratings, it is important to understand the difference and distinction between the Navy’s use of the words “rate,” “rating,” and “rank.” US Navy enlisted personnel have no rank, only officers do. The word “rate” has to do with the pay rate and would be the term comparable to rank. “Rating” has to do with qualifications to do work, or what they are rated to do. Thus, when addressing a US Navy enlisted member, both the rate and rating are used; such as “Quartermaster Second” which means a rating as a quartermaster with a rate of petty officer second class.

2.  David Stubblebine says:
10 Dec 2020 02:30:58 PM

Adding to the above, US Navy enlisted rates of Apprentice Seaman, Seaman second class, Seaman first class, Fireman third class, Fireman second class, and Fireman first class are all rates without ratings. These are the introductory levels for enlisted personnel and once they make their rating in a particular specialty, they are made petty officers (usually third class to start) in that particular rating. The three classes of Seaman and Fireman are on equal levels but the Firemen work the engine rooms while the Seamen work elsewhere on the ship. In World War II, a recruit right out of basic training would hold the rate of Apprentice Seaman, usually for about six months before being due to advance to Seaman second class, which he would hold for a year before being due for advancement to Seaman first class. Several factors could alter that timetable but that was the starting point. Further, Seamen working toward a rating (toward a specialty) are called strikers. In the movie ‘The Caine Mutiny,’ a sailor identifies his rate as “Seaman first, signalman striker.” This is correctly stated and means he was, at that time, a Seaman first class who was working toward a rating as a signalman petty officer.

3. Rob Rice says:
4 Jan 2021 06:05:58 AM

I have a picture of a WWII sailor with an PO1 badge. Instead of a rating emblem in the usual spot, there is a "CB". Do you know what this is?
Thanks

4.  David Stubblebine says:
4 Jan 2021 11:10:20 AM

Rob Rice (above):
CB stood for Construction Battalion, the fabled SeaBees. Before the fighting bee insignia was approved on 14 Oct 1944, SeaBees wore the rating emblem CB.

5. Anonymous says:
29 Sep 2021 11:25:48 AM

Thank you for this site have been looking up father’s naval classifications
His separation papers state medals

6. Fred says:
3 Oct 2021 07:29:29 PM

I see Doris Miller, Pearl Harbor hero and planned namesake of CVN-81, cited as Cook 3rd Class when he was KIA after being promoted from Steward Mate 2ed class at the time he was awarded the Navy Cross. Something is wrong with this progression; was Cook 3rd a Warren Officer in the 40s, or did Stewards rank below other ratings?

7.  David Stubblebine says:
3 Oct 2021 10:24:34 PM

Fred (above):
At the time of the Pearl Harbor Attack, Doris Miller had the rate of Mess Attendant 1st class. In Feb 1943, this was renamed Stewards Mate 1st class but remained at the same level. That level was comparable to Seaman 1st class or Fireman 1st class. The rating of Cook 3rd class was comparable to a 3rd class petty officer and after Jun 1944 was, in fact, a 3rd class petty officer. So, yes, a change in classification from Stewards Mate 2nd class to Cook 3rd class was an elevation in rate.

8. John says:
27 Jun 2022 05:13:21 AM

Approximately how many Specialist W ratings served during WWII?

9. Anonymous says:
27 Mar 2023 02:39:06 PM

uss epping forest LSD-4 sailed on 3/30/1944 with many military passengers, many ratings listed but some had a rating of DO
passenger Carl D Ohman service #476637 what rating?

10.  David Stubblebine says:
27 Mar 2023 05:33:40 PM

Anonymous (above):
Passenger lists were filed with the ship’s Muster Rolls. In the Muster Rolls, as with many Navy WWII records, ‘do’ was short for “ditto” meaning “same as above.” In the case of Ohman, Carl D #476637, he was a Marine passenger with the rank of Sergeant, USMCR, according to the 30 Mar 1944 passenger list.

11. Anonymous says:
6 Jul 2023 09:50:24 AM

whaT IS THE RATING FOR FIREMAN FIRST CLASS?

12. Iwo Jima says:
8 Jan 2024 03:52:44 PM

My best friends dad piloted the Higgins boats on the landings, he was a petty officer, would anyone know what ratings badge he would have worn?

13. ANTONIO Adisna SANTOS says:
27 Jan 2024 07:24:55 PM

Gud day! I am Antonio Santos a grandson of a World War II US Navy Soldier Douglas Landre stationed at GUIUAN US NAVAL DEPOT, Pad 4 Street, Sulangan, Guiuan Eastern Samar. Can you help me Access Jobs in USA or a scholarship in USA?, its my mean way to find and see the family circle of my Grandfather in California.. Its my ever wish to live in his place and become part of the US Navy in the Reserve Force same as I am here in the Philippines as Teacher and a Chief of the Navy Reserve force.