Decode WW2 Dog Tag Information

The format and information on WW2 Dog Tags changed four times between December 1940 and April 1946. The following is a general guideline of the formats used during that period. It’s very common to find variations of each format.

Type 1 Dog Tag Format: Dec. 1940 – Nov. 1941

Line 1: First, Middle Initial, Last Name	JOHN Q PUBLIC
Line 2: Army Serial Number, Blood Type	37337566    O
Line 3: Next Of Kin	FRED PUBLIC
Line 4: Address of Next of Kin	2843 FEDERAL ST
Line 5: City, State	DENVER, COLO

Type 2 Dog Tag Format: Nov. 1941 – July 1943

Line 1: First, Middle Initial, Last Name	JOHN Q PUBLIC
Line 2: Army Serial Number, Tetanus, Tetanus Toxoid + Blood Type	37337566 T42 43    O
Line 3: Next Of Kin	FRED PUBLIC
Line 4: Address of Next of Kin	2843 FEDERAL ST
Line 5: City, State + Religion	DENVER, COLO        P

Type 3 Dog Tag Format: July 1943 – March 1944

Line 1: First, Middle Initial, Last Name	JOHN Q PUBLIC
Line 2: Army Serial Number, Blood Type	37337566 T42 43    O
Line 5: Religion	P

Type 4 Dog Tag Format: March 1944 – April 1946

Line 1: Last Name, First, Middle Initial	PUBLIC, JOHN Q
Line 2: Army Serial Number, Blood Type	37337566 T42 43    O
Line 5: Religion	P