NARA photos

Here is the information provided by Sharon Eller on  obtaining photos of military personnel
from NARA:

It's really nice to obtain a photographic image of someone you are researching. 

For pre-1960 military personnel, try the National Archives, Still Picture Branch. 

The more information you have, the better. Name, Branch of Service, Military Grade (even if only officer or enlisted), Dates of Service (even if only by year), Military Organization (ie, 29th Infantry, USS Baltimore).

They can be contacted at: stillpix@nara.gov, phone 301-837-0561 or by mail at:

National Archives and Records Administration

Special Media Archives Services Division (RDSS) 

8601 Adelphi Road

College Park, MD 20740-6001

It takes about three weeks to get a response. If they have something, they send you a photocopy of the image, including the caption naming the individual(s). 

If you want an actual photo, you have to contract with a commercial provider who reproduces it and ships it to you. Total cost around $20. to $25.

My experience has shown that only around one in fifty names are found. Don't bother if the name is John Johnson.