Colorizing Old Military Photos: Uniforms, Medals and Respect

Portraits of ancestors in uniform are among the most treasured photos in many families. They're often studio portraits, taken before deployment, sometimes the last photo the family received. Restoring and colorizing them can be deeply meaningful, but uniforms are also one of the areas where AI colorization most often needs a human check.

Restore first

Military portraits from the world wars and later are often:

• Cracked or creased from being carried or mailed.
• Faded or yellowed.
• Small (wallet or postcard size).

Capture at high resolution (see restoring small wallet photos), then restore. In Refixo, tapping Restore removes cracks and damage, sharpens the face and uniform details, and colorizes the photo. The soldier portrait on our homepage is an example (AI-generated for illustration).

Uniform colors are documented

Unlike most clothing in old photos, military uniforms had specified colors: olive drab, khaki, field grey, navy blue, white dress uniforms. AI often gets the general tone right, but it may:

• Choose the wrong shade (green vs brown vs grey).
• Miss colored piping, collar tabs or cap bands.
• Color medal ribbons incorrectly; ribbons have exact, documented stripes.
• Simplify insignia and badges.

How to research the right colors

1. Identify the branch and era from the cut of the uniform, cap and insignia.
2. Ask family what unit or branch the person served in.
3. Search service records and military museum resources for that country.
4. Compare with museum photos of the same uniform.
5. Correct colors in a photo editor after the AI pass if needed.

Preserve the details

When checking the restored photo, zoom in on:

• Rank insignia and badges.
• Buttons and buckles.
• Medals and ribbons.
• Any writing on the photo (studio stamps, dedications).

If AI simplified something important, keep the original next to the restored version for reference.

Honoring the photo

• Label colorized versions clearly, with the person's name, rank, unit and dates if known.
• Share with relatives and, if appropriate, with veterans' memorial projects.
• Consider timing it with Remembrance or Veterans Day (see Veterans Day photo restoration).

Related: colorizing black and white photos, old photos for family tree research.

Frequently asked questions

Will AI get my grandfather's uniform color right?

Often close, but not always exact. Research the branch and era and correct the shade if needed.

Can AI read medals and insignia?

It restores their shape and contrast but may simplify small details. Medal ribbon colors are often guesses.

Is it respectful to colorize war photos?

Most families find it a meaningful way to connect. Label it as colorized and keep the original.

Where can I find information about a soldier's unit?

National archives and military museums in the relevant country hold service records and uniform references.