Box 25

WWII Duty on USS Chaffee

Holograph letter, written by naval recruit, U.S. Naval Training Station, Newport R.I., to James Kapakjian, USA, Fort Campbell, Ky. John describes his first three weeks in Newport, the food, sleeping in a hammock, and his busy schedule with only five more weeks to go.

Typed letter signed, to Congressman William H. Natcher regarding the completion of the sea trials of USS James Madison (SSBN-627), the twenty-third Polaris submarine. Rickover pays homage to President James Madison, who is known as the father of the Constitution and for whom the sub was named. Rickover states that freedom and democracy are on trial all over the world and we should heed Madison's words.

Autographed letter signed from USS Preble, Mississippi River, to Joshua Blake, Boston, Mass., describing the capture of the Confederate Steamer Magnolia with 1,100 bales of cotton on it. It was captured by the Union ships the Brooklyn, South Carolina, and Merridita as it ran the blockade. Three other Confederate steamers successfully ran from the blockade, avoiding capture.

Black and white, 8" x IO" photograph of ADM Halsey in tuxedo. Signed "For Albert, W. F. Halsey."

Holograph reminiscences of a voyage around the world, 16 September 1893 through 3 May 1896, in USS Baltimore and USS Concord. Includes descriptions of ports, sights, and people in the Middle East, Far East, and Hawaii. Morais calculates mileage between ports and total miles traveled. Photocopy of Morais and Marine Camille [Levy or Schmuler?], and newspaper clipping of New Orleans fire department.

Holograph letter to SECNAV Isaac Toucey, from USS Brooklyn, Chiriqui Lagoon, Panama, where he was on a special surveying mission. Reports on his activities and complains of his humiliation at waiting for Captain Engle, his junior, and acceding to his wishes regarding the survey.

Transcript of dictabelt recordings of the dives of the Trieste, 1958-1963, from the papers of Dr. Robert S. Dietz, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, LaJolla, Calif. Includes record of descent to the Marianas Trench and dives off San Diego and Italy. Speakers include Dietz, Dr. Andreas Rechnitzer, Jacques Piccard, and unidentified.

Personal letter to James Kapakjian from Newport Naval Training Station, where he complains about a lack of leave. He hopes to be selected for the Radio Material School and has adjusted to the Navy.

Booklet entitled "This is our Story Fifty Years later, USS Melvin" and addendum "Welcome Home USS Melvin (DD 680)," including accounts of Battles of Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Leyte Gulf, Surigao Strait, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Includes list of crew members, abbreviations, etc.