Midway, Battle of, 1942

Abstract

This collection consists of research materials collected by Thomas B. Buell, author and retired naval officer, for his biography of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, The Quiet Warrior, published by Little, Brown and Company in 1974.

Abstract

Admiral Donald J. Ramsey (1903-1968) was a 1924 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and received his law degree from George Washington University in 1939. This collection consists of papers and order books belonging to Admiral Donald J. Ramsey detailing his service in the navy. Of particular interest are Captain’s night order books that detail Ramsey’s experience as commander of the USS Hughes during the battles of Guadalcanal and Midway in 1942.

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Memoir of Chief Warrant Quartermaster (W-3) Earnest E. Parton that describes his service in the Yangtze patrol, China, 1934-1936 in the USS Henderson, USS Palos, USS Luzon, and plank owner in USS Yorktown, 1937-1942, including account of the Battle of Midway, 1942.

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Reminiscences of WWII service in destroyers at the first raid on the Marshall Islands, the Battles of Coral Sea, Midway and Santa Cruz, 1942, and Motor Torpedo Boat Operations in the northern Solomons, 1943-1944.

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United States Navy Hydrographic Office chart "North Pacific Ocean, Middle Part" (October, 1919), used in research of the Battle of Midway, June 4-7, 1942 and containing markings by Admiral Raymond Ames Spruance, USN. The chart was used in discussions with Admiral Spruance.

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Rough draft of a translation noted as a "NWC Project."

Abstract

Frank M. Snyder (1926-2017 ) is a career naval officer who worked as a Professor and Professor Emeritus at the U.S. Naval War College. His papers include articles, research materials, speeches and lectures, audio and video cassette tapes, photographs, and scrapbooks relating to Snyder’s naval and professional academic career.

Scope and Contents The personal papers of Raymond A. Spruance, was donated to the Naval War College by Mrs. Spruance in 1970, only a year after the admiral's death. The collection contains eleven boxes of manuscript materials, along with memorabilia, including uniform items, medals, and Japanese Samurai swords. The papers focus, in the main, on the admiral's distinguished naval career, aspects of his ambassadorial appointnent, and his retirement years.Series I, Correspondence, consists of letters relating to his position as Commander of the Central Pacific Force, 1943-1944; the Battle of Midway, 1943; official orders and copies of messages sent relating to duty assignments, 1906-1950; and letters received and drafts of letters sent regarding naval matters. Other correspondence focuses on the Naval History Division Spruance biography by V ADM Emmet P. Forrestel. Spruance was not a particularly loquacious person and was reluctant to commit his thoughts to paper, hence the correspondence series is limited in both scope and quantity.Writings and speeches comprise Series II and Series III. Speeches consist of holograph drafts and typescripts given when Spruance was Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet, President of the Naval War College, and in a retired status. His Naval War College thesis on Command, Naval War College lecture on Naval Tactics, notes made by Spruance for a book by E.B. Potter and the typescript of a 1965 Paris Match interview complete the writings...

Scope and Contents

NAVPERS 91067. (2 copies)