Scope and arrangement

Lieutenant Commander Louis F. Loutrel Jr., U.S. Naval Reserve, was in command of escort vessel USS Williams (DE-372) when it was commissioned (11 November 1944). Stationed in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, the ship was attached to the Guam Local Patrol. Williams was decommissioned 11 November 1946.

The collection is comprised of the war diary of the USS Williams and miscellaneous materials. The war diary describes a severe typhoon encountered by the Williams just after the end of World War II during occupation operations. Included are weather transmissions from Radio Guam, descriptions of damage on board, and recommendations by Loutrel concerning future damage control (27 September–4 October 1945). Also included is a typescript reminiscence recounting the storm from a sailor's point of view.

Other materials include the ship's roster (11 November 1944), a copy of an article written about the typhoon in the Olean Times Herald (13 October 1945), and a detailed description of a "Crossing the Line" ceremony.

Administrative information

Custodial History

December 9, 1988 4 items; Papers (1944–1945), including ship's histories, roster, and clippings concerning the USS Williams (DE-372). Donor: Capt. Louis F. Loutrel Jr., USNR (Ret)

March 1, 1989 (addition 1), 1 item; USS Williams (DE-372) war diary (27 September–4 October 1945). Donor: Capt. Louis F. Loutrel Jr., USNR (Ret).

Source of acquisition

Gift of Capt. Louis F. Loutrel Jr., USNR (Ret)

Processing information

Processed by S. Gibbons; A. Merriman, November 1999

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Metadata Rights Declaration

Key terms

Personal Names

Loutrel, Louis F.

Corporate Names

United States. Naval Reserve
United States. Navy--Officers
Williams (Destroyer escort)

Topical

Destroyer escorts
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Pacific Area