Joseph Lynn Papers

1941-1995
Manuscript Collection #623
Creator(s)
Lynn, Joseph, 1920-
Physical description
2.5 Cubic Feet, 3 boxes, 750 items, autobiographical sketch, correspondence, conference files, orders, reports, flight records, speeches, registers, and data files
Preferred Citation
Joseph Lynn Papers (#623), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Repository
ECU Manuscript Collection
Access
No restrictions

Papers of Naval officer, U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) Class of 1941, including autobiographical sketch, correspondence, global strategy conference file, orders, reports, flight records, speeches, registers, and data files.


Biographical/historical information

Joseph Lynn was born in 1920 at Corregidor, P.I. (Philippine Islands). His father was Colonel Edison A. Lynn, USAF (Ret.). Joseph Lynn married Mary Janet Haden in 1948. From June 1937 through February 1941, Lynn was enrolled in the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, as Midshipman. Following graduation, he was commissioned Ensign. From 1941-1943 Lynn served aboard USS DRAYTON (DD 366) USS CASSIN (DD 372) and USS JENKINS (DD447). He was stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and experienced the attack on the U.S. Fleet by Japanese forces on December 7, 1941. Between 1943 and 1944 Lynn was enrolled in a flight training course, and was designated as a Naval Aviator. He next attended the Operational Training Unit (OTU). By 1946, Lynn was assigned to Patrol Squadron 144 squadron (based on Guam and Tinian), followed by an assignment to Fleet Air Wing 18 (based in Guam). From 1947-1948 he was assigned to Patrol Squadron Four (based at San Diego and Whidbey Island, Washington). For the next few years Lynn was first a student then Project Officer at the Naval Air Test Center (NATC) at Patuxent River, Maryland. Between 1951-1953 he served as Naval Attaché for the American Embassy in Korea, Commanding Officer of the Patrol Squadron Six (based in Hawaii) and Head of Patrol Aircraft Design Branch in Washington, D.C. Later in his career, Lynn was assigned to the USS ALBEMARLE (AV-5) and served with the Navy Auxiliary Air Station, Saufley Field in Pensacola, Florida. His final active duty tour was as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, Staff, Commander Antisubmarine Warfare Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Lynn retired from the military in 1965. From1965 to 1987, he was employed at Lockheed-California Company, serving most of his career in their department of Advanced Design. Lynn was a member of various organizations, including American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronauctics, National Council of Catholic Men and Naval Aviation Museum Association, Inc.


Scope and arrangement

The papers document Captain Joseph Lynn's military and civilian life. The Correspondence series consists of military and civilian letters to and from Lynn. Much of the military correspondence is official government memorandums that concentrate on reassignment orders, commendations, performance ratings, fitness reports and changes of duty. Specific discussion found in other letters concentrates on an organizational chart of Flight Test Division, course enrollments, work for the Korean Embassy, contributions to charitable organizations, pay scales, re-enlistment status, "Sink the Carrier" campaign (1961-1962), reduction in forces and the circumstances of Lynn's retirement from the military.

Also in the Correspondence series are personal letters to and from Lynn. This material offers insight into Lynn's own traditional, conservative political leanings. Included are many letters with various Republican politicians. These include a thank-you letter for a contribution to the Republican National Committee from George Bush, Chairman of RNC and a letter from Lynn to Bush (1974). Also included is correspondence with Senator John Tunney (regarding the recent impeachment of President Nixon), Republican Presidential Task Force Chairman, John McCain (1988), Committee on the Judiciary Chairman, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (regarding the Clarence Thomas scandal, 1992), Lee Atwater (1989), Marilyn Quayle (1989) and a thank you letter from President George "H.W." Bush (1989).

Also of interest are several letters written between Lynn and William F. Buckley, Jr., editor of the National Review in which Buckley thanks Lynn for his years of support (1981, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991). Lynn's correspondence also consists of many letters to various magazines, including America and Newsweek, commenting upon political views taken in their articles. These comments were also sent to various television news agencies by Lynn, including a letter to Harry Reasoner at ABC. In one particular letter, Lynn comments on a journal article regarding the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor. In the letter, he offers his firsthand account of events that followed the attack (1961).

Also of particular interest is correspondence (1970) between Lynn and the adminstration of the University of California, Berkeley. In these letters, Lynn states his dislike of the protesting of "radicals" at state institutions. Included is a copy of some internal reactions by the university administration regarding Vietnam War protests on campus and other related issues. Also included are letters from Lynn to the Los Angeles County Board of Education, various organizations he belongs to, as well as correspondence with fellow retired naval officers, with which Lynn seeks job leads and advice on seeking a civilian career. Other topics include frustrations with the automation of customer services, job seeking in the banking and aerospace industries, cost of utilities and the Catholic education of his children.

Included in the Military Records series are various government forms consisting of annual qualifications, questionnaires, data cards, travel approvals, security clearances, personal information sheets and additional duty orders. Also included is a Flight Test Division organizational chart (1949). Publications consist of three copies of Annual Register of The United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MD for the years1937-38, 1938-39 and1939-40.

Included in the Personal Records series are biographical materials consisting of two resumes on Lynn and a summary of his career highlights written by him in 1988. Speeches include several given by Lynn over his career related to the Navy of the future, leadership and a tribute to Gold Star Mothers. Also present is a speech given by Admiral Forrest P. Sherman at the U.S. Naval Academy (1949). Other printed materials in this series include an article by Lynn on ungraded ratings in the U.S. Navy (with added comments), a completed aviation instrument examination, Lynn's identification pass for Pearl Harbor, a Los Angeles County subpoena ordering Lynn to appear in court as a witness (1968), materials related to the Flight Test Division Reunion Committee and National Piano Playing report cards rating Lynn's daughter. Also present are Class of 1941 materials, including its constitution, reunion plans, a newsletter, Lynn's receipt for a uniform and a roster of members in the Norfolk, VA area.

The final series, Fifteenth Annual Global Strategy Discussion, concerns a conference that Lynn participated in during June 10-14, 1963, at Naval War College, Newport, RI. The purpose of the conference is noted as "To further an understanding of the problems confronting the United States in formulating global strategy to attain our national objectives." Publications include The United States Naval War College Data on Officers, Staff and Classes, Roster of Participants and Biographical Data, Biographical Data on Distinguished Speakers and Selected Readings and Bibliography. Other printed materials consist of a planning calendar, memorandums, discussion outlines, handbooks and schedules.


Administrative information
Custodial History

June 21, 1991, 14 pages; Autobiographical sketch of naval officer, member of the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1941. Donor: Capt. Joseph Lynn.

August 10, 1992, ca. 750 items; Papers (1942-1992), of naval officer, USNA Class of 1941, including correspondence, Global Strategy Conference file, orders, reports, flight records, speeches, registers, and data file. Donor: Capt. Joseph Lynn.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Capt. Joseph Lynn

Processing information

Encoded by Apex Data Services. Processed by Eric M. Honeycutt, 5/09/2002; Dale Sauter, 2008.

Copyright notice

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


Key terms
Personal Names
Lynn, Joseph, 1920-
Corporate Names
United States Naval Academy--Alumni and alumnae
United States. Navy--Officers
United States. Navy--Records and correspondence

Container list
Box 1 Folder c Military Correspondence, 1957-1961
Box 1 Folder d Military Correspondence, 1962-1977
Box 1 Folder e Civilian Correspondence, 1951-1965
Box 2 Folder e Forms, 1942-1965
Box 2 Folder f Publications, 1937-1940
Box 3 Folder a Biographical Materials, 1988, undated
Box 3 Folder b Speeches, 1949-1962
Box 3 Folder c Other Printed Materials, 1941-1968
Box 3 Folder d Publications, 1963
Box 3 Folder e Publications, 1963
Box 3 Folder f Publications, 1963
Box 3 Folder g Publications, 1963
Box 3 Folder h Other Printed Materials, 1963