U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1941 Collection, 1938-1993
(Manuscript Collection #644)
Descriptive Summary
| Title: | U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1941 Collection |
| Creator: | U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1941 |
| Repository: | ECU Manuscript Collection |
| Languages: | English |
| Abstract: | Collection (1938-1993) including correspondence, specifications, biographical information, reminiscences, and photographs. |
| Extent: | 0.65 Cubic feet, 900 items , including correspondence, specifications, biographical information, reminiscences, and photographs. |
Administrative Information
Accessions Information
December 8, 1992, 75 items; File (1986-1991) pertaining to Class of 1941 Memorial Observatory for USNA project, including correspondence, specifications, bids, drawings, photographs, reports, and contracts. Gift of Capt. Victory Delano, USN (Ret), Bethesda, MD.
December 8, 1992, ca. 350 items; File (1961-1992) containing columns on the Class of 1941 published in Shipmate. Gift of Capt. Robert Hailey, USN (Ret), Williamsburg, VA.
April 21, 1993, 2 items; Copies of "The Luck of the Draw" by Victor A. Blandin and "Dead in the Water" by Blanchard Randall III. Gift of Capt. Victor Delano, USN (Ret), Bethesda, MD.
September 23, 1993, 1 cubic foot; Biographical files on class members and computer data base information compiled by Capt. Fred C. Wyse. Gift of Mrs. Fred Wyse, McLean, VA.
August 29, 2000 (unprocessed addition 1), 11 pages; Memorial Day Address delivered May 30, 1990 by Capt. Victor A. Moitoret, US Navy (Ret). Donor: Capt. Victor A. Moitoret, US Navy (Ret).
Access Restrictions
No restrictions
Copyright Notice
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.
Preferred Citation
U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1941 Collection (#644), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Acquisition Information
- Gift of Capt. Victory Delano, USN (Ret)
- Gift of Capt. Robert Hailey, USN (Ret)
- Gift of Capt. Victor Delano, USN (Ret)
- Gift of Mrs. Fred Wyse
- Gift of Capt. Victor A. Moitoret, US Navy (Ret)
Processing Information
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Processed by M. Boccaccio, March 1994
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Encoded by Apex Data Services
Description
The U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) Class of 1941 is comprised of individuals concerned with preserving the history of their USNA graduating class and the naval history of the United States. The collection is comprised of correspondence and specifications (1986-1991) concerning the Class of 1941 50th Anniversary memorial project, which was the construction of a new observatory at the USNA and the restoration of an 1857 refractor telescope. The collection also includes reminiscences, extensive biographical files, and miscellaneous materials pertaining to the history of the members of the USNA Class of 1941.
Two typescript reminiscences by class members are also included. The "Luck of the Draw" concerns drawing for duty assignments and duty on board destroyer USS MAYO (DD-422). Described are an Icelandic convoy of cargo ships (pp. 5-6) and the duties of Task Force 19 at the Atlantic Charter Conference in Argentia (p. 17). The other reminiscence, "Dead in the Water," describes Navy life before and during the first years of World War II. Pre-war topics discussed include the 1939 USNA European Midshipmen's Cruise (pp. 1-4); the French ship NORMANDIE (pp. 1-2); limitations of the Washington Treaty and of the Navy's new destroyers (p. 6); and construction programs for light and heavy cruisers (p. 7). War-time subjects include supply lines, bases, and Pacific campaigns (pp. 10-13); the Battle of Midway (p. 22-23), including thesinking of aircraft carrier USS YORKTOWN (CV-5) and the actions and sinking of Japanese aircraft carriers (p. 23); and actions at Guadalcanal (pp. 25-27, 40-44).
Biographical information is in the form of "Class News" sections of the USNA Alumni Association publication Shipmate (1961-1993), handwritten notes, a printed directory and roster, and computer data sheets that were used to compile the Class of 1941 50th Anniversary edition of the USNA yearbook, The Golden Lucky Bag. Photographs include images of destroyers USS COGSWELL (DD-651) and USS AMMEN (DD-527), and submarine USS SPIKEFISH (SS-404).
Container List
Online access to this finding aid is supported with funds created through the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). These funds come through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services which is administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources. This grant is part of the North Carolina ECHO, Exploring Cultural Heritage Online, Digitization Grant Program.
