Reuben T. Thornton, Jr., Collection

1943-1993, undated
Manuscript Collection #664
Creator(s)
Thornton, Reuben T., Jr.
Physical description
0.024 Cubic Feet, 16 items
Preferred Citation
Reuben T. Thornton Jr., Collection (#664), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Repository
ECU Manuscript Collection
Access
No restrictions

Photographs, clippings and miscellaneous. 1943-1993, undated


Biographical/historical information

Thornton graduated from United States Naval Academy as Commissioned Ensign, USN in 1925. During this same year he served aboard USS Texas (BB-35) and attended Chemical Warfare School, Edgewood Arsenal. The next year Thornton reported to USS Colorado (BB-45), attended Battle Fleet Torpedo School and then moved on to serve aboard USS Henshaw (DD-278). In 1927 he was promoted to Lieutenant (junior grade) USN. Thornton reported for duty to USS Breck (DD-283) in 1929, followed by USS Chester (CA-27) in 1930. In 1932 Thornton reported for duty at the Charleston Naval Shipyard, and stayed until the next year when he reported for duty at Naval Operating Base, Norfolk, VA. By 1934, Thornton was assigned to USS Cole (DD-155) and the next year was promoted to Lieutenant, USN. He was removed from USS Cole after it was decommissioned in 1937 and in 1938 assigned temporary duty to USS Wyoming (BB-32). Thornton reported to USS Mississippi (BB-41) in 1939 and the same year was promoted to Lieutenant Commander, USN. In 1943 he was promoted to Captain, USN. From 1943 through 1945, Thornton was assigned to various positions including USNAD, Crane, Indiana, Army and Navy Staff College, Washington, D.C., FMF Staff, Pearl Harbor and COM SERV PAC Pearl Harbor. Thornton retired from active duty as Captain, USN in 1948.

Another part of the papers document Lieutenant Commander W.E. Hank, USNA Class of 1925, Thornton's brother-in-law and his classmate at the Naval Academy. Hank was in command of USS Laffey and was lost at sea during a battle with Japanese forces in the Southwest Pacific in November 1942.


Scope and arrangement

The papers consist of clippings documenting Lieutenant Commander W.E. Hank, USNA Class of 1925, Thornton's brother-in-law and classmate at the Naval Academy. Also present are clippings discussing USS Laffey, Lieutenant Commander William T. Doyle, Jr. (second in command) and other surviving eyewitnesses to the ship's sinking. Also included are a few clippings documenting Thornton's departure from his assignment in Crane, Indiana. Other materials consist of photographs of USS Henshaw (DD-278), USS Preble (DD-345) and Reuben T. Thornton, Jr. There are also two letters to and from Thornton's son Reuben T. Thornton III describing the papers he donated and another discussing a painting that was in his father's possession.


Administrative information
Custodial History

September 9, 1993 16 items; Photographs, clippings, and miscellaneous. Donor: Mr. Reuben T. Thornton, III.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Mr. Reuben T. Thornton, III

Processing information

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Processed by Dale Sauter, March 2020

Copyright notice

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


Container list
Box 1 Folder a Mixed Materials, 1943-1993, undated