T. Hamilton Lokey Papers, 1905-1951
(Manuscript Collection #739)
Descriptive Summary
| Title: | T. Hamilton Lokey Papers |
| Creator: | Lokey, T. Hamilton |
| Repository: | ECU Manuscript Collection |
| Languages: | English |
| Abstract: | Account of Battle of Leyte Gulf, 1944, by Air Combat intelligence officer aboard the USS Natoma Bay. (undated) |
| Extent: | 0.044 Cubic feet, 38 items , consisting of a sixteen-page speech and a photocopy of a military identification card with a biographical sketch. |
Administrative Information
Accessions Information
January 15, 1997, 17 pages, typescript; Account of battle of Leyte Gulf by Air Combat Intelligence Officer aboard the USS NATOMA BAY. Gift of Captain Enders P. Huey, USN (Retired), of Orlando, FL.
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
T. Hamilton Lokey Papers (#739), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Acquisition Information
- Gift of Enders P. Huey
Processing Information
-
Encoded by Apex Data Services
Biographical / Historical Note
Thomas Hamilton Lokey (b. 1910) served in the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II, 1942-1946, as an Air Combat Intelligence Officer aboard the carrier USS NATOMA BAY in the Pacific Theatre. He was recalled to service during the Korean Conflict, serving as a Strategic Intelligence Officer in a Joint Navy-Air Force Operation, 1950-1951. He retired with the rank of commander, USNR.
Description
The collection contains a speech, "The Battle for Leyte Gulf." This speech recounts his experiences aboard the escort aircraft carrier USS NATOMA BAY (CVE 62). As an Air Combat Intelligence Officer he was responsible for briefing the captain and squadron on operations and missions, debriefing the squadron after its missions, and then writing after-action reports based on the information he gathered. His battle station was on the open bridge of the NATOMA BAY which gave him a great view of the battle.
Lokey begins with describing the ship he was on, its armament, and organization of the various carrier groups with supporting destroyers and destroyer escorts. He then outlines the mission of his ship in relation to the amphibious landings in the Philippines. The remainder of the speech discusses actions during the battle involving destroyers, aircraft carriers, fighters, torpedo bombers, cruisers, and other vessels in the effort to stop the Japanese naval forces with the YAMATO. Lokey includes details such as direction, speed, weather, and time; his personal reflections; and information concerning Admiral Felix B. Stump--whom he reported to--and Admirals Halsey, Kinkaid, and Olendorf.
The other item in the collection is a photocopy of Lokey's military identification with a brief biographical account.
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.
