Ralph Kaspar Rottet Papers
1936-1970
Manuscript Collection #214
- Creator(s)
- Rottet, Ralph Kaspar
- Physical description
- 0.75 Cubic Feet, 3 boxes and 1 oversized folder, consisting of correspondence, orders, financial records, photographs, and certificates.
- Preferred Citation
- Ralph Kaspar Rottet Papers (#214), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
- Repository
- ECU Manuscript Collection
- Access
- No restrictions
Papers (1936-1970) consisting of correspondence, orders, financial records, photographs, memorandums and certificates.
Biographical/historical information
Lieutenant General Ralph Kaspar Rottet (1911-1971) was a native of Jasper, Indiana. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1934, he accepted a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps. Rottet saw action as a Marine pilot in World War II and in the Korean Conflict. He received the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Bronze Star with Combat V for heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as a pilot during the Marshall Islands campaign of 1944. Among his assignments were Marine Aviation Planning Officer, Naval Air Forces, Pacific Fleet (1948-1950); commanding officer Marine Air Detachment, Naval Air Station, Minneapolis (1950-1951); Marine Headquarters (1951-1953); 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Korea (1953-1954); Asst. Commander, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Far East (1957-1959); and commanding general, Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point (1959-1961). General Rottet retired in 1968 due to ill health. For additional biographical information, see Who's Who in America, 1969-1970.
Scope and arrangement
Material in the collection reflects fully General Rottet's career as a Marine officer.
Correspondence, orders, and memorandums pertain almost entirely to Rottet's duty assignments, requests for transfer, travel, temporary duty, and other activities normally covered by personal military records. Letters from Naval and Marine officers comment on training exercises, maneuvers, and ceremonies in which Rottet or members of his command were involved.
Also included are commendations for meritorious service, photographs reflecting Rottet's entire career, and award certificates.
Administrative information
Custodial History
October 12, 1972, ca. 600 items; Papers (1929-1967), including correspondence, orders, photographs, certificates, financial records, and miscellaneous. Gift of Mrs. Rottet, New Bern, N.C.
June 22, 2001, 9 pages 1 volume; Ralph Kaspar Rottet (Col., USMC) aviator's flight log book & loose items (file no. 04988), 6 July 1949 - 2 July 1954. 1 volume (130 p. used) & 9 loose p. (139 pages). Donor: Ralph Sparhawk Rottet.
Source of acquisition
Gift of Mrs. Rottet
Gift of Ralph Sparhawk Rottet
Processing information
Processed by D. Lennon, July 1975; Updated by N. Hardison, March 2025
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.
Key terms
Personal Names
Rottet, Ralph Kaspar
Corporate Names
United States. Marine Corps--Military life
United States. Marine Corps--Officers
Topical
Korean War, 1950-1953--Aerial operations, American
Soldiers--United States--Correspondence
World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American
Container list
Box 1 Folder b
Personal Files from Ralph Rottet's Military Service. Items include correspondence, orders and other documents that reflect Rottet's day to day activities as an serviceman., 1954-1956
Box 1 Folder c
Personal Files from Ralph Rottet's Military Service. Items include correspondence, orders and other documents that reflect Rottet's day to day activities as an serviceman., 1957-1958
Box 1 Folder a
Personal Files from Ralph Rottet's Military Service. Items include correspondence, orders and other documents that reflect Rottet's day to day activities as an serviceman., 1959-1960
Box 2 Folder b
Personal Files from Ralph Rottet's Military Service. Items include correspondence, orders and other documents that reflect Rottet's day to day activities as an serviceman., 1961-1962
Box 2 Folder c
Personal Files from Ralph Rottet's Military Service. Items include correspondence, orders and other documents that reflect Rottet's day to day activities as an serviceman., 1963-1965
Box 2 Folder d
Personal Files from Ralph Rottet's Military Service. Items include correspondence, orders and other documents that reflect Rottet's day to day activities as an serviceman., 1966-1970
Box 3 Folder a
Awards and Promotions given to Ralph Rottet. Miscellaneous items include a business card and a newspaper clipping., 1929-1966, undated
Box 3 Folder b
Ralph Rottet's Aviator's Log Book and Accident and Violation Reports., 1937, 1952-1953, undated
Box 3 Folder c
Photographs, Black and White, 1936, 1944-1945, undated
Box 3 Folder d
Photographs, Black and White and Two Color Photos, 1961, 1963, 1966, 1967, undated
0214-bos1
Certificates along with three large black and white photographs of scenes from Japan, 1930-1984, undated