Collection (1938-1993) including correspondence, specifications, biographical information, reminiscences, and photographs.
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).
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)
Processed by M. Boccaccio, March 1994
Encoded by Apex Data Services
Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.