Office of the Superintendent/Records of Reserve Training Groups: General Correspondence, 1941-1945: Finding Aid

History of the Reserve Training Groups: World War II, 1941-1945

Twelve groups of naval reservists were admitted to the Academy from February 14, 1941, to April 30, 1945 to receive approximately 4 months of training as midshipmen in preparation for duty during World War II. The earlier groups were composed of V-7 reservists who were admitted to the Academy for 1 month of elimination training prior to being appointed reserve midshipmen. After appointment, the reservists underwent 3 months of engineering training and drills at the end of which they were commissioned as ensigns in the line of the Naval Reserve and ordered to active duty. With the exception of the first group, reserve midshipmen at the Academy received training only in engineering duties. The later reserve groups were made up of V-12 reservists, who usually underwent premidshipman training at one of the college or universities participating in the V-12 program before coming to the Academy for 4 months of training. Reserve midshipmen were housed in Bancroft Hall and were organized into a unit known as the "Reserve Battalion," under the general supervision of the Reserve Battalion Commander, who assisted the Commandant of Midshipmen in coordinating all matters pertaining to the Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School.

In addition to the reserve midshipmen classes, training was also offered at the Academy to classes of Reserve Officers' Training Schools and V-5 instructors' classes. Records regarding this training have been maintained with the records of the Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School.

Description of Contents

This series contains general correspondence that relates to the organization and general functioning of the school. Included are many of the notices and orders issued to the reserve battalion as well as to the officers and instructors at the school. Correspondence with the various offices and bureaus of the Navy Department, other naval midshipmen's schools across the country, former reserve midshipmen, and private individuals and firms is included in this series along with various lists and instructional materials. There is also correspondence relative to the two Reserve Officers' Training Schools held at the Academy and the courses conducted for V-5 instructors.

Arrangement

Arranged in two sequences for approximately 1941-1943 and 1944-1945. The first subseries (1941-1943) is arranged alphabetically by subject, and the second (1944-1945) is arranged according to the Navy Filing Manual system.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

Generally, materials produced by Federal agencies are in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission. Any non-government publications held herein may still be subject to copyright. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

Other Finding Aid(s)

National Archives Catalog entry available electronically at: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/3074207.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Custodial History

RG 405 Records of the United States Naval Academy is the property of the National Archives and Records Administration. The materials are housed at the United States Naval Academy, William W. Jeffries Memorial Archives, an affiliated archive, as per a Memorandum of Agreement between the National Archives and Records Administration and the United States Naval Academy.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional material pertaining to Reserve Training Groups during World War II can be found in the records of the Office of the Superintendent RG 405.2.4, Entries 134 through 137.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Office of the Superintendent/Records of Reserve Training Groups: General Correspondence, RG 405.2.4 Entry 133

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

Collection inventory was prepared by Alice Gilliland in 2013. Historical sketch and Scope and Content Note prepared by Geraldine N. Phillips and Aloha South in 1975.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Naval education -- United States
• United States Naval Academy -- Students
• United States. Naval Reserve -- Officers

Genre Terms

• Correspondence
• Orders (Military records)