Office of the Superintendent/Records of Reserve Training Groups: Memoranda, Press Releases, Programs for Commissioning Exercises, and Other Papers, 1941-1945: Finding Aid
Published in May 2023
Summary Information
- Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
- Publisher Address:
589 McNair Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
Phone: 410-293-6922
https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php - Call number: RG 405.2.4 Entry 136
- National Archives Identifier: 3074270
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Archives
- Title: Office of the Superintendent/Records of Reserve Training Groups: Memoranda, Press Releases, Programs for Commissioning Exercises, and Other Papers
- Dates: 1941-1945
- Size: 8 linear inches
- Container Summary: two manuscript box
- Creator: United States Naval Academy. Superintendent
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: This entry contains memoranda, press releases, programs for commissioning exercises, and other papers for the twelve groups of naval reservists admitted to the academy between February 1941 and April 1945.
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 received 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 pre-midshipman training at one of the colleges 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 the 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 entry contains memoranda, press releases, programs for commissioning exercises, and other papers. It also includes copies of commissioning or graduation exercises programs, sample admission tickets, press releases, speeches, seating charts, and lists of graduates. Additionally, sample academic and health record cards used for each reserve group, along with copies of orders outlining drills and recitations, and deficiency lists are included.
Arrangement
Arranged by group or class
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/3074270.
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
Location of Related Materials
Additional materials pertaining to Reserve Training Groups at the academy during World War II may be found in entry 133: “General Correspondence, 1941-1945” (NAID: 3074207); entry 134: “Appointment and Health Records, 1940-1949” (NAID: 3074243); entry 135: “Appointment and Health Records of Naval Reserve Officers Assigned to the Second Naval Reserve Officers' Training School, 1941” (NAID: 3074262); and entry 137: “Personal History, Conduct, and Aptitude Records of the 12th Group of Reserve Midshipmen, 1945” (NAID: 3074307).
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: Memoranda, Press Releases, Programs for Commissioning Exercises, and Other Papers, 1941–1945, RG 405.2.4 Entry 136
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Selected Bibliography
The following sources were consulted during preparation of the historical note:
Sweetman, Jack. The U.S. Naval Academy: An Illustrated History. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute Press, 1979.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Samuel Limneos in April 2023. Finding aid written by Samuel Limneos in May 2023. Historical Sketch and Scope and Content Note adapted in part from Inventory of Records Group 405 by Geraldine N. Phillips and Aloha South, 1975.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Naval education -- United States.
- United States Naval Academy -- History – 20th century
- United States Naval Academy -- Students.
- United States Naval Academy. Superintendent
- United States. Naval Reserve -- Officers.
Genre Terms
- Admission Tickets
- Charts
- Index cards
- Lists
- Memorandums)
- Orders (military records)
- Press releases
- Programs
- Speeches (documents)