Naval Forces, Far East Press Releases, 1952: Finding Aid
Published in November 2021
Summary Information
- Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
- Publisher Address:
589 McNair Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
Phone: 410-293-6917
https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php - Call number: MS 29
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
- Title: Naval Forces, Far East Press Releases
- Dates: 1952
- Size: 0.13 linear feet
- Container Summary: 5 folders
- Creator: United States. Naval Forces Far East. Public Information Office
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: Naval Forces, Far East was a United States Navy command based in Japan from 1947 until being redesignated in 1957. Naval Forces, Far East Press Releases, consisting of photocopies of mimeographs originals, span from August 2, 1952 through October 25, 1952. The releases, issued by the command's Public Information Office, summarize the activities and engagements of the command's Navy surface forces, Navy and Marine Corps aviation units, and Marine Corps amphibious and ground forces during the Korean War.
History of Naval Forces, Far East
U.S. Naval Forces, Far East was established in Tokyo, Japan on January 1, 1947 to administer U.S. Navy units operating in Japan, the Philippines, the Marianas Islands, the Ryukyu Islands, and the Bonin Islands. With the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, Naval Forces, Far East grew to a force of over 400 vessels, including the United States Seventh Fleet and numerous vessels from United Nations members. Throughout the conflict, the personnel and materiel of Naval Forces, Far East engaged in shore bombardments, air strikes, minesweeping, troop transportation, supply replenishment, and blockades of the Korean peninsula. Following the cessation of active hostilities, Naval Forces, Far East, minus the Seventh Fleet which was transferred to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, was tasked with overseeing shore installations, U.S. Navy units, and amphibious operations in the waters surrounding Korea.
Later in 1954, Naval Forces, Far East provided support for the evacuation of Vietnamese civilians fleeing communist control to South Vietnam. Less than a year later, the command was again called on to aid evacuations, when Nationalist Chinese forces were fleeing the Tachen Islands in February 1955. In 1957, Naval Forces, Far East was redesignated Naval Forces Japan and on February 1, 1962, was further redesignated U.S. Naval Forces, Japan.
Description of Contents
Naval Forces, Far East Press Releases, consisting of photocopies of mimeographs originals and comprising 0.13 linear feet of documentation, span from August 2, 1952 through October 25, 1952. The releases, issued by the command's Public Information Office, summarize the activities and engagements of the command's Navy surface forces, Navy and Marine Corps aviation units, and Marine Corps amphibious and ground forces during the Korean War.
The Press Releases are arranged chronologically into a single series with no subdivisions. The press releases alternate between providing updates on general naval operations in Korean waters and focusing on specific units and vessels. Among the units typically highlighted are Fast Carrier Task Force 77 (comprising variously U.S.S. Essex (Aircraft carrier: CV-9), U.S.S. Boxer (Aircraft carrier: CV-21), U.S.S. Princeton (Aircraft carrier: CV-37), U.S.S. Kearsarge (Aircraft carrier: CV-33), and U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard (Aircraft carrier: CV-31), the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (including Pantherjets Squadron, Deathrattlers Squadron, Checkerboard Squadron, Devilcats Squadron, Flying Nightmares Squadron), and the 1st Marine Division. Individual vessels typically highlighted include U.S.S. Iowa (Battleship: BB-61), U.S.S. Helena (Heavy cruiser: CA-75), and U.S.S. Sicily (Escort carrier: CVE-118), as well as the British aircraft carrier H.M.S Ocean. Many of the press releases also serve an human-interest pieces, focusing on the experiences of individual Marines and Navy personnel.
Arrangement
The Naval Forces, Far East Press Releases are arranged chronologically.
Access and Use
Access
Access is unrestricted.
Copyright and Permission
The Naval Forces, Far East Press Releases are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.
Acquisition and Appraisal
Provenance and Acquisition
Unknown.
Related Materials
Related Archival Material
Records of Naval Forces, Far East can be found in RG-24, Records of the Burean of Naval Personnel at the National Archives and Records Administration.
Materials Cataloged Separately
No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.
Processing and Other Information
Naval Forces, Far East Press Releases was originally processed as a monograph under the title [Releases : 2 August - 25 October 1952] with the call number DS919.U5 1952.
Preferred Citation
Naval Forces, Far East Press Releases, MS 29
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Selected Bibliography
The following sources were consulted during preparation of the biographical note:
Commander, Navy Region Japan. "History," on the Commander, Navy Installations Command official website, accessed November 30, 2021, https://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrj/about/history.html.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in November 2021. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in November 2021.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Aerial operations
- Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Naval operations
- Korean War, 1950-1953 -- United States
- United States Marine Corps -- History -- Korean War, 1950-1953
- United States. Naval Forces Far East
Genre Terms
- Manuscripts
- Press releases
Contents List
Press Releases, 1952 August 2-14
Updates on naval operations and the activities of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Fast Carrier Task Force 77, U.S.S. Helena (Heavy cruiser: CA-75), and H.M.S Ocean (Aircraft carrier) in Korea, as well as the arrival of U.S.S. John R. Pierce (Destroyer: DD-753) on station, Navy development of a pulsejet engine, fire aboard U.S.S. Boxer (Aircraft carrier: CV-21), damage to U.S.S. John R. Pierce and U.S.S. Barton (Destroyer: DD-722), and Colonel James F. Shaw's second Legion of Merit.
Press Releases, 1952 August 15-31
Updates on naval operations and the activities of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, 1st Marine Division, Fast Carrier Task Force 77, and U.S.S. Iowa (Battleship: BB-61) in Korea, as well as Lieutenant William J. Dalton's Commendation Ribbon, Typhoon Karen, the development of oxygen plants for aircraft carriers, Colonel Robert E. Galer, U.S.S. Osprey (Minesweeper: AMS-28), damage to U.S.S. Thompson (Destroyer: DD-627), the Battle of Bunker Hill, Technical Sergeant David T. Beasley, Technical Sergeant Edward H. Ablinsky, Corporal Dan E. Stevens, U.S.S. Iowa (Battleship: BB-61), Captain Charles A. Willis, the return of U.S.S. Boxer, Staff Sergeant George A. Moffett's Bronze Star, assaults along the Yalu River, the sinking of U.S.S. Sarsi (Fleet tug: ATF-111), and air strikes on Pyongyang.
Press Releases, 1952 September 1-15
Updates on naval operations and the activities of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, 1st Marine Division, Fast Carrier Task Force 77, and U.S.S. Sicily (Escort carrier: CVE-118) in Korea, as well as Private first class Leonid Ozolins, Sergeant Daniel S. Bissell's Purple Heart, Seaman Charles M. Meznarich, U.S.S. Haven (Hospital ship: AH-12), the 24,000th landing aboard U.S.S. Bon Homme Richard (Aircraft carrier: CV-31), Colonel Robert E. Galer, U.S.S. Bremerton (Heavy cruiser: CA-130), U.S.S. Swallow (Minesweeper: AMS-36), damage to U.S.S. Agerholm (Destroyer: DD-826), the Battle of Bunker Hill, air battle over Sok-to Island, Captain Robert E. Benton, Brigadier General Alexander Kreiser's assumption of command, Private first class Mattison L. Finkle, and the relief of Captain Paul D. Stroop.
Press Releases, 1952 September 16-30
Updates on naval operations and the activities of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, 1st Marine Division, Fast Carrier Task Force 77, U.S.S. Iowa (Battleship: BB-61), and U.S.S. Helena (Heavy cruiser: CA-75) in Korea, as well as injuries to Private first class H. L. Piesik, action at "Hell's Twin Outposts," Commander H. L. Thompson of U.S.S. Toledo (Heavy cruiser: CA-133), U.S.S. Lewis (Destroyer: DD-535), arrival of U.S.S. Kearsarge (Aircraft carrier: CV-33) under the command of Captain Louis E. French, Marine fundraising for Penny Nelson (daughter of First Lieutenant Forest Nelson), General Mark Clark aboard U.S.S. Iowa at Wonsan, Commander E. A. Parker's 100th combat mission, Task Force 77's sets of brothers, H.M.S. Ocean (Aircraft carrier), educational opportunities aboard U.S.S. Princeton (Aircraft carrier: CV-37), damage to U.S.S. Cunningham (Destroyer: DD-752), Captain George R. Reinhart III, and the capture of a Communist spy by Captain Frank M. Jackson and Staff Sergeant Samuel L. Cummings.
Press Releases, 1952 October 1-25
Updates on naval operations and the activities of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, 1st Marine Division, Fast Carrier Task Force 77, and U.S.S. Iowa (Battleship: BB-61) in Korea, as well as the work of communications wiremen at Bunker Hill, replenishment operations by U.S.S. Alstede (Store ship: AF-48), Private First Class James Francis Mahoney, assaults in the Yongpyong-Ni area, Marine reactions to audio propaganda, Navy plane captains, new Marine Corps armored vests, U.S.S. Los Angeles (Heavy cruiser: CA-135), minesweeping operations, Corporal Arnold Rosenberg, Admiral Arthur Radford's arrival aboard U.S.S. Iowa, Major Alexander J. Gillis' record for MiG kills, amphibious landing exercises near Wonsan, Lieutenant Donald D. Hillan, Marine Observation Squadron 6, assaults near Kosong, Lieutenant William G. Glore, the arrival of U.S.S. Missouri (Battleship: BB-63) on station, U.S.S. Helena (Heavy cruiser: CA-75), and air strikes on Hyesanjin.