Naval Forces, Far East Press Releases, 1952: Finding Aid

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