Raymond Edward Peet Papers, 1943-1972: Finding Aid

Biographical Chronology of Raymond Edward Peet

1921

• On January 27, is born to Ursil L. and Hanna Thomas Peet in Oneonta, New York.

1939

• Graduates first in his class at Binghamton North High School.
• On June 12, is admitted to the United States Naval Academy.

1942

• On June 19, graduates from the United States Naval Academy as a member of the Class of 1943.
• In September, is assigned to Fire Control School, Naval Gun Factory, Washington, DC.
• In November, is detached from Fire Control School.
• Attached to U.S.S. Converse (Destroyer : DD-509).

1944

• U.S.S. Converse receives the Presidential Unit Citation for actions as a member of Destroyer Squadron 23 in the Solomon Islands, November 1, 1943 through February 23, 1944.
• Receives Bronze Star Medal for service as Conning Officer of U.S.S. Converse in the Solomon Islands from November 1, 1943 through February 24, 1943.
• In November, is detached from U.S.S. Converse to attend Gunnery Officers' Ordnance School at the Naval Gun Factory, Washington, DC.

1945

• In January is detached from Gunnery Officers' Ordnance School.
• Attached to U.S.S. Aulick (Destroyer : DD-569) as Gunner Officer.
• Detached from U.S.S. Aulick after five months to attend the Naval Postgraduate School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

1948

• In June, is awarded a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

1949

• Attached to the Operations Office of Commander Destroyer Squadron Sixteen.
• Completes Advanced Underseas Weapons School, Key West, Florida.
• In June, is assigned as Ordnance Electronics Officer for the Operational Development Force.

1951

• In October, reports as Plans and Progress Officer at the Naval Proving Ground, Dahlgren, Virginia.

1954

• Attached to U.S.S. New Jersey (Battleship : BB-62) as Gunnery Officer.

1956

• In April, is detached from U.S.S. New Jersey.
• Assigned to duty as Prospective Commanding Officer on the Staff of Commander Destroyer Force, Atlantic at the Training Center, Dam Neck, Virginia.
• Completes Fleet Sonar School, Key West, Florida.
• In June, assumes command of U.S.S. Barton (Destroyer : DD-722).

1957

• In September, is detached from U.S.S. Barton for service as Aide to Chief of Naval Operations Arleigh Burke.

1959

• In August, reports for duty as Assistant Engineer Officer aboard U.S.S. Independence (Attack aircraft carrier : CVA-62).
• In December, is assigned to the Naval Reactors Division of the Atomic Energy Commission for instruction.

1962

• On October 6, assumes command of the first nuclear powered destroyer, U.S.S. Bainbridge (Guided missile cruiser : CGN-25).

1964

• In August, reports for instruction at the National War College.

1965

• In July, appointed Military Assistant to the Principal Deputy Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs.

1966

• Awarded the Legion of Merit for service as Military Assistant to the Principal Deputy Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs.
• In September, assumes duty as Director of the Naval Ship Acquisition and Support Study Group, Naval Material Command.

1967

• In February, assumes command of Amphibious Group Two.

1968

• In August, assumes command of the Amphibious Training Command, U.S. Atlantic Fleet.

1969

• In June, reports for duty as Director of the Office of Program Appraisal, Navy Department.

1970

• In July, reports as Commander First Fleet.
• On August 1, is commissioned a Vice Admiral.

1972

• On May 16, is detached from the First Fleet for service as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Security Assistance) and Director of the Defense Security Assistance Agency.

1974

• Retires from the U.S. Navy.

Description of Contents

The Raymond Edward Peet Papers, comprising 0.42 linear feet of documentation, span from 1943 to 1972. The Papers focus on the nuclear warships U.S.S. Bainbridge and U.S.S. Canberra, Peet's views on nuclear power in the Navy, Peet's service under Arleigh Burke during World War II, and river patrols during the Vietnam War.

Included in the collection are news clippings, photographs, cruise books, pamphlets, speeches, and a research paper.

Much of the material in the Peet Papers pertain to Peet's experiences as a surface warfare officers aboard nuclear powered frigates and cruisers. Among such materials are documents pertaining to the launching and commissioning of U.S.S. Bainbridge, President Dwight D. Eisenhower's cruise aboard U.S.S. Canberra, and Peet's National War College research paper on the political and legal ramifications of nuclear power in the Navy. The Papers also touch upon Peet's service under Arleigh Burke during World War II (including the service of U.S.S. Converse), his speaking engagements as an admiral, and river patrols and riverine warfare during the Vietnam War.

Arrangement

The Raymond Edward Peet Papers are arranged alphabetically by document topic and type.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted. All papers originally bearing security restrictions were examined by S. Brewer, USNA Assistant Security Manager, and declared unrestricted and declassified in 1993.

Copyright and Permission

The Raymond Edward Peet Papers 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

Additional material pertaining to Peet's service in the U.S. Navy and time as a midshipman at the Naval Academy may be found in his Midshipman Personnel Jacket (sealed until 2034) and Alumni Jacket, available in Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.

Materials Cataloged Separately

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

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Raymond Edward Peet Papers, MS 200

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

The following sources were consulted during preparation of the biographical note:

"Vice Admiral Raymond E. Peet, United States Navy." Washington: Navy Office of Information, Biographies Branch, June 20, 1972.

Processing Information

This collection was processed circa 1986. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in March 2014.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Bainbridge (Guided missile cruiser : CGN-25)
• Barton (Destroyer : DD-722)
• Canberra (Guided missile heavy cruiser : CAG-2)
• Converse (Destroyer : DD-509)
• Nuclear warships -- United States
• Peet, Raymond Edward, 1921-
• Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Riverine operations, American
• World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Solomon Islands

Genre Terms

• Clippings (information artifacts)
• Manuscripts
• Pamphlets
• Photographs
• Speeches (documents)
• Theses