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William Adger Moffett Collection, 1887-1989: Finding Aid

Published in 1989

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 234
  • Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
  • Title: William Adger Moffett Collection
  • Dates: 1887-1989
  • Size: 2.92 linear feet
  • Container Summary: 7 manuscript boxes
  • Creator: Moffett, William A. (William Adger), 1869-1933
  • Language(s) of material: English
  • Abstract: William Adger Moffett was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy, having served as first Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics. The Moffett Collection consists of correspondence, diaries, news clippings, periodical articles and orders. In addition to such topics as the evolution of naval aviation, lighter-than-air technology, and the London Naval Conference, the Moffett Collection also contains documents pertaining to Moffett's time as a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy, his personal finances, and the crash of the Navy airship Akron, which resulted in his death.

Biography of William Adger Moffett

Rear Admiral William Adger Moffett was born on October 31, 1863 in Charleston, South Carolina to George Hall and Elizabeth H. Moffett. Appointed to the United States Naval Academy as a Naval Cadet on September 6, 1886, Moffett graduated as a member of the Class of 1890.

During the Spanish American War, Moffett, then an Ensign, served aboard U.S.S. Charleston during the Battle of Manila Bay. Following the battle, Moffett was assigned by Admiral George Dewey to Cavite, where he was charged with the salvage of enemy vessels that had been sunk in Manila during the battle. Following the war, he served aboard U.S.S. Kentucky, U.S.S. Maine, and U.S.S. Maryland.

In 1914, Moffett was in command of the cruiser U.S.S. Chester during the occupation of Veracruz, Mexico by U.S. Naval Forces. On the night of April 21-22, he brought his ship into the inner harbor of Veracruz without the assistance of a pilot or navigational lights, and was in position on the morning of April 22 to bring his guns to bear. For his actions in Veracruz, Moffett was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

In March 1917, Moffett was made Commandant of the 9th, 10th, and 11th Naval Districts, in addition to his command of the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, of which he had been in command since late 1914. Under his command, the station expanded during the War from a small station to the largest recruiting depot in the United States, supplying trained personnel for all of the various Naval Activities during the War. Moffett, then a Captain, received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his service. From Great Lakes, Moffett went on to command U.S.S. Mississippi upon the conclusion of the War.

On July 25, 1921, President Harding appointed Moffett as first Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics with the rank of Rear Admiral. Moffett's appointment as Bureau Chief was renewed in 1925 and 1929. As Bureau Chief, Moffett oversaw an eight-fold expansion in Naval Aviation, including the development of the Navy's first aircraft carriers, the installation of airplane catapults on battleships and cruisers, and the development of the Navy's first rigid airships. Rear Admiral William Adger Moffett died on April 4, 1933, along with 72 other crew members and passengers when the airship U.S.S. Akron (ZRS-4) crashed off the coast of New Jersey.

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Description of Contents

The William Adger Moffett Collection, comprising 2.9 linear feet of documentation, spans from 1887 to 1989. The collection consists chiefly of correspondence, periodical articles, news clippings, books, orders and personal diaries and ledgers created by or about William Adger Moffett, first head of the U.S. Navy Bureau of Aeronautics.

The Moffett Papers are organized into three series by creator and document type. The first series, William A. Moffett Files, consists of documents produced or kept by William A. Moffett, such as his Naval Cadet diaries, his diary from the 1930 London Naval Conference, U.S. Navy orders, financial documents, and personal and official correspondence. The series also includes correspondence regarding convict Frederick A. McGuire. Series 2: William A. Moffett, Jr. Files, consists of materials kept by Admiral Moffett's son and family. Like Series 1, the material in Series 2 pertains overwhelmingly to the life and career of the elder Moffett. Specifically, the series includes materials pertaining to William A. Moffett's death aboard U.S.S. Akron, events at Naval Air Station Moffett Field, and the events surrounding the donation of Admiral Moffett's personal papers to the Naval Academy. The series also pertains to William A. Moffett Jr’s advocacy efforts in the area of Navy lighter-than-air operations. The final series, Publications, consists of newspaper clippings, periodical articles, and books, largely postdating the death of William A. Moffett, regarding his life and career, as well as the development and decline of U.S. Navy airships and lighter-than-air travel in the United States.

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Arrangement

The William Adger Moffett Collection is organized into the following three series:

  • Series 1: William A. Moffett Files, 1887-1939
  • Subseries 1a: Diaries, 1887-1930
  • Subseries 1b: U.S. Navy Orders, 1887-1906
  • Subseries 1c: Personal and Official Correspondence, 1889-1933
  • Subseries 1d: Financial and Real Estate Files, 1908-1933
  • Subseries 1e: Biographical and Subject Files, 1914-1939
  • Subseries 1f: Writings, 1926-1932
  • Series 2: William A. Moffett, Jr. Files, 1933-1983
  • Subseries 2a: Letters of Sympathy on Death of William Adger Moffett, 1933
  • Subseries 2b: Messages of Sympathy on Crash of Akron (Airship), 1933
  • Subseries 2c: Lighter-Than-Air Correspondence, 1942-1948, 1972
  • Subseries 2d: General Correspondence, 1947-1983
  • Subseries 2e: Moffett Field Materials, 1942-1983
  • Subseries 2f: Eugene E. Wilson Foundation Materials, 1959-1976
  • Series 3: Publications, 1914-1989
  • Subseries 3a: News Clippings, 1914-1970
  • Subseries 3b: Periodical Articles, 1916-1984
  • Subseries 3c: C.E. Rosendahl Publications, 1944-1947
  • Subseries 3d: Books, 1919-1989
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Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted. In 1993, any papers in this collection which may have originally borne security restrictions were examined by S. Brewer, USNA Assistant Security Manager, and declared unrestricted and declassified.

Copyright and Permission

The William Adger Moffett Collection is 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.

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Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Gift of William Adger Moffett, Jr. in June 1992. Accession No. 92-31.

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Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional materials in Special Collections & Archives pertaining to William A. Moffett's life and career may be found in the William Adger Moffett Papers, MS 198 and in Moffett's Alumni Jacket and Conduct Record. Photographs of William A. Moffett and his family may be found in the Special Collections Picture File and the Transitional Picture File.

Materials Cataloged Separately

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

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Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

William Adger Moffett Collection, MS 234

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1989 and partially reprocessed by David D'Onofrio in March 2014. Finding aid written by Mary R. Catalfamo in 1989 and revised by David D'Onofrio in March 2014.

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Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

  • Airships -- United States -- History
  • Akron (Airship)
  • Chile -- History -- Revolution, 1891
  • London Naval Conference
  • Moffett, William A. (William Adger), 1869-1933
  • Moffett, William A. (William Adger), 1910-2001
  • Rosendahl, Charles Emery, 1892-1977
  • United States Naval Academy -- Midshipmen -- Cruises
  • United States Naval Academy -- Students
  • United States. Naval Air Station, Moffett Field, Calif
  • United States. Navy -- Aviation -- History
  • Wilson, Eugene Edward, 1887-1974

Genre Terms

  • Articles
  • Clippings (information artifacts)
  • Correspondence
  • Diaries
  • Ledgers (account books)
  • Manuscripts
  • Monographs
  • Orders (military records)
  • Programs (documents)
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Contents List

Series 1: William A. Moffett Files, 1887-1939 Boxes 1-4

Series Description

Documentation of William A. Moffett's U.S. Navy career, personal finances, and writings. Specifically, the materials pertain to Moffett's studies at the United States Naval Academy, advocacy for naval aviation and rigid airships, participation in the London Naval Conference of 1930, financial investments and expenditures, and real estate purchases. The documents in the series also touch upon the 1914 Battle of Veracruz, the Chilean Civil War of 1891, Moffett's working relationship with Representative Carl Vinson, and Moffett's family and personal life. Included in the series are incoming and outgoing letters, diaries, orders, financial ledgers, memoranda, speeches, press releases, and periodical articles.

Series Arrangement

The series is organized into six subseries by document type and topic.

Subseries 1a: Diaries, 1887-1930 Box 1

Subseries Description

Diaries kept by William Moffett while a Naval Cadet at the United States Naval Academy and during the London Naval Conference of 1930. The cadet diaries offer a daily accounting of life at the Academy, including coursework, studies, recreational activities, and notable incidents among the student body. The London Naval Conference diary, while brief, offers entries on naval aviation and aircraft carriers.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Box 1 Folder 1
Naval Cadet Diary: Volume I, 1887 March 6-August 26

Includes a memoir of Moffett's USNA entrance exam and journey to Annapolis. Also includes details of his midshipman cruise aboard U.S.S. Constellation, such as drills, liberty, inspections, shipboard hops, and other cadet activities.

Box 1 Folder 2
Naval Cadet Diary: Volume II, 1887 October 1-December 31

Memoir of Moffett's return home for leave and daily life at the Naval Academy, including course work, drills, method of study, treatment of plebes by upperclassmen, election of class officials, discipline, and remarks on Moffett's instructors, classmates, and roommate Bailey. Specific entries include the censure of cadet officers (October 27), Commandant's threat to abolish the Athletic Association (November 19), the Princeton vs. USNA basketball game (November 26).

Box 1 Folder 3
Naval Cadet Diary: Volume III, 1888 January 1-June 14

Memoir of daily life at the Naval Academy. Specific entries include the New Year's Hop (January 1), introduction of patrol duty as form of punishment (January 5), C. V. Butler's dismissal for drunkenness (February 12), cadets' approval of Superintendent's definition of duties (April 25), and hazing prevention (May 25).

Box 1 Folder 4
London Naval Conference Diary, 1930

Includes entries on Moffett's discussions on aviation and aircraft carriers, French and Japanese proposals, and aircraft carrier tonnage.

Subseries 1b: U.S. Navy Orders, 1887-1906 Box 1

Subseries Description

Orders received by William Moffett as an officer in the United States Navy. Some of the orders bear the signatures of W. T. Sampson, George Dewey, Theodore Roosevelt, and other prominent naval officers and officials.

For conservation purposes, orders dating from August 30, 1887 to April 4, 1896 were removed from an acidic "Letters" binder.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Box 1 Folder 5
Orders, 1887-1892
Box 1 Folder 6
Orders, 1883-1895
Box 1 Folder 7
Orders, 1886-1899

Includes an April 28, 1898 order signed by Theodore Roosevelt and a December 1, 1898 order signed by George Dewey.

Box 1 Folder 8
Orders, 1900-1906

Includes a September 15, 1905 cover letter signed by George Dewey.

Subseries 1c: Personal and Official Correspondence, 1889-1933 Boxes 1-2

Subseries Description

Letters sent and received by William A. Moffett. The letters pertain to various topics such as Moffett's daily routine and family news, as well as events such as the Chilean Civil War of 1891. Also included are a sequence of letters between and about author-convict Frederick McGuire and his efforts to obtain his release from prison.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged by nature of correspondence, thereunder chronologically.

Personal Correspondence, 1889 June 21-1891 March 3
Box 1 Folder 9 Item 1
From William A. Moffett, U.S.S. Constellation, Norfolk Navy Yard, to his mother, 1889 June 21

Narrative of the interruption of Naval Cadet Moffett's summer cruise caused by the grounding of the training ship, U.S.S. Constellation, and the dangers experienced by those aboard. ALS.

Box 1 Folder 9 Item 2
From William A. Moffett, U.S.S. Pensacola, Valparaiso, Chile, to his mother, 1891 March 3

Moffett's explanation of the causes and events of the Chilean revolution, with emphasis on the Chilean Navy's part in the revolution. Remarks on possibility of US-English armed conflict over the Bering Sea. ALS.

Personal Correspondence, 1891 March 4-1895 (approximate)
Box 1 Folder 10 Item 1
From William A. Moffett, U.S.S. Pensacola, Valparaiso, Chile, to his mother, 1891 March 4

Family news, Moffett's Spanish studies, religious reading, smoking, and Moffett made Mate of the Hull. ALS.

Box 1 Folder 10 Item 2
From William A. Moffett, U.S.S. Pensacola, Valparaiso, Chile, to his mother, 1891 March 5, 10

Possibility of war with England, description of English and French naval ships in harbor, Moffett's work as Mate of the Hull, plans for the ship to visit Chilean ports.

Box 1 Folder 10 Item 3
From William A. Moffett, U.S.S. Pensacola, Caldera, Chile, to his mother, 1891 March 24

Account of visits to Chilean ports affected by the revolution, accounts of Chilean military/naval activity, mention of Moffett's naval duties, Moffett's readings. Letter cuts off following page 6. AL.

Box 1 Folder 10 Item 4
From William A. Moffett, U.S.S. Chicago, Southampton, England, 1893 August 23

Family news, shipboard duties, leisure activities, purchase and use of bicycle, Moffett's girlfriends. ALS.

Box 1 Folder 10 Item 5
From William A. Moffett, 1893 (approximate)

Remarks on souvenirs for family, and on purchase of Moorish rug at Gibraltar, possible career plans. Letter complete. AL.

Box 1 Folder 10 Item 6
From William A. Moffett, 1895 (approximate)

Moffett's plans and arrangement for new naval post. Letter incomplete.

Personal and Official Correspondence, 1921-1923
Box 2 Folder 1 Item 1
From William A. Moffett to Paul P. Blackburn, U.S.S. Mississippi, 1921 April 9

Appreciation of gift of sword from crew of U.S.S. Mississippi and Moffett's sentiments on the formula for an "efficient and happy ship." L.

Box 2 Folder 1 Item 2
From William A. Moffett to S. D. Butler, 1921 August 15

Appreciation of gift of Rear Admiral's flag from the Marines at Quantico and praise of "the high efficiency and spirit" of Quantico. L.

Box 2 Folder 1 Item 3
From J. W. Moore, U.S.S. Mississippi, to William A. Moffett, 1922 January 20

Anecdotes and news of the U.S.S. Mississippi.

Box 2 Folder 1 Item 4
Correspondence regarding W. J. Elliott's request for Moffett's aid in purchasing navy-owned land, 1923 May 16-July 5
Personal and Official Correspondence, 1925-1932
Box 2 Folder 2 Item 1
From W. F. Benedict to William A. Moffett, 1925 August 8

Notification of Moffett's appointment as an Honorary Member of the Citizens' Reception Committee for the U.S. Navy fliers who are to hop off at San Francisco on non-stop flight to Hawaii. LS.

Box 2 Folder 2 Item 2
From William A. Moffett to Mrs. E. C. B. Vanderpoel, 1927 May 19

Request for neighbor to permit new windows in Moffett's house. L.

Box 2 Folder 2 Item 3
From Cousin Mag to William A. Moffett, 1927 September 26

Family news. ALS.

Box 2 Folder 2 Item 4
From William A. Moffett to Louis T. Rouleau, 1931 June 8

Complaint of noise from Rouleau's home. L.

Box 2 Folder 2 Item 5
From William A. Moffett to his children Janet, George and Bill, 1932 July 11

Family news. LS.

Box 2 Folder 3-5
Correspondence regarding Frederick A. McGuire, 1922 December 17-1933 March 30

Moffett's correspondence with and about Frederick A. McGuire (aka Carl T. Mack, James R. Parker). Pertains to efforts of McGuire, an author-convict, to obtain his release from prison with the aid of Moffett and other prominent supporters. Includes his successful efforts to obtain pardon and his later experiences as a laborer at U.S. naval Air Station, Seattle, Washington. Includes an account of Ensign E.E. Dildine's flight from Wenatchee to Yakima and Moffett's opinion of Japan's navy and air strength.

Subseries 1d: Financial and Real Estate Files, 1908-1933 Boxes 2-4

Subseries Description

Documentation of Moffett's personal finances, investments, and real estate matters. The materials focus on Moffett's expenditures, investments in oil and mineral companies, and property purchases. Included in the subseries are ledgers and correspondence. In addition to financial matters, the financial ledgers also include diary type entries pertaining to Moffett's naval career.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged by document type and topic, thereunder chronologically.

Box 2 Folder 6
Personal Financial Ledger: Volume 1, 1908-1911

Includes New Year's accounts of Moffett's present career situation and activities, future career plans, and family matters.

Box 2 Folder 7
Personal Financial Ledger: Volume 2, 1921-1922

Includes entries concerning passage of a bill to create a Bureau of Aeronautics (pages 135-136, 143-144), and mentions of domestic difficulty (page 119).

Box 2 Folder 8
Personal Financial Ledger: Volume 3, 1923-1926

Includes entries on Moffett's desire to lead an Arctic expedition (page 45) and a draft of an irate letter to Admiral Robinson (page 141).

Box 2 Folder 9
Personal Financial Ledger: Volume 4, 1926-1932

Includes entries on Moffett's Navy career, travel, aviation activities, and family matters. Specific entries include the death of Moffett's daughter, Betty (page 142) and Moffett's appointment as Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics (page 188).

Box 3 Folder 1-4
Financial Correspondence - Miscellaneous, 1922-1933

Personal and domestic financial transactions. Bills, purchases, expenses, receipts, insurance, loans, club dues, educational and housing costs.

Box 3 Folder 5-6
Financial Correspondence - Investments - Apex Oil Company, 1921 February 2-1926 May 6

Correspondents include Eugene Overton and Arthur Gage.

Box 3 Folder 7
Financial Correspondence - Investments - Botzum Holdings Company, 1921 May 6-August 16

Correspondents include C. A. Botzum and J. H. Hulse. Pertains to investments and investigation of Company, also Botzum's request to be placed on active U.S. Navy air duty.

Box 3 Folder 8
Financial Correspondence - Investments - Clint Wood Oil Company, 1921 February 12-1922 October 12

Correspondents include G. Clint Wood and R. G. Wales.

Box 3 Folder 9
Financial Correspondence - Investments - Mineral Area Syndicate of South Porcupine, Ontario, 1928 April 3-1932 January 22

Correspondents include W. L. Stevenson. W. L. Stevenson defrauded Moffett through investments in fraudulent Canadian mining claims. Later items deal with attempts to trace and bring Stevenson to justice.

Box 3 Folder 10-11
Real Estate Correspondence - Miscellaneous, 1925-1933

Inquiries and replies concerning real estate Moffett was considering purchasing.

Box 3 Folder 12
Real Estate Correspondence - Leesburg, Virginia Properties, 1931 April 29-August 28

Regarding purchase and maintenance of Leesburg properties.

Box 4 Folder 1-2
Real Estate Correspondence - Leesburg, Virginia Properties, 1931 September 9-1933 March 24

Regarding purchase and maintenance of Leesburg properties.

Subseries 1e: Biographical and Subject Files, 1914-1939 Box 4

Subseries Description

Documents kept by Moffett pertaining to various naval and naval aviation related topics. Specifically, the materials pertain to naval aviators and their flight pay, the London Naval Conference of 1930, the strength of the U.S. Navy, the 1914 Battle of Veracruz, the christening of U.S.S. Macon, the loss of U.S.S. Akron, and death benefits received by Moffett's widow. Included in the subseries are Senate and House of Representatives documents, press releases, speeches, battle reports, newsletters, memoranda, invitations, and ephemera.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by document topics and type.

Box 4 Folder 3
Aircraft Carriers, undated

"Brief discussion...to broadly outline our needs with respect to aircraft carriers for a 'peace time' Navy."

Box 4 Folder 4
Aviation Fuel, 1933 March

Note regarding aviation gas payment.

Box 4 Folder 5
Battle of Veracruz, 1914 April 23

From William A. Moffett, U.S.S. Chester, to Commander Detached Squadron, U.S. Atlantic Fleet: Report of Action - Vera Cruz, Mexico, April 22, 1914.

Box 4 Folder 6
Biographical Profiles, 1926-1933 (approximate)

Biographical sketches, outlines and related correspondence, mostly prepared for biographical reference publications.

Box 4 Folder 7
Bureau of Aeronautics Newsletter, 1928 October 17

No. 193. Pertains to Aircraft Squadrons, air bases and stations, and U.S. Marine Corps aviation.

Box 4 Folder 8
Effect of Aviation, 1922

"The Effect of Aviation on the Relation of Bermuda, the Bahamas, the West Indian Islands, and Foreign Owned Territory on the Mainland, to the Continental United States and the Panama Canal." Includes a map.

Box 4 Folder 9
Event Program - U.S.S. Akron Memorial Service, 1933 April 9

Service held at the National Cathedral.

Box 4 Folder 10
Honorary Degree, 1929 June 19

"Address on the occasion of the presentation of Rear Admiral William A. Moffett for the honorary degree of Doctor of Aeronautical Science, at the Pennsylvania Military College, Chester, PA" by John W. Loveland.

House and Senate Documents, 1924-1939
Box 4 Folder 11 Item 1
No. 147 "Comments on Article in the New York Times of April 28, 1924, Quoting Mr. W. B. Shearer", 1924 May 8

Theodore Roosevelt's remarks on U.S. strength.

Box 4 Folder 11 Item 2
No. 177 "Reply of the Navy Department to Certain Questions Contained in House Resolution 286, Authorizing and Directing the Secretary of the Navy to Furnish the House of Representatives Certain Data on the Naval Strength of the American Navy, Etc.", 1924 May 21
Box 4 Folder 11 Item 3
"No. 178 "Synopsis of Secretary Wilber's Reply to the Britten Resolution of Inquiry for Certain Facts Concerning the Status of the Naval Establishment", 1924 May 22
Box 4 Folder 11 Item 4
Senate Report No. 664 "To Authorize Alterations to Certain Naval Vessels and to Provide for the Construction of Additional Vessels", 1924 May 31
Box 4 Folder 11 Item 5
Recommendation for increase of pension of Jeanette W. Moffett, widow of Rear Admiral William A. Moffett, 1939 June 23

Includes the naval and medical history of the late William A. Moffett and a biographical appreciation by T. H. Robbins.

Box 4 Folder 12
Identification and Visitor Cards, undated

Moffett's calling card and Ground Hog Club of America membership card.

Box 4 Folder 13
Invitations, undated

Invitations for the Canadian Club of Montreal and the inspection of H.M. Airship R-100 at St. Hubert.

London Naval Conference, 1929-1930
Box 4 Folder 14 Item 1
Criticism of U.S. ineptitude against British at prior armament limitation conferences and fear that U.S. will give up submarines at upcoming conference, 1929 October 9
Box 4 Folder 14 Item 2
Third Session admission ticket, 1930
Box 4 Folder 14 Item 3
"The London Naval Conference", 1930 January 20

Speech of the Honorable Burton L. French of Idaho in the House of Representatives.

Box 4 Folder 14 Item 4
Scrapbook Entry, 1930 March 27

Photocopies of entry from the scrapbook made by Admiral Moffett's secretary at the London Naval Conference of 1930. Regards visit to Tilbury Docks and the City of London Docks, and luncheon with Premier MacDonald.

Box 4 Folder 14 Item 5
Press Release - "Statement Made by Rear Admiral Moffett, Chief Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, upon His Return from London, April 21, 1930, 1930 April 21
Box 4 Folder 15
Mann, Louis L., 1927 February 27

"Echoes from the American Citizenship Dinner." Response to criticism that Mann's speech at the Citizenship Dinner was a rebuttal of William A. Moffett's preceding speech.

Naval Aviators/Flight Pay, 1926-1933
Box 4 Folder 16 Item 1
From S. S. Robison, Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet to Secretary of the Navy via Chief of Naval Operations, 1926 March 15

Regarding pending personnel legislation relating to the status of naval aviators.

Box 4 Folder 16 Item 2
To Chairman, 1932 March 10

Cover letter with enclosure of statement regarding U.S. Navy flight pay, which had been inserted in hearings before the Sub-Committee on Appropriations.

Box 4 Folder 16 Item 3
For Carl Vinson. Excerpt from a Confidential Memorandum, 1933 February 21

Support for thorough, complete Congressional hearings regarding proviso on current bill to reduce the flight pay received by certain officers of high rank.

Box 4 Folder 17
Ostfriesland, 1921 July 20

Annex No. 1 to Field Orders No. 14. First Provisional Air Brigade. "Signal Communications." Pertains to joint Army-Navy bombing maneuvers and bombing of the ex-German ship Ostfriesland.

Box 4 Folder 18
Press Releases, 1932-1933

Releases regarding Moffett's October 29, 1929 speech at the Third Annual Navy Reunion of Naval Post, the American Union in Chicago and the February 1933 announcement of Mrs. Moffett's service as sponsor of U.S.S. Macon (Rigid airship: ZRS-5).

Box 4 Folder 19
Rigid Airship Mail Subsidies, 1932 March 15

To Carl Vinson. Request for Vinson's aid to encourage passage of bill for the payment of mail subsidies to rigid airships.

Subseries 1f: Writings, 1926-1932 Box 4

Subseries Description

Periodical articles written by William A. Moffett regarding aviation and its role in national defense, rigid airships, and calendar revision.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by date of publication.

Box 4 Folder 20
"Aviation in America's National Defense, 1926

Published in the Mid-March issue of Our Navy.

Box 4 Folder 21
"Liners of the Air: What the Dirigible Means to Commerce, 1928 December 1

Published in Liberty.

Box 4 Folder 22
"Revision Inevitable", 1932 June

Published in the Journal of Calendar Reform.

Box 4 Folder 23
"Aviation Progress in America", undated

Published in The New York Times Current History.

Box 4 Folder 24
"Five Progressive Years in Naval Aviation", undated

Table of contents only from Aero Digest.

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Series 2: William A. Moffett, Jr. Files, 1933-1983 Boxes 4-5

Series Description

Documentation kept by William A. Moffett's son, William A. Moffett, Jr. The documents pertain to William A. Moffett's life and career, Naval Air Station Moffett Field, the donation of Moffett's personal papers to the United States Naval Academy, and William A. Moffett, Jr’s advocacy for continued military support of lighter-than-air programs. The first two subseries pertain directly to the crash of U.S.S. Akron and the resulting death of William A. Moffett. Included in the subseries are incoming and outgoing letters, brochures, event programs, and periodical articles.

Series Arrangement

Organized into six subseries by document type and topic.

Subseries 2a: Letters of Sympathy on Death of William Adger Moffett, 1933 Box 4

Subseries Description

Letters of sympathy received by the family of William Adger Moffett. Correspondents include W. V. Pratt, James J. Raby, Hugh Rodman, Franklin Roosevelt, Mrs. Roosevelt, William Schiff, James M. Shoemaker, L. Y. Spear, W. V. Tomb, Richmond K. Turner, Carl Vinson, G. C. Westervelt, Newton H. White, Jr., Curtis D. Wilbur, and Philip K. Wrigley. For conservation purposes, the letters have been removed from an acidic scrapbook.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically.

Box 4 Folder 25
Correspondents A-P, 1933 April
Box 4 Folder 26
Correspondents R, 1933 April
Box 4 Folder 27
Correspondents S, 1933 April
Box 4 Folder 28
Correspondents T-Z, 1933 April

Subseries 2b: Messages of Sympathy on Crash of Akron (Airship), 1933 Boxes 4-5

Subseries Description

Copies of sympathy messages received by U.S. government officials and agencies, with copies of responses. Many messages from foreign heads of state and foreign and U.S. dignitaries. Included in the first folder of materials is a cover letter dated May 23, 1933.

Specific messages include an April 6 message from Arthur Bliss Lane to Secretary of State explaining the political reasons for acknowledging a sympathy message of Doctor Pedro Jose Zepeda (Nicaraguan Sandino); an April 12 message from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Captain Carl Dalldorf, S.S. Phoebus expressing gratitude for Dalldorf's rescue of survivors of the Akron; and an April 4 message from William "Billy" Mitchell to Secretary of the Navy Claude Swanson expressing Mitchell's desire to see rigid airship development continue.

Subseries Arrangement

Materials have been removed from their original binder but left in original order. Exact system of original order unknown.

Box 4 Folder 29
Messages of Sympathy, 1933 April-May
Box 5 Folder 1-2
Messages of Sympathy, 1933 April-May

Subseries 2c: Lighter-Than-Air Correspondence, 1942-1948, 1972 Box 5

Subseries Description

Correspondence of William A. Moffett, Jr. regarding U.S. Navy lighter-than-air programs. The correspondence, much of it official, covers topics such as the role of airships in anti-submarine warfare, advocacy for lighter-than-air development, reductions in Navy lighter-than-air programs, and the Goodyear tire and Rubber Company. Notable correspondents include C. E. Rosendahl, T. G. W. Settle, and Goodyear officials.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Box 5 Folder 3
Lighter-Than-Air Correspondence, 1942 August 16-November 27

U.S. Navy correspondence. Letter from C. E. Rosendahl to Secretary of the Navy, with endorsements by high-ranking naval officers, regarding unsatisfactory lighter-than-air (LTA) situation in the Navy and possible solutions. Includes cover note from F. L. Worden dated April 18, 1947.

Box 5 Folder 4
Lighter-Than-Air Correspondence, 1946 November 15-1947 June 16

Primarily U.S. Navy correspondence, issued by T. G. W. Settle, Airship Advisor to DCNO (Air) and the Chief of Naval Airship Training and Experimentation. Pertains to airships for anti-submarine warfare, replacement program for airships, anti-submarine warfare exercises with Commander Carrier Division Fifteen in March-April 1947, airship officer billet on Naval War College staff, aircraft main engines, ZP target drones, critique of Pacific Fleet exercise 2-47, elimination of West Coast LTA operations, airships in air defense, and award recommendation for Blimp Squadron 14.

Box 5 Folder 5
Lighter-Than-Air Correspondence, 1947 January 21-October 20

Correspondence between C. E. Rosendahl and William A. Moffett, Jr., as well as J. W. Reeves and A. W. Radford. Pertains to Rosendahl's and Moffett's advocacy in support of lighter-than-air programs, remarks on various LTA publications, remarks on various Navy officers (including J.H. Towers), proposed awards for personnel establishing record flight in XM-1, possible use of airships for U.S. Navy transport purposes, and the Moffett Airship Foundation.

Box 5 Folder 6
Lighter-Than-Air Correspondence, 1947 January 29-March 21

Correspondence between William A. Moffett, Jr. and Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company officials P. W. Litchfield, H. Allen, and M.G. Alexander. Pertain to Allen and Litchfield's book Why Has America No Rigid Airships?.

Box 5 Folder 7
Lighter-Than-Air Correspondence, 1947-1948 (approximate)

Includes a discussion of airships entitled "An Unanswered Question" by William A. Moffett, Jr.

Box 5 Folder 8
Lighter-Than-Air Correspondence, 1972 June 10

From C. E. Rosendahl to William A. Moffett, Jr. requesting information on William A. Moffett's 1923 flight aboard the airship Shenandoah.

Subseries 2d: General Correspondence, 1947-1983 Box 5

Subseries Description

Letters send and received by William A. Moffett, Jr., largely pertaining to William A. Moffett, his biography, and memorials and tributes to him.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

General Correspondence, 1947-1949
Box 5 Folder 9 Item 1
From Claude Bailey to William Adger Moffett, Jr., 1947 March 24

Cover letter relating relationship of Bailey and William A. Moffett. Enclosure: Account of William A. Moffett and "Rats" incident, U.S. Naval Academy 1889. LS.

Box 5 Folder 9 Item 2
From Edward Arpee to William A. Moffett, Jr., 1949 September 13

Arpee's plans and intentions for William A. Moffett's biography.

General Correspondence, 1956-1968
Box 5 Folder 10 Item 1
From A. W. Johnson to William A. Moffett, Jr., 1956 February 8

Request that researcher, Lester H. Brune, be allowed to use Moffett Papers. ALS.

Box 5 Folder 10 Item 2
William A. Moffett, Jr. to Editor, Virginia-Pilot, 1968 (approximate)

Commentary on the Song My (My Lai) Massacre.

General Correspondence, 1981-1983
Box 5 Folder 11 Item 1
From James W. Condit, U.S.S. Yorktown CV-10 Association, Inc. to William A. Moffett, Jr., 1981 July 30

Invitation for William A. Moffett, Jr. to attend ceremonies enshrining the late William A. Moffett in the Carrier Aviation Hall of Fame. Enclosures: Schedule of events and description of Association. Photocopy.

Box 5 Folder 11 Item 2
From William A. Moffett, Jr. to James Watkins, 1983 April 22

Remarks on William "Billy" Mitchell and William A. Moffett. Photocopy.

Box 5 Folder 11 Item 3
From William A. Moffett, Jr. to M.W. Cagle, 1983 September 26

Cover letter and enclosures regarding William A. Moffett and his Medal of Honor from Veracruz in 1914, Pensacola, and family relationships. Photocopy.

Subseries 2e: Moffett Field Materials, 1942-1983 Box 5

Subseries Description

Documentation of Naval Air Station Moffett Field, including its history, description, and fiftieth anniversary celebration in 1983.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Box 5 Folder 12
Newsletter, 1942 June 13

Volume 1, Number 1 of The Gas Bag, Moffett Field's newsletter.

Box 5 Folder 13
Periodical Articles, 1957

Two articles from United States Naval Institute Proceedings.

Moffett Field Fiftieth Anniversary, 1983
Box 5 Folder 14 Item 1
Celebration brochure, 1983 April 12
Box 5 Folder 14 Item 2
Speech by Rear Admiral William A. Moffett, Jr. USN (Retired), Delivered at Moffett Field California to the Santa Clara Valley Council of the Navy League..., 1983 April 12
Box 5 Folder 14 Item 3
"A Flight Through History: Moffett Field Golden Jubilee Dinner Brochure", 1983 July 1
Box 5 Folder 14 Item 4
Fiftieth Anniversary Moffett Field Directory, 1983
Box 5 Folder 14 Item 5
Nolte, Carl. "the Dinosaurs of Moffett: Air Base Celebrates 50 Years", 1983 April 12

Article from the San Francisco Chronicle.

Subseries 2f: Eugene E. Wilson Foundation Materials, 1959-1976 Box 5

Subseries Description

Correspondence among William A. Moffett, Jr., Eugene E. Wilson, Draper L. Kauffman, Vernon D. Tate (U.S. Naval Academy Library), William F. Fitzgerald, Francis P. Antel, Grover C. Walker (U.S. Naval Academy Museum), Richard Evans (U.S. Naval Academy Library), and others, including a memorandum for the Deputy Judge Advocate General. The materials pertain to the William Adger Moffett Papers (and Eugene E. Wilson Papers), its planned donation to the United States Naval Academy, and litigation over the collection involving Francis P. Antel and the Literary Investment Guild, Inc. Included in the subseries are a prospectus of the Eugene E. Wilson Foundation and Antel's Profile of an American Aircraftsman.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Box 5 Folder 15-16
Eugene E. Wilson Foundation Materials, 1959-1976

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Series 3: Publications, 1914-1989 Boxes 5-7

Series Description

Newspaper clippings, periodical articles, and books pertaining to U.S. Navy airships and the life and career of William A. Moffett. Specifically, the materials relate to the wreck of U.S.S. Akron, aircraft carrier development, and the donation of the William A. Moffett Papers, as well as other topics related to U.S. Navy aviation. Included in the series are articles written by U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Charles E. Rosendahl, as well as a compilation of documents, namely clippings and memoranda, pertaining to the life of William A. Moffett.

Series Arrangement

Organized into four subseries by document type and author.

Subseries 3a: News Clippings, 1914-1970 Box 5-6

Subseries Description

News clippings pertaining to William A. Moffett's life and career, Navy airships, William "Billy" Mitchell, U.S.S. Macon and U.S.S. Akron.

Use of the materials in this subseries is restricted to photocopies, where possible.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged chronologically. A separate sequence of clippings on the crash of U.S.S. Akron appears at the end of the subseries.

Box 5 Folder 17
News Clippings (Originals), 1914-1933 (approximate)

Activities and career of William A. Moffett and other naval aviation topics, including U.S.S. Chester (Scout cruiser), Moffett's Medal of Honor, Mrs. Moffett, Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Moffett vs. Mitchell, and the airships U.S.S. Akron and U.S.S. Macon.

Box 5 Folder 18
News Clippings (Photocopies), 1914-1933 (approximate)
Box 5 Folder 19
News Clippings (Originals), 1942-1970 (approximate)

Pertains to William A. Moffett, airships, and U.S. Navy Air. Includes several newspaper columns by Al Williams.

Box 5 Folder 20
News Clippings (Photocopies), 1942-1970 (approximate)
Box 5 Folder 21
News Clippings - Miscellaneous (Originals), 1925, undated
Box 6 Folder 1
News Clippings - Crash of Airship Akron (Originals), 1933 April 4-May 21

Crash of U.S.S. Akron, subsequent events, commentaries, testimonies, editorials, and the burial of William A. Moffett.

Box 6 Folder 2
News Clippings - Crash of Airship Akron (Photocopies), 1933 April 4-May 21

Subseries 3b: Periodical Articles, 1916-1984 Box 6

Subseries Description

Periodical articles pertaining to such topics as radial engine development, U.S.S. Akron, aircraft carrier development, the donation of the Moffett Papers, and William A. Moffett's U.S. Navy career. Included with the articles are speeches, brochures and event programs.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Periodical Articles, 1916-1932 (approximate)
Box 6 Folder 3 Item 1
French, W. F. "Making a Great Navy: How Admiral Moffett is Inspiring American Youth." Illustrated World, 1916 (approximate)

Pertains to Great Lakes Naval Training Station.

Box 6 Folder 3 Item 2
"Secretary Denby Launches Merchant Seaplane." Aviation and Aircraft Journal, 1921 May 9

William A. Moffett was present at the launching.

Box 6 Folder 3 Item 3
Hanson, E. "The Race to the South Pole." The Nation, 1928 October 24
Box 6 Folder 3 Item 4
Moore, S. T. "Akron Ahoy!" The American Legion Monthly, 1932 January
Periodical Articles, 1932
Box 6 Folder 4 Item 1
Hopper, J. "Moffett, Master Showman of the Air." The American Magazine, 1932 April
Periodical Articles, 1933-1934
Box 6 Folder 5 Item 1
"Boeing Transport." Aero Digest, 1933 April
Box 6 Folder 5 Item 2
"Pratt and Whitney's Development of Two-Row Radial Engines." Aero Digest, 1933 April
Box 6 Folder 5 Item 3
"The Akron Horror." The Literary Digest, 1933 April 17
Box 6 Folder 5 Item 4
"Akron Aftermath." Time, 1933 April 17
Box 6 Folder 5 Item 5
Caldwell. "Up Ship!" Aero Digest, 1933 May
Box 6 Folder 5 Item 6
Robbins, T. H. "Rear Admiral Moffett, Naval Officer, an Appreciation." Reprinted from Journal of the American Society of Naval Engineers, 1933 May
Box 6 Folder 5 Item 7
Cleveland, R.M. "Fly Fast - Fly Slow." Scientific American, 1933 June
Box 6 Folder 5 Item 8
"More about the Akron." U.S. Air Services, 1934 April
Periodical Articles, 1944-1963, undated
Box 6 Folder 6 Item 1
Merritt, J. I. "Son of a Blimp." Princeton Alumni Weekly, undated
Box 6 Folder 6 Item 2
From Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, to Distribution List. Confidential Cincpac File. Tactical Foresight, 1944 May 29
Box 6 Folder 6 Item 3
"Navy! - Why Not?" Aeronautical Digest, 1945 December 15

Editorial regarding lighter-than-air.

Box 6 Folder 6 Item 4
Navy Day Speech of Rear Admiral H. B. Sallada, U.S. Navy Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department Navy Day, 1946 Charleston, South Carolina, 1946

Includes remarks on William A. Moffett.

Box 6 Folder 6 Item 5
Robbins, T. H. Quotes regarding sea power and naval aviation, 1946 October 26
Box 6 Folder 6 Item 6
Wilson, G. R. "National Airship Policy Suggested." Reprinted from New York Herald Tribune, 1947 August 13
Box 6 Folder 6 Item 7
Wilson, G. R. "Navy's Future Called Greater Than Ever." Reprinted from New York Herald Tribune, 1947 October 23
Box 6 Folder 6 Item 8
Dater, H. M. Airfields at Sea: the Development of Carrier Warfare. The Fairchild Engine and Aircraft Corporation, 1954 (approximate)
Box 6 Folder 6 Item 9
Wilson, Eugene E. "Moffett and the Maritime Doctrine." Shipmate, 1959 May
Box 6 Folder 6 Item 10
"Faces of Naval Aviation." Navy, 1961 May
Box 6 Folder 6 Item 11
Wilson, Eugene E. "The Gift of Foresight." U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings, 1963 March
Periodical Articles, 1966-1979
Box 6 Folder 7 Item 1
Rhodes, L. M. "The Night the Akron Crashed." The American Legion Magazine, 1966 August
Box 6 Folder 7 Item 2
"Men Who Made the Navy." Naval Historical Foundation Spring Report, 1975 April

Bicentennial exhibition featuring William A. Moffett.

Box 6 Folder 7 Item 3
Naval Aviation Museum Dedication Luncheon Program, 1975 April 13
Box 6 Folder 7 Item 4
"Men Who Made the Navy." Naval Historical Foundation Fall Report, 1975 October

Bicentennial exhibition feature William A. Moffett.

Box 6 Folder 7 Item 5
Point Lobos Section, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) - Admiral William Adger Moffett Award Program, 1976

Award given annually to graduate in Aeronautical Engineering on the basis of academic excellence including thesis and evaluation of career potential.

Box 6 Folder 7 Item 6
"Here (Maybe) Comes (Cleanly, Quietly) the (Big, Beautiful) Helium Horse", 1977 (approximate)
Box 6 Folder 7 Item 7
"Admiral Moffett Papers at USNA." NASOH Newsletter, 1979 Winter
Periodical Articles, 1981
Box 6 Folder 8 Item 1
"From the Editor's Notebook." Naval Aviation News, 1981 August
Box 6 Folder 8 Item 2
Russell, Sandy. "William A. Moffett." Naval Aviation News, 1981 August
Box 6 Folder 8 Item 3
"Carrier Aviation Hall of Fame to be Dedicated." The Naval and Maritime Museum Deck Log, 1981

William A. Moffett to be inducted into Carrier Aviation Hall of Fame, October 4, 1981.

Periodical Articles, 1981-1984
Box 6 Folder 9 Item 1
United States Naval Aviation Hall of Honor Dedication and Enshrinement Ceremony Program, 1981 October 14

Includes biographical profiles of Moffett and other enshrined.

Box 6 Folder 9 Item 2
U.S.S. Yorktown CV-10 Association brochure, 1981

Includes text of William A. Moffett's plaque in Carrier Aviation Hall of Fame.

Box 6 Folder 9 Item 3
"The Rear Admiral William Adger Moffett Papers." Nimitz Library Newsletter, 1983 January
Box 6 Folder 9 Item 4
Rough list of significant William A. Moffett letters, 1984 May 12

Subseries 3c: C. E. Rosendahl Publications, 1944-1947 Box 6

Subseries Description

Writings by Vice Admiral Charles E. Rosendahl advocating for U.S. Navy lighter-than-air programs. Rosendahl served aboard U.S.S. Shenandoah (ZR-1) and as commanding officer of U.S.S. Los Angeles (ZR-3).

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically.

C. E. Rosendahl Publications, 1944-1947
Box 6 Folder 10 Item 1
"We Need Airships!" Reprinted from Colliers, 1944 June 10
Box 6 Folder 10 Item 2
"Brief for a National Airship Policy." Reprinted from Aero Digest, 1945 October 1
Box 6 Folder 10 Item 3
"Preface." "They Were Dependable" - Airship Operation in World War II, 1946 July

Preface written by Rosendahl while serving as Chief of Naval Airship Training and Experimentation. Inscribed by Rosendahl.

Box 6 Folder 10 Item 4
Report on the Lighter-Than-Air Situation made by C. E. Rosendahl, Vice Admiral U.S. Navy, Retired, to the National Aeronautics Committee of the American Legion, 1947 August 26

Subseries 3d: Books, 1919-1989 Box 7

Subseries Description

Books pertaining to the history of the Great Lakes Naval Training Station and airships in the United States, specifically U.S.S. Akron, Macon, and Shenandoah. Included in the subseries is a bound compilation of papers pertaining to William A. Moffett, including newspaper clippings, periodical articles, letters, and memoranda.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Box 7 Folder 1
Buzzell, Francis. The Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Boston: Small, Maynard, 1919

Inscribed "William A. Moffett, Jr."

Box 7 Folder 2
Litchfield, P.W. and Hugh Allen. Why Has America No Rigid Airships? Cleveland, Ohio: Corday and Gross, 1945
Box 7 Folder 3
Smith, Richard K. The Airships Akron and Macon. Annapolis, MD: United States Naval Institute Press, 1965

Inscribed "For RADM William A. Moffett, Jr. with best regards and thanks, Dick Smith, 16 June 1968.

Box 7 Folder 4
Hook, Thom. Shenandoah Saga. Annapolis, MD: Air Show Publishers, 1973

Inscribed "With Best Wishes Thom Hook, April 1974."

Box 7 Folder 5
Hook, Thom. Sky Ship: The Akron Era. Annapolis, MD: Airshow Publishers, 1976
Box 7 Folder 6
William A. Moffett Papers Compilation, 1989
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