James C. Longino Papers, 1935-1995 (bulk 1935-1976): Finding Aid
Published in January 2015
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 421
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
- Title: James C. Longino Papers
- Dates: 1935-1995
- Bulk Dates: 1935-1976
- Size: 4.71 linear feet
- Container Summary: 4 manuscript boxes, 1 half-manuscript box, 2 flat boxes, 1 flat folder
- Creator: Longino, James C., 1918-1977
- Language(s) of material: English, French
- Abstract: James Charles Longino, Jr. was an Admiral in the United States Navy and a member of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1940. The papers are the product of Longino's thirty-six year career in the United States Navy and touch on nearly all of Longino's duty stations, with an emphasis on his service as an aviator in World War II and subsequent sea duties, as well as his education experiences at the United States Naval Academy and Columbia University.
Biographical Chronology of James C. Longino
- 1918
- Born April 23 in Fairburn, Georgia to James C. and Margaret E. (McLarin) Longino.
- 1936
- Receives appointment to the United States Naval Academy.
- 1940
- On June 6, graduates from the United States Naval Academy as a member of the Class of 1940 and is commissioned in the United States Navy as an Ensign.
- Attached to U.S.S. Pensacola (Cruiser : CA-24).
- 1942
- In February, is detached from U.S.S. Pensacola for flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.
- 1943
- Designated a Naval Aviator.
- In June, reports to Naval Air Advanced Training Command, Pensacola, as an instructor in flight tactics.
- On August 1, marries Helen O'Brien.
- 1944
- In September, assumes command of Carrier Air Group 40 aboard U.S.S. Suwannee (Escort aircraft carrier : CVE-27).
- 1945
- Receives the Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal for combat duty in the vicinity of Nansei Shoto (Ryukyu Islands) from April to June.
- In November, is assigned to the Naval Air Training Command, Pensacola, to train in night fighter operations.
- 1946
- In March, qualifies in night fighter operations.
- Attached to the United States Embassy in Paris as Assistant Naval Attaché for Air.
- 1949
- In January, is assigned to the Aviation Personnel Division of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, DC.
- 1951
- In July, assumes command of Fighter Squadron 61 of the Atlantic Fleet.
- 1953
- In July, reports to Columbia University as Executive Officer of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit.
- 1955
- In June, begins postgraduate instruction at Columbia University's School of International Affairs.
- 1956
- In June, is awarded the degree of Master of International Affairs from Columbia University.
- Attached to U.S.S. Lake Champlain (Aircraft carrier : CV-39) as Operations Officer and, later, Executive Officer.
- 1958
- In March, reports as U.S. National Representative on the Staff of Commander Central Mediterranean Area.
- 1960
- In August, is assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in the Politico-Military Division.
- 1962
- In August, is detached from the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations for instruction at the National War College.
- 1963
- In July, assumes command of U.S.S. Canisteo (Oiler : AO-99).
- 1964
- In September, assumes command of U.S.S. Lake Champlain (Aircraft carrier : CV-39), which served as flagship for Commander Hunter-Killer Forces, Atlantic Fleet.
- 1965
- In August, U.S.S. Lake Champlain serves as the recovery vessel for the Gemini 5 capsule.
- In September, is detached from U.S.S. Lake Champlain for duty in the Office of Naval Warfare Analysis, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.
- 1967
- In June, is selected for promotion to Rear Admiral.
- In June, is appointed Deputy Director for Intelligence at Headquarters, Commander in Chief, U.S. European Command.
- 1969
- Awarded the Legion of Merit for service as Deputy Director for Intelligence.
- In September, assumes command of Fleet Air, San Diego, based out of the Naval Air Station, North Island.
- 1970
- In May, assumes additional duty as Commander Antisubmarine Warfare Group 3 and, later, Commander Antisubmarine Warfare Group 5.
- 1971
- In January, is detached from Fleet Air, San Diego.
- In May, is detached from Antisubmarine Warfare Group 5.
- In August, reported as Deputy Director for Plans of the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, DC.
- 1974
- In April, is detached from the Defense Intelligence Agency and is ordered to report as Defense Attaché and Naval Attaché at the United States Embassy, London.
- 1976
- On July 1, retires from the U.S. Navy.
- 1977
- On March 13, dies on Schilthorn Mountain, Switzerland, while skiing.
Description of Contents
The James C. Longino Papers, comprising 4.71 linear feet of documentation, span from 1935 to 1999 and are the product of Longino's thirty-six year career in the United States Navy. The papers touch on nearly all of Longino's duty stations, with an emphasis on his service as an aviator in World War II and subsequent sea duties, as well as his education experiences at the United States Naval Academy and Columbia University.
The collection is composed of letters, orders, certificates, clippings, citations, event programs, transcripts, theses, articles, videocassettes, photographs, negatives, and a motion picture reel.
The Longino Papers are organized into two series by document type. Both series are arranged largely by duty station, and offer a similar topical coverage spanning Longino's career. Both series emphasize Longino's tour of duty with Air Group 40 aboard U.S.S. Suwannee during World War II, his command of U.S.S. Lake Champlain during the recovery of Gemini 5, and his duties in San Diego, including his role as Commander Fleet Air, command of Antisubmarine Warfare Group 3, and his cruise to the Indian Ocean, Sea of Japan, and Bering Sea aboard U.S.S. Ticonderoga. Series 1: Subject Files also highlights Longino's education with files pertaining to his time at the United States Naval Academy and his Columbia University master's thesis, as well as his work in systems analysis. Series 2: Photographs offers a greater emphasis on the cruise of the U.S.S. Ticonderoga and the Gemini 5 recovery than do the Subject Files. Both series also touch upon Longino's tours as a Naval Attaché, experiences as a flight instructor, and command of U.S.S. Canisteo.
Arrangement
The James C. Longino Papers are organized into the following two series:
- Series 1: Subject Files, 1935-1995 (bulk 1935-1976)
- Series 2: Photographs, 1943-1971
Access and Use
Access
Access is unrestricted.
Copyright and Permission
The James C. Longino 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.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Videocassettes in Series 1 require the use of a VCR for playback. The motion picture film in Series 1 requires the use of an 8mm projector for playback.
Acquisition and Appraisal
Provenance and Acquisition
Gift of Virginia Longino Jordan in June 2011. Accession No. 11-08.
Related Materials
Related Archival Material
Additional biographical material pertaining to James C. Longino may be found in his Personnel Jacket (restricted until 2038) and Alumni Jacket in Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.
Materials Cataloged Separately
A copy of William McFee's The Law of the Sea (Lippincott, 1950) has been removed from this collection.
Processing and Other Information
Preferred Citation
James C. Longino Papers, MS 421
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Processing Information
This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in January 2015. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in January 2015.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Canisteo (Oiler : AO-99)
- Conrad, Pete, 1930-1999
- Cooper, Gordon, 1927-2004
- Gemini 5 (Spacecraft)
- Lake Champlain (Aircraft carrier : CV-39)
- Longino, James C., 1918-1977
- Military attachés -- United States
- Pensacola (Cruiser : CA-24)
- Project Gemini (U.S.)
- Suwannee (Escort aircraft carrier : CVE-27)
- Ticonderoga (Attack aircraft carrier : CVA-14)
- United States Naval Academy. Class of 1940
- United States. Navy. Air Group 40
- United States. Navy. Antisubmarine Warfare Group 3
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations, American
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Japan -- Okinawa Island
Genre Terms
- Certificates
- Clippings (information artifacts)
- Correspondence
- Manuscripts
- Motion pictures (visual works)
- Orders (military records)
- Photographs
- Programs (documents)
- Theses
- Videocassettes
Contents List
Series 1: Subject Files, 1935-1995 (bulk 1935-1976) Boxes 1-3, 6[OS]-7[OS]
Series DescriptionDocumentation of Longino's career in the United States Navy, spanning from his time as a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy until his final duty station as Defense and Naval Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in London. While spanning his entire career, the highest concentrations of material focus on Longino's experiences as an aviator during World War II, his command of U.S.S. Lake Champlain, and his command of Fleet Air, San Diego. Included in the series are letters, orders, certificates, clippings, citations, event programs, transcripts, videocassettes, a motion picture reel, and Longino's writings.
In addition to those files which are organized by duty station, the series also includes files of official correspondence, orders, flight logs, and citations that span Longino's entire career.
Among the documents from Longino's tour as commanding officer of U.S.S. Lake Champlain are materials pertaining to the recovery of NASA's Gemini 5 capsule, including a guest book signed by astronauts L. Gordon Cooper and Charles Conrad.
Series ArrangementArranged alphabetically by duty station, topic, and document type.
Series 2: Photographs, 1943-1971 Boxes 3-5, 6[OS], MSOS
Series DescriptionPhotographs, mainly black-and-white, from Longino's various tours of duty in the U.S. Navy, featuring images of events and activities such as aerial operations, shipboard receptions, and various ceremonies. Most of the photographs are the product of Longino's World War II service with Air Group 40 aboard U.S.S. Suwannee, service as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of U.S.S. Lake Champlain, and commands of Fleet Air, San Diego and Antisubmarine Warfare Group 3, the latter of which includes numerous photographs from U.S.S. Ticonderoga's 1971 deployment to the Far East. Included among the photographs are several negatives and copies of pencil drawings.
Among the photographs from U.S.S. Lake Champlain are images, taken by both the U.S. Navy and NASA, of the recovery of Gemini 5 and the reception of astronauts L. Gordon Cooper and Charles Conrad. Several of the photographs bear Cooper's and Conrad's autographs.
Series ArrangementArranged alphabetically by duty station and topic.