Richard Mueller Nixon Letters, 1923-1930 (bulk 1926-1930): Finding Aid

Biography of Richard Mueller Nixon

Richard Mueller Nixon was born in Waterford, Ohio on January 26, 1910 to Milton Gregg Nixon, a farmer, and Stella Mueller Nixon. Appointed to the United States Naval Academy by Ohio Representative C. Ellis Moore in 1926, Nixon graduated as a member of the Class of 1930.

Upon graduation in June 1930, Nixon was initially assigned to U.S.S. West Virginia (Battleship: BB-48). After serving as a Civilian Conservation Corps administrator at Tahachapi, he was transferred to the Asiatic Fleet, where he served aboard the destroyers U.S.S. Tracy (DD-214) and U.S.S. Truxtun (DD-229). Towards the end of the decade, Nixon returned to the classroom, studying Ordnance Engineering at the Naval Postgraduate School.

Following the completion of his studies at the Postgraduate School, Nixon was reassigned to U.S.S. West Virginia in June 1939. On the morning of December 7, 1941, Nixon was on shore duty when the West Virginia was sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Subsequently, Nixon was attached to Maryland (Battleship: BB-46) and Tennessee (Battleship: BB-43) of the Pacific Fleet.

During the Korean War, Nixon took command of the ammunition ship U.S.S. Mount Baker (AE-4) upon her recommissioning on December 5, 1951. He would later command the repair ship U.S.S. Vulcan (AR-5). After the war, Nixon assumed command of the Naval Advanced Base in Bremerhaven, West Germany. Upon that base's transfer to West German control in 1956, he took command of the Military Sea Transportation Service Office, also in Bremerhaven.

In 1960, Nixon retired from active duty with the rank of Captain. Following his retirement from the Navy, he taught physics at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, New York for twelve years. Richard Mueller Nixon died in San Diego, California on May 21, 1989.

Description of Contents

The Richard Mueller Nixon Letters, comprising 0.63 linear feet of documentation, span from 1923 to 1930, with the overwhelming majority written between 1926 and 1930, while Nixon was a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy. Nixon's letters touch upon various aspects of student life at the Naval Academy, including academics, athletics, summer cruises, conduct and discipline, and the activities of Nixon's classmates.

Included with the letters are several monthly report cards, postcards, greeting cards, an invitation, and a mental examination permit.

The Richard Mueller Nixon Letters are arranged into a single records series with no subdivisions. Aside from those letters in the last file of the collection, all of the letters are written by Nixon to his parents, Milton and Stella, and sister, Emily. The majority of the letters make reference to Nixon's performance in monthly exams and his studies, particularly those in Steam, Ordnance, Spanish (referred to throughout as Dago), Electrical Engineering (referred to throughout as Juice) and Physics and Chemistry (referred to throughout as Skinny). Letters written in the fall also tend to focus heavily on the Naval Academy football team and on college football in general. Letters written in the spring often make reference to Nixon's involvement with the track team, especially his efforts at pole vaulting. Nixon's summer letters are the product of his summer practice cruise experiences aboard the battleships U.S.S. Nevada, U.S.S. Florida, and U.S.S. Utah, and include descriptions of shipboard routine, as well as operations near and port calls in Panama, Guantanamo Bay, Barcelona, Rome, Naples, London, Weymouth, and the west coast of the United States. Other topics discussed by Nixon include personal finances, the Nixons' farm in Ohio, health and dental issues, aviation training, guest lecturers at the Academy, and the activities of classmates, including Alfred Lampe and a midshipman referred to simply as Johnny. Filed at the end of the collection are letters from 1925 and 1926 pertaining to Nixon's appointment to the Naval Academy.

Arrangement

The Richard Mueller Nixon Letters are arranged chronologically by date sent. Letters written by correspondents other than Nixon are filed at the end of the collection.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Richard Mueller Nixon Letters 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

Gift of Ann Nixon Gazourian in April 2004. Accession No. 04-06.

Related Materials

Location of Copies or Alternate Formats

The Nixon Letters have been digitized in their entirety. In addition to following the links in the Container List, the materials can be accessed through the USNA Digital Collections at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/ik5eus/alma991006445389206751

Related Archival Material

Additional material pertaining to Nixon's career and time as a midshipman can be found in his Midshipman Personnel Jacket (sealed until 2022) and Alumni Jacket, both available from 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

Richard Mueller Nixon Letters, MS 426

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in October 2015. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in October 2015.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Barcelona (Spain) -- Description and travel
• England -- Description and travel
• Florida (Battleship : BB-30)
• Italy -- Description and travel
• Midshipmen -- United States -- Conduct of life
• Nevada (Battleship : BB-36)
• Nixon, Richard Mueller, 1910-1989
• United States Naval Academy -- Curricula
• United States Naval Academy -- Examinations
• United States Naval Academy -- Football
• United States Naval Academy -- Midshipmen -- Cruises
• United States Naval Academy -- Social life and customs
• United States Naval Academy -- Students -- Correspondence
• United States Naval Academy. Class of 1930
• Utah (Battleship : BB-31)

Genre Terms

• Correspondence
• Manuscripts