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Eugene Clark Rook Papers, 1913-1958: Finding Aid

Published in December 2016

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 442
  • Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
  • Title: Eugene Clark Rook Papers
  • Dates: 1913-1958
  • Size: 3.13 linear feet
  • Container Summary: 7 manuscript boxes, 1 half-manuscript box
  • Creator: Rook, Eugene Clark, 1902-1994
  • Language(s) of material: English
  • Abstract: Eugene Clark Rook was an officer in the United States Navy and a member of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1924. The Eugene Clark Rook Papers span from 1913 through 1958. The papers chronicle Rook's career in the U.S. Navy, as well has his studies at the Naval Academy and Naval War College, with a focus on his work in the field of naval ordnance and, to a much lesser degree, his command of LCI (L) Flotilla Twenty-One during World War II.

Biography of Eugene Clark Rook

Eugene Clark Rook was born on March 27, 1902 in Youngstown, Ohio. In 1920, Rook was appointed to the United States Naval Academy from Ohio's 19th Congressional District, and graduated as a member of the Class of 1924. The first five years of Rook's naval career were spent in Pacific and Asiatic waters. Assigned initially to the U.S.S. Idaho (Battleship: BB-42), Rook was transferred to the Yangtze Patrol aboard U.S.S. Helena (Gunboat: PG-9) in 1926, before returning to Pacific waters aboard U.S.S. Lexington (Aircraft carrier: CV-2) in 1928.

In 1929, Rook was assigned to the Naval Postgraduate School where he completed the Technical Ordnance Course in 1930. Upon completion, Rook pursued additional studies at the Carnegie Institute of Technology, authoring a thesis entitled "Aluminum-Copper-Nickel Alloy as a Possible Substitute for Alpha Brass for Use in Cartridge Cases," and earning a Master of Science in Metallurgical Engineering in 1931. Although his first post-instruction assignment was to U.S.S. Salt Lake City (Cruiser: CA-25), the bulk of the remainder of Rook's career was spent ashore in various ordnance related positions, beginning with his assignment as Naval Inspector of Ordnance Optical Equipment at Bausch & Lomb in Rochester in June 1935. Subsequent ordnance duties included tours as Assistant Inspector of Naval Material for the Pittsburgh Inspection District (May 1941-September 1942), Inspector of Naval Material for the Bethlehem Inspection District (September 1942-May 1944), and Commanding Officer of the Naval Ordnance Plant, York, Pennsylvania (February 1945-September 1949). These shore duties were punctuated by several tours at sea, including assignments on the staff of the commander of Destroyer Squadron Two (1938-1941), Commander of LCI (L) Flotilla Twenty-One (1944-1945), and captain of U.S.S. Sierra (Destroyer tender: AD-18) (1949-1950). Rook concluded his U.S. Navy career as Commanding Officer of the Naval Ammunition Depot, Crane, Indiana, retiring from naval service on June 30, 1954.

Following his retirement from the U.S. Navy, Rook briefly joined the Monon Railroad Company (also known as the Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville Railway Company) before accepting a position with the Blaw-Knox Company in September 1954. While at Blaw-Knox, Rook served as Vice President-General Manager of the Equipment Division, Vice President-General Manager of Fabricated Products Operations, and as Vice President-Assistant General Manager of the Fabricating, Engineering, and Construction Group. Rook retired once again on June 30, 1959.

Eugene Clark Rook married Edith R. Parsons on November 13, 1928. Together, the Rooks raised two sons; Theodore C. Rook (USNA 1951) and Eugene C. Rook, Jr. (USNA 1957). Following the death of Edith Rook in 1985, Eugene Rook married Marguerite Blackwood Marchant. Eugene Clark Rook died on September 17, 1994 in Kilmarnock, Virginia.

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Description of Contents

The Eugene Clark Rook Papers, comprising 3.13 linear feet of documentation, span from 1913 through 1958. The papers chronicle Rook's career in the U.S. Navy, as well has his studies at the Naval Academy and Naval War College, with a focus on his work in the field of naval ordnance and, to a much lesser degree, his command of LCI (L) Flotilla Twenty-One during World War II.

Included in the collection are incoming and outgoing letters, orders, memos, articles, essays, and ephemera, such as visiting cards.

The Eugene Clark Rook Papers are organized into three series based on document type and office of origin. Series 1: Education Files pertains to Rook's studies at the United States Naval Academy and Naval Postgraduate School, as well as his correspondence courses through the Naval War College. Series 2: United States Navy Files spans the majority of Rook's career in the United States Navy. The series is composed of Rook's personnel files, as well as a limited amount of documentation from nine of Rook's fourteen duty stations, including his various ordnance inspection duties and command of LCI (L) Flotilla Twenty-One during the latter part of World War II in the Pacific. More detailed and voluminous documentation of Rook's final command at Naval Ammunition Depot, Crane, Indiana is available in Series 3: Correspondence.

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Arrangement

The Eugene Clark Rook Papers are organized into the following three series:

  • Series 1: Education Files, 1920-1958
  • Series 2: United States Navy Files, 1913-1954
  • Subseries 2a: General, 1924-1950
  • Subseries 2b: Duty Stations, 1913-1954
  • Series 3: Correspondence, 1949-1954
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Access and Use

Access

Access to any potentially classified material is restricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Eugene Clark Rook 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.

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Acquisition and Appraisal

Custodial History

Eugene Rook's Naval Academy account book and navigation workbook were transferred from the Alumni/Memorabilia section of the Records of the United States Naval Academy in December 2016. Material pertaining to Naval Ordnance Plant, York and Naval Ammunition Depot, Crane were transferred from the Special Collections Vertical File in August 2018.

Provenance and Acquisition

Gift of Eugene Clark Rook in April 1977 and Eugene Clark Rook, Jr. in June 1995. Accession Nos. 77-004 and 95-38.

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Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional material pertaining to Rook's career and studies as a midshipman may be found in his Alumni Jacket and Midshipman Personnel Jacket, Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.

Materials Cataloged Separately

A 1950 edition of the Navy's Landing Party Manual and a copy of U.S. Life Lines: Procurement of Essential Materials have been removed and cataloged separately. Publications pertaining to the Golden Gate Bridge and Oakland Bay Bridge have been removed and added to the Special Collections Vertical File.

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Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Eugene Clark Rook Papers, MS 442

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in December 2016. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in December 2016.

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Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

  • Landing craft -- United States
  • Naval Ammunition Depot (Crane, Ind.)
  • Naval Ordnance Plant (York, Pa.)
  • Naval education -- United States
  • Ordnance, Naval -- United States
  • Rook, Eugene Clark, 1902-1994
  • Sierra (Destroyer tender: AD-18)

Genre Terms

  • Articles
  • Correspondence
  • Essays
  • Manuscripts
  • Orders (military records)
  • Printed ephemera
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Contents List

Series 1: Education Files, 1920-1958 Boxes 1-2

Series Description

Documentation of Rook's studies at the United States Naval Academy, Naval Postgraduate School, and Naval War College. Studies covered include navigation work at the U.S. Naval Academy, tactical maneuvering the ordnance at the Naval Postgraduate School, and studies of the history of sea power, World War I naval tactics, search operations, order writing, and general naval tactics at the Naval War College. Also included are documents from the Naval War College's 1958 Global Strategy Discussions. Included in the series are notebooks, instructions, assignments, manuals, charts, essays, correspondence, and pamphlets.

Series Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by educational institution.

Box 1 Folder 1

United States Naval Academy - Account Book, 1920-1924

Box 1 Folder 2

United States Naval Academy - Navigation Workbook, 1923-1924

Box 1 Folder 3

Naval Postgraduate School - General, 1928-1936

Organization and administration, schedule of practical instruction, instructions to student officers, and trigonometry problems.

Box 1 Folder 4

Naval Postgraduate School - Maneuvering Board, 1932-1937

Box 1 Folder 5-7

Naval Postgraduate School - Ordnance Course Binder, 1923-1931

Box 1 Folder 8

Naval War College - Correspondence Course (Installment I), 1935

Box 2 Folder 1

Naval War College - Correspondence Course (Installment II), 1936

Box 2 Folder 2

Naval War College - Correspondence Course (Installment III), 1936

Box 2 Folder 3

Naval War College - Correspondence Course (Installment IV), 1936

Box 2 Folder 4

Naval War College - Correspondence Course (Installment V), 1936

Box 2 Folder 5

Naval War College - Correspondence Course (Installment VI), 1936

Box 2 Folder 6

Naval War College - Correspondence Course (Installment VII), 1936

Box 2 Folder 7

Naval War College - Correspondence Course (Installment VIII), 1936

Box 2 Folder 8

Naval War College - Correspondence Course (Installment IX), 1936

Box 2 Folder 9

Naval War College - Correspondence Course (Installment X), 1937

Box 2 Folder 10

Naval War College - Correspondence Course (Installment XI), 1937

Box 2 Folder 11

Naval War College - Correspondence Course (Installment XII), 1938

Box 2 Folder 12-14

Naval War College - Global Strategy Discussions, 1958

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Series 2: United States Navy Files, 1913-1954 Boxes 2-5, 8

Series Description

Documentation of Rook's United States Navy career, including his personnel files and documentation from over half of Rook's individual duty stations.

Series Arrangement

Organized into two subseries by document type and office of origin.

Subseries 2a: General, 1924-1950 Boxes 2-3, 8

Subseries Description

Personal and personnel files spanning the entirety of Rook's career in the U.S. Navy. Specifically, the materials pertain to Rook's orders, medical history, promotions, awards, and certifications.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged in rough chronological order.

Box 2 Folder 15-16
Personal File, 1924-1938
Box 3 Folder 1-2
Personal File, 1936-1941
Box 3 Folder 3-4
Personal File, 1942-1945
Box 3 Folder 5
Personal File, 1947-1950
Box 3 Folder 6-7
Jacket No. 58577, 1941-1949
Box 8 Folder 1
Ship Maintenance, undated

Copy of "The Care and Protection Against Corrosion of Ships' Hulls and Fittings," by Captain J. A. Furer.

Box 3 Folder 8
Ship's Orders and Safety Manuals, 1924-1950

Subseries 2b: Duty Stations, 1913-1954 Boxes 3-5, 8

Subseries Description

Documentation of Rook's service as a member of the Yangtze Patrol, Naval Inspector of Ordnance Optical Equipment at Bausch & Lomb, member of the staff of Commander Destroyer Squadron 2, Assistant Inspector of Naval Material for the Pittsburgh Inspection District, Inspector of Naval Material for the Bethlehem Inspection District, commanding officer of LCI (L) Flotilla Twenty-One during World War II, commanding officer of the Naval Ordnance Plant in York, Pennsylvania, captain of U.S.S. Sierra (Destroyer tender: AD-18) in the Mediterranean, and commanding officer of Naval Ammunition Depot, Crane, Indiana. While much of the documentation pertains to the organization of each of Rook's duty stations, as opposed to the details of their day-to-day operations, the subseries does offer insight into such topics as the development of ray filters and rangefinders, production at Bethlehem Steel, the outfitting of mortars on LCI's during World War II, the fleet support duties of U.S.S. Sierra in the Mediterranean. The subseries includes notes, memos, orders, letters, lectures, articles, and ephemera.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by duty station.

Box 3 Folder 9
Yangtze Patrol - Shanghai Harbor Regulations, 1913
Box 3 Folder 10
Ordnance Inspection District (Bausch & Lomb)/ComDesRon 2, 1933-1940, undated

Includes material on ray filters, rangefinders, stereoscopy, destroyer training, and earthquake seamanship.

Box 4 Folder 1
Pittsburgh Inspection District, 1941-1942

Includes material on subdivision of the district, armor production bottlenecks, promotion of inspectors, and travel.

Box 4 Folder 2
Bethlehem Inspection District - Daily File, 1943

Includes material on armor production, contractor relations, projectile production, production defects, and contract awards to Bethlehem Steel.

Box 4 Folder 3
Bethlehem Inspection District - General, 1942

Includes material on the status of Naval material inspectors relative to Bethlehem Steel, as well as the creation of the War Manpower Commission.

Box 8 Folder 2
LCI (L) Flotilla Twenty-One - Directories and Directives, 1944

Navy Department telephone directory and instructions on the creation of directives.

Box 4 Folder 4-5
LCI (L) Flotilla Twenty-One - Flotilla Circular Letters and Flotilla Orders, 1944-1945

Includes material on watch keeping, supplies, personnel, operational readiness, flotilla organization, inspections, mortar operation, ordnance handling, and other standard operating procedures.

Box 4 Folder 6-7
LCI (L) Flotilla Twenty-One - General Flotilla Memoranda, 1933-1945

Includes material on 4.2 inch mortars, flotilla officers directories, amphibious personnel standards, uniforms, discipline, and other standard operating procedures.

Box 4 Folder 8
LCI (L) Flotilla Twenty-One - Technical Manuals, 1942-1944

Manuals for 4.2 inch chemical mortars and telescope mounts.

Box 4 Folder 9
Naval Ordnance Plant, York - Alphabetical (Personal) File, 1946-1949

Includes correspondence regarding Rook's surgery during World War II, conversion of York Safe & Lock Company facilities, and the college education of Theodore Chapman Rook.

Box 4 Folder 10
Naval Ordnance Plant, York - Personal File, 1945-1946

Primarily orders and travel vouchers.

Box 5 Folder 1
Naval Ordnance Plant, York - Personal File, 1947-1951

Primarily orders and travel vouchers. Includes Rook's relief by Captain Biederman.

Box 5 Folder 2
Naval Ordnance Plant, York - Organization/Civil Service and Classification, 1946-1948

Includes material on industrial relations, the Federal Agency-College Conference on federal staffing, salary figures, and position description review and classification.

Box 5 Folder 3
Naval Ordnance Plant, York - Pre-Sierra Correspondence, 1949

Preparation for Rook's assumption of command of U.S.S. Sierra. Includes a photograph of the Naval Ordnance Plant.

Box 8 Folder 3
Naval Ordnance Plant, York - Publications, 1946, undated

Includes a photo greeting card, information pamphlets for visitors and new employees, and a copy of "Blaw-Knox Special Ordnance Division Log."

Box 5 Folder 4
Naval Ordnance Plant, York - Station Notices and Circulars, 1947-1948

Season's Greetings, an anti-entitlement quotation, and instructions regarding hospitalization and medical care for dependents.

Box 5 Folder 5
U.S.S. Sierra - 6th Fleet Duty, 1949 June-1950 June

Includes material on repairs to U.S.S. Aucilla, personnel, and Rook's impending transfer to the Naval Ammunition Depot, Crane, Indiana.

Box 5 Folder 6
U.S.S. Sierra - Captain's Night Order Book, 1950 January-June
Box 5 Folder 7
U.S.S. Sierra - Miscellaneous, 1949-1950

Includes holiday cards, church service programs, the ship's "homeward bound" menu, and hobby lobby documentation.

Box 5 Folder 8
U.S.S. Sierra - Position Reports, 1950 January-June
Box 5 Folder 9
U.S.S. Sierra - Standard Organization Book, undated
Box 5 Folder 10
U.S.S. Sierra - Visiting Cards, undated
Box 8 Folder 4
Naval Ammunition Depot, Crane - Brochures and Directories, 1950-1953

Copies of the Depot telephone directory and "Brochure of Pertinent Information."

Box 8 Folder 5
Naval Ammunition Depot, Crane - Laws, 1951 December

Guidance on cooperation with local law enforcement.

Box 5 Folder 11
Naval Ammunition Depot, Crane - Newsletters, 1951-1954

Includes material on the Depot's tenth anniversary, and Rook's relief of command. Also includes a speech by Rook on the history of naval inspection services.

Box 8 Folder 6
Naval Ammunition Depot, Crane - Organization Charts, 1953-1954
Box 8 Folder 7
Naval Ammunition Depot, Crane - Photograph, undated

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Series 3: Correspondence, 1949-1954 Boxes 5-7

Series Description

Incoming and outgoing letters sent and received by Rook, primarily while serving as commanding officer of Naval Ammunition Depot, Crane, Indiana. Much of the correspondence pertains to day-to-day operations at NAD Crane, including personnel issues, inspections, public relations, and public works issues. The letters also address personal topics such as speaking engagements, personal finances, life in Crane Village, schooling for Rook's children, Rook's impending retirement, Rook's professional affiliations, and dealings with corporations, including Rook's future employer, the Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville Railway Company, as well as personal greetings and correspondence with friends and colleagues. Included among the letters are transcripts of telephone conversations.

Series Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Box 5 Folder 12

Correspondents - A, 1951-1953

Correspondents include Wesley L. Ayre.

Box 6 Folder 1

Correspondents - B, 1950-1954

Correspondents include Congressman William G. Bray, Ninth Naval District Chief of Staff Captain S. G. Barchet, Lieutenant Commander E. G. Byers of NAD Charleston, Commander J. T. Bland of NAD Fallbrook, Captain E. C. Briner of the Bureau of Ordnance, and President of the Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville Railway Company John W. Barringer.

Box 6 Folder 2

Correspondents - C, 1950-1954

Correspondents include Carvel Hall Hotel, Senator Homer Capehart, Captain J. S. Crenshaw of NAD Hawthorne, and Culver Summer Schools. Includes correspondence regarding timbering at NAD Crane.

Box 6 Folder 3

Correspondents - D, 1949-1954

Correspondents include Rear Admiral I. T. Duke, T. L. Diamond, Captain H. A. Dunn of NOP York, Dr. J. B. Daugherty of Indiana University, Captain W. H. Duvall of the Bureau of Naval Personnel, W. Fred Dearmin, and Charles C. Dawes of the Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville Railway Company.

Box 6 Folder 4

Correspondents - E-F, 1950-1954

Correspondents include Captain C. M. Evans, Indiana University Vice President J. A. Franklin, and Captain L. F. Freiburghouse.

Box 6 Folder 5

Correspondents - G, 1950-1954

Correspondents include Captain F. G. Gould of the Bureau of Ordnance, Captain Frank c. Grismer, Dr. Howard K. Gray of the Mayo Clinic, and Captain Charles F. Garrison of Purdue University NROTC. Includes material pertaining to a memorial service for Minna Bargh Hunter.

Box 6 Folder 6

Correspondents - H, 1950-1964

Correspondents include Captain J. F. Henkel of the Bureau of Ordnance, Captain Harry S. Harnly of NAD Shumaker, Carl S. Hallauer of Bausch and Lomb, L. B. Herrington, Captain G. R. Hartwig, Captain Frank R. Hamilton, Rear Admiral L. L. Hunter, and Captain Miles H. Hubbard of NOP Indianapolis. Includes material regarding Title VIII housing and Work Measurement Analysis.

Box 6 Folder 7

Correspondents - I-J, 1951-1954

Correspondents include Captain Walter T. Jenkins, Rear Admiral J. F. Jelley, Commander Roy H. Jones of the Bureau of Ordnance, and Captain H. L. Jukes of the Bureau of Ordnance. Includes material regarding ordnance instruction and Eugene Clark Rook, Jr.'s studies at the Naval Academy.

Box 6 Folder 8

Correspondents - K, 1951-1954

Correspondents include Commander A. S. Klay of the Seattle Naval Station, Ruth V. Kirk of the Medical Examining Board, George F. Krueger, Commander R. B. Krum of the Bureau of Ordnance, and Captain L. A. Kniskern of the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. Includes material regarding medical care at Crane Village.

Box 6 Folder 9

Correspondents - L, 1950-1954

Correspondents include H. D. Langley of the Bureau of Ordnance, Dr. Michael F. Lynch, Louis F. Lyon, Thomas J. Lankford of Congressman William Bray's office, Frank M. Liddle of the YMCA, and Captain W. J. Longfellow of the Yorktown Naval Mine Depot. Includes material regarding NAD Crane's new industrial relations director.

Box 7 Folder 1

Correspondents - M, 1950-1954

Correspondents include Raymond Morris of Crawford-Morris Lumber, Colonel E. S. Mathews of Jefferson Proving Ground, Lieutenant Commander Robert A. Matzke, Commander W. H. Morse, Captain W. P. McCarty of the Ninth Naval District, and Captain M. D. Matthews.

Box 7 Folder 2

Correspondents - N-O, 1951-1954

Correspondents include Dr. W. S. Nettrour, the American Ordnance Association, and Rear Admiral Francis P. Old of the Ninth Naval District.

Box 7 Folder 3

Correspondents - P, 1950-1954

Correspondents include Captain Frank R. Putnam of the Bureau of Ordnance, Gordon O. Pehrson, Captain Mell A. Peterson of NOP Indianapolis, Prudential Insurance, Penn Mutual Life Insurance, Rear Admiral Lewis S. Parks, Captain Carter A. Printup of NOP Macon, and John F. Padden. Includes material on the Industrial Survey Report of NAD Crane.

Box 7 Folder 4

Correspondents - R, 1950-1954

Correspondents include Stewart Riley of the Bedford Daily Times Mail, Captain J. B. Ricketts of the Ninth Naval District Supply Office, Captain J. A. Roberts of the Ninth District Legal Office, F. T. Reed of the Indiana University Office of the President, and Rook's sons, Eugene Clark Rook, Jr. and Theodore C. Rook. Includes material regarding Eugene C. Rook, Jr.'s studies at the Naval Academy and the Severn School, as well as a GAO investigation at NAD Crane.

Box 7 Folder 5-6

Correspondents - S, 1950-1954

Correspondents include Bureau of Ordnance Chief Rear Admiral M. F. Schoeffel, Commander J. S. Sperling of the Bureau of Ordnance, Captain M. A. Sawyer of the Eureka Williams Corporation, Rear Admiral C. A. Swanson, Ivan F. Stacup of the Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce, Captain E. W. Shanklin of the Bureau of Ordnance, Commander Spaulding of the Bureau of Medicine, W. Cordes Snyder of the Blaw-Knox Company, John H. Stoll, Captain Russell Sturges of NAD Seal Beach, Gib Sandefer, and Commander W. A. Smyth.

Box 7 Folder 7

Correspondents - T, 1950-1954

Correspondents include R. M. Teel of the Severn School, Charles A. Thomas of Monsanto, E. W. Thorson of the Portland Cement Association, Commander Malcolm H. Tinker of NAD Hastings, Captain Lloyd H. Thomas of the Ordnance Stock Office, Commander W. C. Taylor of the Bureau of Ordnance, and Captain M. C. Thompson of the Indianapolis Naval Reserve Training Center.

Box 7 Folder 8

Correspondents - U-W, 1950-1954

Correspondents include USAA, Dr. Jack Foy Wu of the American Legion Hospital, J. M. P. Wright of the American Ordnance Association, President H. B. Wells of Indiana University, R. Morgan Watt of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Lieutenant Governor John A. Watkins, Captain J. C. Woelfel of Purdue University, James L. Walsh of the American Ordnance Association, Representative Earl Wilson, Captain McF. W. Wood of NOP Louisville, Commander W. V. Washabaugh of Naval Station New Orleans, Tom B. Wagner, and Captain J. R. Wallace of the Ninth Naval District.

Box 7 Folder 9

Correspondents - Y-Z, 1951-1954

Correspondents include Rear Admiral George F. Yoran of the Supply Corps, A. J. Zimmerman of Bausch and Lomb, and Captain Robert Yannaccone. Includes material on a GAO supply inspection.

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