C. H. Paulsen Papers, 1930-1952 (bulk 1941-1945): Finding Aid
Published in October 2017
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 454
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
- Title: C. H. Paulsen Papers
- Dates: 1930-1952
- Bulk Dates: 1941-1945
- Size: 0.83 linear feet
- Container Summary: 2 manuscript boxes, 4 oversize folders
- Creator: Paulsen, Carley Herbert, 1892-1973
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: The C. H. Paulsen Papers span from 1930 to 1952, with a bulk of the material produced between 1941 and 1945. The papers are predominantly the product of Paulsen's service as a U.S. Naval Reservist with Amphibious Bases, United Kingdom during World War II, focusing on the U.S. Navy's presence in England, the repair and maintenance of amphibious landing craft, and the aftermath of the Invasion of Normandy, especially with regards to naval materiel, as well as the conversion of S.S. Europa into an American troop transport of the same name.
Biography of C. H. Paulsen
Carley Herbert Paulsen was born on July 25, 1892. On April 6, 1917, while a resident of the Bronx, New York, Paulsen enrolled in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a Machinist's Mate, Second Class. After training at Great Lakes Naval Training Station, he was appointed an officer in the Reserves on March 1, 1918. During World War II, Paulsen was recalled to active duty and assigned to Amphibious Bases, United Kingdom, where he worked in the receiving, maintenance, and repair of Allied landing craft for the Invasion of Normandy. Later, he was assigned to U.S. Naval Advance Base Bremerhaven where he participated in the conversion of S.S. Europa into a U.S. Navy troop transport. Carley Herbert Paulsen died on August 2, 1973.
Description of Contents
The C. H. Paulsen Papers, comprising 0.83 linear feet of documentation, span from 1930 to 1952, with a bulk of the material produced between 1941 and 1945. The papers are predominantly the product of Paulsen's service as a U.S. Naval Reservist with Amphibious Bases, United Kingdom during World War II, focusing on the U.S. Navy's presence in England, the repair and maintenance of amphibious landing craft, and the aftermath of the Invasion of Normandy, especially with regards to naval materiel, as well as the conversion of S.S. Europa into an American troop transport of the same name.
Included in the papers are orders, memoranda, blueprints, maps, rosters, drawings, photographs, postcards, and printed ephemera, such as brochures.
The Paulsen Papers are organized into two series by document type. Series 1: Subject Files focuses on the U.S. Navy's Eleventh Amphibious Force and the operation of Advanced Naval Bases in the United Kingdom, especially with regards to the Invasion of Normandy. The series also touches upon the conversion of merchant vessels to military use (including Europa) and seized German warships (such as Prinz Eugen). Series 2: Photographs offers depictions of many of the same topics as Series 1, with a special focus on individual American Advanced Naval Bases in the United Kingdom and damaged landing craft.
Arrangement
The C. H. Paulsen Papers are organized into the following two series:
- Series 1: Subject Files, 1930-1952
- Series 2: Photographs, 1944-1948
Access and Use
Access
Access to any potentially classified material is restricted.
Copyright and Permission
The C. H. Paulsen 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
Gift of David S. Paulsen in June 1986 and Mrs. C. H. Paulsen in October 1987. Accession Nos. 86-25 and 87-36.
Related Materials
Location of Copies or Alternate Formats
The Paulsen Papers have been partially digitized. The materials can be accessed through the Nimitz Library Digital Collections at: https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/ik5eus/alma991006447687106751.
Related Archival Material
Additional material pertaining to landing craft operations surrounding the Invasion of Normandy may be found in the John R. Johannesen Papers, MS 431; World War II Ship Action Reports, MS 415; and World War II Battle Action and Operational Reports, MS 416 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
C. H. Paulsen Papers, MS 454
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Processing Information
This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in October 2017. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in October 2017.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Europa (Ship : 1930-1961)
- Landing craft -- United States
- Navy-yards and naval stations, American -- England
- Operation Neptune
- Operation Overlord
- Paulsen, Carley Herbert, 1892-1973
- Ships -- Maintenance and repair
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Amphibious operations
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- France -- Normandy
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Naval operations, American
Genre Terms
- Architectural drawings (visual works)
- Correspondence
- Manuscripts
- Maps (documents)
- Orders (military records)
- Photographs
- Printed ephemera
- Rosters
Contents List
Series 1: Subject Files, 1930-1952 Boxes 1-2, MSOS, MSXOS
Series DescriptionDocumentation of Paulsen's service in the Naval Reserves in World War II. In particular, the files pertain to the maintenance and repair of landing craft surrounding the Allied Invasion of Normandy, U.S. Navy bases in the United Kingdom, German shipbuilding capacity, seized German vessels, and the conversion of merchant vessels to military use, notably conversion of the German ocean liner Europa into an American troop transport. Included in the series are orders, memoranda, blueprints, maps, rosters, drawings, and brochures.
Among the documents are several hand-drawn diagrams indicating landing craft locations at Omaha Beach on D-Day +12, June 18, 1944, following a storm.
Series ArrangementArranged alphabetically by topic and document type.
Series 2: Photographs, 1944-1948 Box 2
Series DescriptionBlack-and-white photographs produced in conjunction with Paulsen's service in World War II with Amphibious Bases, United Kingdom. Specifically, the photographs depict damaged American landing craft, U.S. Navy bases in the United Kingdom and their repair shops, the port of Bremerhaven, and Omaha and Utah beaches following the Invasion of Normandy. Included among the photographs are several picture postcards.
Series ArrangementArranged alphabetically by topic.