L. E. Crist Papers, 1914-1964: Finding Aid
Published in February 2020
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 550
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
- Title: L. E. Crist Papers
- Dates: 1914-1964
- Size: 4.17 linear feet
- Container Summary: 2 manuscript boxes, 2 flat boxes
- Creator: Crist, LeMerton Edson, 1900-1964
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: LeMerton Edson Crist was an officer in the United States Navy and a member of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1923. The L. E. Crist Papers span from 1914 to 1964. While spanning the entirety of Crist's career in the United States Navy, the papers focus specifically on Crist's time as a midshipman at the Naval Academy, early duty aboard U.S.S. California (Battleship: BB-44), duty aboard U.S.S. Massachusetts (Battleship: BB-59) during the Battle of Casablanca, command of U.S.S. Grundy (Attack transport: APA-111) at the end of World War II, and duty as the first commanding officer of U.S.S. Spokane (Light cruiser: CL-120).
Biographical Chronology of LeMerton Edson Crist
- 1900
- Born on July 25 in Osceola, Iowa.
- 1918
- On May 30, graduates from Osceola High School.
- Appointed to the United States Naval Academy from Iowa.
- 1923
- In June, graduates from the United States Naval Academy and commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy.
- Attached to U.S.S. California (Battleship: BB-44).
- 1924
- In June, assigned to the staff of Admiral Samuel S. Robison, Commander in Chief Battle Fleet aboard U.S.S. California as Communications Officer.
- 1925
- In May, detached from the staff of Admiral Samuel S. Robison and returns to regular duty aboard U.S.S. California.
- 1926
- On June 8, promoted to Lieutenant (junior grade).
- 1928
- In July, reports to the Naval Postgraduate School in Annapolis for instruction in Chemical Engineering.
- 1930
- In June, receives a Master of Science in engineering from the University of Michigan.
- On August 1, promoted to Lieutenant.
- On August 9, marries Dorothy Ann Orem.
- 1931
- Assigned to instruction at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C.
- In June, attached to U.S.S. Omaha (Light cruiser: CL-4).
- 1934
- In June, detached from U.S.S. Omaha for instruction at the Naval Powder Factory in Indianhead, Maryland.
- 1936
- In July, attached to U.S.S. Vestal (Repair ship: AR-4).
- 1938
- In May, detached from U.S.S. Vestal and assigned to duty aboard U.S.S. McDougal (Destroyer: DD-358).
- On June 23, promoted to Lieutenant Commander.
- 1939
- In June, assigned to duty at the Washington Navy Yard.
- 1942
- In March, detached from the Navy Yard for duty in connection with the fitting out of U.S.S. Massachusetts (Battleship: BB-59).
- On May 12, assumes duty as Gunnery Officer of U.S.S. Massachusetts upon her commissioning.
- On June 30, promoted to Commander.
- In November, participates in operations against French Morocco during Operation Torch.
- 1943
- On May 1, promoted to Captain.
- 1944
- On January 31, reports as Ordnance Officer at the New York Navy Yard.
- 1945
- In October, assumes command of U.S.S. Grundy (Attack transport: APA-111).
- 1946
- In March, detached from U.S.S. Grundy for duty in connection with fitting out U.S.S. Spokane (Light cruiser: CL-120).
- On May 17, assumes command of U.S.S. Spokane upon her commissioning.
- 1947
- In May, reports for duty in the Planning Division of the Bureau of Ordnance.
- 1948
- In June, assumes duties as Fiscal Director, Bureau of Ordnance.
- 1950
- On April 21, retires from the United States Navy.
- 1951
- On February 23, appointed Justice of the Peace for Calvert County and designated Trial Magistrate for La Plata, Maryland.
- 1962
- In March, competes in the Republican Primary for Maryland State Senate.
- 1964
- On October 27, dies at the Bethesda Naval Hospital.
Description of Contents
The L. E. Crist Papers, comprising 4.17 linear feet of documentation, span from 1914 to 1964. While spanning the entirety of Crist's career in the United States Navy, the papers focus specifically on Crist's time as a midshipman at the Naval Academy, early duty aboard U.S.S. California (Battleship: BB-44), duty aboard U.S.S. Massachusetts (Battleship: BB-59) during the Battle of Casablanca, command of U.S.S. Grundy (Attack transport: APA-111) at the end of World War II, and duty as the first commanding officer of U.S.S. Spokane (Light cruiser: CL-120).
Included in the collection are photographs, newspaper clippings, letters, orders, itineraries, ships' newspapers, memorandums, certificates, event programs, menus, and other printed ephemera.
The L. E. Crist Papers are arranged into two series by document type. Textual documentation of Crist's U.S. Navy career, particularly correspondence, orders, itineraries, scrapbooks, and newspaper coverage, is held in Series 1: General Files. These files focus predominantly on Crist's command of U.S.S. Spokane (Light cruiser: CL-120) from her construction through her time with the 2nd Fleet in England, while also touching upon Crist's studies at the Naval Academy, first duty aboard U.S.S. California (Battleship: BB-44), the Battle of Casablanca, and the troop quarantine aboard U.S.S. Grundy (Attack transport: APA-111). Although Series 1 also includes photographs as part of Crist's Naval Academy scrapbook, the bulk of the collection's photographs are housed in Series 2: Photographs. Topically, the photographs align with the files found in Series 1, with the addition of U.S.S. Omaha (Light cruiser: CL-4), aboard which Crist served in the early 1930's.
Arrangement
The L. E. Crist Papers are organized into the following two series:
- Series 1: General Files, 1914-1964
- Series 2: Photographs, 1919-1956
Access and Use
Access
Access is unrestricted.
Copyright and Permission
The L. E. Crist 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 the Duffield Family of La Plata, Maryland. Accession No. 20-01.
Related Materials
Related Archival Material
Additional material in this repository pertaining to LeMerton Edson Crist can be found in his Alumni Jacket and Midshipman Personnel Jacket.
Materials Cataloged Separately
No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.
Processing and Other Information
Preferred Citation
L. E. Crist Papers, MS 550
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Processing Information
This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in February 2020. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in February 2020.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- California (Battleship : BB-44)
- Crist, LeMerton Edson, 1900-1964
- Grundy (Attack transport : APA-111)
- Massachusetts (Battleship : BB-59)
- Operation Torch, 1942
- Spokane (Light cruiser : CL-120)
- United States Naval Academy -- Midshipmen -- Cruises
- United States. Navy -- Sea life
Genre Terms
- Certificates
- Clippings (information artifacts)
- Correspondence
- Itineraries
- Manuscripts
- Orders (Military records)
- Photographs
- Programs (documents)
- Scrapbooks
Contents List
Series 1: General Files, 1914-1964 Boxes 1, 3-4
Series DescriptionDocumentation of Crist's career in the United States Navy, as well as his studies at the United States Naval Academy. Specifically, the files focus on Crist's command of U.S.S. Spokane (Light cruiser: CL-120), including her launching, commissioning, and European port calls, as well as Crist's resulting relationship with the City of Spokane, Washington. To a letter extent, the papers pertain to Crist's command of U.S.S. Grundy (Attack transport: APA-111) during her quarantine in Portland while transporting American service members home from World War II, his service aboard U.S.S. Massachusetts (Battleship: BB-59) during Operation Torch and the Battle of Casablanca, his first duty as a commissioned officer aboard U.S.S. California (Battleship: BB-44) in the early 1920's, and his training cruises and academic performance while a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy. Included in the series are clippings, letters (primarily incoming), itineraries, scrapbooks, orders, memorandums, speeches, postal cachets, academic transcripts, ships' newspapers, menus, invitations, event programs, and other items of printed ephemera.
A scrapbook from Crist's time at the Naval Academy is composed overwhelmingly of photographs, but has been retained in this series. Additional photographs from Crist's time at the Academy are available in Series 2: Photographs.
Also contained in the series is a limited amount of documentation pertaining to Crist's post U. S. Navy life, including credentials and clippings from his time as a judge in Southern Maryland and a brief mention of his campaign for Maryland State Senate.
Series ArrangementArranged alphabetically by document type.
Correspondence, 1946 October-December
U.S.S. Spokane's port calls in England and Crist's invitations to Foreign Service officers for Christmas dinner. Also includes a transcript of Christmas greetings from the Mayor of Spokane to U.S.S. Spokane's crew and a Christmas card from Viscount Leverhulme.
Correspondence, 1947 April
Includes thank you notes, communications from the Spokane Chamber of Commerce, and letters in preparation for Crist's relief of command of U.S.S. Spokane. Correspondents include Admiral Sousa Ventura of Portugal, Admiral Thore Horve of Norway, Admiral A. H. Vedel of Denmark, and numerous Foreign Service officers.
Scrapbook, 1914-1951
Primarily certificates, including Crist's public school diplomas, Naval Academy diplomas, U.S. Navy commissions and certifications, crossing-the-line certificates, and graduate degrees, and Justice of the Peace certificate. Also includes certificates for Dorothy Orem Crist.
Series 2: Photographs, 1919-1956 Boxes 1-3
Series DescriptionBlack-and-white photographs from both Crist's Navy career and personal life. The naval photographs focus particularly on daily life aboard U.S.S. California (Battleship: BB-44) in the 1920's, Christmas aboard U.S.S. Grundy (Attack transport: APA-111) during her quarantine in Portland, and the construction, launching, commissioning, and European port calls of U.S.S. Spokane (Light cruiser: CL-120). Crist's personal photographs tend to consist of portraits of family members and friends.
Photographs from Crist's time as a midshipman include images from the 1919 training cruise, the crew team, and a single photograph of the Naval Academy Chapel. Additional photographs of Crist's time as a midshipman can be found in his Academy scrapbook in Series 1.
Depictions of other vessels in the series include an engraving of U.S.S. Virginia (Battleship: BB-13) and photographs of U.S.S. Omaha (Light cruiser: CL-4).
Series ArrangementArranged alphabetically by topic.