Forrest P. Sherman Papers, 1903-1941 (bulk 1903-1917): Finding Aid

Biographical Chronology of Forrest P. Sherman

1896

• Born on October 30 in Merrimack, New Hampshire, son of Frank James and Grace Allen Sherman.

1913

• Graduates Melrose High School in Melrose, Massachusetts.
• Is admitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as a member of the Class of 1917.

1914

• On June 17, admitted to the United States Naval Academy as a member of the Class of 1918.

1917

• On June 28, graduates second in his class at the United States Naval Academy and is commissioned Ensign.
• On July 1, promoted to the temporary rank of Lieutenant (junior grade).
• During World War I, attached to U.S.S. Nashville (Gunboat: PG-7) in the Mediterranean.

1918

• On February 1, promoted to the temporary rank of Lieutenant.
• Assigned to duty aboard U.S.S. Murray (Destroyer: DD-97) based at Brest.

1919

• In August, attached to U.S.S. Utah (Battleship: BB-31).

1920

• On July 1, promoted to Lieutenant.
• Transfers to U.S.S. Reid (Destroyer: DD-292), flagship of Destroyer Squadron One, Atlantic Fleet.

1921

• In May, assumes command of U.S.S. Barry (Destroyer: DD-248).
• In October, reports as Flag Lieutenant to Commander Control Force, Atlantic Fleet aboard U.S.S. Florida (Battleship: BB-30).

1922

• In June, reports to Naval Air Station Pensacola for flight training.
• On December 22, designated as Naval Aviator.

1923

• In April, attached to Fighting Squadron Two, Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet.

1924

• Assigned to Naval Air Station Pensacola as an instructor.

1926

• In June, detached from Naval Air Station Pensacola for instruction at the Naval War College.

1927

• In June, attached to U.S.S. Lexington (Aircraft carrier: CV-2) during her fitting out.

1928

• In December, detached from U.S.S. Lexington for duty with Scouting Squadron Two aboard U.S.S. Saratoga (Aircraft carrier: CV-3).

1929

• In April, assumes command of Scouting Squadron Two.
• In May, assigned to duty as Flag Secretary for Commander Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet, aboard U.S.S. Saratoga

1930

• On March 1, promoted to Lieutenant Commander.
• In June, detached from Aircraft Squadrons, Battle Fleet for duty at the United States Naval Academy as an instructor in the Department of Seamanship and Flight Tactics.

1931

• In May, assigned to the staff of Commander Aircraft, Battle Force.

1932

• In June, assumes command of Fighting Squadron One, aboard U.S.S. Saratoga.

1933

• In June, reports for duty in the Bureau of Ordnance as head of the Aviation Ordnance section.

1936

• In June, detached from the Bureau of Ordnance for duty aboard U.S.S. Ranger (Aircraft carrier: CV-4) as navigator.

1937

• On July 1, promoted to Commander.
• Assigned to duty as Fleet Aviation Officer on the staff of Commander, Battle Force.

1938

• In January, attached to the staff of Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet.

1940

• In February, assigned to the War Plans Division of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, serving on the Permanent Joint Board on Defense.

1941

• In August, assigned additional duty as Naval Aviation Advisor at the Atlantic Conference.

1942

• On January 1, promoted to the temporary rank of Captain.
• In February, detached from the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations for duty as member of the Joint Strategic Committee at Headquarters, Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet.
• In May, assumes command of U.S.S. Wasp (Aircraft carrier: CV-7).
• On September 15, U.S.S. Wasp is sunk while supporting the Invasion of Guadalcanal.
• In October, assigned to duty as Chief of Staff to Commander Air Force, Pacific Fleet.

1943

• On April 3, promoted to the temporary rank of Rear Admiral.
• On November 10, assumes duty as Deputy Chief of Staff to Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas.

1945

• In August, represents the U.S. Navy in initial conferences with the Japanese at Manila.
• In October, ordered to duty as Commander Carrier Division One.
• On December 28, promoted to the temporary rank of Vice Admiral.
• In December, reports for duty as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations.

1948

• In January, designated Commander U.S. Naval Forces, Mediterranean.
• On June 1, U.S. Naval Forces, Mediterranean renamed Sixth Task Fleet.

1949

• On November 2, assumes duties as Chief of Naval Operations with the rank of Admiral.

1951

• On July 22, dies in Naples, Italy while on a diplomatic trip to Europe, and is subsequently interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

Description of Contents

The Forrest P. Sherman Papers, comprising 0.63 linear feet of documentation, span from 1903 to 1917, with several photographs dating as late as 1941. The papers are the product of Sherman's childhood and high school education, as well as his collegiate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the United States Naval Academy.

Included in the collection are incoming letters, notes, exams, report cards, clippings, and photographs.

The Sherman Papers are organized into two series by document type. Series 1: Correspondence consists of incoming letters received from family and friends, spanning from Sherman's early childhood through his time as a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy. Series 2: General Files consists primarily of Sherman's educational records from his studies in the Melrose Public Schools, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and at the United States Naval Academy.

Arrangement

The Forrest P. Sherman Papers are organized into the following two series:

• Series 1: Correspondence, 1903-1917
• Series 2: General Files, 1903-1941

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Forrest P. Sherman 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

Purchased from Stuart Lutz Historic Documents, Inc. in June 2009. Accession No. 09-27.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional material in this repository pertaining to Forrest P. Sherman can be found in his Midshipman Personnel Jacket and Alumni Jacket.

Additional manuscript material created by Sherman is available in the Forrest P. Sherman Papers in the Naval Historical Collection at the Naval War College.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Forrest P. Sherman Papers, MS 557

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

The following sources were consulted during preparation of the biographical note:

Sherman, Forrest P. Alumni Jacket, RG 405, Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in November 2021. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in November 2021.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Electricity -- Study and teaching
• French language -- Study and teaching
• German language -- study and teaching
• Sherman, Forrest P. (Forrest Percival), 1896-1951
• United States Naval Academy -- Curricula

Genre Terms

• Correspondence
• Examinations
• Manuscripts
• Notebooks
• Notes (documents)
• Photographs
• Report cards