Historiske og politiske biografier

A 1941 graduate of the University of North Carolina, Karpeles that same year became a contract physicist for the Navy's Bureau of Ordnance. In that capacity he specialized in the degaussing and deperming of ships to provide protection against magnetic mines. He was also involved in measures against acoustic mines. He worked initially at the Boston Navy Yard in early 1942, then went to Pearl Harbor in April of that year. Karpeles continued in that work until 1945, becoming a civil service physicist in 1943. He was drafted into the Navy as an enlisted man in May 1943 and subsequently served as an electrician's mate in the battleship USS Alabama (BB-60) until discharged in July 1946. Subsequently he was a physician, as well as teaching physiology and biophysics at the university level.

This oral history varies from most in that Captain Kretz concentrates on one topic: service with the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the 1930s. From 1936 to 1938 he served first in the gunboat Panay (PR-5), and then in the destroyer Bulmer (DD-222). Among topics covered are the Sino-Japanese War, idiosyncrasies of Chinese life and culture, food, medical care, recreational activities, and the military and civilian leaders in the area.

Admiral Libby finished third in the Naval Academy's class of 1922, even though he attaches no great importance to the achievement in his oral history. Indeed, he is often overly modest during the course of this memoir. He hits only the highlights of his years as a junior officer. He served in destroyers and got postgraduate education in ordnance. The bulk of the transcript deals with Admiral Libby's service during World War II and the years immediately thereafter. He began the war on the immediate staff of Admiral Ernest J. King and provides insights into the admiral's personality. He then commanded Destroyer Squadron One and Destroyer Squadron 56 in the Aleutians and Central Pacific campaigns before returning to Washington to serve on the Joint War Plans Committee. After the war he commanded the heavy cruiser USS Bremerton (CA-130) and served on the staffs of Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations. During the Korean War he commanded a division of heavy cruisers and then was on the team of U.S. negotiators which encountered a great deal of frustration in trying to deal with the North Koreans. During the mid-1950's he again served in OpNav and commanded the Atlantic Fleet Battleship-Cruiser Force. Prior to his retirement in 1960, he rounded out his career by serving as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Plans and Policy) and as Commander First Fleet.

Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1943, Long was in the crew of the battleship USS Colorado (BB-45) during Pacific combat. He completed submarine school, then served in a succession of diesel boats: USS Corsair (SS-435), USS Cutlass (SS-478), and USS Sea Leopard (SS-483), including command of the latter, 1954-56. Ashore he was in the NROTC unit at the University of North Carolina, a student at the Naval War College, and in the submarine readiness section of OpNav. After serving on the staff of ComSubLant, he went through the Navy nuclear power program, then commanded two Polaris submarines, the USS Patrick Henry (SSBN-599) and the USS Casimir Pulaski (SSBN-633). He served next in the Special Projects Office, dealing with Polaris-Poseidon, then was aide to the Under Secretary of the Navy. His first flag billet was as Commander Service Group Three in the Western Pacific during the Vietnam War. Subsequently he served in the Naval Ship Systems Command, as ComSubLant, Deputy CNO (Submarine Warfare), and in two four-star billets: Vice Chief of Naval Operations and Commander in Chief Pacific. In retirement he chaired the Long Commission, which investigated the 1983 bombing of the Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon.

After serving in the USS Dickerson (DD-157), USS Northampton (CA-26), and USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), Admiral Melson was CO of the USS Champlin (DD-601), deployed in the Mediterranean and Atlantic war areas in 1942-1943. Subsequent duties included: Chief of Staff to Commander Battleship Division Five; Operations and Plans Officer to Sixteenth Fleet; Staff Officer at the Naval War College; Commander Destroyer Squadron Twenty; and Administrative Aide to the Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy. In 1952-1953 he served as CO of the USS New Jersey (BB-62) during the Korean War. He then commanded Cruiser Division Four; became the Superintendent of the Naval Academy; Commander of First Fleet, after which he commanded the U.S. Taiwan Defense Command. In 1964 he reported as President of the Naval War College and remained there until his retirement in 1966.

Unlike most of the Naval Institute's oral histories, which contain the recollections of seagoing line officers, this memoir is from a skilled artist who painted the portraits of many of the line officers. In addition to providing interesting anecdotes about the artistic process, Commander Murray also supplied candid insights into the personalities of the individuals. For instance, in painting Admiral William Halsey and Admiral Thomas Kinkaid, Murray rekindled their acrimonious feelings about the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Many of the other top naval leaders of World War II were the subjects of Murray's brush: Chester Nimitz, William Leahy, Ernest King, James Forrestal, Marc Mitscher, Arleigh Burke, Thomas Sprague, Jonas Ingram, Arthur Radford, Charles McMorris, Richmond Kelly Turner, and Raymond Spruance. More recent leaders included Secretary of the Navy Thomas Gates and CNO Admiral Elmo Zumwalt. Copies of the Murray portraits of these individuals are included in the volume so the reader can compare the artist's verbal descriptions with the images he created. In addition, Murray talked about his role as a combat artist, particularly in connection with the Allied invasion of southern France in August 1944.

An early submariner, Murray was involved in the construction of the submarine base at Pearl Harbor in the early 1920s. He commanded the submarines USS R-17 (SS-94), L-8 (SS-48), R-13 (SS-90), and S-9 (SS-114). In the 1920s he served in the battleships USS Arkansas (BB-33) and New York (BB-34) and was an instructor at the Naval Academy. In the 1930s he commanded the submarine USS S-44 (SS-155), served at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, commanded the submarine USS Porpoise (SS-172), was damage control officer in the heavy cruiser USS Portland (CA-33), and was a submarine detailer in the Bureau of Navigation. When the Japanese attacked in 1941, Murray was commander of Submarine Division 15 at Manila, participating in the defense of the Philippines and Netherlands East Indies. His next assignment was chief of staff and aide to Commander Submarine Force, Southwest Pacific. In 1943 he became chief of staff to Charles Lockwood, Commander Submarine Force Pacific Fleet. In 1944-45 Murray was Commandant of Midshipmen at the Naval Academy. In the spring of 1945 he took command of the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63), flagship of Admiral William F. "Bull" Halsey Jr., Commander Third Fleet. In Murray's oral history, after relating the ship's wartime activities, including bombardments against Honshu, Hokkaido, and Okinawa, he then provides a marvelously detailed description of the events leading up to and during the Japanese surrender ceremony on board the Missouri on 2 September 1945. In November 1945, as a newly selected rear admiral, he was ordered to Commander Seventh Fleet for duty with the survey for forming the U.S. Advisory Group to China. Subsequent flag billets included the following: 1948-49, Pearl Harbor Naval Base; in 1949-50, Commander Amphibious Training Command Atlantic Fleet; 1950-52, Commander Submarine Force Atlantic Fleet; 1952-54, Commandant of the 14th Naval District in Hawaii; and 1954-56 as Naval Inspector General. He retired from active duty in 1956 and later worked as a consultant for the Rand Corporation.

Captain Noel, a prolific writer and avid tennis player, was graduated from the Naval Academy in 1936. His World War II service included duty in the light minelayer USS Sicard (DM-21) at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked, and command of the destroyer USS Lamson (DD-367) during the Leyte Gulf and Ormoc Bay landings of late 1944. Among his postwar commands was the cruiser USS Springfield (CLG-7), Sixth Fleet flagship of two future CNOs, Admirals George Anderson and David McDonald. Subjects discussed include moral leadership in the Navy, civilian-versus-military control of the Judge Advocate General's Corps, and the early use of helicopters in underway replenishment. Various articles by Noel, discussed in the text, are included as an appendix.

In early career as naval aviator he served in the USS Northampton (CA-26). In 1938 was assigned to PBY squadron in San Diego--participated in mass non-stop flight to Coco Solo, Canal Zone. First USN patrol plane pilot to take off from Pearl Harbor when Japanese attacked. Participated in Battle of Midway and landings at Guadalcanal. Was first CO of the seaplane tender USS Floyds Bay (AVP-40), later navigator of the carrier USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) during Operation Highjump exploration of Antarctica. Served as Chief of Staff for Commander Carrier Division 15 and as Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Taiwan Defense Command. Discussions focus particularly on his experiences in PBY patrol planes. Other tours of duty are covered in much less detail.

One of the few patrol plane aviators in the Naval Institute's oral history collection, Osborn is the first graduate of Aviation Officer Candidate School to achieve flag rank in the Navy. After completing the various stages of flight training in 1957, he held billets of increasing responsibility in several squadrons, Patrol Squadron 17, Patrol Squadron 31, Patrol Squadron 19, and Patrol Squadron 40. In VP-31 he was an instructor as the P-3 Orion entered the fleet; he served as executive officer and commanding officer of VP-40. In the mid-1960s he served on the staffs of Commander Anti-Submarine Warfare Group Five and Commander Patrol Force Seventh Fleet. After that he was a student at the Naval Postgraduate School, attended a course in POW survival, and was a student at the Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. OpNav tours in the 1970s included ASW readiness and training officer and executive assistant to the Director of ASW and Ocean Surveillance, Vice Admiral Ed Waller. After duty in the early 1980s in the Naval Military Personnel Command, he was promoted to rear admiral and had several flag tours: in OP-01; as deputy director for operations in the National Military Command Center; as Commander Patrol Wings Pacific Fleet; and as Deputy Director, Defense Mapping Agency.

Designated a naval aviator in 1929, Vice Admiral Robert B. Pirie served in the USS Lexington (CV-2), Langley (CV-1), and Raleigh (CL-7). In 1942 he was Assistant Air Operations Officer for Commander Air Force Pacific Fleet. In 1945 he was Commander Carrier Division Four, participating in the assault on and capture of the Marianas and Palau; the initial raid on the Philippines, Okinawa, and Formosa; the Battle of Leyte Gulf; and the South China Sea Raid. During the final months of the war, he was Air Ops Officer on staff of Fleet Admiral King. He served as Commandant of Midshipmen at the Naval Academy in 1952. Subsequent duties included: CO of the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43); Chief of Staff to CinC, U.S. Naval Forces Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean; Chief of Staff and Aide to CinC U.S. Atlantic Fleet; Commander Carrier Division Six, Commander Second Fleet; and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air) until retirement in 1962.

Based on six interviews, conducted by Paul Stillwell from May 1987 to April 1992. The volume contains 459 pages of interview transcript plus a comprehensive index. The transcript is copyright 2015 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the interviewee placed no restrictions on its use.

Based on seven interviews conducted by Etta-Belle Kitchen in July 1977 and August 1977. The volume contains 427 pages of interview transcript plus an index and appendices. The transcript is copyright 1980 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the interviewee has placed no restrictions on its use.

Based on two interviews conducted by Etta-Belle Kitchen in October 1969, the volume contains 278 pages of interview transcript plus an index. The transcript is copyright 1974 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the interviewee placed no restrictions on its use.

Based on three interviews conducted by Commander Etta-Belle Kitchen, U.S. Navy (Ret.) from June through October 1969, the volume contains 334 pages of interview transcript plus an index. The transcript is copyright 1974 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the interviewee placed no restrictions on its use.

Based on seven interviews conducted by Paul Stillwell from July 1986 to October 1996, the volume contains 534 pages of interview transcript plus a comprehensive index. The transcript is copyright 1997 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the interviewee has placed no restrictions on its use.

Based on three interviews conducted by Barrett Tillman in September 1985 and one interview conducted by Paul Stillwell in September 1987. The volume contains 283 pages of interview transcript plus an index. The transcript is copyright 1995 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the interviewee has placed no restrictions on its use.

Based on five interviews conducted by Commander Etta-Belle Kitchen, USN (Ret.), from May through August 1971, the volume contains 393 pages of interview transcript plus an index and appendices. The transcript is copyright 1977 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the restrictions originally placed on the transcript by the interviewee have since been removed.

Based on five interviews conducted by Commander Etta-Belle Kitchen, USN (Ret.), from June 1970 through March 1971, the volume contains 461 pages of interview transcript plus an index. The transcript is copyright 1977 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the restrictions originally placed on the transcript by the interviewee have since been removed.

Based on four interviews conducted by Etta-Belle Kitchen from October 1970 through February 1971. The volume contains 267 pages of interview transcript plus an index and appendices. The transcript is copyright 1973 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the interviewee has placed no restrictions on its use.

Based on two interviews conducted by Paul Stillwell in October 1986 and July 1988. The volume contains 200 pages of interview transcript plus an index. The transcript is copyright 1989 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the interviewee has placed no restrictions on its use.

Based on 12 interviews conducted by John T. Mason Jr. between May 1976 and February 1977. The volume contains 369 pages of interview transcript plus a comprehensive index. The transcript is copyright 2011 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the interviewee placed no restrictions on its use.

Ruth Cheney Streeter was an American military officer who was the first director of the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve (USMCWR). In 1943, she became the first woman to attain the rank of major in the United States Marine Corps when she was commissioned as a major on January 29, 1943. She retired in 1945 as a lieutenant colonel.

Based on 11 interviews conducted by John T. Mason, Jr., from March 1974 through December 1974. The volume contains 615 pages of interview transcript plus an index. The transcript is copyright 1978 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the restrictions originally placed on the transcript by the interviewee have since been removed.

Based on eight interviews conducted by Paul Stillwell between February 1986 and October 1987. The volume contains 536 pages of interview transcript plus a comprehensive index. The transcript is copyright 2013 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the interviewee placed no restrictions on its use.

Based on a single interview conducted by John T. Mason Jr. in April 1973, the volume contains 29 pages of interview transcript plus an index. The transcript is copyright 1996 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the interviewee placed no restrictions on its use. Open configuration options

Based on 25 interviews conducted by Paul B. Ryan from August 1974 through March 1975. The volume contains 376 pages of interview transcript plus an index. The transcript is copyright 1976 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the restrictions originally placed on the transcript by the interviewee have since been removed.

Based on 31 interviews conducted by Paul B. Ryan from December 1973 through August 1974. The volume contains 370 pages of interview transcript plus an index. The transcript is copyright 1976 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the restrictions originally placed on the transcript by the interviewee have since been removed.

Based on three interviews conducted by John T. Mason, Jr., in October 1977. The volume contains 650 pages of interview transcript plus an index. The transcript is copyright 1978 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the interviewee has placed no restrictions on its use.

Based on ten interviews conducted by Paul Stillwell from September 2004 to March 2006. The volume contains 927 pages of interview transcript plus a comprehensive index. The transcript is copyright 2011 by the U.S. Naval Institute; the interviewee placed no restrictions on its use.