Register of the Walter Campbell Short papers
Finding aid prepared by Paige Minister
Hoover Institution Library and Archives
© 2015
434 Galvez Mall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003
hoover-library-archives@stanford.edu
Title: Walter Campbell Short papers
Date (bulk): 1938-1946
Collection Number: 75012
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material: In English, with some materials in Spanish and French
Physical Description:
6 manuscript boxes, 14 oversize boxes, 3 motion picture film reels
(17.9 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Writings, correspondence, defense statements, photographs, film, scrapbooks, certificates, clippings, congressional prints,
and other printed matter relating to Lieutenant General Walter Campbell Short, especially his military career and investigations
of defense preparations at the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Lt. Gen. Short was in command of the Hawaiian Department of the United States Army at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor
and subsequently held responsible for the defeat, along with Admiral Husband E. Kimmel.
Creator:
Short, Walter Campbell, 1880-1949
Creator:
United States. Commission to investigate and report the facts relating to the attack made by Japanese armed forces upon Pearl
Harbor in the territory of Hawaii on December 7, 1941
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
The collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual
or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.
Use
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquisition Information
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1975 with increments in 1985 and 1991.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Walter Campbell Short papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Biographical Note
Walter Campbell Short was born on March 30, 1880, in Fillmore, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1901
and briefly taught mathematics at Western Military Academy before he was commissioned into the United States Army in 1902.
Short was stationed in France during World War I and served as a member of the 1st Division's general staff and then as Assistant
Chief of Staff for the 3rd Army.
Prior to World War II, Short experienced a fairly successful career as a training and staff officer and earned the rank of
major general. He served in a variety of locations, such as the Presidio of San Francisco, Alaska, New York, the Philippines,
Mexico, Germany, and Puerto Rico. In 1914, Short married Isabel Dean (1893-1984), daughter of Walter C. Dean, who was mayor
of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from 1927 to 1931.
On February 8, 1941, Walter Campbell Short was appointed to Commander of the Hawaiian Department of the United States Army
and granted the temporary rank of lieutenant general. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Short
was relieved of his command and reduced to the rank of major general. The Roberts Commission was formed at this time, appointed
by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, to investigate and report on the facts of the events leading to the attack. The commission
issued their findings in late January of 1942, which stated that both Lt. Gen. Short and Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, Commander-in-Chief
of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, were unprepared for the attack and charged them with dereliction of duty. Short officially retired
from the military in February 1942 and took a position with Ford Motor Company in Dallas, Texas.
At the conclusion of World War II, a new investigation was launched by Congress to investigate the events surrounding the
attack on Pearl Harbor. This new investigation was headed by ten members of Congress known as the Joint Committee on the Investigation
of the Pearl Harbor Attack, or the Pearl Harbor Committee. During the investigation proceedings, Short was allowed to give
testimony regarding his actions during the Pearl Harbor attack for the first time. He admitted to personal errors of judgement,
but argued that Washington had not given him enough warning that an attack was imminent nor had he been supplied with adequate
resources for an air defense. Despite testimony from both Lt. Gen. Short and Adm. Kimmel during the proceedings, the committee
ultimately concluded that both men were responsible for the defeat.
Lt. Gen. Short died of a chronic heart condition on March 9, 1949, three years after retiring from Ford. Fifty years after
his death, on May 25, 1999, the United States Senate passed a non-binding resolution that exonerated Short and Kimmel from
the charge of dereliction of duty. This resolution also included a statement urging the president to restore both men to their
full war-time ranks; however, the recommendation was never carried out.
Scope and Content of Collection
Writings, correspondence, defense statements, photographs, films, scrapbooks, certificates, clippings, congressional prints,
and other printed matter relating to Lieutenant General Walter Campbell Short, especially his military career and investigations
of defense preparations at the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Arrangement
The collection is organized into eleven series: Biographical File, Correspondence, Speeches and Writings, Pearl Harbor Investigations
File, Isabel Dean Short File, Walter Dean Short File, Photographs, Printed Matter, Motion Picture, Oversize Material, and
Memorabilia.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Motion pictures
Officers
Pearl Harbor (Hawaii), Attack on, 1941
World War, 1939-1945 -- United States
United States. Army
Biographical File
1901-1990
Scope and Contents Note
Consists of certificates, memorabilia, and other material. Arranged alphabetically by physical form.
box 1, folder 1
Business and place cards
undated
box 1, folder 2
1901-1941
Scope and Contents Note
Includes Short's diploma from the University of Illinois, his certificate from the Ordre National de la Légion d'honneur,
and his army appointment certificates.
box 18
1901-1941
Scope and Contents
Includes Short's diploma from the University of Illinois, his certificate from the Ordre National de la Légion d'honneur,
and his army appointment certificates.
box 1, folder 3
Army Co-operative Fire Association benefit certificates
1914-1938
box 1, folder 4
Pearl Harbor Commemorative Committee, Inc. resolution honoring Lt. General Walter C. Short (photocopy),
1990 December 7
box 1, folder 5
Identification card, American Expeditionary Forces
undated
box 1, folder 7
Miscellany
undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes poem entitled "A Message to Congress" and a list of goods consigned to Lt. Gen. Short.
Correspondence
1919-1949
Scope and Contents Note
Includes letters of support regarding the Pearl Harbor investigations, thank yous to those who wrote to the president on Short's
behalf, and autograph requests. Also included is correspondence between Lt. Gen. Short and his wife, Isabel Dean Short, and
his son, Walter Dean Short. Following the general file, files are arranged alphabetically by correspondent or original file
name.
General
1941-1949, undated
1941-1949, undated
box 1, folder 12
American Expeditionary Forces,
1919 June 22
box 1, folder 13-14
"Congratulatory Letters and Telegrams on Promotion to Major General,"
1940
Scope and Contents Note
This correspondence was originally bound in one volume. Includes index.
box 2, folder 1
Kimmel, Husband E.,
1941 December 8
box 2, folder 2
"Personal Correspondence File: Major General Walter C. Short,"
1940
box 2, folder 3
Short, Isabel Dean,
1914, 1940, and undated
box 2, folder 4
Short, Walter Dean
1940-1947
Scope and Contents Note
Includes a letter to Walter Dean Short regarding the outcome of the initial Pearl Harbor investigation dated 1942.
box 2, folder 5
War Department,
1942, 1944, and undated
Speeches and Writings,
1932-1941
box 2, folder 6-7
"Tar Brush," manuscript
1932, undated
Scope and Contents note
Includes a version by Isabel dean Short.
box 2, folder 8
6 April 1941, Speech to Chamber of Commerce on Army Day,
circa 1941
Note
A copy of this speech appears in Exhibit 1-O of "Statement by Major General Walter C. Short of Events and Conditions Leading
up to the Japanese Attack, December 7, 1941" in Pearl Harbor Investigations File.
Pearl Harbor Investigations File
1941-1946
Scope and Contents Note
Contains statements, congressional publications, correspondence, maps, and other material related to the Roberts Commission
investigation (1941-1942) and the congressional investigation (1945-1946) of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Includes Lt. Gen.
Short's official statement, with exhibits, to the Joint Committee on the Investigation of the Pearl Harbor Attack made in
1946.
Investigation statements
1946, undated
box 2, folder 9-11
"Statement by Major General Walter C. Short of Events and Conditions Leading up to the Japanese Attack, December 7, 1941,"
undated
box 2, folder 12
"Statement by Major General Walter C. Short, U. S. Army, Retired. Before the Joint Congressional Committee on the Investigation
of the Pearl Harbor Attack," prerelease
1946 January
box 2, folder 13
"Statement Reference Secret Documents Pertaining to Pearl Harbor and Not Known to Me Until the Summer of 1944" [sic], typescript
undated
Congressional prints
1942, 1945
box 2, folder 14
Attack Upon Pearl Harbor by Japanese Armed Forces, report by the United States Commission to Investigate and Report the Facts Relating to the Attack Made by Japanese Armed
Forces upon Pearl Harbor in the Territory of Hawaii on December 7, 1941
1942
box 2, folder 15
Pearl Harbor: Intercepted Diplomatic Messages Sent by the Japanese Government between July 1 and December 8, 1941
1945
Correspondence,
1942-1945, undated
box 2, folder 16
Green, Thomas H.
1945 April 12
box 2, folder 17
Hawaiian Department,
1941 December 20
box 2, folder 18
Unidentified
1942 April 23
box 2, folder 19
Governmental Research, Inc. statement,
1945 September 5
box 2, folder 20
Joint Committee on the Investigation of the Pearl Harbor Attack digest of exhibits,
circa 1946
box 19, folder 8
Maps and summaries of naval positions on December 7, 1941
undated
box 2, folder 21
Proposed Pearl Harbor investigation resolution, draft,
1946 December
box 2, folder 22
Travel documents,
1942 January 8-11
Isabel Dean Short File
1892-1957
Scope and Contents Note
Consists of correspondence, sheet music, copyright certificates, and other material related to Isabel Dean Short (1893-1984),
wife of Lt. Gen. Short. Her father, Walter C. Dean, was mayor of Oklahoma City from 1927-1931. Arranged alphabetically, followed
by miscellany.
box 3, folder 1
General,
1919-1944, undated
box 3, folder 2
Regarding Walter C. Short
1942-1954, undated;
1942-1954, undated;
box 3, folder 5-6
Short, Walter Dean
1939-1944
box 3, folder 7-9
"The General's Lady," manuscript
1955
Scope and Contents Note
Includes correspondence regarding the publication of the manuscript.
Musical compositions
1939, 1951, undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes manuscripts and printed copies of musical scores composed by Isabel Dean Short.
box 4, folder 2
Copyright certificates
1951
box 4, folder 3
Photostat negatives,
undated
box 4, folder 4-5
Walter C. Dean file
1892-1952, undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes various materials related to Walter C. Dean, including an artist's sketch, news clippings, and his wedding book (contains
hair clippings).
box 4, folder 6
Miscellany
1918-1950
undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes U.S. Army Hawaiian Department identification card, Puerto Rican operator's license, photograph and text used for
a press release when Walter Dean Short received the Silver Star Medal, and other material.
box 19, folder 1
Miscellany
1918-1950, undated
Walter Dean Short File
1920-1990
Scope and Contents Note
Contains material related to Lt. Gen. Short's son, Walter Dean Short. Includes a membership card, his baby book, correspondence,
and military school records. Arranged alphabetically, followed by miscellany.
box 4, folder 7
Army Navy Country Club membership card
1932
box 4, folder 9
Correspondence
1958-1990, undated
box 4, folder 11
Miscellany
1945, undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes childhood notebook used to practice handwriting and photostat negatives of general order for award of Silver Star
Medal.
Photographs
1893-1950s
Scope and Contents Note
Includes photographs of Lt. Gen. Short as well as his immediate and extended family. Also included are photographs documenting
his military career. Arranged alphabetically by subject followed by miscellany, unidentified persons, and negatives.
box 5, folder 1
Family
1893-1950
undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes photographs of Lt. Gen. Short, his wife Isabel, son Walter Dean, and their extended family. Contains tin types.
box 5, folder 2
Family
1893-1950, undated
box 5, folder 4
"Honolulu Club and House,"
circa 1941
Scope and Contents Note
Includes photographs of the Shorts' arrival in Hawaii as well as their Honolulu home.
box 5, folder 5
"Leavenworth,"
undated
Scope and Contents Note
Contains photographs taken at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
box 5, folder 6
Military
1917-1941, undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes photograph of Lt. Gen. Short receiving the Distinguished Service Medal with letter attached dated May 2, 1919.
box 5, folder 8
Miscellany
1916-1944, undated
box 6, folder 1
Unidentified persons
undated
box 18
Unidentified persons
undated
film shelf
Motion Picture Films
1940-1941
Scope and Contents note
Three 16mm film reels depicting Lt. Gen. Short's promotion to major general and an examination of troops before the attack
on Pearl Harbor.
Oversize Material
1901-1955
Scope and Contents Note
Contains photo albums, scrapbooks, and a Confederate States of America war bond. Arranged alphabetically by type and then
chronologically.
box 7
Album,
circa 1910s
Scope and Contents Note
Contains photographs of Isabel and Lt. Gen. Short during his early military career at an unidentified military camp. Album
has been removed from its bindings due to deterioration.
box 11
Album
1918-1947
1918-1947
Scope and Contents Note
Contains wedding and family photos of Walter Dean and Emily Short as well as clippings, programs from Isabel Short's musical
performances, correspondence, and Walter Dean Short's West Point graduation invitation.
box 8
Album
1920s-1944
1920s-1944
Scope and Contents Note
Contains a clipping announcing Walter Dean Short's marriage to Emily Short, as well as photographs of him as a baby and correspondence.
box 9
Album,
1934
Scope and Contents Note
Contains captioned photographs of the 6th U.S. Infantry at various locations in Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri. Also contains
three news clippings.
box 16
Album
1935
Scope and Contents Note
Contains photographs taken during the 1935 National Rifle Matches held at Camp Perry, Ohio. Includes photographs of Lt. Gen.
Short awarding trophies to the winners of the matches.
box 12
Album
1941
Scope and Contents Note
Contains images of the Shorts' arrival at Fort Shafter in Honolulu, Hawaii taken by the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Also contains
clippings and several images of the interior of the Shorts' Honolulu residence.
box 19, folder 10
Confederate States of America war bond
1863
box 10
Scrapbook
1901-1939
Scope and Contents Note
Contains clippings, photographs, and other printed matter related to Lt. Gen. Short's early military career, including letters
regarding his appointment to army lieutenant dated 1901. Also includes several clippings regarding Walter C. Dean's mayoral
re-election. Scrapbook has been removed from its original binding due to preservation concerns.
box 13
Scrapbook
1922-1940
Scope and Contents Note
Contains invitations from the White House and for various events. Also includes ticket stubs from the 1939 World's Fair in
New York and news clippings. Scrapbook unbound due to preservation concerns.
box 14
Scrapbook
1923-1945
Scope and Contents Note
Contains articles on Walter Dean Short receiving the Bronze Star Medal, his cadet records, and clippings about the end of
World War II. Also includes programs from several of Isabel Short's musical performances, photographs, and a first prize ribbon
from the 1930 Fort Leavenworth Dog Show.
box 17
Scrapbook
1938-1941
Scope and Contents Note
Contains clippings related to Lt. Gen. Short's military achievements, including his promotion to major general in March of
1940 and to commander of the Hawaiian Department in 1941. Includes some photographs.
box 15
Scrapbook
1940-1955
Scope and Contents Note
Contains clippings regarding Lt. Gen. Short's promotion to commander of the Hawaiian Department, the attack on Pearl Harbor
and subsequent investigations, and his death. Includes some correspondence.
box 20
Gavel of Walter C. Dean
1922
box 20
Gold military sash
undated
Printed Matter
1920-1956
Scope and Contents Note
Contains clippings, pamphlets, programs, and other printed matter relating to the Short family's activities and the attack
on Pearl Harbor. Arranged alphabetically, followed by miscellany.
box 6, folder 3
"1st Army Maneuvers,"
1939-1940
Note
Material removed from its original metal fasteners due to preservation concerns.
box 6, folder 4
Articles regarding Walter C. Short
1929-1955, undated
box 6, folder 5
El Imparcial: El Diario Ilustrado de Puerto Rico
1938
Scope and Contents Note
Consists of Spanish language articles related to Lt. Gen. Short's military service in Puerto Rico. Material has been removed
from its original metal fasteners due to preservation concerns.
box 6, folder 6
El Mundo: Diario de la Mañana
1938
Scope and Contents Note
Consists of Spanish language articles related to Lt. Gen. Short's military service in Puerto Rico. Material has been removed
from its original metal fasteners due to preservation concerns.
box 6, folder 8
The Final Secrets of Pearl Harbor, pamphlet
1945
box 6, folder 9
Peace and War: United States Foreign Policy 1931-1941
1943
box 6, folder 10
The Pointer, Volume XVII, Number 15
1940 March 22
box 6, folder 11
Programs
1930-1941, undated
box 6, folder 12
The Truth About Pearl Harbor, pamphlet
1944
box 6, folder 13
U.S. News & World Report
1954
Scope and Contents Note
Includes three issues of
U.S. World & News Report from April 2, April 16, and December 3, 1954 that feature articles about Pearl Harbor. Articles of note include: "The Big
Secret of Pearl Harbor" (April 2), "More About Pearl Harbor" (April 16), and "The Muddle Before Pearl Harbor--Inside Story
by Capt. T. B. Kittredge" (December 3).
box 6, folder 14
Miscellany
undated
Scope and Contents Note
Includes postcard booklets from Madrid and the Museu Nacional dos Coches in Portugal as well as a reproduction of a York Minster
Cathedral etching with text.