Descriptive Finding Guide for the Rear Admiral Constantine A. Karaberis Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10083
Laurel P. Bracken
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
April 28, 2014
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego 92101
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Rear Admiral Constantine A. Karaberis Personal Papers
source:
Karaberis, Constantine A., Rear Admiral
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10083
Physical Description:
1.37 Cubic Feet
Three (3) 15” x 5” x 10.5” boxes
Date (inclusive): 1926-1993
Abstract: The Rear Admiral Constantine A. Karaberis Personal Papers contains items related primarily to Karaberis' career in the United
States Navy from 1935 to 1969, commanding several bases and ships.
Biographical / Historical
Rear Admiral Karaberis was a career Naval Officer, graduating from the Naval Academy in 1935 and becoming Rear Admiral in
1963. He was Commander of Naval Air Station San Diego in 1967 and retired in 1969.
Karaberis was born in Lewiston, Maine on August 4, 1912. He moved with his family to Manchester, New Hampshire where he later
attended school. He graduated from The City of Manchester Grammar School graduating on June 18, 1926. He attended Manchester
High School Central graduating in June 1930.
Karaberis was admitted into the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD on July 7, 1931 and graduated in 1935 with a Bachelor of Science
degree. He served as a junior officer on the aircraft carrier USS. Saratoga (CV-3). In 1936, after marrying his first wife,
the former Phyllis A. Smith, he reported for flight training at NAS Pensacola Florida and was designated a Naval Aviator in
February 1939.
Karaberis reported for duty in the aviation unit of the USS Honolulu (CL-48). He was on board this ship when it was attacked
in December 1941 at Pearl Harbor. After Pearl Harbor, Karaberis was stationed in San Diego. His first wife passed away in
December 1944 in San Diego.
Karaberis became the Executive Officer of the USS Wake Island (CVE-45) in 1945. He was one of the Alaska VP- General Training
Softball Champs in 1949. He also studied at the Naval War College and graduated in 1951. He married the former Avis E. Moore
of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He became the Executive Officer of Naval Air Station Alameda until he was appointed Commander
of the U.S. Navy Patrol Squadron (VR-23) at Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan.
From 1960 to 1961, Karaberis was commanding officer on the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CV-18) and was promoted to Rear Admiral
on August 1, 1963. He commanded several bases and ships until his retirement on June 30, 1969 after 38 years of service.
As a civilian, he was a Director of Community Relations at Southern California First National Bank. He was also on the board
of directors of the San Diego Air and Space Museum and a member of the Advisory Council for the San Diego Boy Scouts of America.
He worked at San Diego Trust and Savings until passing away on February 5, 1987 at the age of 75. His ashes were scattered
at sea. He was survived by his second wife, Avis. She passed away December 11, 1998. Their memorials are located at the United
States Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland.
Conditions Governing Use
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection of Rear Admiral was donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum on April 26, 1999. It is open for research
with no restrictions.
Scope and Contents
Box 1 Size: 15” x 5” x 10.5” contains the papers of Rear Admiral Constantine A. Karaberis. There is correspondence about joining
the Naval Academy, many programs for the Change of Command ceremonies, newspaper clippings about his various posts, his personal
and military files, many awards and letters from the Secretary of the Navy.
Box 2 Size: 15” x 5” x 10.5” contains six decades of official Navy photographs commemorating the ceremonies at the bases he
commanded and various awards he received from 1926 until 1985. Also included in this box is a photograph album with pictures
of friends from Japan.
Box 3 Size 15” x 5” 10.5” contains oversized documents such as a photograph of the 50-year reunion, class of 1935 at the Naval
Academy. There is a large picture of Rear Admiral Constantine Karaberis in his dress uniform and awards from President Franklin
D. Roosevelt as he advanced in rank during World War II.
Related Materials
Digital images from this collection are available for viewing at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sdasmarchives/sets/72157636444995806/
Related Materials
A more detailed finding guide is available at http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/collections/collection_item.php?id=128
Preferred Citation
[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum
Library & Archives”]
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Naval Air Station Pensacola (Fla.)
Naval Air Station North Island (Calif.)
Honolulu (Light cruiser : CL-48)
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano)
Naval Air Station Imperial Beach (Calif.)
Alameda Naval Air Station (Calif.)
United States Naval Academy
United States. Navy
Wasp (Aircraft carrier : CVS-18)
Saratoga (Aircraft carrier : CV-3)
Karaberis, Constantine A., Rear Admiral
Karaberis, Constantine A., Rear Admiral
Box 01
Abstract: Contains the papers of Rear Admiral Constantine A. Karaberis. There is correspondence about joining the Naval Academy, many
programs for the Change of Command ceremonies, newspaper clippings about his various posts, his personal and military files,
many awards and letters from the Secretary of the Navy.
Folder 01 – C. A. Karaberis File of Official Orders and Papers
1965-1967
Folder 02 – U. S. Navy Personal Officer Service Record
1954-1968
Folder 03 – Correspondence regarding appointment to the Naval Academy
1929-1930
Folder 04 – Booklets Containing Reef Point Regulations from the Naval Academy
1931-1935
Folder 05 – Military Correspondence
1940-1959
Folder 06 – Various Newspaper Articles
1951-1973
Folder 07 – Various Change-of-Command Ceremony Programs
1963-1969
Folder 08 – Letters of Meritorious Awards
1945-1969
Folder 09 – Various Military Correspondence
1967-1969
Folder 10 – Official Navy Documents: Discharge Papers & Statement of Personal History
1967-1969
Folder 11 – Retirement Ceremony Paperwork for June 30, 1969
1969
Folder 12 – Legion of Merit Award and Letter
1969
Folder 13 – Civilian Correspondence
1969-1970
Folder 14 – Photocopies of All Photographs and Letters Pertaining to Official Duties
Folder 15 – Miscellaneous Items of Importance
Processing Information
Folder 15 contains original enclosures for items in the collection as well as research used in creating the finding guide.
Box 02
1926-1985
Abstract: Contains six decades of official Navy photographs commemorating the ceremonies at the bases Rear Admiral Constantine A. Karaberis
commanded and various awards he received from 1926 until 1985. Also included in this box is a photograph album with pictures
of friends from Japan.
Folder 16 – Photographs I: Graduation from the Naval Academy
1935
Folder 17 – Photographs II: Official and Personal Photographs
1930-1939
Folder 18 – Photographs III: Official Photographs
1939-1949
Folder 19 – Photographs IV: Official Photographs
1950-1959
Folder 20 - Photographs V: Official Navy Photographs
1958-1969
Folder 21 - Photographs VI: Official Navy Photographs
1971-1975
Folder 22 - Civilian and Military Awards: Rear Admiral Constantine Karaberis
1926-1985
Folder 23 - Avis Karaberis Letters and Photographs from Friends in Japan
Box 03
Abstract: Contains oversized documents relating to Rear Admiral Constantine Karaberis such as a photograph of the 50-year reunion, class
of 1935 at the Naval Academy. There is a large picture of Rear Admiral Constantine Karaberis in his dress uniform and awards
from President Franklin D. Roosevelt as he advanced in rank during World War II.
Folder 24 - Oversized Awards and Pictures
