Conditions Governing Use
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: John Armen Torigian Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10203
Physical Description:
.25 Cubic Feet
The collection contains two archival file folders, one containing miscellaneous official documents and personal items relating
to Torigian's service in the U.S. Navy from 1915 to 1945. The second folder contains 102 black and white print photographs,
most of which are not captioned or otherwise identified. Torigian's blue Navy dress blouse with rating chevron and service
hash marks, sans ribbons and medals, has been turned over to SDASM Curatorial Department.
The collection consists of one gray archival flip-top box, 2-1/2 x 15-1/4 x 10-1/4
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: The collection contains two archival file folders, one containing miscellaneous official documents and personal items relating
to Torigian's service in the U.S. Navy from 1915 to 1945. The second folder contains 102 black and white print photographs,
most of which are not capti
Abstract:
John Armen Torigian was born January 22, 1894 in Armenia, then part of the Ottoman Empire. His family immigrated to the United
States around the turn of the century and settled in Massachusetts. In 1911, after completing sixth grade, his highest level
of formal schooling, John went to work at the Knox Automobile Company of Springfield as an apprentice toolmaker, remaining
there until 1915. While with Knox, he attended night classes in mechanical drawing and machine shop practices.
Torigian enlisted in the Navy on 7 December 1915 and served until 1919 as a Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class (MM2C). He briefly
reentered civilian life but rejoined the Navy, serving 15-1/2 years from 1920 to 1936. During this time, he was promoted to
MM1C and then Aviation Chief Machinist’s Mate (ACMM), serving in land-based and shipboard aviation squadrons. In September
1937 he was transferred to Fleet Reserve with an F4D classification denoting 20 or more years of service. He was recalled
to active duty on 15 June 1941 and served in various shore-based installations as a PA (Permanent Appointment) for the duration
of the war, including in the Overhaul and Repair Departments at NAS Alameda and Pearl Harbor where he supervised up to 25
“experts” overhauling and rehabilitating defective or damaged aircraft hydraulic units.
Torigian was placed on the retired list on 9 November 1945. His separation form noted that, as an Advanced Aviation Machinist’s
Mate with supervisorial training, he was “a good tool maker, lathe man and general machine shop worker.” He received several
letters of recommendation from former superior officers with whom he had worked at the aforementioned installations. His post-war
activities are not well documented; however, he is known to have worked as an aircraft mechanic at NAS San Diego (North Island)
in late 1948.
SC. 10203
2
A resident of Coronado, California, for many years, John Torigian died in Balboa Naval Hospital on 31 January 1964, just days
after his 70th birthday. He was survived by his wife of many years, Arisog Boghosian Torigian, and is buried in Fort Rosecrans
National Cemetery.
Physical Description: Description: The collection consists of one gray archival flip-top box, 2-1/2 x 15-1/4 x 10-1/4
inches.
Content notes: The collection contains two archival file folders, one containing miscellaneous official documents and personal
items relating to Torigian's service in the U.S. Navy from 1915 to 1945. The second folder contains 102 black and white print
photographs, most of which are not captioned or otherwise identified. Torigian's blue Navy dress blouse with rating chevron
and service hash marks, sans ribbons and medals, has been turned over to SDASM Curatorial Department.
Conditions Governing Use
The collection is open to research by appointment. Some restrictions may apply.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials in this collection were donated to the San Diego Air & Space Museum in 2017.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Alaskan Aviation
Alaskan Aerial Survey
USS Langley (CV-1)
Torigian, John Armen