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Title: Richard A. Stratton papers
Date (bulk): 1952-1990
Collection Number: 75044
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material: English, French, Spanish, and German
Physical Description:
26 manuscript boxes, 3 videocassette boxes, 3 oversize boxes, 1 audio cassette box, 1 card file box, 4 motion picture film
reels
(25.0 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Correspondence, memoirs, speeches and writings, interview transcripts, memoranda, conference proceedings, flight logs, military
records, personal documents, printed matter, and audiovisual material relating to American prisoners of war and persons missing
in action during the Vietnam War, and to the treatment of released prisoners in North Vietnam. Includes some papers of Alice
M. Stratton, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for forces support and family, and wife of Richard A. Stratton.
Creator:
Stratton, Richard A., 1931-
Creator:
Stratton, Alice M.
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Box 34 may not be used without permission of the Archivist. The remainder of 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.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1975, with increments received in 1978, 1993, 2013, and 2015.
[Identification of item], Richard A. Stratton papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
| 1931 October 14 | Born, Quincy, Massachusetts |
| 1952-1954 | Attended Oblate College |
| 1947-1948 | Enlisted in Massachusetts National Guard |
| Assigned Private in the 211th Calvary Reconnaissance Squadron | |
| 1964 | Assigned as aide and executive assistant to the Deputy Direction, Joint Strategic Planning Staff, Strategic Air Command Headquarters, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska |
| Commissioned Lieutenant Commander | |
| Master of Arts, International Relations, Stanford University | |
| 1955 | Enlisted in Navy as naval aviation cadet |
| Bachelor of Arts, History and Government, Georgetown University | |
| 1962 | Assigned to Naval Reserve Office Training Corps Unit Stanford |
| 1988 | Master of Social Work, Rhode Island College, School of Social Work |
| 1959 April 4 | Married Alice M. (Robertson) Stratton |
| 1967 January 5 | Captured as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam within Fourth Allied POW Wing, Hanoi, North Vietnam |
| 1975 | Assigned Commanding Officer, Navy Recruiting District, New York, East Meadow |
| Commissioned Captain | |
| 1977-1979 | Commander, Recruiting Area Five, Great Lakes NTS, North Chicago, Illinois |
| 1979-1981 | Deputy for Operations, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland |
| 1981-1986 | Director, Naval Academy Preparatory School, NETC, Newport Rhode Island |
| 1986 | Retired from active duty |
| 1989-1995 | Chairman, Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Prisoners of War |
| 1973 March 3 | Released as part of Operation Homecoming |
| 2001 | Retired |
| 1997-2001 | Contract counselor for sailors and families at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia and Naval Station Mayport, Florida |
| 1969 May | Commissioned Commander |
| 1957 | Designated Naval Aviator |
| 1958-1962 | Joined Carrier Air Group Nine, Attack Squadron Ninety-four aboard USS Ranger; deployed to Western Pacific |
| Commissioned Lieutenant | |
| 1966 | Joined Carrier Air Wing Nineteen, Attack Squadron One Ninety-two; deployed aboard the USS Ticonderoga to Tonkin Gulf, Southeast Asia |
| 1973-1975 | Executive Officer of Naval Plant Representative Office, Strategic Systems Project Office, Lockheed Missiles and Space Company |
Scope and Content of Collection
The Richard A. Stratton papers consist of correspondence, speeches and writings, memoranda, interview transcripts conference
proceedings, printed matter, and audiovisual material relating to American prisoners of war and persons missing in action
during the Vietnam War, and to the treatment of released prisoners in North Vietnam. The collection includes some papers of
his wife, Alice M. Stratton, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Force Support and Families (sometimes also referred
to as "Personnel and Families"). The collection reflects Stratton's career both as a Navy pilot and social worker, as well
as Alice Stratton's work for families of Naval officers and American POWs.
The
Military Career File contains material relating to Richard Stratton's work in the Navy before and after the Vietnam War, including his Navy recruitment
and courses he taught. The
Alice M. Stratton File includes letters she received in response to a letter-writing campaign she conducted on behalf of Richard Stratton, as well
as material relating to her work as deputy assistant secretary of the Navy after the Vietnam War. The
Photographs series includes scenes of Stratton as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam's "Hanoi Hilton," as well as photographs by American
photojournalist Lee Lockwood taken for
Life magazine.
Throughout the collection, Richard A. Stratton is also referred to as "Dick" and "The Beak."
Juliene Williams papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Maerose J. Evans papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia miscellany, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Paul B. Ryan papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Sybil Bailey Stockdale papers, Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Prisoners of war
Officers
Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Prisoners and prisons, North Vietnamese
United States. Navy
United States. Navy Department