Register of the Richard A. Stratton papers

Finding aid prepared by Helena Ong
Hoover Institution Library and Archives
© 2009, 2017
434 Galvez Mall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003
hoover-library-archives@stanford.edu


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

Access

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.

Use

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Acquisition Information

Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1975, with increments received in 1978, 1993, 2013, and 2015.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Richard A. Stratton papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Biographical Note

Chronology

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."

Related Collections

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

 

Biographical File 1952-2009

Scope and Contents note

Contains transcripts, news clippings, and other material about Richard Stratton. Arranged alphabetically by physical form.
box 1, folder 1

Academic transcripts 1952-1988

box 1, folder 2-8

Awards and certificates 1956-2009

Scope and Contents note

Includes photographs from 1975 award ceremony for Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and Navy Commendation Medal.
box 2, folder 1

Awards and certificates 1956-2009

box 2, folder 2-4

News clippings 1970-1979

Scope and Contents note

Contains news clippings about Richard Stratton.
box 2, folder 5

Personnel files 1955-1977

Scope and Contents note

Includes prints and negatives of Stratton's official Navy portrait photos.
 

Correspondence 1967-2010

 

General 1972-2010

box 2, folder 6

1972

box 3, folder 1-3

1973

box 3, folder 4-5

1974

box 3, folder 6

1975-1976

box 3, folder 7

1977-2010

box 4, folder 1

POW camp letters 1967-1973

box 4, folder 2

POW literature 1973-1986

Scope and Contents note

Contains correspondence, memorandum, bibliographies, and printed matter relating to literature by returned prisoners of war. Includes photocopies of book inscriptions addressed to Stratton from fellow prisoners of war.
box 4, folder 3

Stockdale, James B. 1982 March - 1987 February

Scope and Contents note

Contains correspondence from Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale, a friend and fellow prisoner of war. Stockdale was also a historian and research fellow of the Hoover Institution.
 

Speeches and Writings 1964-2009, undated

Arrangement note

Arranged chronologically.
box 4, folder 4

"POW Handwriting as an Indicator of Stress, 1967-1973," undated

box 4, folder 5

"First African Regional Conference of the International Labor Organization," 1964 June

box 4, folder 6

Speaking engagements 1973-1987

box 4, folder 7

Forum for Contemporary History, 1973

box 4, folder 8

Veteran's Day address 1974

box 4, folder 9

"Viet Notes U.S. Lack of Patience," 1975 January

box 4, folder 10-12

Interview with Commander Richard A. Stratton by Captain Paul B. Ryan 1975 September 28

Scope and Contents note

Three typescript copies of Stratton's interview for the U.S. Naval Institute's Oral History program on the subject of "Experiences in the Vietnam War." One of the copies is annotated with corrections by Stratton. Also includes correspondence from Stratton to Captain Paul B. Ryan, a historian and research fellow at the Hoover Institution, and a memorandum from Ryan regarding its use.
box 5, folder 1

"Turn on the Lights," 1985

Scope and Contents note

Includes correspondence with editors of Marine Corps Gazette, Proceedings, and Reader's Digest.
box 5, folder 2

"Nobody Asked Me, But...," Proceedings, 1985-1986

Scope and Contents note

Includes terms of publication contract with Proceedings and drafts of the article.
box 5, folder 3

"Support the President in Getting the POWs Back from Vietnam," 1986 March

box 5, folder 4

Tales of Southeast Asia 2009

Scope and Contents note

Includes a USB drive labelled "Richard Stratton, resource material for Tales of Southeast Asia and Prisoner at War."
 

Speeches and Writings by Others 1950-2008, undated

Arrangement note

Arranged alphabetically by author.
box 5, folder 5

Aerospace Speech Series, "Prisoner of War -- Missing in Action," 1971 September

box 5, folder 6

Bailey, Rodney, "Sandcrab U.S.N.," undated

box 5, folder 7

Benson, Jack and Daniel Bizzell, "Effects of Captivity and Commissioned/Enlisted Status on Short-Term and Long-Term Psychopathy in Former Prisoners of War," undated

box 5, folder 8

Biderman, Albert D., "Dangers of Negative Patriotism" and "Necessary, Permissible, and Obligatory Discourse with Captor Personnel," 1962-1963

box 5, folder 9-12

Blakely, Scott, "Prisoner at War: The Survival of Commander Richard A. Stratton," 1978-1981

Scope and Contents note

Includes typescript copy, correspondence, reviews, and memoranda relating to the publication.
box 5, folder 13

Brayes, William, "The Road to Hill 10," 1985 April

box 5, folder 14

Clifford, Rev. John W., "The First Step Is to Recognize It," undated

box 5, folder 15

Coker, George, "P.W.," 1974 October

box 6, folder 1

Colvin, John, "Hanoi Outside the Walls," 1981

box 6, folder 2

Daugherty, William, "In the Shadow of the Ayatollah," 2001 April

box 6, folder 3

Davis, W. J., "Hanoi-gate Marine," 1986

box 6, folder 4-5

Dramesi, John, "Code of Honor," 1974 November

box 6, folder 6

Dunn, Joe, "The POW Chronicles," 1983

box 6, folder 7

Lawes, Lewis E., "Prisons," Encyclopedia Americana 1956

box 6, folder 8

Otten, Michael, "How Americans Look to Others," undated

box 6, folder 9

Prickett, Lt. Col. W. F., "How Would You Do It," 1951 January

box 6, folder 10

Scharff, Hanns Joachim, "Without Torture," 1950

box 6, folder 11

Schein, Edgar H., "Roles--Not Rules--for the POW," 1963 September

box 6, folder 12

Scurfield, Raymond, "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Vietnam Veterans and Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Vietnam Veterans," 1989 July

box 6, folder 13-14

Skelton, William Paul, "The Former American Prisoner of War," 1993

Scope and Contents note

Contains a printed copy of Skelton's lecture series and additional writings. Includes bibliography of lecture series presentation and a curriculum vitae.
box 6, folder 15

Solzhenitsyn, Aleksander, excerpt of The First Circle and review by Stanton Evans undated

box 6, folder 16

Stockdale, James B. 1978-1985

Scope and Contents note

Contains writings, articles, speeches, and clippings.
box 7, folder 1

Stockdale, James B. 1978-1985

box 7, folder 2

Webster, Steven D., "Maintaining Leadership Under Adverse Conditions," 2008 October 17

 

Military Career File, 1950-2013

Scope and Contents note

Contains correspondence, records, reports, and printed matter relating to Stratton's military career. Also includes information related to Stratton's biographical documentary, 2251 Days.
box 7, folder 3

2251 Days, 1973-1974

Scope and Contents note

Contains printed matter and correspondence relating to Stratton's biographical documentary produced by KQED.
box 7, folder 4

Clearance records 1955 December - 1975 January

box 7, folder 5-7

"Code of Conduct" coursework 1974-1987

Scope and Contents note

Includes typescript speeches by others, memoranda regarding lectures, printed matter, handwritten notes regarding coursework, "The Military Spouse's 'Code of Conduct'" by Alice Stratton, and a transcript of an interview panel for the U.S. Naval Institute Professional Seminar Series featuring Stratton on the topic of the military "Code of Conduct."
box 7, folder 8

Command history for the USS Ticonderoga 1968, 2008

box 7, folder 9

"Cultural Survival Guide: Southeast Asia," Intelligence Command Unit 202 1976 June 15

Scope and Contents note

A preliminary working draft prepared with the Center for Prisoner of War Studies, Naval Health Research Center.
box 7, folder 10

Department of Defense 1956-1970

box 7, folder 11

Endorsements for others 1973-2013

box 8, folder 1

Family Liaison Action Group 1980 March - December

box 8, folder 2

Finance records 1956-1983

box 8, folder 3

Fitness reports 1955 November - 1966 December

box 8, folder 4-6

Flight log books 1955-1973

box 8, folder 7

Naval Academy 1981

box 8, folder 8-9

Naval Chaplains School 1982-1986

Scope and Contents note

Contains speeches and writings, printed matter, reports, memoranda, and forms relating to coursework Stratton taught at the Naval Chaplains School. Includes "An Analysis of Factors Involved in Family Adjustments During Separations/Reunions: Opportunities for Ministry" by Paul Pyrch and Alice Stratton's speech for the Navy Chaplains School's senior course.
box 8, folder 10

Naval War College 1982-1985

Scope and Contents note

Contains correspondence, memoranda, and printed matter relating to Stratton's work as Director of the Academy of Preparatory School and coursework taught at the Naval War College. Also includes correspondence and articles written by James B. Stockdale.
box 9, folder 1

Navy recruitment 1977-1979

box 9, folder 2

Officer effectiveness reports 1973-1974

box 9, folder 3-7

Operation Homecoming 1967-1973

Scope and Contents note

Contains interviews, correspondence, photographs, and printed matter regarding military orders, Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, rosters of returned prisoners of war, homecoming policy, message traffic, and gratuities for prisoners of war. Also see Photograph series for additional photos and slides of Oak Knoll Hospital.
box 9, folder 8

Pilot flight records 1957-1967

box 10, folder 1

Pilot log book 1955-1963

box 10, folder 2

Repatriate Prisoner of War Program undated

box 10, folder 3

Retirement record 1985 October

box 10, folder 4

Roster 1981-1983

box 10, folder 5

Service records 1955 May - 1983 October

box 10, folder 6-7

Training jacket booklet 1955

box 10, folder 8

"U.S. Vulnerabilities as Portrayed in the East German Television Film, 'Pilots in Pajamas,'" Harley Preston, James Monroe, and Aldo Raffa 1968 July 9

box 10, folder 9

Miscellaneous 1950-1983

Scope and Contents note

Includes material related to the military "Code of Conduct," rules of confinement, POW literature, and Stratton's political views in the 1950s. Also see Military Career File for additional material on "Code of Conduct."
 

Alice M. Stratton File 1955-1994

Scope and Contents note

Contains material related to Alice Stratton's work advocating for families of American POWs/MIAs and her position as a deputy assistant secretary to the Navy (DASN). Also includes personal documents, correspondence, speeches and writings, and printed matter relating to the Navy, POW/MIA advocacy groups, and the Stockholm Tribunal.
 

Biographical file 1955-1994

box 10, folder 10

Academic transcripts 1955-1994

box 10, folder 11

Awards and certificates 1971-1988

box 11, folder 1

Awards and certificates 1971-1988

box 11, folder 2

Bibliography undated

box 11, folder 3

Biography 1985-1987

Scope and Contents note

Includes prints of Alice Stratton's official Navy portrait photo.
box 11, folder 4

News clippings 1969-1973

box 12

Diaries 1985 August - 1989 March

Scope and Contents note

Contains 10 office diaries that Alice Stratton kept while she served as Deputy Assistance Secretary of the Navy (DASN) for Force Support and Families. This division is sometimes referred to as "Personnel and Families."
 

Correspondence 1967-1972

box 11, folder 5

Notification of POW status 1967

Scope and Contents note

Correspondence related to Richard Stratton's prisoner of war status.
box 11, folder 6

Letters received from Hanoi 1967-1968

Scope and Contents note

Contains correspondence from visitors to Hanoi who relayed information and letters to and from Richard and Alice Stratton. Also see Stockholm Tribunal for additional correspondence, writings, and printed matter from visitors of Hanoi.
box 11, folder 7

Ruefle, William J. 1969 August - 1970 September

Scope and Contents note

Contains correspondence, a photograph, roster of Joint Strategic Target Planning staff, and printed matter collected by Captain William J. Ruefle in his efforts to secure better treatment for American POWs. Also includes correspondence from his wife, Virginia Ruefle, to Alice Stratton.
box 11, folder 8-9

Letter writing campaign 1969-1972

box 11, folder 10

Letters received from Shoreland School 1972

Scope and Contents note

Contains letters of support for Richard Stratton from third graders of Shoreland School, addressed to Alice Stratton and family.
 

Speeches and writings 1957-1991

Arrangement note

Arranged chronologically.
box 11, folder 11

"U.S. Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Personnel," presentation undated

box 11, folder 12

"Family Care Therapists at Northville State Hospital," 1957

box 13, folder 1

"The Stress of Separation," 1978

box 13, folder 2

Remarks for Department of Defense Family Service Center Program 1985 November - 1987 October

box 13, folder 3

Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 1985 November 15

box 13, folder 4

"Volunteerism Can Be Career Enhancing," speech for Navy Wives Club 1986 March 10

box 13, folder 5

Remarks to Civilian Personnel Directors 1986 March 12

box 13, folder 6

Remarks to Ombudsmen University 1986 April 5

box 13, folder 7

Remarks to John H. Russel Conference 1986 April 22

box 13, folder 8

Remarks to the Integrated Warfare Course at Naval War College 1986 May - September

box 13, folder 9

Remarks for POW Memorial Plaque and Garden Ceremony 1986 July

box 13, folder 10

Remarks to Navy Post Graduate School 1986 July 8

box 13, folder 11

Remarks at National Naval Officer Association 1986 July 11

box 13, folder 12

Remarks to Navy Social Workers Conference and Military Social Workers Dinner 1986 September - 1989 June

box 13, folder 13

Remarks to Marine Corps General's wives 1986 September 22

box 13, folder 14

Coast Guard speech 1986 December 16

box 13, folder 15

Speeches to Family Service Center Directors Conference 1987 March 10 - April 9

box 13, folder 16

Remarks to Navy League National Convention 1987 April 14 - 1988 June 6

box 13, folder 17

Remarks at Orlando Family Advocacy Conference, 1987 June 10

box 13, folder 18

Speech for Fleet and Force Master Chief spouses 1987 October 13

box 13, folder 19

Remarks to AirPac Commanders Conference 1987 October 20

box 13, folder 20

Speech for Fleet Reserve Association 1988 March 16

box 13, folder 21

Speech for Military Spouses Business and Professional Association, 1988 October 3

box 13, folder 22

Remarks for Navy Education and Training Command 1990 September 13

box 13, folder 23

Speech to the Retired Officers Association 1991 April 6

box 13, folder 24

"War Time Stress for Parents of Warriors," 1991 May

 

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy file 1977-1990

Scope and Contents note

Contains correspondence, speeches and writings, memoranda, reports, and printed matter relating to Alice Stratton's work as Deputy Secretary of the Navy. Arranged alphabetically by subject. See also: Digital Files.
box 13, folder 25

"An Annotated Bibliography: The Military Family," 1981

box 13, folder 26

Appointment book 1985

box 13, folder 27

Bibliography of Family Stress and Coping: The Military Family with Some Non-Military Family Comparisons, 1981

box 13, folder 28

Congressional transcript on child care 1988 July 14

box 13, folder 29

Correspondence 1980-1989

box 13, folder 30

Dedication ceremony of Stratton Hall 1990 February

box 13, folder 31

Job description 1985

box 13, folder 32

Memoranda 1986-1989

box 14, folder 1-2

Navy-Marine Corps Family Support Conference 1988

Scope and Contents note

Includes a photograph, printed matter, and remarks by Alice Stratton announcing Navy-Marine Corps Family Conference at CO/XO Conference, October 21, 1987.
box 14, folder 3

Navy-Wide Family Awareness Conference 1978 November

Scope and Contents note

Includes Alice Stratton's remarks for the USMC General Officers' Symposium, May 3, 1989, regarding outcomes of the Family Awareness Conference in 1978.
box 14, folder 4

Photographs 1989

box 14, folder 5

Printed matter 1986-1989

 

Reports 1977-1988, undated

Scope and contents note

Includes reports received or written by Alice Stratton. Arranged alphabetically by title.
box 14, folder 6-7

American Ex-Prisoners of War packets 1987 November

Scope and contents note

Includes packet 1: "Claim Information;"packet 2: "Stresses of Incarceration, After-Effects of Extreme Stress, Psychological, Neurological, Residual Nervous Conditions;" packet 3: "Arthritis, Alcoholism, Visual, Ulcer, Varicose Veins, Skin, Impotency, Brain Damage, Tuberculosis, etc.;" packet 4: "The After Effects of Incarceration: Part 1, the Heart, Arteries, and Veins: Part II, and Cancer;" packet 5: "What Every POW's Wife Should Know Before She's Your Widow;" packet 8: "The European Story;" packet 9: "The Korea Story;" and packet 10: "The Japanese Story."
box 14, folder 8

As Parents Go, So Go the Children: The Adjustment and Development of Military Children, 1981

box 15, folder 1

Changing Families in a Changing Military System, Military Family Research Conference 1977

box 15, folder 2

Description and Evaluation of an Information Outreach Program, Family Assistance Council Annapolis undated

box 15, folder 3

Final Evaluation Report Family Assistance Council Annapolis: Social Support and Personal Change, 1982 July

box 15, folder 4

The Literature on Military Families, 1980: An Annotated Bibliography, 1980 August 1

box 15, folder 5

A Literature Review of the Military Family: Some Implications for Policy, undated

box 15, folder 6

Longterm Effects of Parental Wartime Captivity on Children of POWs and MIA Servicemen, 1987 October

box 15, folder 7

Proceedings: Conference on Follow-up Care for Returning Prisoners of War, 1985 March 12-14

box 15, folder 8

Proceedings of the Navy Family Service Center Workshop, 1982 March

box 15, folder 9

Proceedings Report: National Council on Family Relations Pre-Conference Workshop "Quality of Family Life in the Military," 1980 October 21

box 15, folder 10

Prolonged Separation: The Prisoner of War and His Family, undated

box 15, folder 11

A Report on the Military Family Research Conference: Current Trends & Directions, 1977 September

box 15, folder 12

The Role of the Leader in Taking Care of Our Families, 1986 April

box 15, folder 13

Quality of Life Symposium: Report of Proceedings, 1988

Scope and Contents note

Includes remarks by Alice Stratton at the Quality of Life Symposium, 1988 April 27.
box 16, folder 1

Travel itineraries 1986 January - July

box 16, folder 2

Visit to the USS Carl Vinson, undated

box 16, folder 3

Miscellaneous 1987-1989

 

Subject file 1967-1974

Scope and Contents note

Contains material related to the Department of the Navy, the Stockholm Tribunal, and several POW/MIA advocacy groups, including some that Alice Stratton was involved in.
box 16, folder 4

Big Brother 1971-1972

box 16, folder 5

City resolutions to support POWs 1970

Scope and Contents note

Also see Oversize Material for "Resolution Honoring Our Returned Prisoners of War," Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Assembly Rules Committee California Legislature Resolution, relative to Missing in Action and Prisoner of War Tribute Day.
box 16, folder 6

Committee of Liaison with Families of Servicemen Detained in North Vietnam, 1970-1973

 

Department of the Navy 1967-1973

Scope and Contents note

Contains correspondence, memoranda, newsletters, and printed matter Alice Stratton received relating to Richard Stratton's status as a POW and other information provided to families of American POWs/MIAs by the Department of the Navy.
box 16, folder 7-8

Correspondence 1967-1973

box 16, folder 9

Memoranda 1967-1971

box 16, folder 10

Newsletters 1967-1973

box 16, folder 11

Printed matter 1967-1972

box 16, folder 12

Miscellaneous 1967

Scope and Contents note

Contains correspondence of Charles A. Stratton, brother of Richard Stratton; undated typescript; handwritten notes; and a September 1969 news briefing of Lt. Robert Frishman and Douglas Hegdahl.
 

Friends of the POW/MIA League of Santa Clara County 1967-1974

box 17, folder 1

Board meeting files 1971-1973

box 17, folder 2

Correspondence 1971-1973

box 17, folder 3-4

News clippings 1967-1974

box 17, folder 5

Newsletters 1971-1973

box 17, folder 6

Promotional material undated

Scope and Contents note

Includes Christmas cards, pamphlets, and a poster, several featuring Stratton's photograph as a prisoner of war. Also contains a photograph of the 1972 Roll Call of the States event.
 

National League of Families of American POW/MIA in Southeast Asia 1967-1974

box 17, folder 7

Correspondence 1969 June - July

box 17, folder 8

Congressional records 1970 August - November

box 17, folder 9

Memoranda 1970-1973

box 17, folder 10

Newsletters 1969 March - 1971 December

box 17, folder 11

Newsletters 1972 January - 1973 August

box 17, folder 12

Organization policy 1971-1973

box 17, folder 13

Printed matter 1969-1974

box 18, folder 1

Publicity campaign 1967-1971

box 18, folder 2

United We Stand 1970 March - August

 

Voices in Vital America (VIVA) 1971-1972

box 18, folder 3

Annual report 1972

box 18, folder 4

Bracelet records 1971-1972

box 18, folder 5

Newsletter 1971-1972

box 18, folder 6

Stockholm Tribunal 1967

 

Photographs 1960-2015

Scope and Contents note

Also see Oversize Material for additional photographs of Stratton as a POW in North Vietnam.
box 18, folder 7

General 1960-2015

Scope and Contents note

Includes photographs of Alice Stratton, Richard Stratton's Navy portraits, the production of the "Honor Bound" sculpture, and photo negatives of Richard Stratton as a POW in North Vietnam.
box 18, folder 8

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni album 1986 February 6-7

Scope and Contents note

See Box 30 for the album's cover.
box 30

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni album 1986 February 6-7

box 18, folder 9

Hanoi Hilton 1967-1972

box 18, folder 10

Oak Knoll Hospital 1973 March

box 18, folder 11

Quincy Public School, Homecoming Weekend held for Commander Richard Stratton album 1973 November 10-13

Scope and Contents note

See Box 30 for the album's title page.
box 30

Quincy Public School, Homecoming Weekend held for Commander Richard Stratton album 1973 November 10-13

box 18, folder 12

USS Powhatan, 1978

 

Digital Files 2001-2015 undated

Scope and Contents note

Contains word processing documents and other digital files on optical discs. Arranged alphabetically by disc title.
box 26

"Alice Stratton DASN Resource Material and Background," 2009-2013

box 26

"Alice Stratton Remarks, 1978-2013," undated

box 26

"Disk I: R[eturned] POW - Background Resources; Dick - Pictures," undated

Scope and Contents note

Includes photos, word processing files, and articles relating to American prisoners of war, torture, and communism.
box 26

"Disk II: R[eturned] POW - Background; Remarks & Friends," 2001-2013

Scope and Contents note

Contains transcripts of speeches and addresses from 2001-2013.
box 26

"Hoover Institution Archives Inventory and Other Locations," 2015

box 26

"North Vietnam, 1967-1973 ppt; videoclip USS Ticonderoga; VA192 NVN, 1966-1967," undated

Scope and Contents note

Contains a PowerPoint presentation on North Vietnam, 1967-1973, and a video clip of the USS Ticonderoga, 1966-1967.
box 26

Photos of POW Day in Quincy, 2 discs 2009 October 31

Scope and Contents note

Also see DVDs for a video of POW Day in Quincy.
box 26

"Stress of Separation Article and Supporting Documents, July 1978," undated

box 26

Tales of Southeast Asia, 3 discs 2009 February 9

Scope and Contents note

Contains a digital copy of Tales of Southeast Asia, photos, and Word processing files regarding a memorial in 2003. One of these discs is labeled as "POW SE Asia Misc."
 

Sound Recordings 1966-2012, undated

Scope and contents note

Includes lectures, interviews, and speeches given by Richard and Alice Stratton. Arranged by media type and alphabetically by item title thereunder. Titles taken from item labels.
 

1/4-inch sound tape reels 1967-1978 undated

box 26

Interview of Richard Stratton by Todd McClaskey 1978 May 1-3

box 26

"Lt. Robert Frishman 1969 Release," 2 reels undated

box 26

"POW Documentary: Chief of Information Award," 1975

box 26

"Stratton 'Confession,'" Voice of Vietnam, 2 reels 1967 March 3

Scope and Contents note

A broadcast of the "confession" Stratton made while imprisoned in Vietnam, which criticized U.S. military forces. See also: compact sound cassettes.
 

Compact sound cassettes 1966-2012, undated

Arrangement note

Arranged alphabetically by tape title. Titles were transcribed from the cassette tape labels when possible.
box 27

Untitled, 2 tapes undated

 

Alcohol lecture undated

 

Captain Jerry Coffee interview, undated

 

Captain Richard A. Stratton press conference, Chicago Press Club 1977 June 9

 

Captain Stratton at Centereach High School, Long Island, New York 1976 November 18

 

Captain Stratton interview, WOWT & KMTV 1977 June 6

 

Captain Stratton interview by Jerry Bowen, CBS Morning News 1977 July 11

 

Captain Stratton in Kansas City 1977 July 14

Scope and Contents note

Side one contains an interview with the Kansas City Kansan and side two contains Stratton's appearance on WDAF-TV's Midday News.
 

Captain Stratton interview with Kansas City Star 1977 July 15

 

Captain Stratton interview by Ken Sinclair, WKRS Radio 1977 July 7

 

Captain Stratton's speech, Navy Leave/Joint Service Clubs 1978 July 27

 

Cassette #1: "Captain Richard Stratton, May 10-11th, 1976, NBC TV"/"President Nixon White House Party, May 24th, 1973," 1973, 1976

 

Cassette #3: "Bombing Reactions"/"POW Return: March 27th, 1973" (side one), "POW's Return/Captain Gene Wilber Interview 60 Minutes"/"President Nixon's Farewell Talk August 9, 1974" (side two) 1973-1974

 

Commander Fantry 1974 October 5

 

Commander Stratton's homecoming at Oak Knoll Hospital 1973 March

 

"Community Spotlight: Captain Richard Stratton," WJDA 1300 AM, 1976 June 14

 

Confession text (side 1) and DIA [Defense Intelligence Agency] taping of Stratton's "confession" (side 2) 1967, 1973

 

Costa Mesa speech 1973 May 16

 

DASN [Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy] (Personnel & Families) interview 1986

 

David Dellinger at University of Michigan meeting undated

 

Explorer Scout Troop speech 1974

 

Fleet Reserve Association Convention, 4 tapes 1977 September 3

Scope and contents note

Tape 1 contains the 4th Marine Air Wing Flag Pageant and welcome address by Jim and Dot Neal. Tape 2 includes speeches by Dan Kadrovack, Jos. V. D. Rosa, Percy Lemoine, Dr. Madden, Admiral Barrow, General White, Admiral Kamm, and Captain Richard Stratton. Tape 3 is the continuation of Captain Stratton's speech and presentations. Tape 4 contains a continuation of presentations and the conclusion of the opening ceremonies.
 

Graham Miller interview 2012 March 15

 

Hanoi Japanese interview (side 1) and Hanoi "confession" (side 2) 1967

Scope and Contents note

Side two includes the Voice of Vietnam broadcast of Stratton's "confession," a statement while he was a POW in Vietnam, in which he criticized U.S. military forces in Vietnam.
 

Hoover Stratton collection contents 1992

 

Interview report with Bernie Patterson by Charlie Stratton undated

 

KMOX-TV (CBS) St. Louis, MO, 21 July 1977 and interview with Globe-Democrat, Al Schweitzer, 2 tapes 1977 July 21-22

 

Letter to Alice and family after 1st line period 1966 December

 

Mare Isle speech, Chief Petty Officers' Club, 2 tapes 1973 August 25

 

"The Military Family," Captain & Mrs. Stratton 1980 October 9

 

Molpus/Stratton, MacLeish commentary, Morning Edition 1986 July 9

 

"Moral Decision Making: Captain Richard A. Stratton," Command & Staff College lecture 1981 October 8

box 28

"POWS Are No Losers," speech, Lockheed Missiles and Space Company Management Association 1974 July 17

 

"Seeing Eye Dogs," Morning Edition, National Public Radio undated

 

Shoot down and capture, 2 tapes 1967 January 5-6

 

Speaker Richard Stratton, National Technical Institute for the Deaf, 3 tapes 1978 January 19

 

Stratton talk at Naval Plant Representative Office, Bethpage, four years after release 1977 March 10

 

Summary of selected summaries of Stratton's debriefs 1973 March - April

 

Toastmasters Santa Clara speech 1973 October

 

Town Topics, WANN 1190 AM 1979 September 29

Scope and Contents note

Includes guests Captain Richard and Alice Stratton.
 

Vietnam: Hawk, Dove, Owl by Dolf Droge undated

 

Compact sound discs undated

box 26

"Hanoi Hilton: Piracy Today," undated

Scope and Contents note

Part nine of the Empires of Gold & Jade lecture series by Dr. Jay Wolff.
film shelf

Motion Picture Films 1973-1974

Scope and Contents note

16mm film. Contains film footage of Richard Stratton, including interviews and his biographical documentary.
 

2251 Days, PBS KQED-TV 1973

Scope and Contents note

Also see 2251 Days file in Military Career File and in Videorecordings/Videocassettes.
 

Arrival at Oak Knoll Hospital 1973 March

Scope and Contents note

Mislabelled. Actually contains footage of a high school band.
 

Japanese interview with Lieutenant Commander Richard Stratton undated

 

Sacramento TV interview, NBC-KCRA 1974

 

Videorecordings 1973-2009, undated

Scope and Contents note

Contains video footage of Richard Stratton's television appearances, events related to Vietnam POWs, and other family footage. Arranged by format and alphabetically by item title thereunder. Titles taken from item labels.
 

1/2-inch videoreels 1973

box 31

Contact, WBSN-TV 1973 June 28

Scope and Contents note

Conversation with Commander Richard Stratton and Commander Patrick Carr, National Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, moderated by John Corbett.
 

DVDs, 2006-2009, undated

Scope and Contents note

Mainly consists of recordings that were not mass produced. Titles below have been taken directly from the disc labels.
box 33

"3-5-73 POW Release," disc 2 of 4, 1 hour 26 minutes undated

box 26

"1973 Press Conference, Oak Knoll Naval Hospital," undated

box 26

"2006 Reunion: Banquet Presentation," 2006

box 26

"Attack Squadron 192 (VA 192) and Airforce Carrier Attack 14 (CVA 14) 1966-1967 Clip," 7 minutes undated

box 26

"Douglas B. Hegdahl, U.S. Army Special Forces SERE School," lecture, 2008 October 17

box 26

"Hanoi Taxi Retirement," 5 discs 2006 May 4

Scope and Contents note

Also see Correspondence series for letter received regarding Vietnam POWs 2006 Reunion where the "Hanoi Taxi" was retired.
box 26

"NAM WFGD [Navy and Marine World Famous Golden Dragon] Video, Aircraft Carrier Attack 14/Carrier Air Wing 19/Attack Squadron 192, West Pacific, 1966-1967," undated

box 26

"Navy Recruiting District New York 2nd Reunion: Stratton Keynote Speaker," 2008 March 8

box 26

"POW Day: Quincy," 2009 October 31

box 26

QIF [ Quincy in Focus] segments circa 2006

Scope and Contents note

Contains footage of Major Charles L. Bifolchi's burial at Arlington National Cemetery, the Quincy Vietnam Veterans Ceremony, and the Healing Wall's visit to Quincy.
box 26

"Quincy Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony," 2007 March 29

box 26

"Richard A. 'Dick' Stratton, U.S. Army Special Forces SERE School," lecture 2008 May 2

box 33

Square dedication of Peter J. Gerry, Quincy Vietnam Veterans Memorial Service, 2 discs 2009

box 26

"USS Ranger, Aircraft Carrier Attack 61, September 1956 - July 1993," undated

box 33

"The White House Salutes Our Prisoners of War, May 24, 1973," undated

 

Videocassettes 1973-2003, undated

 

U-matic 1973-1988

box 31

2251 Days, 2 tapes, 60 minutes 1973

box 31

"A Conversation with Commander Richard Stratton," KNTV - Community Affairs 1975 May 1

box 31

"Ex-POW's Segment with Captain Stratton," ABC Good Morning America, 2 tapes 1978 February 15

box 31

Nine in the Morning, WTOP-TV 1976 June 16

box 31

"Razor Sharp" featuring the U.S. Navy's Flight Demo Team - The Blue Angels, with Roger Staubach 1982

box 31

"Special Segment: POW School," NBC Evening News, 1986 May 14-15

box 31

U.S. Naval Academy honor concept lecture by Captain Richard Stratton, 1980 September 29

box 31

"Vietnam War POW Update: Richard Stratton," reported by Ron Miller, ABC Evening News 1978 March 3

 

VHS 1973-2003, undated

box 32

"Anchored," Navy News this Week, Navy Broadcasting Service 1987 October 17

 

"Anchored," Navy News this Week, Navy Broadcasting Service 1988 December 3

 

At Home with Honor, documentary, 30 minutes 1988 July 22

 

"Captain Richard Stratton at Reserve Officers Association Mid-Winter," 1986 January 27

 

"Captain Richard Stratton," television interview at Hanscom Air Force Base, 2 tapes undated

 

"CBS Reports: Vietnam," undated

 

"Code of Conduct," undated

 

"Family Support Center," 9:18 minutes undated

 

"Guatemala 1988 F.B.B., Richard & Alice Stratton," 1988

 

The Hanoi Hilton, recording and commercial copies 1987

 

"Marist College - Presenter Richard A. Stratton, Professor Ron Gauch, Business Ethics," 1993 April 16

 

"Operation Homecoming: Joint ANA/MOAA Luncheon," 2003 February 12

box 33

"Operation Homecoming: POW Panel Discussion, NAS Whidbey Island Base Theatre," 2003 February 12

 

P.O.W. Americans in Enemy Hands: World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, 93 minutes 1986

 

"Priority: POW," Department of Veterans Affairs, 36 minutes undated

 

"Shattered Lives," 1989 June 13

 

Stratton family short clip, 1973 March

 

"Stress of Separation: Odyssey of 7 Years," 41 minutes undated

 

Surviving: The Hanoi Experience, Defence Intelligence Agency, 52 minutes undated

 

"USS Iowa," Good Morning America 1988 April 22

 

"Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale, Naval War College," 1986 May 27

 

Memorabilia 1972-2014

box 19

POW bracelets undated

Scope and Contents note

Includes two bracelets for Richard A. Stratton, one for Captain John W. Kennedy, and one for Lieutenant Commander Michael Estocin. Estocin was an operations officer for Attack Squadron 192 and friend of Stratton. Also see the Voices in Vital America in the Alice M. Stratton File for additional material on POW bracelets.
box 19

POW pins, undated

Scope and Contents note

Three pins supporting awareness for prisoners of war, including one welcoming American POWs home.
box 19

POW stickers undated

box 19

Welcome home handkerchief, 1972

box 19

World Famous Golden Dragons insignia 2014

box 19

Information regarding National League of Families POW-MIA flag

box 34

National League of Families POW-MIA flag 1990

Access

Box 34 may not be used without permission of the Archivist.
 

Oversize Material 1967-1990

box 29

Disabled American Veterans stamp album 1973

 

Friends of POW-MIA League posters undated

 

Life magazine 1967 October - November

Scope and Contents note

Contains the article "U.S. Prisoners in North Vietnam" from the October 20, 1967 issue and the November 24, 1967 issue that contains a letter to the editor Alice Stratton wrote in response to that article.
 

Photographs 1967 July

Scope and Contents note

Contains scenes of Richard Stratton as an American POW in Hanoi. Includes original description on the back of photographs regarding POW treatment.
 

Resolutions honoring POWs/MIAs 1970, 1973

Scope and Contents note

Contains a resolution passed by the State of California's Assembly Rules Committee on April 29, 1970 and a resolution passed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on April 19, 1973.
box 30

VIVA scrapbook 1972

 

"Welcome Home!" scrapbook 1973

 

Printed Matter 1946-2010

Scope and Contents note

Contains news clippings, articles, books, periodicals, and pamphlets relating to the condition of American POWs in Vietnam and their eventual release.
box 20

News clippings 1965-2010

box 21, folder 1-8

News clippings 1965-2010

 

Pamphlets 1946-1980

box 21, folder 9

American Ex-Prisoners of War: A Modern Day Tragedy, 1980 June 17

box 21, folder 10

"Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam," U.S. Treaties, Vol. 24 1973

box 21, folder 11

Faith Behind Barbed Wire by Patrick O'Connor 1954

box 21, folder 12

Father Kapaun: The Ordeal of Father Kapaun by Lt. Ray Dowe Jr. as told to Harold H. Martin 1954 January 16

box 21, folder 13

A Few Notes on the Manipulation of Human Behavior, Fleet Aviation Specialized Operational Training Group, Pacific Fleet undated

box 21, folder 14

Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Student Handout, Survival, Resistance and Escape School, 1949 August 12

box 22, folder 1

Greater Love Hath No Man: Eight Years of Commentary on American Prisoners of War and Americans Missing in Action, 1973

box 22, folder 2

Hearing on Problems of Prisoners of War and Their Families Before the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives 1970 March 6

box 22, folder 3

How You Can Help Our Prisoners of War, Forgotten Americans Committee 1970 September

box 22, folder 4

Lest We Forget, POW Concern 1970

box 22, folder 5

North Vietnam Against U.S. Air Force 1967

box 22, folder 6

Prisoners of War by Commander Philip R. Holt, undated

box 22, folder 7

PW [Prisoner of War]: Your Rights and Obligations under the Geneva Convention 1969 September 1

box 22, folder 8

Synopsis of News Events, January 1965 - June 1971, Fleet Intelligence Center, Pacific 1971

box 22, folder 9

U.S. Army Aircraft, 1908-1946, 1946

box 22, folder 10

U.S. Pacific Fleet, undated

box 22, folder 11

Vietnam Information Notes Office of Media Services, Bureau of Public Affairs, Department of State 1967 August

box 22, folder 12

We Must Free the Prisoners by R. D. Patrick Mahoney 1970 December 23

 

Periodicals 1967-1990

box 22, folder 13

Air Force and Space Digest 1969 October

box 22, folder 14

All Hands 1982 September

box 22, folder 15

American Heritage 1978 August-September

box 22, folder 16

Aviation Week & Space Technology 1973 April 23

box 22, folder 17

Brown Alumni Monthly 1990 September

box 22, folder 18

In Brief for the POW: A Catch-up on News from Missing Years, 1972

box 22, folder 19

Commanders Digest 1967-1973

Scope and contents note

Contains issues from 1967 October 21, 1971 January 16, and 1973 December 6.
box 22, folder 20

DAV [Disabled American Veterans], 1977 January

box 22, folder 21

Direction, the Navy Public Affairs Monthly 1973 July

box 22, folder 22

Georgetown Today 1977 January

box 22, folder 23

Liberation 1967 May - June

box 22, folder 24

Legion 1968 July

box 22, folder 25

The Mariner, 1980 September

box 22, folder 26

Marine Corps Gazette, 1982 April

box 22, folder 27

The Military Chaplain, 1979 July - August

box 23, folder 1

Newsweek 1976

box 23, folder 2

The Officer, Reserve Officers Association of the United States, 1986 March

box 23, folder 3

People Weekly 1978 June

box 23, folder 4

Proceedings, U.S. Naval Institute 1985 September, 1986 April

box 23, folder 5

Time magazine, 1972-1974

Scope and Contents note

Contains issues from 1972 November 6, 1973 June 18, and 1974 July 29.
box 23, folder 6

Veterans of Foreign Wars Magazine, 1976 October

 

Books 1964-1987

box 23, folder 7

A-4 Skyhawk in Action by Lou Drendel 1973

box 23, folder 8

A Living Tradition: United States Navy Memorial, by John W. Alexander 1987

box 23, folder 9

Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization Flight Manual: Navy Model A-4E Aircraft, 1964 February 1

Scope and Contents note

Flight handbook for the type of aircraft Richard Stratton was shot down in, in January 1967, 15km south of Than Hoa, North Vietnam.
box 23, folder 10

On Strategy: The Vietnam War in Context 1981 April

box 24, folder 1

Prisoner at War: The Survival of Commander Richard A. Stratton by Scott Blakey 1978

box 24, folder 2

The United States Air Force in Southeast Asia, 1961-1973 by Carl Berger, 1977

box 24, folder 3

USS Ranger, CVA-61: Western Pacific Cruise 1960, undated

box 25

USS Ranger: Western Pacific 1961-1962, undated

box 25

USS Ticonderoga, CVA-14 undated

box 25

What You Should Know About Vietnam: An Associated Press Close-to-the-News Book 1967