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.
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 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 2
Repatriate Prisoner of War Program
undated
box 10, folder 3
Retirement record
1985 October
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 3
Biography
1985-1987
Scope and Contents note
Includes prints of Alice Stratton's official Navy portrait photo.
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."
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 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 30
Dedication ceremony of Stratton Hall
1990 February
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.
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
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 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 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 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 10
Newsletters
1969 March - 1971 December
box 17, folder 11
Newsletters
1972 January - 1973 August
box 17, folder 12
Organization policy
1971-1973
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 4
Bracelet records
1971-1972
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 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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
"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 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
box 22, folder 13
Air Force and Space Digest
1969 October
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 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 2
The Officer, Reserve Officers Association of the United States,
1986 March
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
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