Register of the Aubrey Wray Fitch papers
Finding aid prepared by Stephanie Watson
Hoover Institution Library and Archives
© 2017
434 Galvez Mall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003
hoover-library-archives@stanford.edu
Title: Aubrey Wray Fitch papers
Date (inclusive): 1900-1982
Collection Number: 80132
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
4 manuscript boxes, 6 oversize boxes, 2 sound discs
(5.2 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Correspondence, speeches, orders, personnel records, clippings, and photographs collected by Aubrey Wray Fitch relating to
American naval aviation, especially in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Sound use copies of sound recordings available.
Creator:
Fitch, Aubrey Wray, 1883-1978
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
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 1980.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Aubrey Wray Fitch papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Biographical Note
1883 June 11 |
Born, St. Ignace, Michigan |
1906 |
Graduated, United States Naval Academy |
1908 |
Ensign, United States Navy |
1930 |
Received wings, Naval Aviator |
1931 |
Commander, USS
Langley, United States Navy's first aircraft carrier
|
1944-1945 |
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air) |
1942-1944 |
Commander, Air Forces, South Pacific |
1942 |
Awarded Distinguished Service Medal for leadership role during the Battle of the Coral Sea |
|
Vice Admiral, United States Navy |
1978 May 22 |
Died, Newcastle, Maine |
1947 |
Retired as Admiral, United States Navy |
1945-1947 |
Superintendent, first aviator appointed to the United States Naval Academy Annapolis, Maryland |
Scope and Content of Collection
The Aubrey Wray Fitch papers consist of the personal and naval records of Admiral Fitch. These papers document the span from
his early career as a student at the United States Naval Academy, circa 1902, to the launching of the guided missile frigate
USS
Aubrey Fitch (FFG-34) in 1981, three years after his death. While the collection primarily emphasizes American naval aviation in the Pacific
Theater during World War II, with special focus on the Battle of the Coral Sea, it also documents Admiral Fitch's time as
Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy from 1945 to 1947.
As a Vice Admiral in the Pacific Theater during World War II, Fitch commanded U.S. planes in the Battle of the Coral Sea,
the first naval battle fought entirely by aircraft. Although his flagship, the USS
Lexington, was sunk during the battle, Fitch was praised for his leadership and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. The
Naval Records series includes Fitch's naval awards, orders and promotions, dispatches, war diaries from the Pacific Theater during World
War II, and poems and drawings created by fellow sailors. Photographs within the collection depict the early stages of U.S.
naval aviation and follow Fitch throughout his changing assignments. The collection also contains personal scrapbooks created
by Fitch during his time in the Navy.
In 1945, Fitch became the first naval aviator to be appointed Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy. Fitch served as Superintendent
until 1947, when he retired with the rank of Admiral. The
Speeches and Writings series contains award presentations, written press releases, and speeches made by Fitch at the U.S. Naval Academy, including
his retirement speech.
Unless otherwise noted, the arrangement scheme was imposed during processing in the absence of an identifiable original order.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Sound recordings
World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations
World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Pacific Ocean
Aviation
Officers
United States. Navy
Correspondence
1941-1971
Scope and Content
Original alphabetical order of correspondence was maintained.
Speeches and Writings
1919-1947
Scope and Content
Includes radio broadcast transcripts, awards presentations, written press releases, and speeches made at the U.S. Naval Academy
while Fitch was Superintendent, arranged in chronological order.
box 2, folder 1
Award presentations
undated
box 2, folder 2
Introduction of Rear Admiral Lewis B. Combs
undated
box 2, folder 3
Naval Academy lecture
1919 March
box 2, folder 4
Army Air Force awards presentation
1942 October 9
box 2, folder 5
Enterprise awards presentation
1943 January 22
box 2, folder 6
Task Force Sixty-seven awards presentation
1943 January 26
box 2, folder 7
Tangier awards presentation
1943 February 20
box 2, folder 8
Presentation of Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Patch
1943 March 10
box 2, folder 9
Retention of land-based planes
after 1944
box 2, folder 10
Visit from Soviet airmen
1944 May 30
box 2, folder 11
31st anniversary of naval aviation
1944 August 29
box 2, folder 13
Edwin C. Hill broadcast
1944 October 31
box 2, folder 14
Introduction to Commodore Burke
1944 November 16
box 2, folder 15
By others
1944-1945, undated
box 2, folder 16
National Plastic Products Company
circa 1945
box 2, folder 17
The Naval Academy as it begins its second century
circa 1945
box 2, folder 18
Acceptance of ensign presented by civilian employees
1945
box 2, folder 20
Centennial issue of
The Log
1945
box 2, folder 21
Commissioning of USS
Princeton
1945
box 2, folder 22
"I Know the Enemy" radio series
1945
box 2, folder 24
"Unsung Hero" radio program
1945
box 2, folder 25
"Navy and Marine Pilots Outshoot Japanese,"
1945 February 3
box 2, folder 26
Press conference
1945 February 7
box 2, folder 27
To the employees of Grumman
1945 April 10
box 2, folder 29
USS
Franklin tribute
1945 May 21
box 2, folder 30
Proposed statement on universal military training
1945 June 16
box 2, folder 31
"Navy Hour" broadcast
1945 July 24
box 2, folder 32
Acceptance of Order of the Southern Cross
1945 July 25
box 2, folder 33
Reserve battalion review
1945 August 23
box 2, folder 34
Captain John Madison Hoskins
1945 August 23
box 2, folder 35
Press luncheon
1945 September 1
box 2, folder 36
"Saga of USS
Maryland,"
1945 September 11
box 2, folder 37
To the brigade of midshipmen
1945 September 20
box 2, folder 38
"Meet Your Navy" program
1945 October 1
box 2, folder 40
Maryland's victory loan
1945 October 30
box 2, folder 41
Last graduating class of midshipmen from Notre Dame
1945 November 2
box 2, folder 42
Introduction of Admiral Halsey
1945 November 27
box 2, folder 43
Unification at St. John's Military Academy
1945 December 20
box 2, folder 44
Visit to Victoria, British Columbia
circa 1946
box 2, folder 45
141st anniversary of Trafalgar
1946
box 2, folder 47
USS
Kearsarge
1946 March 2
box 2, folder 48
Broadcast to the people of the Philippine Islands
1946 April 22
box 2, folder 50
United Citizens League
1947 January 1
box 2, folder 51
Naval academy resignation
1947 February 15
Naval Records
1908-1982
Scope and Content
Includes flight log books, naval correspondence, orders and promotions, war diaries, and poems and drawings created by fellow
sailors. Also includes documentation of the launching of the guided missile frigate USS
Aubrey Fitch (FFG-34) in 1981. Records are arranged in alphabetical order.
box 3, folder 1
Aviators flight log book
1942-1947
box 3, folder 2
Correspondence
1928-1942, 1945
box 3, folder 5
Excerpts from personal papers
1908-1974
box 3, folder 6
Launching of the USS
Aubrey Fitch (FFG 34)
1981-1982
box 3, folder 7
Orders and promotions
1908-1919
box 3, folder 8
Orders and promotions
1921-1939
box 4, folder 1
Orders and promotions
1940-1944
box 4, folder 2
Orders and promotions
1945-1953
Printed Matter
1906-1963
Scope and Content
Includes awards presented to Fitch, clippings, U.S. Naval Academy souvenir books and bulletin, and naval yearbooks, arranged
in alphabetical order.
box 4, folder 7
Naval Academy Bulletin, No. 9
1956 June
box 4, folder 8
Naval Academy Centennial
1945
box 4, folder 9
Naval Academy Souvenir Book
1946
box 4, folder 11
USS Wyoming: At War in the North Sea
1917-1918
Photographs
1902-1978
Scope and Content
Includes photographs of Naval bases, naval aviation, President Roosevelt's visits to Pensacola, the U.S. Naval Academy, the
Pacific Theater during World War II, and Fitch's personal life after retirement, arranged in chronological order. Photocopies
of images are also included.
box 5, folder 7
President Roosevelt's visits to Pensacola
1938 June - 1940 April
Scrapbooks
1900-1943
Scope and Content
Scrapbooks documenting Fitch's naval career from his time as a student at the U.S. Naval Academy to his station as Vice Admiral
in the Pacific Theater during World War II, arranged in chronological order.
record cabinet
Sound Recording
1947 January 15
Scope and Content
Sound recording of ceremony noting the changing of command for the U.S. Naval Academy. Includes speeches by the outgoing head,
Admiral Aubrey Wray Fitch, and incoming head, Admiral James L. Holloway, Jr., as well as a gun salute and the thoughts of
Captain Long.
Access
Use copy reference number: 80132_a_0002815