David Monroe Shoup papers, 1904-1983

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Summary

Creators:
Shoup, David M. (David Monroe), 1904-1983
Abstract:
Correspondence, memoranda, writings, printed matter, photographs, sound recordings, and motion picture film relating to the Tarawa campaign, other World War II campaigns in the Pacific Theater, post-war activities of the Marine Corps, service as the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and the Vietnam War.
Extent:
31 manuscript boxes, 4 oversize boxes, 1 oversize folder, 22 sound recordings, 9 motion picture film reels (18.0 Linear Feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], David Monroe Shoup papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The papers document the military career of World War II veteran General David S. Shoup, along with his post-military speaking and writing, in personal files, correspondence, speeches, writings, sound recordings, and film footage.

Materials include documentation of the many military positions Shoup held as he steadily rose through the ranks of the Marine Corps, taking on responsibilities in training, fiscal reorganization, and logistics, a process well described in his personal files, correspondence, speeches, and photographs.

The collection also contains documentation relating to Shoup's World War II tours, particularly the assault against well-entrenched Japanese defenders at Tarawa, where Shoup, as the senior officer ashore, directed the costly suppression of Japanese resistance. Marines, landing on boats that often became lodged on coral reefs, had to wade in for hundreds of yards in the face of withering fire. His heroism on Tarawa earned Shoup the Medal of Honor and a Purple Heart. Materials about the campaign include a military diary, photographs, research materials, and articles.

There is significant documentation of Shoup's tenure as the 22nd Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1960 to 1963 in speeches, correspondence, and photographs. Shoup's leadership brought changes to the Marine Corps: he eliminated the use of swagger sticks, minimized base ceremonies during commandant visits, and upgraded the combat readiness of all Marine units. Vietnam became a pressing policy issue during this time, and Shoup opposed any commitment of U.S. combat forces in Southeast Asia.

After retirement, Shoup's skepticism about involvement in Vietnam deepened and became public as he wrote and spoke out about his concerns. His writings and collected printed materials display his desire to speak out against escalating the Vietnam War in the print media, as well as testifying before Congress.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1904
Born, Battle Ground, Indiana
1926
Graduate of DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana
1926 July 20
Commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps
1926-1941
Various postings within the Marine Corps, including an atypical post with the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933-1934; promoted through ranks to Major
1942
Arrived in New Zealand; served as G-3, Operations and Training Officer of the 2nd Marine Division
1943
Promoted to Colonel, placed in command of the 2nd Marines, the spearhead of the assault on Tarawa; earned the Medal of Honor and a Purple Heart
1944
Served as Chief of Staff, 2nd Marine Division
1944-1947
Returned to the U.S.; served as Logistics Officer, Division of Plans and Policies, Headquarters Marine Corps
1947
Served as Commanding Officer, Service Command, Fleet Marine Force (FMF), Pacific
1949
Served as Division Chief of Staff, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California
1950-1952
Commanding Officer of the Basic School, Quantico, Virginia
1953-1955
Served as Fiscal Director of the Marine Corps
1956-1957
Promoted to Major General, served as Inspector General for Recruit Training
1957-1958
Served as Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California, and 3rd Marine Division, Okinawa
1959
Commanding General of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina
1959 August 12
Nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to be the 22nd Commandant of the Marine Corps
1960-1963
Served as 22nd Commandant of the Marine Corps; promoted to four-star general rank; served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff
1963
Retired to Arlington, Virginia; became an outspoken critic of the war in Vietnam
1983
Died; buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1976.
Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

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.

Terms of access:

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

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], David Monroe Shoup papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563
hooverarchives@stanford.edu
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