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Shoup (David M.) papers
76027  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Access
  • Use
  • Acquisition Information
  • Preferred Citation
  • Biographical Note
  • Scope and Content of Collection

  • Title: David Monroe Shoup papers
    Date (inclusive): 1904-1983
    Collection Number: 76027
    Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
    Language of Material: English
    Physical Description: 31 manuscript boxes, 4 oversize boxes, 1 oversize folder, 22 sound recordings, 9 motion picture film reels (18.0 Linear Feet)
    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.
    Creator: Shoup, David M. (David Monroe), 1904-1983
    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 1976.

    Preferred Citation

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

    Biographical Note

    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

    Scope and Content of Collection

    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.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Sound recordings
    Motion pictures
    Vietnam War, 1961-1975
    World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Pacific Ocean
    Officers
    Tarawa, Battle of, Kiribati, 1943
    United States. Marine Corps
    United States. Marine Corps. Marine Division, 2nd