Collection Summary
J. F. Shafroth Papers
1926-1945
(bulk 1943-1945)
1926-1945
(bulk 1943-1945)
MSS14043
Shafroth, J. F. (John
Franklin), 1887-1967
1,800
items
7 containers
4 linear feet
English
Collection material in
English
Manuscript Division, Library of
Congress
Washington, D.C.
Naval officer. Official
correspondence, memoranda, directives, and reports sent to William Frederick
Halsey and Chester W. Nimitz relating primarily to Shafroth's experiences as a
commander in the South Pacific and head of a task group that conducted the
first heavy bombardment of Japan during World War II. Includes material
relating to Shafroth's course work at the Army War College.
Selected Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
People
Halsey, William F. (William Frederick), 1882-1959--Correspondence.
Halsey, William F. (William Frederick), 1882-1959.
Heffernan, John B.--Correspondence.
Nimitz, Chester W. (Chester William), 1885-1966--Correspondence.
Nimitz, Chester W. (Chester William), 1885-1966.
Shafroth, J. F. (John Franklin), 1887-1967.
Organizations
Army War College (U.S.)
United States. Navy.
Subjects
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Japan.
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Pacific Ocean.
World War, 1939-1945--Naval operations, American.
Titles
John Franklin Shafroth papers
Occupations
Naval officers.
Provenance
The papers of J. F. Shafroth, naval officer, were deposited in the
Library of Congress by the Naval Historical Foundation in 1968 and converted to
a gift in 1998.
Processing History
The papers of J. F. Shafroth were processed in 1973. The finding aid
was revised in 2011.
Additional Guides
In 1973 the Library published
Claude Charles Block, Julius Augustus Furer, John Franklin
Shafroth, and William Harrison Standley: A Register of Their Papers in the
Library of Congress.
Copyright Status
The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of J. F. Shafroth
is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).
Access and Restrictions
The papers of J. F. Shafroth are open to research. Researchers are
advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many
collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these
items for research use.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the
following information: Container number, J. F. Shafroth Papers, Naval
Historical Foundation Collection, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress,
Washington, D.C.
Biographical Note
Date
Event
1887, Mar. 31
Born, Denver, Colo.
1908
Graduated, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md.
1908
1912
Duty in
Virginia
, world cruise
1911
Married Helena Marshall Fischer
1914
Executive officer,
Jenkins
, Mexican campaign
1917
Commanded
Terry
, World War I
1918
Commanded Sub-Chaser Squadron, World War I
1922
1923
Served on staff of Special Service Squadron, Central American
waters
1926
1927
Student, U.S. Army War College, Washington, D.C.
1927
1928
Taught, U.S. Army War College, Washington, D.C.
1928
1930
Navigator,
Arkansas
1941
1942
Assistant chief, Bureau of Navigation
1941
Promoted to rear admiral
1942
Commander, Southeast Pacific Force
1943
1944
Deputy commander, South Pacific Area and South Pacific
Force
1945
Commanded battleship task group that bombarded Japan
1946
Commandant, 15th Naval District, Panama
1948
1949
Chairman, General Board, U.S. Navy
1949
Retired from U.S. Navy as vice admiral
1955
1957
President, Naval Academy Alumni Association
1961
1967
President, Naval Historical Foundation
1967, Sept. 1
Died, Westerly, R.I.
Scope and Content Note
The papers of John Franklin Shafroth (1887-1967) span the years
1926-1945, with the bulk of the material concentrated in 1943-1945. The papers
consist almost entirely of mimeographed or carbon copies relating primarily to
Shafroth’s experiences in World War II. He was commander of the South Pacific
Force, deputy commander of the South Pacific Area, and commander of a task
group that conducted the first heavy bombardment of Japan. Included are
letters, directives, memoranda, and action reports. Correspondents include
William Frederick Halsey, John B. Heffernan, and Chester W. Nimitz.
The papers also contain bound volumes of mimeographed material
relating to Shafroth’s course work as a student at the United States Army War
College in 1926-1927.
Arrangement of the Papers
This collection is arranged by type of material.
Container List
Container
Contents
1
Official correspondence
1
1941-1944
1941-1944
2
1945
1945
2
Jan.-July
3
Aug.-Oct.
4
Subject file
4
Bombardment of Japan,
1945
1945
4
Hammamatsu
4
Honshu
4
Kamaishi
4
Course, U.S. Army War
College
4
1926-1927
1926-1927
5
1926-1927
1926-1927
6
1926-1927
1926-1927
6
Study of the Army and Navy
Munitions Board by W.A. McCain,
1928
1928
7
Directives, Southeast Pacific
Force and South Pacific Force,
1942-1944
1942-1944