DONALD W. HAMILTON, JR., LTJG, USN

Donald Hamilton, Jr. '38

Date of birth: January 17, 1917

Date of death: February 3, 1945

Age: 28

Lucky Bag

From the 1938 Lucky Bag:

DONALD WHEELER HAMILTON, JR

Roswell, New Mexico

Don, Hammy

To this Navy Junior, steeped in the finest naval traditions, entering the Naval Academy that hot July day was the attainment of a goal sought for 17 years. He exhibits real ability at football, boxing, and lacrosse, winning four numerals Plebe year. Overabundance of "fight" leads him to volunteer coaching in all sports. Unconscious of his handsome features and V-type figure, he is not a snake and subscribes to the theory that there are two classes of girls: the O. A. O. and all the rest, but so far has met only "the rest." Don is a swell roommate, generous, savvy, and loyal, though stubborn and so diplomatic that he frequently gets all hands into ticklish situations. I expect Don's ambitions for "4 stars above his quarter-deck" to be realized before many classmates now wearing stars.

Football 4, 3, 2, 1, NA; Boxing 4, 3, 2, 1, NA; Lieutenant.

DONALD WHEELER HAMILTON, JR

Roswell, New Mexico

Don, Hammy

To this Navy Junior, steeped in the finest naval traditions, entering the Naval Academy that hot July day was the attainment of a goal sought for 17 years. He exhibits real ability at football, boxing, and lacrosse, winning four numerals Plebe year. Overabundance of "fight" leads him to volunteer coaching in all sports. Unconscious of his handsome features and V-type figure, he is not a snake and subscribes to the theory that there are two classes of girls: the O. A. O. and all the rest, but so far has met only "the rest." Don is a swell roommate, generous, savvy, and loyal, though stubborn and so diplomatic that he frequently gets all hands into ticklish situations. I expect Don's ambitions for "4 stars above his quarter-deck" to be realized before many classmates now wearing stars.

Football 4, 3, 2, 1, NA; Boxing 4, 3, 2, 1, NA; Lieutenant.

Loss

Don died while in Japanese captivity at the Fukuoka #1 POW camp on February 3, 1945. He was wounded during the air raid on Cavite Navy Yard, Philippines, on December 10, 1942 when a bomb struck USS Peary (DD 226). He was "removed to a hospital" and did not return to the ship before she departed Philippine waters. Don was the Assistant Engineer, Stores Officer, Assistant Education Officer, and Boxing Officer.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Donald attended the Mew Mexico Military Institute in the fall of 1932. He was a Sergeant in the I Troop, Third Command at NMMI in 1934. He participated in Junior Football and the swimming team.
Donald married Marie O’Hara on June 22, 1940, in the Sacred Heart Church in Honolulu, Hawaii. Ensign George Muse (’38) was the best man, and ushers were Lts. D. W. Todd (’31) and John K. Fyfe (‘36,) and Ensigns L. S. Mann, W. R. Hunnicutt (’38) and J. W. King (‘37.)
His father (’11) was a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy. He graduated from NMMI in 1907 and did submarine duty during the world war and was detailed in Mexico City and China. He died in 1939. Donald’s maternal aunt was married to Capt. Aubrey W. Fitch.

His wife was listed as next of kin; she later remarried Don's classmate and fellow prisoner of war, William Spears.

Donald has a memory marker in Missouri.

Full Biography

From Military Hall of Honor:

DONALD WHEELER HAMILTON, Jr., also known as “Don” was born in Washington, DC on 17 January 1917 to the then-US Navy Ltjg Donald Wheeler “Don” Hamilton, Sr., and Harried Grendle Conger who married on 28 Oct 1915 in Washington, DC. Donald was their only child. As with many children of military personnel, Donald Jr., spent a number of years living in foreign countries. He lived with his parents for several years during his father’s tour of duty as the first naval attache to Mexico City followed by a lengthy tour in China. Don was forced to return to the United States in 1931 because of an illness that would eventually lead to his medical retirement in 1933 with a rank of Lieutenant Commander. Donald Sr’s father, William Gillespie Hamilton, was a long time resident of Roswell, Chaves, New Mexico, and it’s where Don grew up. He graduated from the New Mexico Military Institute in May 1907. Earlier that year, Don Sr received a Presidential appointment to the Naval Academy from President Theodore Roosevelt. Hamilton graduated 08 June 1912 from the Naval Academy. The town of Roswell is where Don Sr., and his family returned in late 1931. Don Sr., lived in Roswell until a month before his death in El Paso, TX in 1939.
Donald Jr., attended the Shanghai American School in Shanghai, China, and the Bremerton, WA high school prior to enrolling in the Junior College at the New Mexico Military Institute at Roswell in September 1932. He was a Sergeant in I Troop. He was active in sports participating in football, and he was a member of the swim team. He was one of 82 students to graduate from the school on 05 Jun 1934. It was the largest class at that time. Earlier that year, Donald Jr., had received an appointment to the US Naval Academy from New Mexico US Senator Chavez. Donald passed his preliminary entrance and physical exams after which he reported on 09 July 1934 to the Naval Academy. Because his father also attended the Naval Academy, Don Jr was known as a “Junior.” During his tenure at Annapolis, Don Jr., was a four year participant in football, lacrosse, and boxing. His classmates said this about him in the Academy's Lucky Bag yearbook:
To this Navy Junior, steeped in the finest naval traditions, entering the Naval Academy that hot July day was the attainment of a goal sought for 17 years. He exhibits real ability at football, boxing, and lacrosse, winning four numerals Plebe year. Overabundance of "fight" leads him to volunteer coaching in all sports. Unconscious of his handsome features and V-type figure, he is not a snake and subscribes to the theory that there are two classes of girls: the O. A. O. and all the rest, but so far has met only "the rest." Don is a swell roommate, generous, savvy, and loyal, though stubborn and so diplomatic that he frequently gets all hands into ticklish situations. I expect Don's ambitions for "4 stars above his quarter-deck" to be realized before many classmates now wearing stars. (Lucky Bag yearbook class of 1938).
On 02 Jun 1938, Donald W. Hamilton Jr., accepted the appointment, executed the oath of office, and received a commission as an Ensign, US Navy. His Navy Service Number (NSN) was 0-81020. He finished with the merit standing placing #102/438 in his class. He also had a sub-speciality; Spanish Interpreter or translator. After almost a month of leave after graduation, Ensign Hamilton reported for duty on board the battleship, USS California (BB-44) on 30 Jun 1938. After a year tour on board California, Ensign Hamilton received orders on 26 May 1939 to detach from California (10 Jun 1939) and report for duty to the destroyer, USS Warrington (DD-383) which he did on 13 Jun 1939. During his tour on Warrington, Ensign Hamilton applied for the Navy flight training program. He received a letter dated 02 Jan 1940 from the Bureau of Medicine that stated he was medically disqualified because his vision wasn’t within the required parameters.
In early June 1940, Ltjg Hamilton and his fiancee, Maria O'Hara of Norwick, NY, planned to marry in San Diego where the Warrington was homeported. The bride's parents, brides maids and special guests traveled by train to San Diego only to find out that the Warrington had departed for Pearl Harbor. How many people were really miffed is not known. Given the situation only the bride and her parents booked passage on the SS Matsonia departing from Los Angeles on 13 June 1940 and arriving in Honolulu on Wednesday, 19 Jun 1940. The mother of the groom, Mrs Harriet Hamilton of Coronado, CA, also sailed on the SS Matsonia that Wednesday. The bride had one attendant, Mrs John K. Fyfe, wife of one of the officers on the Warrington. The groom's best man and Lt Fyfe, who was one of the five ushers, were officers from Warrington. The couple married at Sacred Heart Church in Honolulu on Saturday, 22 Jun 1940. Special guests already in Hawaii were Captain (later 4 star Admiral) and Mrs Aubrey Wray Fitch. Mrs Gwyneth (Conger) Fitch was the sister of Mrs Hamilton.
Because of the mounting tensions between Japan and the United States in 1940, Admiral Hart, Commander In Chief Asiatic Fleet, began evacuating all of the families of his sailors back to the US in the fall of 1940. There was push-back from the resentful spouses who initially declined to leave their husbands. It was only a threat to indefinitely restrict their spouses to their ships without leave that finally convinced the families; it was time to comply with orders and return to the continental United States (CONUS). Many traveled home on the President’s Steam Ship Line. Admiral Hart's directive probably saved many family members from internment by the Japanese or worse.
When Ensign Hamilton received orders to proceed to Asiatic Station for assignment on 22 May 1941, Marie was not permitted to join him. His orders read in part, detach from USS Warrington on or about 10 Jun 1941 (he detached on 14 June 1941) and proceed to San Francisco, California and take passage to Manila, Philippines via the American President Lines and upon arrival proceed to Cavite and report to Commandant, Sixteenth Naval District (COM16ND) and for such duty as may be assigned you. He was to board the S.S. President Grant sailing on or about 28 Jun 1941. He was authorized to delay to count as leave. For some reason, Ensign Hamilton's orders were modified (ORDMOD) by the CINCAF (Command-In-Chief Asiatic Fleet) to change to another President Line ship, S.S. President Harrison, that sailed on 23 July 1941 arriving in Manila about 21 Aug 1941. Hamilton was to obtain government transportation to the port that the destroyer, USS Peary (DD-DD-226) may be. Ensign Hamilton reported to Peary for duty on 28 Aug 1941. On 13 Oct 1941, he was promoted to Lieutenant, Junior Grade (Ltjg) effective from 02 Jun 1941. On board Peary, Ltjg Hamilton's primary duties were ass't Engineering Officer and Stores. His collateral duties consisted of Ass't Education officer and boxing officer (based upon his experience at the Naval Academy).
In July 1941, as Japanese aggression intensified with their move south into lower Indo-China, Admiral Hart warned his officers that he had no doubt that war would come although he didn’t know how or when it would start. Hart trained his destroyer crews hard keeping them on a war-footing for extended periods and away from Cavite naval base as much as possible exercising his policy of “defensive deployment.”
On 25 November 1941, two days in advance of the "war warning" which predicted that hostile Japanese action in the Pacific was imminent, Admiral Hart directed units of the Asiatic Fleet including destroyer tender USS BLACK HAWK (AD-9), and other ships of Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Nine (DesRon) 29, to exercise his “Defensive Deployment” well south of Manila. The ships arrived on the morning of 29 Nov 1941 in Balikpapan, a major oil port on the eastern coast of Borneo. Some ships remained at Cavite for operational reasons. PEARY was one of four destroyers to remain in Cavite with the USS PILLSBURY (DD-227), USS POPE (DD-225) and USS JOHN D. FORD (DD-228). FORD and POPE provided escort services and anti-submarine duties. PILLSBURY and PEARY were undergoing repairs after a collision several months earlier. She was also receiving scheduled maintenance. Many of her crew had moved ashore to continue repairs from base maintenance shops.
Suddenly, about 1300 on 10 Dec 1941, two flights of more than 50 Japanese twin-engine, land-based, medium bombers appeared over the naval installations and commenced to obliterate everything in sight.
About 1350, Peary sustained a direct hit with an estimated 250 pound bomb that contained a combination of shrapnel and incendiary explosives. The bomb struck her mast spraying shrapnel in every direction killing or wounding almost everyone on the fire-control platform, bridge, and other areas and starting fires. According to PEARY'S deck log entries, eight sailors were killed outright and five officers, including the Commanding Officer, Lcdr Keith, and Ltjg D.W. Hamilton were wounded. Hamilton received several bomb shrapnel and splinter wounds. The executive officer, Lt Albert Eugene Gates, Jr., was found unconscious on the bridge mortally wounded. The wounded were evacuated to Sternberg hospital in Manila where Lt Gates probably died (exact location of death unknown but presumed at the hospital.). Ltjg Hamilton was captured in Manila on 02 Jan 1942 according to Japanese records in Hamilton's service record. He was incarcerated in American War Prisoner Camp No. Eleven, Port Area, Manila P.I. for more than two hellish years.
A document found in his navy record indicated that he received a temporary promotion to Lieutenant on 15 Jun 1942.
As the Allies landed in the Philippines, the Japanese commenced moving POWs to Japan. It is believed that Lt Hamilton boarded the "Hell Ship," Oryoku Maru, on 13 Dec 1944 in Manila. The ship was attacked by American aircraft multiple times over two days. She beached close to shore allowing a thousand or so prisoners to swim ashore where they were killed or recaptured by the Japanese. These survivors were then loaded on the Enoura Maru and Brazil Maru for the trip to Takao, Formosa. Both ships reached that port on 01 Jan 1945. Some prisoners were transferred from Brazil Maru to Enoura Maru on 06 Jan 1945. Several days later on 09 Jan 1945 Enoura Maru was attacked and disabled by US aircraft. Brazil Maru transported the surviving Allied POWs to Moji, Japan on 29 Jan 1942. When the ship arrived in Japan, the POWs were triaged into groups based upon severity of their health conditions. Lt Hamilton was sent to Fukuoka Camp #1 in Fukuoka City, Japan. According to Japanese records in his service record, Lt Hamilton died of malnutrition on 03 Feb 1945. American documents state he died of Chronic Bronchitis. Lt Hamilton's remains were repatriated and returned to the United States. He was reburied in a common grave at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Lemay, St. Louis County, MO on 27 Sept 1949.
Lt Hamilton was posthumously eligible for a Purple Heart, Prisoner of War Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal w/Fleet Clasp (bronze star in lieu of clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/Fleet Clasp and two bronze stars (one bronze star in lieu of clasp), US Army Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Defense Medal with a bronze service star, and the WWII Victory Medal.
He was officially awarded the Purple Heart, the Asiatic Pacific campaign Medal and the American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp.
Note and opinion: The Navy Department is grossly negligent in awarding post dated medals. The Combat Action Ribbon, Prisoner of War Medal and all the Philippine medals and ribbons have not been awarded to most members of the Asiatic Fleet.

Lt Hamilton's family also received a personal commemoration from President Harry S. Truman. It reads:
In grateful memory of Donald Wheeler HAMILTON, who died in the service of his country at Asiatic-Pacific area, 03 February 1945. He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.
//s// Harry S. Truman,
President of the United States of America

A naval message dated April 20, 1942 was sent to Mrs Marie O'Hara Hamilton in Norwich, NY. It was marked priority and stated that the contents of this message should not be given any publicity. It read; "Inquiries have been received concerning your husband Lieutenant JG Donald Wheeler Hamilton JR US Navy X First official information received April 18th contained in letter from commanding officer USS PEARY dated December 25th showed he was in hospital Manila X Every effort being made to ascertain present whereabouts and condition and you will be notified as soon as received.
Randall Jacobs, Chief of the Bureau of Navigation
(Original message written in all caps with no punctuation marks)
The Chief of the Bureau of Navigation (soon to be Chief of Bureau of Naval Personnel) sent a letter dated 23 Apr 1942 to Mrs Marie Hamilton of Norwich, NY. It said in part: "Supplementing our previous report, a dispatch had just been received showing that your husband, Lieutenant, junior grade, Donald Wheeler Hamilton, Junior, United States Navy, was reported as wounded on December 10, 1941, and was convalescing satisfactorily at Sternberg Hospital, Manila, at the time that city was evacuated about December 26, 1941. Therefore, it is probable that he is a prisoner of war." . . . Signed by Rear Admiral Randall Jacobs

Over a year later on 23 Jun 1943, the Chief of Naval Personnel sent a letter to Mrs Marie Hamilton. It stated in part; "The Bureau is glad to inform you of the following, quoted from a report "US/801," furnished by the Prisoner of War Information Bureau, from official Japanese sources, via Cenova (sic), listing prisoners of war in the Philippine Islands: "TOKYO CABLES FOLLOWING POW ALL NAVY PHILIPPINES, LIEUTENANT D.W. HAMILTON, JR." It is considered that reference is made to your husband, Lieutenant (junior grade) Donald Wheeler Hamilton, Jr., United States Navy, and that he is now a prisoner of war." It was the first confirmation that Ltjg Hamilton was alive and a POW. The letter was signed by Rear Admiral Randall Jacobs, Chief of Naval Personnel.

A letter dated 28 July 1944 and written by LCDR George G. Harrison to the Bureau of Naval Personnel. It states:
Subject: D.W. Hamilton, Jr., Lieut. (jg) USN, letter of Commendation and Recommendation for Promotion.
While a prisoner of war during the dates June 13, 1942 to July 17, 1944, by virtue of Rank and Seniority, I performed duty under the direction of the Imperial Japanese Army as Commanding Officer of American War Prisoner Camp No. Eleven, Port Area, Manila P.I. with an average complement of 400 men and 12 officers.
During this entire time of more than two years, Lieutenant (jg) Hamilton was assigned and performed duty as Division Officer and Group Officer, rotating with other officers in directing and controlling the activities of dock and shore side working parties, and such other and additional duties as the exigencies of the moment required.
The Re-Adjustment period following the surrender of Corregidor and the Fortified Islands found many of our officers and men unequal to their sudden change of circumstances.
Lieutenant (jg) Hamilton, true to the traditions of the Service during this time of emergency and chaos, proved to be an officer of sterling quality and ability, performing his many and varied duties with untiring zeal and effort, extremely able, efficient, reliable and co-operative, meeting and overcoming the serious problems and difficulties involved in our life as prisoners of war with a fine sense of responsibility, strength and leadership.
Every credit is given to Lieutenant (jg) Hamilton for his outstanding efforts in our camp administration that made it possible for American War Prisoner Camp No. Eleven to preserve its high standard of Health, Morale, Comfort, and Security during the entire time of its existence. And I most highly recommend this officer for promotion as he has proven his ability and value to the service under the most trying and unusual circumstances.
//S// George G. Harrison
Lieut.Comdr. USNR
Camp Commander

Even being led especially by the local newspapers to believe that her husband, Ltjg Hamilton, was coming home as late as August 1945, Marie received the following letter from Bureau of Naval Personnel dated 11 September 1945. It reads:
Mrs Marie O. Hamilton
75 South Broad Street
Norwich, NY
Dear Mrs Hamilton:
On 17 Jun 1945, this Bureau was in receipt of an official cablegram from the International Red Cross in Tokyo, stating that your husband, Lieutenant (junior grade) Donald Wheeler Hamilton, Jr., United States Navy, was being held a prisoner of war by the Japanese Government.
It is with deep regret that this Bureau now informs you that it is in receipt of a further cablegram from the same source, stating that your husband died of Chronical (sic) bronchitis on 03 February 1945 in Fukuoka Prisoner of War Camp, Japan.
The delay in the arrival of this information is the result of slowness with which the Japanese Government has cooperated in the handling of information concerning prisoners of war.
The Bureau deeply regrets its inability to supply further information. It was only after prolonged negotiation that the International Red Cross was able to obtain the few facts that were forthcoming from the Japanese. Prior to the surrender of Japan, information concerning the place of burial, type of ceremony, and medical attention administered were all details denied a place in the necessary terse reports forwarded by the Red Cross. Should additional information now become available it will be forwarded to you by the Navy Department.
(paragraph regarding filing claims omitted here from original document)
The Navy Department extends sincere sympathy to you in your great sorrow, and hopes that you find comfort in the knowledge that your husband gave his life in the service of his country.
By direction of Chief of Naval Personnel

Mrs Marie O'Hara Hamilton
c/o Vice Admiral Aubrey W. Fitch, USN
U.S. Naval Academy
Annapolis, Maryland
My dear Mrs. Hamilton:
I learned with deep regret that your husband, Lieutenant (Junior grade) Donald Wheeler Hamilton, Jr., U.S.N., previously reported as a prisoner of war, is now known to have lost his life on 3 February 1945.
I know what little solace the formal written word can be to help meet the burden of your loss, but in spite of that knowledge I cannot refrain from writing to say very simply that I am sorry.
I hope that you may find comfort in the thought that his sacrifice was made in order that the freedom of his country might be preserved.
Sincerely yours,
//s// Randolph Jacobs
Chief of the Bureau of Naval Personnel

Citation of Units of Both Military and Naval Forces of the United States and Philippine Governments.
--489--
As authorized by Executive Order No. 9075 (sec. II, Bull. 11, W.D., 1942), a citation in the name of the President of the United States, as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction, is awarded to all units of both military and naval forces of the United States and Philippine Governments engaged in the defense of the Philippines since December 7, 1941. (Later, it was called the Army Presidential Unit Citation).
By order of the Secretary of War:
G. C. MARSHALL,
Chief of Staff.

Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation
Establishing Authority
The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation was established by Headquarters, Philippine National Defense Forces, General Order Number 532 of September 14, 1946, as amended.
Acceptance by the United States
For service during World War II, acceptance is sanctioned by Public Law 80-314, which authorized the acceptance and wear of foreign decoration, medals, and awards in connection with services in World War II between the inclusive dates of December 7, 1941 and July 24, 1948.
Effective Dates
The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation has been in effect since September 14, 1946.
Criteria
The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation is awarded for extraordinarily meritorious service. The Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation has been awarded to United States military personnel who participated in the following:
• World War II
Service in the defense of the Philippines from December 7, 1941 to May 10, 1942.
Service in the liberation of the Philippines from October 17, 1944 to July 4, 1945.
All U.S. military units and naval vessels that earned any of the Philippine engagement stars are entitled to the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.
Certain submarines which maintained physical contact with guerrilla forces during the Japanese occupation of the Philippine Islands.
Online: https://rollofhonor.org/public/htmldetails.aspx?Cat=foreignaward&EntID=352

After the confirmed death of her husband, Lt Hamilton, Mrs Marie O'Hara Hamilton married Lt William Oscar Spears, Jr., on 09 Feb 1946 in New York City. Lt Spears, a classmate of Lt Hamilton, was also a POW. He was captured after the sinking of the USS Pope (DD-225) on 01 March 1942. He was repatriated from Camp Osaka Main Camp Chikko Osaka 34-135 on 30 Aug 1945. The couple had two children; Mary Louise and William Frederick. William was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1955 and retired with 30 years of service on 01 Aug 1968. Both were buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

Primary Sources:
1) Hamilton, Donald Wheeler, Jr., Lieutenant (temp), USN, US Navy Service Record, The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR), St Louis, MO. December 2023.
2) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., In the Highest Degree Tragic, The Sacrifice of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the East Indies During World War II, Potomac Books, 2017.
3) Deck logs USS Peary retrieved 15 November 2021.
4) Cox, Jeffery R., Rising Sun, Falling Skies, Osprey Publishing, UK, 2015.
5) Wikipedia page, USS Peary (DD-226), Retrieved 12 November 2021.
6) Wilde, E. Andrew, Jr. (Ed). U.S.S. Peary (DD-226) in World War II, Manila to Darwin, 12/10/41-2/19/42 : Needham, Mass. : The Editor, 2007. http://destroyerhistory.org/assets/pdf/wilde/226peary_wilde.pdf
7) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., A Blue Sea of Blood: deciphering the mysterious fate of the USS Edsall, Zenith Press, 2008.
8) Fold3 by Ancestry Navy Muster reports and Change reports
9) Ancestry.com Navy WWII muster and Change reports
10) Numerous newspaper articles from Norwich, NY
11) Annual Register of the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD., United States Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 23 Sep 1938.
12) Wikimedia, Hell Ship, online: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell_ship

Link to USS Peary memorial in Darwin, Australia with list of names of those lost in the sinking of the ship. It's a cenotaph. https://www.maritimequest.com/misc_pages/monuments_memorials/uss_peary_memorial.htm
Bio sketch #436 compiled on 25 Jan 2024 by Gerry Lawton

Prisoner of War Medal

From Hall of Valor:

Lieutenant, Junior Grade Donald W. Hamilton (NSN: 0-81020), United States Navy, was captured by Japanese forces during World War II and was held as a Prisoner of War until his death while still in captivity.
General Orders: NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 - 1947
Action Date: December 26, 1941 - Died in Captivity
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Division: Prisoner of War (Japan)

Navy Directories & Officer Registers

The "Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps" was published annually from 1815 through at least the 1970s; it provided rank, command or station, and occasionally billet until the beginning of World War II when command/station was no longer included. Scanned copies were reviewed and data entered from the mid-1840s through 1922, when more-frequent Navy Directories were available.

The Navy Directory was a publication that provided information on the command, billet, and rank of every active and retired naval officer. Single editions have been found online from January 1915 and March 1918, and then from three to six editions per year from 1923 through 1940; the final edition is from April 1941.

The entries in both series of documents are sometimes cryptic and confusing. They are often inconsistent, even within an edition, with the name of commands; this is especially true for aviation squadrons in the 1920s and early 1930s.

Alumni listed at the same command may or may not have had significant interactions; they could have shared a stateroom or workspace, stood many hours of watch together… or, especially at the larger commands, they might not have known each other at all. The information provides the opportunity to draw connections that are otherwise invisible, though, and gives a fuller view of the professional experiences of these alumni in Memorial Hall.