Naval War College (U.S.)

This collection consists of military service records, flight log books, photographs, scrapbooks, and other materials relating to Neil C. Porter’s life and career in the United States Navy including his time as an instructor at the Naval War College. Also included in this collection is a diary from Porter’s father-in-law, Lt. Cdr. Charles H. Ritt, in which he details his experiences working at the Naval Training Station in Newport, R.I. before starting his tour of duty on the USS New York as an assistant paymaster.

Wood, Barbara Brandt, 1921-. Reminiscences of a WWII WAVE officer who was the daughter of a naval officer. Graduated from Smith College in 1943 and enlisted in USN.June 1943; Trained at USNMS (WR), daily rou­ tine and classes; Remained at USNMS as instructor in ships, aircraft and ordnance and gave talks to civic organizations; Weekends in Newport, R.I.; Flying lessons; Assigned to Hydrographic Of­fice, Chart Revision Division, Suitland, Md.; Importance of updating charts for fleet; Social life and tennis games with flag rank officers; V:J Day in Washington, D.C.; Marriage in November 1945 in Newport, R.I.; Impression of Captain Mildred McAfee; Attended Harvard University for M.A. on GI Bill; Impact of WAVES service on life; Travel to Solomon Islands, 1995; Postwar Navy connections.

Wheeler, Barbara Gale, 1924. Youth in Danielson, Conn.; Education, work experience at General Foods; Joined the en­ listed ranks of the WAVES, 1944; Training at U.S. Naval Training School (WR) , Hunter College, Assignment with the Hospital Corps; Attended Corps School, Bethesda, Md.; Assigned to Naval Base Hospital and Dispensary, Charleston, S.C.; Living quarters, roommates, and social life; Dis­ charged in 1946; Impact of service on her life; Member of Ocean State WAVES.

Aldrich, Barbara Tanner, 1918-. Reminiscences of a WWII enlisted WAVE. Includes youth in Providence, R.I., graduate of Bradford College, attended School of Occupational Therapy, Boston, Mass.; Enlisted in the WAVES in December 1942; Training at USNTS (WR), Hunter College; Attended Radio School, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis., for four months; Daily schedule and courses taken; As­ signed to Eastern Sea Frontier, NYC where she monitored and recorded messages; Work was in­teresting; Social life and recreation for service men and women; Promoted to radioman, First Class; Discharged October 1945; Attended RISD on GI Bill; Marriage in 1952; Impact of WAVES on her life.

Davis, BB Freeman, 1920-. Reminiscences of a WAVE who served inWWII. Includes her youth in Providence, R.I., Smith College, 1942, Enlisted in WAVES; Trained at Women's Radio Boot Camp, Madison Wis.; As­ signed as radio operator, NAS, Corpus Christi, Tex.; Visit of FDR to the base; Entered Officer Corps; Trained at Smith College, Communication School, Mt. Holyoke College, 1944; Assigned to NAS, Pensacola, Fla., January 1944; NAS Honolulu, Hawaii; Detached in December 1945; WAVES a positive experience; Marriage and settled in Providence, R.I.

4x6 color photo of a bench on campus ca. 2000

4x6 color photo of a bench on campus ca. 2000

Stabile, Benedict L., VADM, USCG, 1927-. USCG Academy, 1950; B.S., 1950; Company Commander, CGAcademy, 1946-1950; Deck Of­ ficer/Student Engineer, Unimak and Castle Rock, 1950-1952; Student, Atomic Defense School, Fort McClellan, Ala., 1952-1953; Naval Engineering Degree, 1956; Assistant Electronics Planning Officer, CG Yard, Curtis Bay, Md., 1956-1957; Engineering Officer, Eastwind, 1957-1959; Assis­ tant Branch Chief, Engineering Staff, Eighth CG District, New Orleans; Branch Chief, Engi­ neering Staff, Eighth CG District, New Orleans, 1960-1963; Staff, CG Resident Inspector, Todd Shipyard, Houston, Tex., 1963-1965; Chief, Naval Engineering Branch, Fifth CG District, Portsmouth, Va., 1965; Chief, Boating Safety Branch, Fifth CG District, Portsmouth, Va., 1969; Se­ nior Staff Assistant, CGHQ, 1969-1970; Chief, Ocean Engineering Division, 1970-1973; CO, Mellon, 1973-1975; CO, CG Yard, Curtis Bay, 1975-1977; Chief, Office of Engineering, CGHQ 1979; CO, Seventh District, Miami, Fla., 1979.

Curtis discusses his service as a seaman in the US Navy during WWII, including his training in Sampson, NY, attendance at Sonar School and amphibious training in Little Creek, VA, assignment to LST 569, joined a convoy to Tunis, trained in Southampton, Omaha Beach, returned to the USA and was sent to the Philippines to take troops to China and Japan. Part of Veteran's Oral History Project.

Lyons, Benny, 1923-2005. Reminiscence of a WAVE who served as a Link Trainer instructor during WWII. Includes im­migration from Denmark to the United States and settlement in Rockford, Ill.; Two years at Rockford College; Enlisted in WAVES in 1943 for patriotic reasons; Training and indoctrination at USNTS (WR) Bronx, N.Y.; Concerts at USNTS; Advanced training at NAS, Atlanta, Ga., as a link trainer instructor; Barracks living; Social life; Assigned toJacksonville, Fla.; Trained pilots in PBY squadrons; Enjoyed training pilots; Met husband; Discharged from WAVES in 1945; Challenges of WAVES assignment; Marriage in 1946; Life as a Navy Wife; Chal­lenges, responsibilities and friendships; Retirement in Portsmouth, R.I.