Semmes, Benedict J. (Benedict Joseph), 1913-

Abstract

Correspondence, including personal and official Naval War College letters and naval orders, 1931–1987; Speeches, undated–1972; Writings, including articles of Mrs. Semmes, 1958–1973; Semmes Family genealogy; Miscellany, including career and family photographs, newspaper clippings, certificates, programs, booklets, and invitations, 1944–1987.

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The collection consists of five boxes; it is divided into six series. Biographical data forms Series I. His official Navy biography as well as his transcript of naval service can be found here. Series II contains official naval papers spanning the admiral's naval career from 1934 to 1972. Included in this series are fitness reports, naval orders, change of duty, retirement papers and recommendations for awards and citations. Series III contains correspondence, including both letters sent and received. Most of it consists of letters sent and received while president of the Naval War College, 1971-1972, although there is some personal correspondence. Speeches given at commissioning ceremonies and change of commands make up Series IV. Series V, Writings, contains article by Kit Semmes, the admiral's wife, on the Washington Navy Yard, their year in Bahrain in 1962 and reflections on her life as a Navy wife. Semmes' National War College thesis, 1958, is located here. Miscellany, Series VI, consists of certificates, newspaper clippings, programs, invitations, menus, imprints, books, naval and personal photographs and a genealogy entitled Semmes America. The manuscripts cover the years 1934-1985.The Semmes papers are the only collection in existence pertaining to the admiral's career. They are an important addition to the College's collection of presidential papers. While the correspondence portion of the collection documents his Naval War College presidency, the...

Scope and Contents From the Collection: The collection consists of five boxes; it is divided into six series. Biographical data forms Series I. His official Navy biography as well as his transcript of naval service can be found here. Series II contains official naval papers spanning the admiral's naval career from 1934 to 1972. Included in this series are fitness reports, naval orders, change of duty, retirement papers and recommendations for awards and citations. Series III contains correspondence, including both letters sent and received. Most of it consists of letters sent and received while president of the Naval War College, 1971-1972, although there is some personal correspondence. Speeches given at commissioning ceremonies and change of commands make up Series IV. Series V, Writings, contains article by Kit Semmes, the admiral's wife, on the Washington Navy Yard, their year in Bahrain in 1962 and reflections on her life as a Navy wife. Semmes' National War College thesis, 1958, is located here. Miscellany, Series VI, consists of certificates, newspaper clippings, programs, invitations, menus, imprints, books, naval and personal photographs and a genealogy entitled Semmes America. The manuscripts cover the years 1934-1985.The Semmes papers are the only collection in existence pertaining to the admiral's career. They are an important addition to the College's collection of presidential papers. While the correspondence portion of the collection documents his Naval War College presidency, the...

Scope and Contents From the Collection:

College curriculum items, including orientation materials, lectures, addresses, tactical, strategic, demonstrative, scouting and screening and operational problems, maneuver rules, fire effect diagrams, quick decision problems, directives, manuals, articles, historical presentations compiled by members of the Department of Intelligence on naval battles, and translations of the War at Sea, 1914–1918, and miscellaneous NWC publications.

Scope and Contents

8x10 black and white photo of VADM Semmes. Official Navy photographs

Scope and Contents

8x10 black and white photo of VADM Semmes, no date provided on photo

Scope and Contents

3x5 color photo of Semmes' presidential painting

Scope and Contents

Color 4x5 photograph of the view of the Change of Command ceremony of VADM Colbert to VADM Semmes on August 17, 1971 from Dewey Field outside Luce Hall. In the image's foreground features the Marine color guard. In the background, outside Luce Hall is the seated audience and speaker dais. A service member stands in the center in-between the two as part of the Auxiliary with the larger group of officers standing to the right.