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Edward C. Kalbfus papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSC-050

Scope and Contents

The collection consists or two boxes and several folio items and is divided into three series. Series I, Correspondence, contains letters sent and received regarding personal and official career matters. A number of letters were written to A. Kimsey, an enlisted man who served as a chauffeur/retainer, regarding repairs to the admiral's retirement residence, Restmere, in Middletown, RI. Other significant letters include those regarding the genesis and publication of Sound Military Decision, a text which explores both the rationale and format for tactical and operational decisions, and an account of his years as president of the Naval War College. Series II, Writings, contains part one of a draft work entitled "The Development of the Naval Command Structure, 1898-1945." Series III, Miscellany, contains career and personal photographs, folio newspaper clippings and commissioning certificates. The collection encompasses the years 1905-1954.

Since Kalbfus served two terms as president of the Naval War College, there is a significant amount of material in the archives pertaining to him. The appendix contains these additional research source materials, as well as his record of publications.

The Kalbfus papers at the Naval War College are the only collection extant pertaining to the admiral's career. They are an important set of manuscripts of a naval officer who saw action in the Spanish American War, the First World War, held important battleship commands, twice served as Naval War College president and as Commanding Officer of the Newport Naval Base, both at the beginning of World War II. His contributions to the Navy both during and after retirement were significant and led to the advancement of the service.

Dates

  • Creation: 1905 - 1954

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Access is open to all researchers, unless otherwise specified.

Conditions Governing Use

Material in this collection is in the public domain, unless otherwise noted.

Biographical Note

Admiral Edward c. Kalbfus was born on November 29, 1877, to Dr. Daniel and Mary E. Jones Kalbfus of Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania. He attended Selwyn Hall in Reading, Pennsylvania, before enrolling in the Naval Academy in 1895. Active in sports, he played football and was captain of the baseball team during his first class year.

As a midshipman, Kalbfus was on active duty during the Spanish American War, where he participated in the Battle of Santiago Bay, witnessed the sinking of the REINA MERCEDES and served on the Havana Blockade. He saw action during the Philippine Insurrection, 1900-1902, and was involved in protecting American lives and interests during the Russo-Japanese War, 1904-1905.

In 1906, he was stationed off Havana in the USS NEWARK while the Navy monitored political conditions on the island. From 1907 to 1909 he served in the USS KANSAS during the 'round the world cruise of the Great White Fleet. In 1914, he participated in the occupation of Vera Cruz, Mexico, and took charge of the Mexican railway system during the naval occupation.

When the United States entered World War I in 1917, he commanded the USS POCAHONTAS which transported troops and supplies to European ports. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his wartime service. Important battleship and cruiser commands as well as service with destroyers followed World War I.

Kalbfus reported to the Naval War College in Newport, RI, in 1926, where he was a member of the senior class of 1927. From 1927 until 1929 he was a staff member of the Logistics, Personnel, Material and Supply Division and the Department of Intelligence. He returned to the College in 1934 where he served as president for two years and then again in 1939 for another three year term. Along with Admiral William s. Sims, he was the only naval officer to serve as College president twice.

With war clouds looming on the horizon in 1939, Kalbfus was responsible for organizing and then commanding the Newport Naval Base which spearheaded the Navy's work in the region. He also established the anti-aircraft training center and was responsible for the Army establishing anti-aircraft defenses at Price's Neck in Newport. He was awarded the Legion of Merit when he retired as College president and base commander. Just prior to his retirement, the road from the Training Station to One Mile Corner was named in his honor.

At the end of his tenure as President of the Naval War College in 1942, he was appointed to the Navy's General Board. In 1944, he was a member of the three member Naval court of Inquiry which investigated the circumstances surrounding the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The court found that Admiral Husband Kimmel, CIC, Pacific Fleet and CNO Admiral Harold B. Stark had failed to display the judgement commensurate with their rank. Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal endorsed the court's findings. During this time period, Kalbfus held the prestigious post of Director of Naval History.

Admiral Kalbfus was relieved of active duty in 1946 and returned to the Newport area, where he lived in Restmere on Miantonomi Avenue, Middletown, RI. He was active in civic affairs and served as president of the Newport Family Service Society in 1949. He died in Newport in 1954 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. His wife, Syria Brown Kalbfus, survived him. The couple had no children.

Admiral Kalbfus received many U.S. and foreign decorations, including the Spanish Campaign Medal, the Sampson Medal, the Philippine Campaign Medal, the CUban Pacification Medal, the Mexican Service Medal, the Victory Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Military Order of the Avis from Portugal.

He was a member of many clubs and organizations, including the Army and Navy Club, the cruising Club of America, the Newport Country Club, and the Battlefields Commission.

Career Outline

1877
Born, November 24, Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania
1898
USS OREGON (BB-3), Spanish American War
1899
Graduated, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
1900-1902
USS GENERAL ALAVA (AG-5), Philippine Insurrection
1903-1904
USS CINCINNATI (C-7)
1904-1906
U.S. Naval Academy, Department of Marine Engineering and Naval Construction, Instructor
1905-1906
USS NEWARK (C-1), Senior Engineer
1907-1909
USS KANSAS (BB-21), Senior Engineer Officer, Great White Fleet Cruise
1910
USS KANSAS (BB-21), Gunnery Officer
Navy Department, Target Practice Office
1913-1914
U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Fleet Engineer and Aide to CIC
1914
USS WYOMING (BB-32), Navigator
1915
Navy Department, Gunnery Exercises and Engineering Competitions, Assistant Director
1916-1918
USS POCAHONTAS (SP-3044), CO
1918-1919
USS IOWA (BB-4), CO
1919-1921
Commander Destroyers, Atlantic, Staff
1921-1924
Office of Chief of Naval Operations, Fleet Maintenance Division, Head
1924-1926
USS TRENTON (CL-11), CO
1926-1927
Naval War College, Student
1927-1929
Naval War College, Staff
1929-1930
USS CALIFORNIA (BB-44), CO
1930
Commander Battleships, Battle Fleet, Chief of staff
1931
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Director of War Plans; Promoted to Rear Admiral
1932-1934
Battle Force, Destroyer, CO
1934-1936
Naval War College, President
1937-1939
Battleships, Battle Force, CO; Promoted to Vice Admiral
1939-1942
Naval War College, President; Naval Operating Base, CO
1941
Transferred to retired list
1942
General Board, Member; Promoted to Admiral
1944
Court of Inquiry to investigate Pearl Harbor Attack, Member; Director, Naval History
1946
Relieved of active duty
1954
Died, 6 September, Newport, RI

Extent

3 boxes (3 boxes and folio)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Correspondence, official and personal, 1942–1954; Writings entitled “The Development of the Naval Command Structure, 1898–1945”; Career photographs and portraits, 1934–1945; Newspaper clippings regarding his career and the USS Iowa (BB-61) visit to Seattle, 1942–1947; Commissioning certificates to RADM, VADM and ADM. Newport, RI, 1905–1954.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The Edward c. Kalbfus papers were deposited in the Naval Historical Collection in two lots: the first lot, consisting of the admiral's commissioning certificates, was found in the basement of Pringle Hall in 1976 and formed the nucleus of the collection, while the second lot was presented to the Naval War College Foundation by John Gawalt of Middletown, RI in 1990. The latter deposit forms the bulk of the collection.

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Naval War College Archives Repository

Contact:
US Naval War College
686 Cushing Rd
Newport RI 02841 US