KW: NAVAL RESEARCH Pt I

[<geminiad@whidbey.com>]

geminiad@whidbey.com wrote:
> 
> FYI,
> 
> *  Another aspect of KW period, or years from 1946-50,
> are records in terms of storage location and what requirements
> existed (or did not exist) at the time period one is researching.
> 
> *  If one is looking for records on a specific ship, on a specific day
> or specific period of time, here are some usable guidelines -
> 
> 1] General -
> 
> a]  Annual unit or ship (command) histories were not required prior to
> 1959.
> However, interim quarterly reports were usually required from 1953,
> so some records may exist in this convenient method of research
> ship or unit history.
> 
>         If you want more detail than what is compiled in DAFNS histories,
> these folks can sometimes still help. Fax or letter requests only. Start
> with their web site (given earlier).
> 
> b] The "Korean War Diary" report is a most useful method of determining
> ship activity.  (Unfortunately, do not know specific date the "War
> Diary"
> requirement was promulgated - may have been with 1July 1950 fleet
> re-organization).
> 
>         Start with www.nara.gov/
> 
> c] Deck Logs, specifically if you want to know where a ship was on a
> particuarly day, week, month, etc. are useful - all are with National
> Archives
> [not the Navy!].
> 
>         Start with www.nara.gov
> 
> d] Action Reports and Operational Reports -  These are useful during
> wartime, less useful during a relatively quiet 1946-1950 prior to
> outbreak
> of KW. The "Incidences" involving USN vs PRC or Russian air forces
> either
> before or during the KW would find these useful.
> 
> e]  Movement Reports.  These are most useful in locating a ships
> position, such as during a PH to Sasebo, Japan or other transit
> information.
> 
> These are on old style microfische and can be provided to researchers
> in paper copy ($0.30 per page, usually, unless you want of 50 pages!).
> 
>         If one wants a period, such as a specific vessels movement during
> a given week or month, to Operational Archieves for these requests.
> 
>         Start with www.nara.gov/
> 
> f]  Squadrons, units, etc. often have Association web sites, as one
> of our list menbers provided Valley Forge and HMS Belfast (Worchester
> and sister ship did not serve in KW).  (Look up name via web search
> first)
> In case of naval aviation squadrons, alot have web sites, including
> Patrol Squadron associations and others.
> 
> 2] There are other routes to go for command or unit histories, other
> than
> a ships history. If we are talking US Navy, start with Operational
> Archieves
> and work request through them.
> 
>         For example, request to obtain Destroyer Squadron 92 info might take
> some time, but there maybe an Administrative history with these folks.
> Otherwise, it might show up under Commander, Naval Forces Far East or
> US Seventh Fleet records. Indicate as much of this information as you
> suspect is the case, which will help in their research.
> 
> Hope this helps.
> 
> Keith Jacobs