Marc A. Mitscher Personal Papers
Scope and Contents
Description: This is a four box collection. Three boxes measure 15 ½ x 10 ¼ x 5 inches. The fourth box is oversized and measures 15 ½ x 12 ¼ x 5 inches.
Content notes: The majority of the collection contains photographs, but there are some documents and personal papers relating to Mitscher from the early 1900s to his death in 1947. Much of the focus is his early-aviation career and his WWII service as Captain and Admiral in the US Navy.
There are five oversized items in the Oversized Materials Special Collection (OMSC_00001). Three of them are panoramic photographs (00836, 00837, 00838). One of them is a map (00739). The last is a shellback certificate (00358).
Admiral Mitscher’s insignia is in curatorial possession, and it is on display in the Museum’s World War II gallery.
Dates
- Majority of material found within 1887 - 1947
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open to the public by appointment.
Conditions Governing Use
For copyright and use restrictions please consult the library director.
Biographical / Historical
Admiral Marc Mitscher had long and distinguished career in the US Navy as both aviator and ship commander. Mitscher’s strategies were crucial to the Allied forces during WWII.
Admiral Marc Andrew Mitscher was born in Hillsboro, Wisconsin. After graduating from the US Naval Academy in 1910, Mitscher reported for aviation training aboard the USS North Carolina, one of the first ships to carry aircraft. He was designated Naval Aviator #33 on June 2, 1916. Over the next two decades, Mitscher advanced through varied assignments, including Bureau of Aeronautics and on two US Aircraft Carriers. He continued to advance the science of aeronautics through his leadership in the development of mass flights over water and techniques of carrier-based aviation.
Mitscher assumed command of the USS Hornet in October 1941. On April 18, 1942, Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle and his squadron launched the raid on Tokyo from the deck of the Hornet. Mitscher had enormous strategic success with Naval Aviation commands from the Solomons to the Central and Western Pacific, culminating in the leadership of Task Force 58.
Mitscher died February 3, 1947, while in command of the Atlantic Fleet.
Extent
1.6 Cubic Feet : This is a four box collection. Three boxes measure 15 ½ x 10 ¼ x 5 inches. The fourth box is oversized and measures 15 ½ x 12 ¼ x 5 inches. The majority of the collection contains photographs, but there are some documents and personal papers relating to Mitscher from the early 1900s to his death in 1947. Much of the focus is his early-aviation career and his WWII service as Captain and Admiral in the US Navy.
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Admiral Marc Mitscher had long and distinguished career in the US Navy as both aviator and ship commander. Mitscher’s strategies were crucial to the Allied forces during WWII.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection of materials was donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
- Title
- The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Marc Mitscher Personal Papers
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives Repository
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego 92101 USA US
(619) 234-8291
(619) 233-4525 (Fax)