| Scope and content |
Fleet Logistic Air Support Wing Atlantic/Continental correspondence reflects Ashford's duties as commandant and discusses the value of waterfront real estate in Pensacola, Fla., and military officers' fear of hospitalization because of possible adverse effects on records. Deputy Chief of Naval Operations correspondence addresses flight pay, publications detrimental to defense efforts, the effect of limited range B-52 bombers on overseas naval bases and intercontinental bombing, and historical programs of the Navy Department. Correspondence related to the USS Midway reflects Ashford's command of that ship during its Mediterranean cruise, as well as the behavior of American sailors in Algiers and their treatment by natives. Other correspondence concerns carrier strategy, Project Mariner, USS Sable, USS Wolverine, USS Copahee, and the hospitalization of Admiral William Halsey. Other materials include papers written by Ashford at the Naval War College; an account and analysis of the battle of Midway; press releases concerning the North Carolina state Senate seat sought by Ashford; photographs of the USS New York, USS Texas, USS Midway, and USS Sable; pamphlets and an article concerning the USS Enterprise; and speeches on the utilization of aircraft carriers by the United States Navy. |
| Access restriction | No access restrictions. |
| Cite as |
William Henry Ashford, Jr., Papers (#369), Special Collections Department, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA. |
| Terms of use | Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law. |
| Acquisitions source |
Joyner- Gift of Real Admiral William H. Ashford, USN (Ret) |
| Biographical note | William Henry Ashford, Jr., a native of Athens, Ga., attended the University of Georgia and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1927. During World War II, he served aboard the carrier USS Enterprise as aide and flag lieutenant to Admiral William Halsey. After the war, Ashford commanded the Fleet Logistic Air Wing Atlantic/Continental (1949-1951), served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (1951-1953), and commanded the aircraft carrier USS Midway. |
