View XML QR Code

Husband Edward Kimmel Papers, 1907-1999

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Kimmel, Husband Edward, 1882-1968
Title
Husband Edward Kimmel Papers
Dates
1907-1999 (inclusive)
Quantity
25.15 cubic ft. (56 boxes)
Collection Number
03800
Summary
Admiral Husband E. Kimmel was commander-in-chief of the U.S. Fleet at the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. The collection contains documents gathered by Kimmel and used in the preparation of his book, "Admiral Kimmel's Story" (1955) along with biographical information, correspondence, and other materials used for his defense.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
The creation of the EAD-version of this finding aid has been made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission.
Return to Top

Historical Note

Husband E. Kimmel (1882-1968) was a career officer in the U.S. Navy, 1904 to 1942. He attained the rank of rear admiral in 1938 and then admiral February 1, 1941, assuming command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and combined U.S. Fleet in Pearl Harbor. As senior officer along with Lt. General Walter C. Short on December 7, 1941 at the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese, he was held responsible for lack of preparedness, was replaced, demoted, and retired. Kimmel was finally able to defend himself through the publication of his book, "Admiral Kimmel's Story" (1955) after documents held secret during World War II were made available for his research. Kimmel was posthumously restored to the full rank of admiral in 1999 by the U.S. Congress.

Return to Top

Content Description

The collection contains documents and materials used by Admiral Kimmel for the preparation of his defense and also used for his book, "Admiral Kimmel's Story," published in 1955, which is his challenge to the accusation that he was responsible for the lack of preparedness of the Navy when attacked by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor. Documentation includes correspondence, official dispatches, testimonies, exhibits and statements used in investigations, related “Congressional Record" citations, memoranda, manuscripts, newspaper clippings, and other printed material, both official and published. Biographical material on Kimmel and other officers involved in Kimmel's defense is also included. A card file of proper names and dates of individual letters and some documents is included along with other indices. A large portion of the collection is available on microfilm.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

Box Number, Husband Edward Kimmel Papers, 1907-1999, Collection Number 03800, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Alternative Forms Available

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital reproductions of select material from this collection are available at http://digitalcollections.uwyo.edu:8180/luna/servlet/uwydbuwy~83~83.

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Related Materials

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by Husband E. Kimmel at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

Captain Thomas K. Kimmel, 1971, 1973, 1982, 1991; Thomas K. Kimmel Jr., 1999

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was updated and re-keyed by Mary Kenney.

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List

Processed by Mary E. Kenney
2007

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West