Laurance F. Safford papers

Laurance F. Safford papers, 1941-1967

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Safford, Laurance F.
Title: Laurance F. Safford papers
Dates: 1941-1967 (inclusive)
Date of CollectionDate of Collection
Quantity: 3.70 cubic ft. (8 boxes)
Collection Number: 01357
Summary: The Laurance F. Safford papers contain correspondence, research files, and articles relating to Safford’s career as a U.S. Navy cryptologist and the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
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

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Laurance Frye Safford was born in Somerville, Massachusetts on October 22, 1893. Safford enrolled in the U.S. Naval Academy in 1912, and graduated as a commissioned Ensign in 1916. Beginning in 1924, Safford was assigned to various Naval positions that focused on communications and cryptology, including a 1942 appointment as Assistant Director of Naval Communications and Cryptographic Research. After the events at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Safford became convinced that the U.S. government had actionable intelligence prior to the attack, but had ultimately failed to act. Safford passed away on October 22, 1973.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Laurance F. Safford papers contain correspondence, research files, and articles relating to Safford’s career as a U.S. Navy cryptologist and the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The bulk of the correspondence and research files, pertain to the idea that the U.S. Navy possessed actionable intelligence about the imminent attack, but failed to act. Also present Is a microfilm roll containing government documents related to the investigations on the Pearl Harbor attack.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

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

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The Laurance F. Safford papers have been arranged by material type, and divided into three series.

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by Laurance F. Safford at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

This material was received from Laurance Safford and C. C. Hiles from 1964-1969.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Matthew Francis in July, 2009.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I. CorrespondenceReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folder
1	1	Correspondence with Harry Barnes	1962-1964
1	2	Correspondence with Percy Greaves	1962-1964
1	3	Correspondence with C. C. Hiles	1961-1964
1	4	Correspondence with J. J. Rochefort	1962-1963
	Folders
2	1-3	General Correspondence	1946-1967

Series II. Research FilesReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folders
2	4-10	General Pearl Harbor Related Files	1941-1967
3	1-6	Cryptology Files, (Including related to Pearl Harbor)	1941-1967
3	7-9	Government Documents Related to WW II and Pearl Harbor Attacks	1941-1945
	Folder
3	10	Microfilm - Pearl Harbor Attack Investigation Documents	1945
4	1	Safford Notebooks	undated
4	2	Safford Annotated Biography	1955

Series III. World War II and Pearl Harbor ArticlesReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box	Folders
4	3-11	Newspaper Clippings	1943-August, 1945
5		Newspaper Clippings	September, 1945-November, 1945
6		News Clippings	December, 1945-August, 1946
7		News Clippings	September 1946-1964 and undated
8		Popular Magazines, (Some Annotated)	1944-1964

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