University of Wyoming
The Laurance F. Safford papers have been arranged by material type, and divided into three series.
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.
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.
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
There are no known other archival collections created by Laurance F. Safford at the date of processing.
This material was received from Laurance Safford and C. C. Hiles from 1964-1969.
The collection was processed by Matthew Francis in July, 2009.
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.