Help Us Complete Biographer Tom Buell's Oral History
Among those with whom he served, Commander Tom Buell was known for his outspoken personality and adherence to high standards. In wider circles, he is highly praised as the author of definitive biographies of two of the greatest naval leaders to serve our nation, Admirals Raymond Spruance and Ernest King.
Shortly before Tom Buell's death in June 2002, he sat for five oral history interviews with Paul Stillwell. Buell graduated in 1958 from the Naval Academy. He discussed classmates and shipmates with whom he interacted throughout his naval career. This is the story of a professional destroyer/frigate officer at the time when the Navy was getting into the age of guided missiles. His ships included the Hamner (DD-718), Brooke (FFG-1), King (DDG-41), John King (DDG-3), and Joseph Hewes (FFT-1078). The oral history thus provides descriptions of a blackshoe career through the eyes of a candid professional historian. Buell also described the research and writing that went into creating his award-winning books.
To complete Tom Buell's oral history in the coming months, financial support is needed to help underwrite the costs of editing, footnoting, and compiling an annotated index. Those who make tax-deductible gifts of $1,000 or more will be recognized in the history's preface and will receive a copy of the handsome bound volume. For more information, please contact Naval Institute Foundation Associate Director Sue Sweeney at (410) 295-1054 or [email protected].
Biometrics Seminar in San Francisco Is a Success
Last month, the Naval Institute cohosted its first collaboration with the Marines' Memorial Association in San Francisco, a one-day seminar entitled “Biometric Technology for Homeland Security: What's the Art of the Possible?” We gratefully acknowledge the following supporters who helped underwrite this event:
Lockheed Martin
Northrop Grumman
McCormick Tribune Foundation
SAIC
To learn about sponsorship opportunities at upcoming seminars, contact Naval Institute Foundation Associate Director Deb Oxnam at (410) 295-1055 or [email protected].
Aviation Pioneers Are among Images to be Preserved
Civilian demonstration pilot Eugene Ely did not live long, but he left in his wake the seeds of naval aviation. After graduating from Iowa State University in 1904, Ely was active in the burgeoning automotive industry, working as a chauffeur, salesman, mechanic, and race-car driver. In 1910, he encountered a Curtiss airplane, rebuilt the engine, and taught himself to fly. On 14 November 1910, Eugene Ely became the first person to fly off a ship. Ely launched his Curtiss pusher aircraft from a temporary ramp erected on the bow of the cruiser Birmingham (CL-2), moored near Hampton Roads. On 18 January 1911, Ely logged another aviation milestone, landing on board—then later taking off from—the armored cruiser Pennsylvania (CA-4) in San Francisco Bay. The next day, Lieutenant Theodore G. Ellyson began flight training that would lead to his designation as Naval Aviator #1. While flying at Macon, Georgia, Eugene Ely crashed and was killed on 19 October 1911, two days shy of his 25th birthday. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1933.
Eugene Ely and Theodore Ellyson are among many naval aviation pioneers included in the Naval Institute's photo collection of some 40,000 personalities. For the past year, the Institute has made a concerted effort to digitize its archives. Digitizing will help make the images available to a wider audience and reduce wear-and-tear on the original prints.
The archives staff is currently working to digitize approximately 1,000 selected photos of individuals, and seeks assistance to underwrite the labor and equipment costs of its overall photo preservation efforts. You can help by sending your tax-deductible gift to the Naval Institute Foundation, 291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402. For more information, please contact Sue Sweeney at (410) 205-1054 or [email protected].
Articles on technology and innovation are made possible in part by a grant from Battelle Memorial Institute.
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