Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Gruber, William R. (William Rudolph), 1890-1979
- Abstract:
- The papers of William Rudolph Gruber, U.S. Army brigadier general, consist of correspondence, orders, reports, memoranda, writings, certificates, printed matter, maps, and photographs relating to American military administration of the Panama Canal and American military operations in France during World War I and in the Far East during World War II.
- Extent:
- 4 manuscript boxes, 1 oversize box, 1 oversize folder (5.4 Linear Feet)
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], William Rudolph Gruber papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The William Rudolph Gruber papers consist of correspondence, orders, reports, memoranda, writings, certificates, printed matter, maps, and photographs documenting Gruber's wide-ranging career in the United States Army.
The Military Career File includes correspondence, memoranda, citations, certificates, and reports documenting Gruber's promotions, assignments, decorations (notably the Silver Star with Third Oak Leaf Cluster and the French Croix de Guerre), leaves of absence, and retirement. The World War I File consists of printed matter documenting military operations in France, particularly the Battle of Blanc Mont. The World War II File consists of Gruber's military analysis on the vulnerability of Pearl Harbor, as well as reports and other materials relating to the China-Burma India Theater, where Gruber led campaigns under General Joseph Stilwell, providing intelligence and communications in liaisons with Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and analysis on the military readiness of China and India. The Panama Canal File consists of correspondence, reports, agendas, and printed matter related to the American military administration of the Panama Canal, gathered during Gruber's role as assistant to three U.S. secretaries of war.
The Correspondence series includes Gruber's letters to and from notable figures, such as presidents Eisenhower, Truman, and Hoover and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. The Writings series includes Gruber's letters to the editor for various publications, authored articles reflecting on military operations, reports, and manuscripts, as well as research materials. The Photographs series consists of photographs of the Panama Canal (including Franklin D. Roosevelt's visits in 1934), World War I battles, and portraits of figures such as Douglas MacArthur and Chiang Kai-shek. Finally, the Maps series includes annotated war period military and civilian maps of Panama and Asia, comprised of collected data in the field used for military analysis and civilian reports. The military maps are strategic in nature and depict troop movement.
The collection is organized according to Gruber's original arrangement, in chronological order.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Date Event November 30, 1912 Named commander, United States ArmyDecember 17, 1890 Born, Cincinnati, Ohio1913-1917 Served in Panama1924 Attended Field Artillery School, Fort Still, OklahomaJune 16, 1919 Married Helen L. Drennan1917-1918 Served as batallion and regiment commander, 17th Field Artillery, 2nd Division, in the Soissons, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Champagne, and Meuse-Argonne operations1929 Attended Army War College, Washington, D.C.1925-1928 Instructor, Command and General Staff School1925 Graduated with honors from the Command and General Staff School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas1933-1937 Served as assistant to three secretaries of war on affairs of the Panama Canal, Inland Waterways Corporation, Army engineer projects, and War Department negotiations on the treaty with Panama1930-1938 Director, Panama Railroad and Steamship Company1929-1930 Served as commander, 7th Field Artillery1938-1941 Served as G.A., chief of staff, Hawaiian Division1936-1938 Served as commander, 36th Field Artillery1936 Attended Naval War College, Newport, Rhode IslandFebruary 1942 Named brigadier general1942-1945 Served as artillery commander, 38th and 24th Divisions, Burma, India, China, S.W. Pacific, New Guinea, and Philippine operations1941 Served as commander, 26th Field Artillery Brigade, Camp Roberts, California1940 Oversaw Army housing construction project in Hawaii1946 Retired from the U.S. ArmyJanuary 27, 1979 Died, Carmel, California1945 Served as assistant Army-Navy Foreign Liquidation Commissioner, State Deptartment, EuropeSource: Marquis Biographies Online. Who Was Who in America. http://search.marquiswhoswho.com/profile/200010813094. Accessed 26 November 2014.
- Acquisition information:
- Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1982.
- Physical location:
- Hoover Institution Library & Archives
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Box 5 may not be used without permission of the Archivist. The remainder of the collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.
- Terms of access:
-
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], William Rudolph Gruber papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
- Location of this collection:
-
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford UniversityStanford, CA 94305-6003, US
- Contact:
- (650) 723-3563