Robert C. Richardson papers, 1890-1954

Collection context

Summary

Creators:
Richardson, Robert C. (Robert Charlwood), 1882-1954
Abstract:
Correspondence, bulletins, directives, maps, and photographs relating to American military operations in the Pacific Theater during World War II and the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I.
Extent:
89 manuscript boxes, 1 oversize box (38.6 Linear Feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Robert Charlwood Richardson papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The papers document the military career of General Robert Charlwood Richardson, Jr., who served in World War I and World War II. Materials include correspondence, memoranda, bulletins, directives, maps, and photographs relating to American military operations in the Pacific Theater during World War II and the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I.

As an aide to Major General T. H. Barry, Richardson traveled with Barry to Europe in 1917. Since Richardson could speak French, he became a liaison officer for the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. The collection includes materials related to the American Expeditionary Forces and volumes of information summaries.

During World War II, Richardson became the military governor of Hawaii and the commander of Army personnel in the Pacific. He was present aboard the USS Missouri during Japan's surrender in 1945. The collection contains correspondence, memoranda, reports, and photographs related to Richardson's service, as well as history volumes documenting the United States Armed Forces in the Middle Pacific. Also included are materials concerning martial law in Hawaii and suspension of the right of habeas corpus during Richardson's service as military governor.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1882
Born, Charleston, South Carolina
1900-1904
Cadet, United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA)
Circa 1904-1905
Served in the 14th Calvary Regiment during the Philippine–American War
1905
Wounded in action at Cotta Usap
1906-1911
Assistant instructor of modern languages, United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA)
1914-1916
Assistant professor of English, United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA)
1917
Author, West Point: An Intimate Picture of the National Military Academy
Aide to Major General T. H. Barry
1918-1919
Liaison officer, American Expeditionary Forces
1919
Joined Morale Division, War Plans Division, War Department General Staff, Washington DC
1920-1923
Assistant to assistant chief of staff for operations, Headquarters, Philippine Department, Manila
1924-1926
Attended Ecole Supérieure de Guerre, Paris
1926-1928
Military attaché, Rome, Italy
1929-1933
Commandant of cadets, United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA)
1933
Attended Army War College, Washington
1938
Given command of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade at Fort Bliss, Texas
1940-1941
Commanded the 1st Calvary Division Fort Bliss, Texas
1941
Director, Bureau of Public Relations, War Department
1954
Posthumously promoted to general
Died
1943-
Commanding general of U.S. Army forces in the Pacific Ocean area
Military governor of Hawaii
Commanding general of the Hawaiian Department
Acquisition information:
Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 1968.
Arrangement:
Box Numbers Groups
37, 75, 77-79 Biographical File
77-81 Diaries
63-71, 78-79, 81 Correspondence
12, 37, 78, 84 Speeches and writings
1-4, 7, 77 World War I
5-6, 8-11, 76 Interwar period
12-57, 78, 82-84 World War II
36, 38, 61-62 Photographs
Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Boxes 82-84 closed. Boxes 32, 53-54, 60, 66, 68-71, 75, 77, and 80 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], Robert Charlwood Richardson papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563