Military Agency Records RG 38

The Naval Establishment Records

Records of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (RG 38)

By an Executive order of December 18, 1941, the Commander in Chief of the United States Fleet was removed from the authority of the Chief of Naval Operations and was put in supreme command of the Navy's operating forces. On March 12, 1942, however, another Executive order made provision for combining the duties of the Commander in Chief, United States Fleet, and those of the Chief of Naval Operations and assigned them to one office with the title of "Commander in Chief, United States Fleet, and Chief of Naval Operations." This official would serve as the principal naval adviser to the President on the conduct of the war, and principal naval adviser and executive to the Secretary of the Navy on the conduct of the activities of the Naval Establishment. Admiral Ernest J. King, who had become Commander in Chief, United States Fleet, in December 1941, was given the dual role, and retained it during the remainder of the war. As Chief of Naval Operations he succeeded Admiral Harold R. Stark, who had held that office since before the outbreak of the war in Europe in 1939.

Records of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Administrative)

Division of Pan American Affairs and United States Naval Missions 1940-1946

With the outbreak of World War II, the increased importance and complexity of problems with respect to Latin American relations resulted in the establishment of a Pan American Division set up directly under the Chief of Naval Operations in January 1942. Rear Admiral W. O. Spears, who had been named Director of the new division, had previously been assigned duty in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in June 1940 to exercise overall supervision of naval missions.

After World War II, the division became the Division of Pan American Affairs and United States Naval Missions, responsible for the administering of United States naval missions and advisory groups; for assisting in plans for effective naval cooperation with the American republics; and for the arranging of training in the United States of armed forces personnel of these and other countries.

Correspondence relating to Hemispheric Security 1940-1945 (Entry 48B)

This series contains copies of intelligence reports prepared by naval and military attaches in Latin American countries concerning political elections; political developments; and other related subjects. Also included are memorandums concerning agreements made during the years 1940-1942 for cooperation against possible Axis aggression. Most of the records relate to Lend Lease. The records are arranged by country and thereunder according to an alpha-numeric filing scheme. Boxes 1-2 Records of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Operations)

The Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Operations), holding the rank of Vice Admiral, under the authority and direction of the Chief of Naval Operations, prepared strategic plans and policies and was responsible for the organization, operational development, readiness, administration, and operations of seagoing forces, sea frontiers, and overseas naval command areas. He had the overall direction of the Intelligence Service, evaluated and disseminated operational information, and had representation on joint operational agencies.

Records of the Office of Naval Intelligence

During World War II the Naval Intelligence Division was part of the "Services" group under the Sub Chief of Naval Operations. During the war the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) was responsible for the collection and distribution of naval intelligence for Navy bureaus and offices. It cooperated closely with the Military Intelligence Division (MID), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the State Department, the Office of U.S. Censorship, and the British Imperial Censorship Office. Since Headquarters, Commander-in-Chief , United States Fleet (COMINCH) and ONI both carried on intelligence activities, a more clear-cut distinction was made between them when COMINCH established the Combat Intelligence Division on July 1, 1943. The general line of demarcation between their duties was that the Naval Intelligence Division was responsible for strategic intelligence and the Combat Intelligence Division was responsible for operational intelligence.

The Foreign Economic Administration (FEA) asked the Office of Naval Intelligence to furnish Safehaven data to it whenever possible. In case at least, that of Tangier, the Naval Attache sent reports of a very useful nature relating to enemy assets and enemy influence in that territory. On the basis of its reception of these reports, the FEA requested that naval attaches in other neutral territories be requested to initiate similar studies.

ONI in April 1945, issued a special report (FT-11-2-45) defining its Safehaven program and tying it in with current Naval interests. The report was planned to expedite the securing of Safehaven data and was distributed to Naval Commands abroad, Naval Attaches, Liaison Officers, and District Intelligence Officers. (Note 64) General Records

Formerly Security Classified Administrative Correspondence 1941-1945 (Entry 85A)

This series is arranged according to the Navy Filing Manual, a copy of which is located in the consultation area in Room 2400. Boxes 1-451

Subject Index to Naval Attache Reports in Series 98A, 98B, and 98C 1940-1947 (Entry 95A) (Note 65)

This index is arranged alphabetically under 30 major headings, including: all nations; commerce; financial; government, foreign relations; social and economic conditions; and, societies and organizations. Under each of the major headings the cards are arranged by subject or country, and thereunder by subject or country. Included on the cards are register number, file designation, date, title, the source of the information, and the original security classification on the document. Also included on some cards are lists of the enclosures to the document and cross- references to other subjects in the index. The index has been microfilmed and is available as NARA Microfilm Publication M1332. Boxes 1-35 Formerly Confidential Reports of Naval Attaches 1940-1946 (Entry 98A)

This series consists of intelligence reports submitted by naval attaches based upon their observations concerning foreign naval activities. Most reports contain military, economic, and political information about the country. The series is arranged by subject classification number and thereunder numerically. See series 95A for a subject index for the World War II intelligence summaries and reports. Boxes 1-1276

General Subjects

Confidential Reports of Naval Attaches 1940-1946 (Entry 98A)

This series is arranged alphabetically by the name of a city.
Boxes 1277-1349

Formerly Secret Reports of Naval Attaches 1940-1945 (Entry 98B)

These records are much like those described above but were classified Secret. Arranged by subject classification number and thereunder numerically , with a few reports arranged by a separate number scheme at the end of the series. See series 95A for a subject index for the World War II intelligence summaries and reports. Boxes 1-488

General Subjects

Formerly Top Secret Reports of Naval Attaches 1940-1947 (Entry 98C)

These records are much like those described in series 98A. Also included in this series is correspondence relating to counter-espionage activities within the various embassies; excerpted foreign intelligence reports; and comments on current political events in foreign countries. The records are arranged by top secret document control number. 41 rolls 35mm negative microfilm; 19 rolls 35mm positive microfilm contained in boxes 16 and 17. Boxes 1-15 contained textual records. A partial list of files is available in the first box of the series, as well as in the consultation area in Room 2400. Boxes 1-17 Records of the Foreign Intelligence Branch

The Foreign Intelligence Branch was responsible for the obtaining, evaluating, and disseminating information concerning foreign countries, especially that affecting naval and maritime matters. In addition, it directed the activities of US naval attaches and maintained liaison with foreign naval attaches accredited to the United States. An important aspect of the Branch's task was the preparation of the so-called naval monographs, which were compiled for all countries with sea power. The monographs, which were indexed and kept current, supplied essential naval, political, and economic information in regard to possible enemies or allies.

Foreign Intelligence Branch Office and Historical Files 1939-1945 (Entry UD2)
Boxes 1-6

German Monograph Files 1939-1945 (Entry UD78)

This series is arranged mostly by the ONI Monograph Guide which is a numeric filing system. Boxes 1-35

Latin America Monograph Files 1920-1945 (Entry UD83)

This series is arranged first alphabetically by the name of the country and thereunder by the ONI Monograph Guide which is a numeric filing system. Boxes 1-67

Foreign Publications and Reports 1940-1950 (Entry UD 88)

Arranged alphabetically by name of country/geographical location. A folder list is available in the consultation area in Room 2400. Boxes 1-76

Correspondence with Naval Attaches, Observers, and Liaison Officers 1930-1948 (Entry UD3)

Arranged alphabetically by name of cities. Boxes 1-6 Boxes 7-18

Records of the Foreign Trade Section

Formerly Security Classified Reports and Dispatches Received Related to Enemy Shipping 1941-1945 (Entry 176)

This series, which is arranged topically (sometimes by the name of ship), contains intelligence reports, dispatches, booklets, pamphlets, and other material received from Europe and the Far East relating to enemy shipping, axis blockade runners and raiders. Box 1

Naval Attache Office Files

Lisbon, Portugal

Administrative File 1942-949 (Entry UD53)
Boxes 1-3

Madrid, Spain

Administrative Files, 1946-1955 (Entry UD50)
Boxes 1-12

Stockholm, Sweden Correspondence 1941-1946 (Entry UD48)
Boxes 1-3

Captured Records