Naval History and Heritage Command

Finding aid (Word)

Biographical Note

Ralph A. Bard served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 1941-1944, and Under Secretary of the Navy, 1944-1945. Bard was responsible for all matters relating to civilian personnel and the general administration of the Navy Department. Divisions under his control included Shore Establishments, Transportation, Supervision and Management, the Administrative Office, and the Management Engineer's Office. He instituted a sweeping industrial relations program, covering such areas as training, classification, safety, labor relations, recruiting, and efficient use of manpower, and established a Personnel Relations Division in every major naval activity. These efforts resulted in there being no strike or work stoppage at any Navy activity during World War II. Upon becoming Under Secretary on June 24, 1944, Bard added responsibility for all Navy uniformed personnel to his other duties. Bard received the Distinguished Service Medal for his work in the Navy Department.

Scope and Content Note

The Bard Papers are arranged in three series. Series I, Speeches, including topics such as labor relations, improving efficiency, administrative problems, training, and programs affecting civilian personnel. Mr. Bard also spoke on behalf of the War Bond drive and the Red Cross and delivered speeches during graduation exercises, commissioning of ships, and for Navy Day. The speeches are arranged chronologically.

Series II, Subject Files, contains materials from various activities furing his terms as Assistant and Undersecretary of the Navy. Included are his biography, newspaper clippings, correspondence with Mrs. Frank Knox, and Labor Publicity. The Subject Files are arranged alphabetically.

Finally, Series III, Financial Records, holds correspondence regarding financial affairs and Bard's financial notebooks.

Preferred Citation

This collection should be cited as Papers of Ralph A. Bard, Archives Branch, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, D.C.

Subject Headings (LCSH)

United States. Navy--History--Sources.
United States. Navy--Personnel management
Industrial relations--United States.