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S-121 Rear Admiral Clifford Van Hook Photo Collection
S-121 Rear Admiral Clifford Van Hook Photo Collection

Topic
  • Places-Shore Facilities--Bases-Stations-Labs-Installations
Document Type
  • Photograph
Wars & Conflicts
  • World War II 1939-1945
Navy Communities
File Formats
  • Image (gif, jpg, tiff)
Location of Archival Materials
  • NHHC
Author Name
Place of Event
Recipient Name
Title: Rear Admiral Clifford Van Hook Photo Collection
Description: Approximately 350 black and white photos and 1 newspaper clipping scrapbook related to the service of Rear Admiral Clifford Van Hook. Focus is on his service as Commander, 15th Naval District (Canal Zone) 1942-1943 and Commander Seventh Fleet Staff 1944-1945. A significant portion of the collection deals with the visits of US and foreign officials to the Canal Zone. Some prints are press photos and may have copyright restrictions.
Accession#: S
Catalog#: S-121
Donor: Rear Admiral Clifford Van Hook
Copyright Owner: Varies (check photo captions)
Circa: 1942-1945
Format: Photographs and newspaper clippings

Collection Guide: 

S-121-A: Scrapbook of newspaper clippings, circa 1942-1943, related to Panama Canal zone, and which provides background, names, and dates for images in the remainder of the collection.

S-121-B: Formal portraits and casual scenes of Van Hook posing at various interior and exterior locations, including fishing. Also seen is Lieutenant General Frank Andrews.

S-121-C: Buildings including Commander, 15th Naval District quarters, Naval Hospital complex opposite La Boca, Canal Zone. Views of admiral’s barge.

S-121-D: Van Hook at functions, including inspection of troops, inspection of Fleet Air Wing 3, maneuvers on board PT boats, demonstration of depth charge drop by OS2U Kingfisher, formal receptions, opening of the bowling alley. Among those seen are Rear Admiral Jesse Oldendorf, Rear Admiral Harold Train.

S-121-E: Van Hook with various officers in group photos, including Lieutenant General Frank Andrews, Lieutenant General Frank George Brett, Rear Admiral Harold Train, and Major General William Shedd. Van Hook observing Army maneuvers including a B-17D Flying Fortress.

S-121-F: Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox visits the Canal Zone, September 1942.

S-121-G: Vice President Henry Wallace visits the Canal Zone, March 1943.

S-121-H: Assistant Secretary of the Navy Ralph Bard visits the Canal Zone, July 1943.

S-121-I: Visit of Columbian Minister of War Dr. Alejandro Galvis, February 1943.

S-121-J: Visit of Bolivian General Antenor Ichazo Torres to Canal Zone, February 1943.

S-121-K: Visit of Peruvian naval officers to Canal Zone, February 1943.

S-121-L: Visit of Panama President Ricardo Adolfo de le Guardia to Canal Zone, April 1943.

S-121-M: Visit of Bolivian President Enrique Penaranda to Canal Zone, May 1943.

S-121-N: Visit of Paraguay President General Higinio Morinigo to Canal Zone, June 1943.

S-121-O: Inspection of US Naval Base Corinto, Nicaragua by President Somoza of Nicaragua, June 1943.

S-121-P: Presentation of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath to Lieutenant General George Brett, July 1943.

S-121-Q: President Ricardo Adolfo de le Guardia of Panama presents Order of Vasco Nunez de Balboa to Canal Zone officers, July 1943.

S-121-R: Unidentified visitors and ceremonies involving Van Hook.

S-121-S: Van Hook’s service under Admiral Thomas Kinkaid, Commander Seventh Fleet, 1944-1945. Photos show facilities and ceremonies on New Guinea.

For information about the rest of the collection: nhhcphotoarchives@navy.mil