Naval History and Heritage Command

Finding aid (Word)

Biographical Note

William Larsen began his military service with a two-month indoctrination course at the College of William and Mary in the spring of 1943, after serving as pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church. His first assignment was Bainbridge Naval Training Center, and he subsequently served with the 4th Marine Regiment and Feet Marine Force Pacific during Marine training and staging operations for the invasion of Okinawa.

Note: Additional information on Chaplain William Larsen is held by the Danish American Archive and Library.

Scope and Content Note

The bulk of the collection is comprised of historical materials relating to Chaplain Larsen's service in the Pacific with the 4th Marine Regiment and Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. There are a few items relating to his tenure at the Bainbridge Naval Training Center and his post-World War II naval service. The collection contains letters to his family, correspondence with families of killed Marines, an account of the invasion and Battle of Okinawa, and photographs of Guam and Okinawa.

Preferred Citation

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

Subject Headings (LCSH)

World War, 1939-1945--United States--Amphibious Operations.
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Japan--Okinawa Island.
World War, 1939-1945--Chaplains--United States.
World War, 1939-1945--Religious Aspects.
United States. Navy--Chaplains.
United States. Navy--Religious Life.
Boyd, Bernard
Danner, Harry
Myers, Robert
O'Neill, William
United States. Navy--History--Sources.