Naval History and Heritage Command

Finding Aid (PDF, 112KB)

Biography

William Doyle Sams was born on 7 August 1907 in Martinville, Arkansas.  He enlisted in the Navy in July 1927 at age 19.  Sam had a successful 27 year Navy career, earning the Purple Heart, Good Conduct, American Defense, Atlantic and Pacific Area and World War II Victory medals before his retirement in 1955.  During his career, he had duty on USS Raleigh (CL-7), USS Langley (CV-1), Ranger (CV-4), Hornet (CV-8) and was wounded by enemy forces in the Santa Cruz Islands in 1942.

Scope and Content Note

The Papers of William Sams include a subpoena to a Crossing the Line Ceremony and crossing certificates dated 1934, 1936, and 1937, while he was serving on USS Ranger (CV-4).  Also in the collection are a diary kept from 1928-1929 and a copy of Sam’s separation report.

Preferred Citation

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