Naval History and Heritage Command

Finding aid (Word)

Biographical Note

Stanley Arthur Ward was born on March 11, 1895, in Oakland, California. He enlisted in the Navy in 1917, and was a member of the first class at the Machinist Mate's School in San Diego.

After being discharged from the Navy in 1919, Ward attended Santa Barbara State College where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Arts. From 1933-1941, Ward taught industrial education at the junior and senior high school level in Oakland Public Schools.

Ward returned to the Navy in 1941 as a commissioned officer, serving as an administrator in technical training. He was Officer in Charge of the Aviation Metalsmith School at Jacksonville, Florida, from March 1941 to May 1942. Remaining in Florida, he became Officer-in-Charge of the Aviation Radioman School. Following that time, he served as the Officer-in-Charge of the Aviation Radar Operations School until his relocation to San Clemente Island, California for his position with the Special Projects School for Air in May 1944.

Following his release from active duty in December 1945, Ward returned to Oakland. He earned his Master's degree from Stanford University and resumed his career in the Oakland Public Schools, serving as a teacher, counselor, and administrator before he retired and opened his own business.

Ward's personal life included a marriage to Violet Richardson and a son, John. Ward was very active in his community and a member of many professional fraternities and associations. Violet was the first president of the Soroptimist Club.

Scope and Content Note

The collection includes information regarding Ward's personal life and teaching career. Much of the collection relates to his time as an instructor at Navy technical schools during World War II.

The first series contains personal correspondence and documents. The correspondence in this series consists of letters to and from various peers, friends, and family members. These include personal letters to Ward, letters from Ward to his wife, Violet, and letters from Violet while she was on vacation in 1930. The Masonic folder includes manuals and letters regarding his Masonic affiliation.

Also in this series are folders containing job applications, job descriptions, and letters of recommendation for Ward, as well as Ward's educational records. This includes formal and informal education ranging from a Boy Scout certification to his Stanford Commencement notice. The photographs included are presumably of Ward and his family, as well as postcards and photographs he collected while in Korea during World War I. Folders in this series are arranged alphabetically by title, with chronological arrangement within each folder.

Series II, Teaching Records, holds paperwork from Ward's teaching career. It includes lesson plans and correspondence with the Oakland Public School district. Ward was involved in many teacher associations and committees. Notes, planning, and paperwork for those committees can be found here.

When Ward was recalled to active duty, he was sent to the U.S. Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida, where he was quickly named Officer-in-Charge of the Aviation Metalsmith School. Memos, orders, photographs, and manuals for his time in this position are found in the third series. The material is arranged chronologically with undated material at the end.

The materials in Series IV document Ward's time as the Officer-in-Charge of the Aviation Radioman School. This series includes paperwork, memos, orders, and manuals for his time in this position. The material is order chronologically with undated material at the end.

With the growing importance of radar during World War II, an increasing number of trained operators was needed. In 1943, Ward was appointed Officer-in-Charge of a new Aviation Radar Operators School in Jacksonville, Florida. The fifth series includes documents, memos, and orders Ward obtained while in this position. Also included in this series is a collection of the manuals used at the school.

The sixth series contains materials from Ward's position as Officer-in-Charge of the Special Projects School for Air (SPSA) in San Clemente, California, which emphasized training in counter-radar techniques. Because SPSA and the Radar School cover many of the same topics, there is a bit of overlap in the organization as well as content. The material is arranged chronologically with undated material at the end.

Series VII contains topical subject files not specifically related to one of the Schools at which Ward served. Many of these are materials Ward used in the various technical courses that he taught. This series is arranged alphabetically by subject.

The eighth series contains publications that Ward accumulated over the course of his civilian and military careers. They are arranged alphabetically by title.

Series IX is a compilation of miscellaneous items. Though similar to Series VII, this series contains more general materials, such as news clippings and questionnaires, informational items, and memorabilia not clearly related to Ward's teaching or Navy careers. This series is arranged alphabetically by title.

Series X, Oversize, contains military maps of Japanese islands, magazine articles, and miscellaneous oversize items, which are described further in the folder list.

Preferred Citation

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

Restrictions Note

Box 6 contains one folder holding privacy-restricted information. This folder is not available for research use.

Subject Headings (LCSH)

United States. Nav--Training Administrators.
United States. Navy--Radiomen--Training of.
United States. Navy--Radarmen--Training of.
Teachers--California--Oakland.
Education, Secondary--California--Oakland.
World War, 1939-1945--Naval operations, American.
Naval Air Station Jacksonville.
Sailors--United States--Photographs.
Sailors--Korea--Photographs.
Nurses--Korea--Photographs.
United Sates, Navy--Officers.
Ward, Violet.

Extent

4.5 cubic feet

For associated photographic materials, please visit the photo archive donated collections related to Stanley A. Ward