Naval History and Heritage Command

Finding aid (Word)

Biographical Note

James Wright joined the Navy in March 1942, taking basic training at Great Lakes, Illinois, and Norfolk, Virginia, and specialized training at Norman, Oklahoma.

While assigned to Norfolk, Wright was promoted twice in the space of thirty days, first to Hospital Apprentice 1/c, then to Pharmacist Mate 3/c. He was later stationed at a naval hospital in New Hebrides, and achieved the rating of Pharmacist Mate 1/c.

Scope and Content Note

The Papers of James Wright predominantly consist of correspondence from Wright’s Navy service during World War II. Other items in the collection include newsletters and clippings, photographs, brochures for servicemen, and documents from the Hospital Corps School.

The collection is organized in two series. Series I consists chiefly of correspondence written by Wright to his parents between 1942-1945. Letters to his sister, Ellen, are included as well. The correspondence deals largely with personal matters and descriptions of Navy life. This series is arranged chronologically.

Series II consists of miscellaneous items collected by Wright during his service. Guidebooks for servicemen on topics such as the G.I. Bill, telephone service in New York, and the transition from military to civilian service can be found here. Also included are newsletters from Operation Magic Carpet, newspaper clippings, photographs of James Wright and others, and various pieces of memorabilia. Series II is arranged alphabetically by title.

Preferred Citation

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