Naval History and Heritage Command

Table of Contents

Overview of the Collection

Biographical Note

Scope and Contents

Arrangement

Detailed Description of the Collection

US Navy Uniform Regulations

Published Uniform Regulations and Changes

Uniform Board

Extracts, Letters, and Official Correspondence Pertaining to Uniforms

Legislation

Uniforms, Male Officers

Uniforms, Enlisted Men

Uniforms, Women

Uniforms, Civilian

Uniforms, Working

Rank and Grade

Decorations and Insignia

Historical Studies

Extracts From Other Sources: Naval Administration and History

Extracts From Other Sources: Uniforms and Rank

Extracts From Other Sources: Books and Articles

Extracts From Books on Custom and Dress

Reference Material

Photographs and Illustrations

Correspondence

Oversize

Related Materials

Restrictions

Index Terms

Administrative Information

Biographical Note

William Shepard Edwards was born at Lynn, Massachusetts on 28 December 1908. He enlisted in the US Navy 31 July 1926 as an apprentice seaman. Edwards served on various ships and stations prior to World War II, including duty on board USSCleveland (CL-21) during the Nicaraguan revolution of 1926-1929. He was appointed to the temporary rank of ensign on 7 October 1942, rank dating from 15 June 1942. Most of World War II was spent outside the United States serving as an officer on board USS Prairie (AD-15) and USS Westmoreland (APA-104) rising to the temporary rank of lieutenant commander. In August 1945, Lieutenant Commander Edwards was assigned to duty as officer-in-charge of the Uniform Section of the Bureau of Personnel. Among his duties was the responsibility for answering questions received by the Navy Department concerning uniforms and insignia. On 10 August 1950 he was discharged from enlisted service with the rank of chief yeoman. On the same date he accepted and received a permanent appointment as a Lieutenant Commander, USN for limited duty only in administration. Lieutenant Commander Edwards continued to serve in the Uniform Section of the Bureau of Personnel until his retirement.

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Scope and Contents

The collection contains all of the research materials used by Edwards to prepare the four-volume manuscript "The History of United States Uniforms for the Sea Services." The bulk of the collection consists of official regulations, resolutions, general orders, circular letters, official memoranda, and other materials pertaining to uniforms and insignia in regulations of the US Navy between 1776 and 1959. This material consists of original documents, photocopies and notes compiled by Edwards during the course of his research. The collection also includes a significant number of extracts taken from books and articles relating to the wearing of uniforms, rank, civilian costume, as well as the general topic of naval history and administration. There is also a small number (5) of historical studies subjects related to US Navy uniforms. Additional materials includes: sketches, photographs, transparencies, and reference documents, plus files containing Edwards's personal correspondence relating to the subject of uniforms.

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Arrangement

The collection is organized into 22 series according to subject derived from the notations found on the original file folders used by Edwards to arrange his material.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

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Related Materials

"A History of United States Uniforms for the Sea Services," by William S. Edwards
Navy Department Library, Special Collections, Call Number VC303 .E39 1980 V.1

Uniforms Section, Online Publications, Navy Department Library Website

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Restrictions

Restrictions on Use

Manuscripts are unavailable for loan and must be consulted in the library. Photocopying of manuscripts is generally prohibited, though the use of digital cameras by researchers to reproduce non-copyrighted materials is permitted. Permission to photocopy a limited number of pages may be granted by the reference staff, contingent upon the physical state of items. All photocopying of materials shall be done by the reference staff, or under their close supervision. The use of personal scanners by non-library staff personnel must be approved by the reference staff on a document-by-document basis (Reference: Naval History and Heritage Command Instruction [NAVHISTCENTINST] 5070.1C.).

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Index Terms

This record series is indexed under the following controlled access subject terms.

Personal name:

Edwards, William S.

Corporate Subject

United States. Navy--Uniforms
United States. Navy--Regulations
United States. Navy--Insignia
United States. Navy--Medals, badges, decorations

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Cite as: Commander William S. Edwards Collection of Material Relating to US Navy Uniforms, Historical Manuscripts, Navy Department Library, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington DC.

Processing Information

The collection was processed and a finding aid prepared by Thomas Wildenberg in December 2004.

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