3.27 Cubic feet ((3 records center boxes) (1 20x24x3 flatbox))
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photographs
Correspondence
Publications
Clippings
Manuscripts
Date:
1922-1977
Scope and Contents:
This collection contains information about Admiral Leslie from the years 1922-1977, covering his Navy career and including the World War II years and his part in the Battle of Midway. The collection contains the following types of material: official Navy documents, letters from researchers who sought information on the Battle of Midway, personal papers, newspaper clippings, a magazine article with general information on the Battle of Midway and post-War publications. The collection also contains numerous photographs but none pertaining to the Battle of Midway. Most of the photographs are not labeled and show base life, including many of base athletic teams, mostly baseball.
Biographical / Historical:
Admiral Maxwell Franklin Leslie (1902-1984) attended the University of Washington before entering the US Naval Academy in 1922. He was commissioned Ensign in 1926, received flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola in 1929 and was designated Naval Aviator in 1930. When the US entered World War II, he was Executive Officer of Bombing Squadron 3, based on the USS Saratoga. He later commanded that unit, operating from the USS Yorktown during the Battle of Midway. For extraordinary heroism there, he was awarded the Navy Cross. He also flew with his squadron operating from from the USS Enterprise while escorting the USS Hornet for the Doolittle raid on Tokyo, April 17, 1942. He continued to serve the Navy overseas during World War II and after the war spent the rest of his career on various ships and bases. He retired in 1956. In addition to the Navy Cross, he was presented the Bronze Star Medal with combat "V" and the Commendation Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation to the USS Enterprise, American Defense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
General:
NASMrev
Provenance:
William N. Leslie, gift, 1986, 1987-0131, unknown
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
