Guide to the Thomas M. Allison papers , 1941-1983

John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Published in 2021

Collection Overview

Title:	Thomas M. Allison papers
Date range:	1941-1983
Creator:	Allison, Thomas M.
Extent:	125 item(s) 2 boxes
Abstract:	Thomas M. Allison (U.S.N., Ret.) served aboard the Hornet when propaganda leaflets were dropped in the Tokyo area on 17 February 1945. This collection includes literary manuscripts, official and personal correspondence, and memorabilia relating to World War II navy convoy in 1941 and British P.O.W.'s in Thailand. Also includes: single-leaf leaflets produced by the U.S. Navy in an attempt to lower the morale of the Japanese during World War II, which were printed aboard the carrier U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12), placed in aircraft bomber bays, and then dropped over Tokyo.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number:	Ms.91.20

Scope & content

Literary manuscripts, official and personal correspondence, and memorabilia relating to World War II navy convoy in 1941 and British P.O.W.'s in Thailand. Also includes: single-leaf leaflets produced by the U.S. Navy in an attempt to lower the morale of the Japanese during World War II which were printed aboard the carrier U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12), placed in aircraft bomber bays and then dropped over Tokyo. Authorship of one document signed "Nakayama, Tatsushi" has been attributed to an imperial Navy Second Sub-Lieutenant of this name, taken as a prisoner of war by the United States. Included are two letters relating to his identification and translations of the documents from Japanese into English.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Nakayama, Tatsushi

Subject Topics

• Rhode Island/Local Interest
• World War, 1939-1945 -- Psychological aspects
• Psychological warfare

Document Types

• Letters -- Japan -- 20th century
• Letters -- 20th century -- Rhode Island
• Essays
• Pamphlets
• Letters (Correspondence)
• Ephemera

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in six series:

• Series 1. Literary Manuscripts
• Series 2. Official Correspondence
• Series 3. Printed and Miscellaneous
• Series 4. Photocopies
• Series 5. Personal Correspondence
• Series 6. Psychological Warfare Leaflets/ Correspondence

Biographical note

Thomas M. Allison was recruited and trained for the United States Navy at the Newport Naval Training Station in Newport, Rhode Island in 1941. He served in Task Force 14 during the early days of World War II which was the first U.S. Navy task force of the war. They transported British troops from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Capetown, South Africa, then sailed to Bombay, India, Mumbasa, Kenya and Singapore. He participated in the Battle of the Marianas. He was serving aboard the U.S.S. Hornet when propaganda leaflets were dropped in the Tokyo area on 17 February 1945. He retired from the Navy as a Master Chief.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials:	Researchers are advised that express written permission to reproduce, quote, or otherwise publish any portion or extract from this collection must be obtained from the Brown University Library. Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. It is up to the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	Thomas M. Allison papers, Ms 91.20, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts Box A Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148 Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	Gift of Thomas Allison in 1986 and 1987.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Brown Library Staff.
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2021-03-22.
Descriptive rules:	Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Additional Information

Related material:

Related Materials See also: Two memoirs by Thomas M. Allison. The first is titled Reminiscence and covers November 10 - December 19, 1941. It gives an account of the movements of Task Force 14, first U.S. Navy task force of the war, that transported British troops from Halifax, NS, to Capetown, SA, then sailed to Bombay, India, Mumbasa, Kenya and Singapore. Mentions food, weather, liberty and news of early wartime attacks, including Pearl Harbor. List of ships in Task Force 14 is included. The second is titled Reminiscence, 1941-1950 and covers his service in the United States Navy, including recruitment and training at the Newport Naval Training Station in the early months of 1941. Includes service in USS Hornet at the Battle of the Marianas, an instance of friendly fire in USS Hornet, and visit of Rita Hayworth and Aly Khan to USS Midway, 1950. The only known copy for both memoirs are owned by the Naval War College in Newport, RI.

Inventory

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