Francis S. Low papers, 1915-2000

(bulk 1915-1963)


Naval War College (U.S.). Naval Historical Collection
686 Cushing Road
Newport, RI 02841-1207
Tel: (401) 841-2435
email: nhc@usnwc.edu
Website: https://usnwcarchives.org/

Published in 2018

Collection Overview

Title: Francis S. Low papers
Date range: 1915-2000, (bulk 1915-1963)
Creator: Low, Francis S. (Francis Stuart), 1894-1964
Extent: 2.1 Linear Feet (1 archival box, 1 half archival box, 1 oversized box, 1 artifact box)
Abstract: This collection contains manuscripts, books, articles, personal writings and items, and photographs primarily documenting Francis S. Low's naval career. Low served in the Navy from 1915-1956, retiring at the rank of Admiral. He specialized in submarine warfare, playing an integral role in anti-U-boat tactics during World War II.
Language of materials: English
Repository: Naval War College (U.S.). Naval Historical Collection
Collection number: MSC-360

Scope & content

This collection contains manuscripts, books, articles, personal writings and items, and photographs. They primarily document Low's career in the Navy from the years 1915-1956, but also touch on his civilian and family life. A large portion of the collection refers to Low's involvement in World War II, particularly his time serving with Admiral King.

The manuscript of Low's autobiography (including family trees and a brief family history), as well as the order and scrap book contain the most in depth information regarding his Naval career. Together they provide a firsthand account of his service experiences along with a near complete chronology of his orders and career. Also found in the order and scrap book are newspaper clippings corresponding to events detailed in his autobiography, correspondence, and personal writings ranging from passages of books and poems to at-sea liquor recipes.

After Low's death, his wife took custody of the papers, at which point some newspaper clippings were added to the collection.

Access Points

Subject Names Subject Organizations Subject Topics Geographical Names Document Types

Arrangement

This collection is arranged alphabetically by document type, and then chronologically when applicable.

Biographical Note

Francis Stuart Low was born on August 15, 1894 in Albany, NY. He entered the Naval Academy in 1911 at the age of 16 after attending high school in Newton, MA. In the years following Low's graduation from the Naval Academy in 1915, he completed training in submarine school and went on to command multiple submarines from 1917-1922.

In 1925, Low spent a year studying at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI, followed by a yearlong post as an instructor at the Naval Academy. Starting in 1927 he served on the USS New Mexico for three years, after which he was sent to the Asiatic Station where he commanded the USS Paul Jones. In 1935 he returned to the United States to serve two positions in Navy Department until World War II, with a two year service as the Commander of Submarine Squadron 13 in between.

During World War II, Low worked closely with Admiral King, as Operations Officer and later as Chief of Staff of the 10th Fleet. He was eventually given command of the 16th Cruiser Division in early 1945. During this time, he played an integral role in anti-U-boat tactics, as well as assisting in strikes against the Japanese islands and mainland. Low was also tasked with the securing of Japanese Naval installations following their surrender in August of 1945.

Following the war, he served as a Commander in various capacities, as well as the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Logistics). Low's final post was serving as the Commander West Sea Frontier and Pacific Reserve Fleet until his retirement in July 1956, after which he was advanced to the rank of Admiral. He retired to Oakland, CA with his wife, Alice Paul Requa Low (1900-1982), and passed away at the age of 69 on January 22, 1964.

Low's decorations and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Haitian Campaign Medal, Mexican Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Europe-Africa-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, Commendation Ribbon, Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Yangtze River Service Medal, WWI & WWII Victory Medals, Combat Action Ribbon, Order of the British Empire (Commander), Philippines Legion of Honor (Commander), Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Grand Officer), France Legion of Honor (Commander), as well as multiple commendations in regards to Gunnery and Battle Efficiency aboard the USS New Mexico.

Chronology

Date Event
1915 June Graduated from the Naval Academy and appointed Ensign
1915 July Began service onboard battleship USS Connecticut
1915 December Joined torpedo class on the USS Montana
1916 July Began instruction on submarines aboard the USS Fulton in New London, CT.
1916 December Completed coursework on submarines; Began duty on board D-3 Submarine
1917 June Took command of D-3 Submarine
1917 October Promoted to Lieutenant
1917 December Assigned to the Tactical Group of Submarine Chasers
1918 August Began duty on board O-9 submarine
1919 April Began duty in command of USS AL-1 submarine
1920 January Began duty in command of USS L-2 submarine
1920 March Began duty as Torpedo Officer of Submarine Division Five
1922 September Began duty in command of USS S-12 submarine
1923 August Removed from duty aboard USS S-12 and placed on sick leave for one month
1923 September Began duty as Flag Lieut. to Read Admiral M.M. Taylor
1925 June Attended the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, RI
1926 June Upon completing coursework at NWC, began instructing at the U.S. Naval Academy
1926 Promoted to Lieutenant Commander
1927 March Began duty as Asst. Fire Control Officer of USS New Mexico
1930 May Began duty as Officer in Charge at Recruiters' Training School, Hampton Roads, VA
1932 Ordered to Asiatic Station and began staff duties with Submarine Squadron Five
1932-1935 Served as commander of USS Paul Jones; Promoted to Commander
1935-1937 Served as Legislative Officer in the Bureau of Navigation
1937-1939 Served as Commander of Submarine Squadron 13
1939-1941 Served in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
1941-1942 Served as Operations Officer to Admiral King; Promoted to Captain
1942 September Began duty as Commander of USS Wichita
1943 Promoted to Rear Admiral
1943-1945 Served as Chief of Staff of the 10th Fleet for Admiral King
1945 January Appointed as Commander of Cruiser Division 16
1945 August Charged with the surrender of all Japanese Naval installations in Korea
1945 November Began duty as Commander Destroyers, Pacific Fleet
1947 March Promoted to Vice Admiral and made Commander Service Force, US Pacific Fleet
1950 February Appointed as Deputy Chief of Naval Operation (Logistics)
1953 March Began duty as Commander West Sea Frontier and Commander Pacific Reserve Fleet
1956 July Retired after 45 years of service and advanced to the rank of Admiral

Access & Use

Access to the collection: Access is open to all researchers, unless otherwise specified.
Use of the materials: Material in this collection is in the public domain, unless otherwise noted.
Preferred citation: Author, "Title," Page or Date. Francis S. Low papers, MSC 360, Box number, Folder number. Naval Historical Collection, U.S. Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
Contact information: Naval War College (U.S.). Naval Historical Collection
686 Cushing Road
Newport, RI 02841-1207
Tel: (401) 841-2435
email: nhc@usnwc.edu
Website: https://usnwcarchives.org/

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION  
Acquisition: Purchased from Tavistock Books, Alameda, CA, in October 2018.
Custodial history: At the time of his death, his wife became the custodian of the papers, and what happened to them after that is unknown.
Accruals: No accruals are expected.
Processing information: This collections was processed and arranged by Willa Anderson in Oct 2018 according to current archival standards. As the collection was purchased from a third party, with little or no information regarding original order. Photographs were removed from original backings and placed in Mylar sleeves.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Author: Willa Anderson, NHC Intern
Encoding: This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2018-12-11.
Descriptive rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Additional Information

Related material: Guest lectures, RG 15, Naval Historical Collection, U.S. Naval War College, Newport, R.I.
Separated material: January 1965 Navy: The Magazine of Sea Power, and copies of USNI Proceedings were removed during processing. These materials can be found in the Naval Historical Collection.

Inventory

Box 1, Folder 1 Autobiography of Francis Stuart Low
 1962 Jun 30
Box 1, Folder 2 Bulletin Class of 1915
 1963 May
Box 3x, Folder 1 FS Low US Navy Order & Scrapbook
 1915-1948
Box 3x, Folder 2 FS Low US Navy Order & Scrapbook – Loose Papers
 1915-1948
Box 1, Folder 3 Journal
 1941
Box 1, Folder 4 Last Will and Testament of Francis Stuart Low
 1961
Box 1, Folder 5 Legion of Merit Citation
 1945 Nov
Box 1, Folder 6 Low Family Photographs
 undated
Box 1, Folder 7 Low, Francis Stuart – Portraits
 undated
Box 1, Folder 8 Naval Career Photographs
 1927-1963
Box 3x, Folder 3 Naval Career Photographs (oversized)
 undated
Box 1, Folder 9 New Testament Psalms
 1955
Box 1, Folder 10 Newspaper Clippings
 1949-2000
Box 1, Folder 11-12 A Personal Narrative of my Association with Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King, US Navy (4 copies)
 1961 Aug
Box 1, Folder 13 President Nixon Inaugural Ball Invitation
 1953
Box 1, Folder 14 President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill Atlantic Conference Photographs
 1941 Aug
Box 3x, Folder 4 President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill Atlantic Conference Photographs (oversized)
 1941 Aug
Box 2, Folder 1 Review of Volume X, "The Atlantic Battle Won"
 1956 Jun 21
Box 2, Folder 2 Submarine and Ship Photographs
 undated
Box 3x, Folder 5 Submarine and Ship Photographs (oversized)
 undated
Box 2, Folder 3 Surrender of the Japanese at Seoul, Korea
 1945 Sep 9
Box 2, Folder 4 Victory at Sea
 undated
Box 4x Navigator case with compasses
 undated