Scope and Content Note
The papers of William Rea Furlong (1881-1976) span the years 1892-1985, with the majority of items dating from 1930 through 1945. The collection primarily documents Furlong's service in the United States Navy, particularly his activities during World War II as commander of the Navy Yard at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and his interests in writing and American history. The papers consist of the following series: General Correspondence, Military File, Speeches and Writings, and Miscellany.
The General Correspondence series, 1911-1985, contains incoming and outgoing letters, primarily between Furlong and naval officers and colleagues. Most of this correspondence relates to his academic studies at the United States Naval Academy and Columbia University and his military activities and assignments. Correspondence dated after his retirement from the navy concerns personal business and property matters, writing projects, and his membership in various military organizations. A few letters between Furlong's second wife and her relatives, dated after his death in 1976, are included in this series. Frequent correspondents include William A. Moffett, Donald C. Bingham, and Charles B. McVay. Herbert Hoover and Margaret Chase Smith are examples of the more prominent correspondents.
The Military File, 1896-1965, consists of correspondence, memoranda, reports, ship diaries, and other materials that document Furlong's significant assignments in the United States Navy. Dominating the series is material relating to his duties as commander of the navy yard at Pearl Harbor during World War II. Of particular interest are reports documenting Furlong's supervision of the salvage and repair of ships sunk by the Japanese during the 7 December 1941 surprise attack at Pearl Harbor.
Furlong's activities during World War I are also represented in this file. Official correspondence and memoranda from the War Department document his experiences as a gunnery observer in the war zone with the British Grand Fleet and his intelligence work on German submarine activities. Also contained in the series are materials concerning the American Samoan Commission, of which Furlong was an appointed member, American, British and German ordnance, and the American occupation in 1914 of Veracruz Llave, Mexico (formerly known as Vera Cruz). Several ship diaries kept by Furlong as an ensign and captain are included.
The Speeches and Writings series, 1914-1961, is mainly comprised of correspondence, lecture and research notes, and drafts of speeches, papers, and articles by Furlong. Because most of his speeches were given in an official military capacity, they concern such matters as the selling of war bonds, naval ordnance, and military holidays. Articles, papers, and research notes in the series reflect Furlong's strong interest in American history. Included are materials relating to his book, So Proudly We Hail: The History of the United States Flag, and the history of Pearl Harbor and American Samoa.
The final series in the collection, Miscellany, 1892-1976, consists of a variety of material. Chiefly relating to Furlong's naval interests, the file contains military journals, naval publications, ship newspapers, and musical scores of old navy songs. Scrapbooks, containing photographs, newspaper clippings, and printed materials, are of special note. They present a visual record of Furlong's more notable military activities and travels, including his experiences during the occupation of Veracruz Llave and his position as gunnery observer with the British Grand Fleet in World War I.