Scope and Content Note
The papers of Claude Charles Bloch (1878-1967) span the years 1926 to 1945, with the bulk of the material between 1937 and 1941. They consist of general correspondence, a journal, and a subject file.
The journal covers the period during which Bloch served as judge advocate general in the United States Navy. Bloch recorded legal cases, courts-martial, hearings before House and Senate naval affairs committees, and contracts for building ships.
The greater part of the collection concerns Bloch's roles as commander in chief of the United States Fleet, 1938-1940, and commandant of the 14th Naval District, Pearl Harbor, 1940-1942. Correspondence with William D. Leahy, Chester W. Nimitz, and Harold R. Stark and material in the subject file concern a court of inquiry following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Correspondents include Charles Edison, James Forrestal, Ernest Lee Jahncke, Hiram W. Johnson, Frank Knox, William D. Leahy, Chester W. Nimtz, David Sarnoff, Harold R. Stark, Claude A. Swanson, Burton K. Wheeler, and Harry Hines Woodring.