Robert H. Spiro papers, 1941-1995, Date acquired: 02/03/2000, bulk 1945
Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Spiro, Robert H., Jr. (Robert Harry)
- Extent:
- 1.00 folders
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
[Title of Item], [Date of Item], [Box and Folder number], Robert H. Spiro papers, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/WWII_00_0046.
Background
- Scope and content:
This collection relates to U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Robert H. Spiro who served aboard the U.S.S. Morris destroyer during World War II in the Pacific Theater of Operations. The collection includes two journal articles about Spiro's time in the Pacific theater and one article related to the battle history of the Morris.
One newsletter article was written in 1996 for the naval history magazine United States Naval Institute, by Rear Admiral Robert H. Spiro. In his article, he describes briefly some activities performed in the USS Morris several days before the Okinawa invasion. Furthermore, he describes, in general, the planning for the Okinawa invasion within the Pacific Fleet. Then he explains in detail what happened during the Okinawa invasion of April 6-7,1945. He explains how enemy planes were operating, and how the USS Morris was hit by a kamikaze aircraft during the attack. He also explains the damage produced to the USS Morris and the full magnitude of the damage revealed on April 7 & 8. He ends by telling how the USS Morris was declared not seaworthy.
The collection also includes an article entitled "Life Aboard a Tin Can," which is a newsletter article written by the Rear Admiral Robert H. Spiro (Retired). It concerns Spiro's time in the Pacific Theater. The article gives a brief biography of Spiro and describes the difficult living conditions in which he and his co-workers had to live on the ship. He also describes in detail the damage made to the USS Morris during the Okinawa invasion by a direct hit of Japanese kamikaze on April 6, 1945. He describes certain historical facts of the Okinawa invasion. Finally, he describes the last days of the USS Morris that contributed in part to the victory over Japan.
- Biographical / historical:
Robert H. Spiro was a WWII veteran who served the U.S. Navy. Born in Asheville, North Carolina, on December 5, 1920, Spiro grew up in Asheville, NC and attending local schools. He was teaching at a school in Norfolk, VA in 1941 but enlisted in the Navy three weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served in the Pacific theater aboard the U.S.S. Morris, which joined many important battles such as Midway, Guadalcanal, and Okinawa during the Pacific War. Rear Admiral Spiro retired from the Navy in 1978 after more than 37 years of service.
Spiro passed away on October 1, 2013, in Charlotte, NC.
- Acquisition information:
Robert H. Spiro
Donated
- Processing information:
Entered 09/18/2018
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
This collection is open to all researchers.
- Terms of access:
All requests for permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Florida State University Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.
- Preferred citation:
[Title of Item], [Date of Item], [Box and Folder number], Robert H. Spiro papers, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/WWII_00_0046.
- Location of this collection:
-
116 Honors WayTallahasseeFL32306-2047USA
