Early in July, 1939, I reported for duty at the Naval Bureau of Navigation, Training Division, Navy Department, Washington, D.C.

The title of my duty assignment was: Instructor of the Naval Slide Film School. The original purpose of the Slide Film School was to train Naval photographers in regard to how to professionally produce training films for use by the U.S. Navy as an aid in the training of enlisted personnel in various trade schools that were operated under the authority and direction of the Bureau of Navigation, Training Division.

The Navy Slide Film School was developed in 1929-1930 by Captain B. McCandless, USN, who at that time was the Director of the Naval Bureau of Navigation, Training Division which was located in the Washington, D.C. Navy Department Building on Constitution Avenue.

The Navy Department and the War Departments in 1939 occupied all of the spaces in what was commonly called the "Munitions Building" which was composed of two structures of 18 wings, three stories high, along Constitution Avenue for the main headquarters of the Navy Department and U.S. Army Department.

Captain McCandless in 1929-1930 along with some assistance from the Naval Observatory, and the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., designed and built six or eight 35mm cameras which were used for the purpose of taking photos close up of various objects, drawings, sketches, book pages, and written information which when reproduced by the slide film cameras and printed on positive 35mm film, were used as training aids in the various Naval Trade Schools.

During the years 1929 to about 1934, a number of slide films were produced by the Slide Film school in the Washington, D.C. Navy Department Building, Bureau of Navigation, Training Division.

The reason it was called a school was because in the twenties certain legislation had been passed by the U.S. Congress, and in accordance with the then existing laws, the Navy Department Bureaus and offices located in the Washington, D.C. area limited the number of enlisted men and specified the enlisted ratings allowed to be on duty in the Navy Department organization in Washington, D.C. Therefore, as no Naval photographers ratings were on the approved Congressional list, Captain McCandless had the Navy Photographers officially assigned to duty at the Washington, D.C. Navy Yard's Naval Receiving Station, and assigned to temporary duty by verbal orders to the Slide Film School under the cloak of naval enlisted men being under instruction for a six month period.

This system apparently was legal, or at least the Navy Department got away with having four or five Navy photographers working in a small photo lab as students in the Navy Department Bureau of Navigation, Training Division from 1929 to late 1941.

Upon my reporting in July, 1939 to the Director of the Training Division of the Bureau of Navigation, I soon discovered that there was little or no interest on the part of the three or four Navy officers in the Bureau of Navigation Training Division for slide films.

The business of training three or four third class Navy photographers in how to use the equipment for the production of slide films was a very easy task, which I did in less than a week.

In this three room slide film photo lab facility in the Navy Department Building on Constitution Avenue were two new 4 x 5 Speed Graphic Cameras, one 8 x 10 professional copy camera and stand, one 8 x 10 professional studio portrait camera, portrait lens and studio stand and plenty of lighting equipment.

We had adequate film developing/fixing/washing/drying equipment, a professional contact printer for negative sizes up to 11" x 14", a professional enlarger for negative sizes up to 8" x 10", and adequate print developing/fixing/washing/drying equipment.

A fair amount of photographic film, paper and chemicals were available, all of which had been obtained for the slide film school from available funds of several Navy Department Bureaus and offices in the Washington, D.C. complex on Constitution Avenue.

Thus, in July-August, 1939, the Navy Slide Film School was the best equipped photo lab set up in the entire Navy Department Building on Constitution Avenue.

The Bureau of Aeronautics Photography Section, under the Flight Division of the Bureau of Aeronautics in 1939 had Lieutenant Robert S. Quackenbush, Jr., USN as officer in charge, one civil service photography scientist, Mr. W. L. Richardson, one typist-file clerk, Francis Weaver, and one Civil Service photographer, Joe Walsh, who operated a small photo lab for photo copying and a small brick structure between the 5th and 6th wings, which was used for the storage of Navy 35mm motion picture negative and positive processed film.

The Bureau of Naval Ordnance, Fleet Training Division had a small photo lab with one civil service employee, Mr. Gus Maurer, who made 8 x 10 copies of Fleet Gunnery Report sheets, and a small amount of contact prints from triangulation films taken by Pacific and Atlantic Fleet camera parties.

The Chief of Naval Operations, Cryptographic Section, under the direction of War Plans Division had a small one man photo lab for a very limited type of classified operations.

The Bureau of Navigation, personnel Division, had a small room with an old 4 x 5 Graflex Camera on a stand and a small dark room which was operated by a civil service photographer who made passport photos for Naval personnel, when required for their use on official business that required documentation for overseas assignments.

From the description listed above for 1939 Navy Department, Washington, D.C. photographic facilities, it doesn't take much imagination to see that the Navy Department photographic facilities in the Navy Building on Constitution Avenue, Washington, D.C. did not amount to much.

Due to the photography facilities of the Slide Film school in the 6th wing, 3rd floor of the Navy Department Building on Constitution Avenue, and the fact that this facility had a chief photographer and four third class photographers, and also due to the other Navy Department photo labs being so poorly equipped and manned, I and my four third class photographers in July-August- September, 1939 became the official photographic service unit of the Navy Department Bureau and Offices on Constitution Avenue, Washington, D.C.

The Navy Department Public Relations Division under the Secretary of the Navy frequently called me for photo coverage of official Navy Department events that were taking place under the SECNAV, Asst. SECNAV, CNO and various bureaus and offices.

In July, 1939, Captain Daniel Callaghan, USN, Naval Aide to the President of the United States, called me to his office and told me that he wanted my professional photography services to cover from time to time, various events in the Washington, D.C. area, where the President of the United States would be engaged in some official ceremony in which the U.S. Navy would be involved or represented. The Captain wanted this photo coverage for official White House and Navy Department historical record use.

Captain Callaghan told that he had my security clearance approved and that I was to go to the White House at a specified date and time, where I would meet the President of the United States, Secretary Early, and all of the Secret Service members then assigned to the President's staff.

I kept the White House appointment that was scheduled by Captain Callaghan, spending the better part of the day being interviewed by the various members of the President's White House staff and Secret Service agents assigned as the President's guards.

I also met Col. Watson, U.S. Army, who held a counterpart position to Captain Callaghan's. Col. Watson held the title of Military Aide to the President.

That day at the White House, I did not see President Roosevelt, however I was informed that the President had been alerted to the fact that he would be seeing a new face in the press photographers line up and that this new man was Chief Photographer George Carroll, USN.

About two weeks after I had my interview at the WHite House, I got a call from Captain Callaghan's office that the President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was scheduled to present the Yangtze Kiang Service Medal to Rear Admiral H. E. Yarnell, USN in the Oval Office at the White House and that I was listed as one of the press photographers to cover the scheduled presentation.

I arrived at the White House at the appointed time where I took a position in the middle line of six press photographers in the hall outside of the President's office, and after waiting a few minutes, the door opened and Secretary Early invited the group inside. Once we were inside, the group of press photographers greeted the President of the United States (who was seated at his desk) by saying, "Good Morning, Mr. President," and the President replied, "Good Morning, Gentlemen."

Then the Secretary of the Navy, Charles Edison; Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Harold Stark; Rear Admiral H. E. Yarnell, USN; Captain Daniel Callaghan, USN; and one or two other civilians entered the President's office.

The President of the United States presented Rear Admiral Yarnell with the Yangtze Kiang Service Medal which was awarded by an Act of Congress for Admiral Yarnell's service in the Panay Incident in China.

Shortly after the press photographers had greeted the President, I got elbowed from my middle of the line position down to the last man in the line. During the medal presentation, each photographer got about two or three pictures, after which Secretary Early spoke to the photographers and said, "Thank you, gentlemen of the press."

Bein at the tail end of the press line, as I turned to follow the group out of the President's office, I heard the President remark, "now, Admiral, we will do one more for the Navy man."

Captain Callaghan motioned for me to remain for one more picture which I did when the President and the Admiral were ready. I thanked the President and Admiral Yarnell and left the room to the outside hall where I was greeted by the six press photographers, by their introduction to me and their apology for elbowing me to the end of the line.

From that time on, I was accepted by the White House Photographers Association as one of them, and whatever position we took in the hall outside of the President's office remained the same when we lined up inside of the President's office for our picture coverage of the scheduled event.

From July 1939 to Sept. 1941, I was called several times to the Office of the President of the United States to photograph scheduled Naval related ceremonies at the White House for official use by the Office of the President of the United States and the Public Relations Office of the Navy Department.

During the latter part of 1941, Arthur Black, Photographer First Class, was given the assignment to cover the Naval related function of the President of the United States.

From July, 1939 to Aug., 1941, I was frequently engaged in taking pictures for the Navy Department Public Relations Office, which included functions in the Secretary of Navy's Office, Assistant Secretary of the Navy's Office, Chief of Naval Operations Office and other Navy Department Bureaus and offices.

During the period 1939-1941 I also was called upon to make portrait photos of various U.S. Navy Admirals, most of whom were then Chiefs of various Navy Department Bureaus, such as Admiral Harold Stark, CNO; Rear Admiral Chester Nimitz, Chief of BuNav; Rear Admiral Ross McIntire, Chief of Medicine & Surgery; Rear Admiral Furlong, Chief of BuOrd; Rear Admiral John Towers, Chief of BuAer; Rear Admiral Joseph Reeves, Navy Dept. General Board; Rear Admiral Leahy, Naval Advisor to the President of the United States; Rear Admiral Ben Morell, Chief of BuYard & Docks; and a few Navy Captains who held highly responsible positions.

In Sept. or Oct., 1939, I was called to the Office of the Assistant Chief of Naval Intelligence, Captain George Rood, USN, who requested me to reproduce some ten or twelve letter sized documents which were stamp classified as "Secret."

Captain Rood told me that I had been checked and was cleared to handle such classified material. I took the ten or twelve documents to my slide film lab where I personally made paper negatives, which I quick dried, and made the number of positive prints that were wanted, returning to Captain Rood's office within two hours with the completed order.

Captain Rood was surprised that I could reproduce the order in such a short time and was so pleased with the work, that he asked me to go with him as he wanted the Director of the Naval Intelligence Office to meet me. That officer was Rear Admiral C. Cole, USN.

The Admiral was pleased to meet me and stated that their office would be in need of my professional services from time to time as there were no other Naval Photographic facilities in the Washington, D.C. area that were cleared for the reproduction of classified documents that their offices handled from time to time.

From that day on, Captain Rood was a frequent visitor to our slide film laboratory where he displayed great interest in our photographic facility and our several types of operations.

In the early part of 1940, Captain Rood requested me to prepare a floor plan, a list of equipment and material and the number of photographers that would be needed for a photographic laboratory, which he wanted for the Navy Department Office of Naval Intelligence.

Captain Rood told me to take as much space as I felt was needed for the Naval Intelligence photo lab on the first floor of the 7th wing. He further stated that he would arrange for the Washington, D.C. Navy Yard Public Works Department to do the required work in transforming the space into a photo lab. He also wanted me to prepare a list of equipment and materials that would be needed for the lab, with a rough estimated cost.

Within two weeks, I completed the layout drawing and the list of equipment and material for the Navy Department Naval Intelligence Photo Lab which I delivered to Captain Rood.

Captain Rood was instrumental in getting the Washington, D.C. Navy Yard work force busy within two weeks in the transformation of the allocated space into a photo lab.

Captain Rood asked me to place the necessary purchase order with the suppliers of the photo lab equipment and materials which were to be delivered to the first floor, 7th wing of the Washington, D.C. Navy Department Building. The deliveries were to be accompanied by a priced invoice in triplicate, which would be paid in cash by a Mr. Daniels, the Chief Clerk of the Naval Office of Intelligence.

The photographic laboratory was completed and placed into full operation within a three month period with Lieutenant Kotrala, USNR in charge and four civil service professional photographers, all cleared for handling of classified materials.

The unit operated under a locked double door entrance with the highest degree of security in the Navy Department Building on Constitution Avenue, Washington, D.C.

Captain Rood was so pleased with my effort in getting the Naval Intelligence photo lab into operation in a very short space of time, that he became my best salesman in regard to photography in general and photographic facilities and services in the Navy Department Bureaus and offices in the Washington, D.C. area.

Shortly after the Naval Intelligence Photo Laboratory had been in operation, I was frequently asked to prepare plans and specifications for photographic facilities in a number of the Navy Department Bureaus and offices.

In the early part of 1940, an effort was made to improve the security in the Navy Department and the War Department Munitions Building on Constitution Avenue, Washington, D.C.

The guard force for the two buildings was manned by civil service guards who operated under a security division of the Department of the Interior.

Guards were stationed at the Navy Department Building entrance doors on Constitution Avenue, but none at the first floor exit doors between the 188 building wings, or the entrance- exit gates of the parking lot area in the rear of the two buildings.

So in 1940, some bright U.S. Government employee caused all military and civil service personnel stationed or employed in the Army-Navy Munitions Buildings to be issued a colored badge which had a number on it.

These badges were issued by the Department of the Interior, Division of Parks Security Force to every person in the Navy Building, officers a gold badge, enlisted personnel a red badge, civil service personnel a white badge and visitors a green badge.

Everyone was supposed to wear his or her badge in plain sight at all times upon entry and while in the Navy Building.

This system presented many problems and caused the military officers and enlisted people to question just how good was the security. So after a few weeks with these colored badges, I brought the question of security to the attention of Captain George Rood, USN, the Assistant Director of Naval Intelligence.

When Captain Rood asked me if I had a better plan, I replied "Yes, Sir." I described my idea to Captain Rood in regard to getting a 35mm photo of all officers, enlisted and civil service personnel in the various bureaus and offices in the Navy Building.

The 35mm photo would be printed on a small wallet size card which would have the person's thumb print, his or her name, date of birth, rank, rating, service number, branch of service, and name-rank of the issuing officer.

The identification card would be hot laminated between two pieces of plastic and would be small enough to be easily carried in ones wallet.

Captain Rood was most interested in my suggestion, asking me who had the equipment and personnel to do the job of photographing, preparing the identification card, setting up and maintaining the records, processing and printing the 35mm film, mounting the photos on the card and the official certification system.

I informed Captain Rood that the Graflex Corporation in Rochester, New York, had at that time a unit which was designed for use as a photo record camera which used 35mm 100 foot roll film that could be slightly modified for use as a personnel identification camera unit. I also told him that I could set up the necessary requirements for the film processing-printing and the lamination. I suggested that each Navy Department Bureau or office in the Navy Building furnish the personnel for the necessary record preparation of the I.D. cards, the certification of the cards and issuance to the people involved.

Captain Rood asked me to get ahold of the Graflex people and to bring them to his office for a meeting on the subject.

I placed him in touch with Tinney Richards, the Washington, D.C. representative of the Graflex Corporation, who, along with a Mr. Sprague from the Rochester Graflex Corporation and me had a meeting in Captain Roods office, where the Graflex Corporation agreed to furnish the required photo identification units, film processing-printing-lamination equipment, and that they would furnish the personnel to train the first group of Navy Department operators in the use of the equipment for the purpose of producing identification cards of the people in the various Naval Bureaus and offices in the Navy Building in Washington, D.C.

The Navy Department Office of Naval Intelligence issued the necessary orders to the Graflex Corporation and within a few weeks we had four units operating around the clock in the Navy Building on Constitution Avenue, where identification photos were made of all officer, enlisted and civil service personnel on duty in the various Naval Bureaus and offices.

The program for this operation was for security reasons set up under the Office of Naval Intelligence with the responsibility for the record of identification and the official certification and issuance of the I.D. cards invested in each of the Navy Department Bureaus-office administration sections.

The initial job of photographing some 20,000 people in the Navy Department was done in about one month, after which the military identification system spread throughout the nation and by 1942 was extended to major industries who were engaged in the production of equipment systems for the many departments of the U.S. Government.

During the years 1940-1945 the Graflex Corporation furnished several thousand photo identification units to the U.S. Government and major industries.

In later years the identification system was changed from black and white photos to color photos using Polaroid cameras.

During the years 1940-1941, I was the only Chief Photographer, USN on active duty in the Navy Department Building on Constitution Avenue, Washington, D.C. and due to the salesmanship of Captain George Rood, USN; Lieutenant Robert S. Quackenbush, Jr., USN and Mr. W. L. (Dick) Richardson, I was getting all kinds of requests for photographic services, just about everything from designing a photo lab to taking pictures of suspected foreign agents.

During this period my involvement in Naval photography in the Navy Department, Washington, D.C. became more consulting- evaluation and recommendations as we were getting closer to war than most people realized. Therefore it appeared that almost every major Naval Bureau or office wanted some kind of a photographic facility, but not having much of an idea as to what they wanted the photographic facility to do for them, they wanted me to tell them what was needed, for what purpose and a photo lab floor plan layout with a list of equipment and supplies along with its rough cost estimate. Last, but not least, how many men would be needed to operate the unit.

For the most part, I listened to their request, responding to most of the inquiries that I just happened to be very busy with my official photographic duty assignments and that I was sure that in case our country got into a war, the necessary photographic facilities would be provided for our Navy operations ashore and afloat.

In Sep., 1940, the Director of the Training Division of the Naval Bureau of Navigation called me to his office one Friday morning, where he told me he wanted an outside estimated cost to purchase the necessary photographic equipment to expand the Naval Photography School at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL., from a twelve student group graduating from a 22 week course to a 100 student graduating class every 30 days after completion of a 22 week course. The Director stated that he needed my figure by 0900 the following Monday.

Upon leaving the Director's office, I went over to the 9th wing, Bureau of Aeronautics, Flight Division, Photography Section, where I informed Lieutenant Robert S. Quackenbush, Jr., USN (who was the BuAer photo section officer in charge) of the verbal assignment that the BuNav Training Division Director had given me.

Lieutenant Quackenbush just looked at me and remarked, "Well, George, I don't know of anyone in our Navy who is better qualified to come up with a reasonable estimated cost figure for the expansion of the Photography School at Pensacola, than you." He further remarked, "And don't forget to put in a figure of $800,000. for a photographic airplane for the school."

From Friday noon to 0800 on MOnday, I spent some 36 hours working up the estimated cost and on Monday morning shortly before 0900, I presented my estimate totaling two million dollars to the Director of the Training Division, Commander Lake, USN, who looked it over two or three times and remarked "Chief, you are not cheap." He further remarked that the figure for photographic aircraft would have to be taken up in the Bureau of Aeronautics budget for 1941.

He said that he would present my figure to the 1941 Bureau of Navigation Budget Committee.

That was the last I heard anything about expansion of the Naval Photography School at Pensacola, until about July-Aug., 1941 when I heard from Lieutenant Don Fraser and Chief Photographer Doc Haynie, that plans were under way to expand the photo school at Pensacola, which was done, and in the latter part of 1942, the photo school at Pensacola was graduating some 100 men every 30 days.

Late in 1942, a number of the photo school graduates were sent to N.A.S. Jacksonville for flight crew training who later became aerial photographer flight crew members of photo reconnaissance multi-engine, high altitude aircraft flying the Pacific Ocean area covering enemy island targets, Guadalcanal to Japan, during World War II.

During the summer of 1940, Captain Rood was instrumental in getting me to take a nation wide civil service examination for "Visual Information Specialist."

I filed for the examination and was accepted. I spent three full days in my attempt to answer a very long and complicated set of questions regarding the many forms, type and usage of visual information systems that could or might be used by various departments of the U. S. Government for a wide variety of subject matters and conditions.

Believe it or not, I passed the exam with a mark of 92 and was placed no. 3 on the national civil service list.

In October 1940, I received a certification for a civil service position in the U.S. Treasury Department as a senior Visual Information Specialist.

At that time I had to refuse the appointment, because the President of the United States had proclaimed that our nation was in a state of "Limited Emergency," which had been approved by Congress, an act which froze all active duty officers and enlisted men of the Army-Navy-Marine Corps and the Coast Guard.

The act also provided for the calling to active duty of the various classes of the reserve units of the military.

So, in as much as I was still on active duty, I was frozen in the Naval service, and therefore could not accept the position in the Treasury Department.

In Oct., 1940, the Secretary of the Navy issued an order calling to active duty all members of the Naval and Marine Corps Fleet Reserve class F4C and F4D.

Chief Photographer J. M. (Doc) Haynie, USN, Fleet Reserve class F4D had a civil service job in the U.S. Naval Hydrographic office in the Navy Building in Washington, D.C.

Doc Haynie was called to duty in the photography section of the Flight Division of the Bureau of Aeronautics, then under Lieutenant Robert S. Quackenbush, Jr., USN. Chief Photographer Joe Walsh, USN, Fleet Reserve class F4D had a civil service job as photographer in the BuAer Flight Division, Photo Section laboratory, being called to active duty in the BuAer photo lab under Lieutenant Robert S. Quackenbush.

On 11 Nov., 1940, at the request of Captain Daniel Callaghan, USN, the Naval Aide to the President of the United States, I covered the official ceremonies at the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" at the National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

During the ceremonies, when the President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt placed the wreath on the "Unknown Soldier's" tomb, I made a color picture of the event by using 4 x 5 professional Kodachrome film. I had the color film processed and color prints made by the Eastman Kodak company in Rochester, N.Y. The color prints were sent to the various officials who were prominent in the ceremony by the Office of the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation. It has been recorded that this color photograph was the first color photo ever made of the ceremonies at the Unknown Soldier's Tomb on Armistice day at the National Cemetery.

The original 4 x 5 color transparency is in the files at the U.S. Naval Photographic Center. A color print is on display at the Roosevelt Hyde Park Museum.

In the fall of 1940, I had the privilege of making a portrait of Rear Admiral Chester Nimitz, USN, who was then the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation.

During the course of taking the Admiral's portrait, he got to talking to me about photography, mainly about a camera he had and some problems he had encountered, so I asked the Admiral to bring his camera in, I would look it over and maybe I could show him how to use it to get better pictures.

The next day Admiral Nimitz brought his camera in and I found it in good working order. I demonstrated to the Admiral how to use the various settings for shutter speeds and adjustment of the diaphragm stops. I also explained their effects on getting good pictures under a variety of conditions.

During my conversation with Admiral Nimitz, I took advantage of his listening ear, I briefly described the lack of Naval photographic facilities in the Washington, D.C. area and that I thought that we should have a central photographic laboratory in the Washington, D.C. area, equipped with complete modern facilities to service all Naval Bureaus and offices.

I mentioned to the Admiral that during the past few months I had been getting all kinds of requests from a number of officers and civil service employees in the several Navy Department Bureaus and offices, for plans and specifications for photo laboratories.

I informed the Admiral that I had not complied with the requests, mainly for several reasons: First, I was fairly busy with my official Navy photo work; and second, I could foresee a number of Naval photographic laboratories in the Washington, D.C. area, most of which would have duplication of facilities, some of which would only be used infrequently, duplication of manpower, and problems in funding the various photo lab operations.

When Admiral Nimitz asked me if I had any plan for a central Navy Department photo lab, I replied that I had not put any plans on paper, but I had a fair idea as to what a central Navy photographic facility should have. I further stated that within a period of about two or three months, I could come up with an overall general plan.

Admiral Nimitz encouraged me to give some serious thought to a central Navy photographic laboratory and suggested that I discuss the idea with the Bureau of Aeronautics photo people and the War Plans Division, then under the Chief of Naval Operations.

Shortly after I had made the portrait of Admiral Nimitz, I was requested to make a color photo of the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Harold Stark, USN.

Arrangements were made for me to take Admiral Stark's picture at his office desk on a certain day for which one hours time was allocated for this color picture of the Admiral in uniform, with his four star CNO flag and the flag of the United States in back and to the sides of the Admiral's desk.

The color photo of Admiral Stark was being made for the Navy Department Public Relations Office in connection with a request from the New York Daily Mirror newspaper.

At the appointed time, with the assistance of CNO staff officer Lieutenant Commander Smedburg III, USN, we had everything ready when the Admiral arrived in his office. So with my 4 x 5 Speed Graphic camera loaded with Eastman professional Kodachrome film and professional photo lighting equipment, I quickly made six color photos of the Admiral.

Upon finishing the job of taking the Admiral's color photos, he removed a small camera from his desk and asked me to show him how to use it to get good pictures.

Having over 1/2 hour left from our photo appointment, I spent part of the time demonstrating how to use the camera's adjustments, and settings for pictures under various light conditions, and distances from the subject matter.

The remainder of my allocated time was spent appraising Admiral Stark regarding the inadequate photographic facilities in the Navy Department, Washington, D.C. area. I also briefly discussed my idea for a central Navy photographic laboratory with complete modern facilities to service all of the Naval Bureaus and offices in the Washington, D.C. area.

Admiral Stark stated that he was aware of the need to modernize and expand Naval photographic facilities for war time operations, and he encouraged me to proceed to develop a plan for a central photographic laboratory in the Washington, D.C. area to service all of the Navy Department Bureaus and offices.

Admiral Stark suggested that I should present my plan for a central Navy Department photographic laboratory to the Bureau of Aeronautics photography office as they would probably be the activity that would be responsible for the development of Naval photographic facilities.

During the last half of 1940, there were many indications by various activities in the Bureaus and offices in the Navy Department, Washington D.C., that caused many of us career Naval people to have serious thoughts as to how soon we would be in a war with Germany.

As I was a chief petty officer with some 18 years of service in the field of Naval photography with wide experience in the use of all types of photographic services and was well acquainted with the then existing U.S. Naval photographic facilities ashore and afloat, also I was aware that the Navy did not have any plans for expansion and modernization of U.S. Naval photographic facilities for war time conditions, therefore I had serious thoughts as to our Naval photography readiness in case of war.

During the year of 1940, particularly the latter half, when I was asked by a number of officers from various Naval Bureaus and offices in the Navy Department, Washington, D.C. to provide photographic facilities to service their photographic needs during war time conditions.

During this period, I had the privilege of reviewing the "Ford-Cooper Report" which was a report from the Hollywood Naval Reserve photographic unit.

The report was authored by the famous movie director John Ford and Marion Cooper. The report was to the Secretary of the Navy, and was quite critical of U.S. Naval professional photography, and to some degree suggested that the Hollywood Naval photographic unit had the professional ability to do a better job if and when their unit was ordered to active duty.

This report was given to me by the Director of Navy Department Public Relations who asked me to read and comment, which I did.

My verbal comments to the Director of the Navy Department Public Relations was that in the field of motion pictures for public information or for historical records, the Hollywood unit would probably do a good job, but in the field of aerial photography reconnaissance operations, I had serious doubt that they had the experience to be of much help in this type of operation for war time conditions.

So, during the latter part of 1940, after I had my brief discussions with Admiral Stark and Admiral Nimitz in regard to my suggestion for a central Navy photographic laboratory in the Washington D.C. area, I also discussed my proposal with Lieutenant Robert S. Quackenbush, Jr. who was the officer in charge of the Naval photographic section, Flight Division, Bureau of Aeronautics, Navy Department, Washington D.C.

Lieutenant Quackenbush thought that the idea of a central Navy photographic laboratory was good. He encouraged me to work on a plan for such a facility to service all Naval Bureaus and offices in the Washington D.C. area.

Early in 1941, I borrowed a drafting table from the Bureau of Yards and Docks, on which I was busy making preliminary layout drawings for a central Navy Department photographic laboratory.

DEVELOPMENT OF A SIDE ISSUE: LIEUTENANT ROBERT S. QUACKENBUSH, JR. USN GOES TO ENGLAND TO OBSERVE AND STUDY THE BRITISH PHOTOGRAPHIC RECONNAISSANCE-PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION METHODS USED BY THE ROYAL AIR FORCE AND THE ROYAL NAVY.

Early in 1941, Lieutenant Quackenbush was called to the office of the Chief of Naval Operations in the Navy Department, Washington D.C. where Admiral Stark USN, Chief of Naval Operations, showed Lieutenant Quackenbush a letter from Rear Admiral Gormley USN who was requesting or suggesting that the Navy should send an officer to England to observe the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy in their use of aerial photographic reconnaissance and the photographic interpretation of the aerial photographs for intelligence evaluation of the enemy's area.

Admiral Stark informed Lieutenant R. S. Quackenbush that he would be ordered to England just as soon as they could get a relief officer to take over Quackenbush's job in the Bureau of Aeronautics as officer in charge of the photography section.

In April 1941, Lieutenant A. D. Fraser USN reported for duty in the Bureau of Aeronautics as photography officer relieving Lieutenant R.S. Quackenbush, jr. USN who proceeded to England vis ship to Lisbon, with a ten day wait in Lisbon for air transportation to London.

Lieutenant Quackenbush, upon reporting to Admiral Gormley in the London embassy, was verbally ordered to the Royal Air Force photographic interpretation school at a place called Melmehmen, a small village of two or three homes, one a very large one, which was used as the Royal Air Force interpretation school, and British photo interpretation center, a place really out in the woods in England near Marlowe.

Lieutenant Quackenbush was so impressed with the short course conducted by the Royal Air Force that he sent a recommendation to Admiral Stark, Chief of Naval Operations in the Navy Department, Washington D.C., that four Naval-Marine Corps officers be sent to England to attend the Royal Air Force photographic interpretation school.

Late in 1941 and early 1942, Captain Charles Cox, USMCR; First Lieutenant Gutterman McCormack, USMCR; Captain Carter Burns, USMCR; and Lieutenant Commander Robert J. Stroh, USN were ordered to England where they attended the Royal Air Force photographic interpretation school at Medmehmen.

Late in 1941 Lieutenant R. S. Quackenbush, Jr., USN was promoted to Lieutenant Commander, USN and upon his return to Washington, D.C., he personally made a verbal report to Admiral Stark regarding the British use of photographic aerial reconnaissance and photographic interpretation. Admiral Stark asked LCDR. Quackenbush what the Navy should do regarding photographic interpretation, LCDR. Quackenbush replied "Let's start a school", to which Admiral Stark replied "Well, start one."

Early in 1942, Lieutenant Commander Robert S. Quackenbush, Jr., USN, by the authority of the Chief of Naval Operations, organized the U.S. Naval photographic interpretation school at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Anacostia, D.C.

For the first five classes in photographic interpretation at NAS Anacostia, LCDR. Quackenbush was the officer in charge and senior instructor, Captain Charles Cox, USMCR and First Lieutenant Gutterman McCormick, USMCR, assistant instructors, and Mary Foust, the secretary of the school.

There were 28 to 30 officer students in each of the first five classes conducted in the first half of 1942 and after being graduated from the U.S. Naval photographic interpretation school, they were assigned duty as photographic interpreters in the Pacific Ocean area, Atlantic Ocean area and the India-China area.

During the period January 1942 to June 1943 some 500 officers had been graduated from the U.S. Naval photographic interpretation school at NAS Anacostia, D.C.

Early in June 1942, Lieutenant Commander Robert S. Quackenbush, Jr., USN was ordered to the Pacific Ocean area where he was to organize and operate the first U.S. Naval photographic interpretation unit.

Shortly before leaving Washington D.C., LCDR. Quackenbush went to the office of the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, where he explained to a three star Vice Admiral, his problems in connection with establishing in the Pacific Ocean area the first Naval photographic interpretation unit.

The Vice Admiral listened to Quackenbush's statements, and with a questionable look, asked, "How many photographic interpreters do you need in your Pacific Ocean area unit?" Quackenbush replied, "Fifty." The Vice Admiral thought that figure was ridiculous, and remarked that he could have four or five. Quackenbush informed the Admiral that if he could only have four or five photographic interpreters, he wanted his orders changed to some other duty assignment.

Lieutenant Commander Quackenbush, being a devoted U.S. Naval officer and having a number of years experience in Naval photography and one of the nation's leaders in the field of photographic interpretation, proceeded to convince the Vice Chief of Naval Operations of the important usage of aerial photographic reconnaissance of enemy held areas and the resulting photographic interpretation of military intelligence information obtainable from the aerial photographs which would be of vital interest to the military commanders of major units in their planning and execution of their strike forces in waging a war.

The Vice Admiral was finally convinced, approving by giving 50 people, that is--on paper.

Lieutenant Commander Robert S. Quackenbush, Jr. USN departed from Washington, D.C. for San Francisco, where, in June 1942, was a passenger aboard the Dutch merchant ship Fontaine with a load of military personnel and equipment consigned to the Pacific Ocean area.

On 16 July, 1942, LCDR. Quackenbush, Jr., USN, arrived at Auckland, New Zealand, aboard the Dutch ship Fontaine. The ship had no sooner docked when a messenger came aboard the Fontaine with a message that Admiral Gormley wanted to see him.

On 25 April, 1941, the Chief of Naval Operations sent a letter to the Secretary of the Navy in which funds were requested for Naval photographic development, the text of which follows:

Aer-F-4-NMM
F44
A3-1
Rewritten Office of
Asst.C.N.O.
4/24/41 - clp 25 April 1941

From: The Chief of Naval Operations.
To: The Secretary of the Navy.

Subject: Photographic Development, Provision of funds for.

1. The rapid expansion of the Navy and the reports submitted from abroad have strongly indicated that there is now urgent need for a wider use of photography than heretofore employed. Accordingly, I have requested the Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics to undertake the further development of the photographic facilities of the United States Navy in order that full advantage may be taken of the photographic art for political and military purposes. The Bureau of Aeronautics was selected for this project because it has had wide experience in all phases of photography and has had a desk actively engaged in photography for a period of over 20 years.

2. In order that there facilities may function adequately, certain large sums of money are required. As a prelude, the Bureau of Aeronautics and the Bureau of Yards and Docks have submitted to the Director of the Budget the Reports, estimates in the amounts of $7,275,000 for photographic material and $1,000,000 for public works items for this project.

3. In order that there may be no delay in the functioning of this new photographic organization, it is strongly recommended that the director of the BUdget and Reports be directed to forward these estimates for consideration by the cognizant authority.

/s/ H. R. STARK

Upon the departure of Lieutenant R. S. Quackenbush, Jr., USN from the Bureau of Aeronautics in April 1941, Lieutenant A. D. Fraser, USN, who had been the fleet air photography officer in Fleet Air Utility Squadron One, Naval Air Station, Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, T.H., reported to the Bureau of Aeronautics where he was assigned duty as the officer in charge of the photography section under the Director of the Flight Division of the Bureau of Aeronautics.

On 12 July, 1941, The Secretary of the Navy issued a letter to Captain R. M. Griffin, USN, which authorized the organization of a board of officers to consider and report on the photographic needs of the Navy, the text of which follows:

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

Office of the Secretary
Washington OOR
QB(157)/A3-1(410712)

July 12, 1941

From: The Secretary of the Navy.
To: Captain R. M. Griffin, U. S. Navy.
Via: The Chief of Naval Operations.

Subject: Board to consider and report on photographic needs of the Navy.

1. A Board consisting of yourself as senior member and of Captain F.E.M.Whiting, U. S. Navy; Captain C. H. Jones, U. S. Navy; Colonel William C. James, USMC; Commander W. M. Reifel, U. S. Navy (retired); Commander C. T. Durgin, U. S. Navy; Commander C. A. Trexel, (CEC), U. S. Navy; Lieut. Comdr. A. R. Brady, U. S. Navy; Lieut. Comdr. R. G. Haxton, USNR; Lieut. Comdr. E. J. Long, USNR, as additional members, and of Lieut. (jg) R. A. Kotrla, USNR, as recorder, will convene in Room 3114, Navy Department, at 10:00 a. m., 23 July, 1941, for the purpose of considering and reporting upon the present resources in material and personnel and the needs of the various Bureaus and Offices of the Navy Department with respect to photographic facilities.

2. The Board will examine into the advisability of pooling facilities where both economy and efficiency can be served, and will recommend approval or disapproval of projects involving either an increase or decrease of facilities. The Board's recommendations will be accompanied by estimates of funds, space and personnel involved.

3. The Board's procedure and subsequent meetings will be as directed by the Senior Member. Upon completion of its investigation the Board's report will be submitted to the Secretary of the Navy.

/s/ Frank Knox

The Board of Officers was convened on 23 July, 1941 in the Navy Department, Washington, D.C.

The Secretary of the Navy on 29 Aug., 1941 approved the Board's report and recommendations, and directed the Bureau of Aeronautics to take all measures necessary to carry out the recommendations of the Board for photographic needs of the Navy, the text of which endorsement letter follows:

OOR(13)
QB(153)/A9(410723)

FIRST ENDORSEMENT

August 29, 1941

From: The Secretary of the Navy.
To: The Bureau of Aeronautics.

Subject: Board to Consider and Report on Photographic Needs of the Navy - Report of.

1. The Proceedings and Recommendations of the Report are approved.

2. The Bureau of Aeronautics, in collaboration with the Bureau of Navigation, the Bureau of Yards and Docks, and the Office of Public Relations, will take all measures necessary to carry out the recommendations in paragraphs 8(a), 8(b), and 8(e), having reference to the complete establishment contemplated by the Board, and at the same time proceed as expeditiously as possible to effect the temporary expansion recommended in paragraph 9 of the Report.

3. Apart from physical facilities, the administrative organization of the laboratory will be the most important factor in securing efficient service to the various Bureaus and Offices concerned. A draft plan of the organization will be prepared as soon as practicable and submitted to all Bureaus and Offices for comment and recommendation.

/s/ FRANK KNOX


cc: Bureau of Navigation
Bureau of Yards and Docks
Office of Public Relations

On 11 September, 1941, The Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics sent a letter to the Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks which Authorized the preparation of plans and the construction of a modern photographic laboratory at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Anacostia, D.C., the text of which follows:

Aer-F-4-BMP
QB(91)
F44

September 11, 1941
055267

From: The Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics.
To : The Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks

Via : The Senior Member of Shore Station Development Board

Subject: Photographic Laboratory at the Naval Air Station, Anacostia, D.C.

Reference:
(a) Report of Naval Photographic Board dated July 23, 1941, with SecNav First Endorsement OOR(13),
QB(153)/A9(410723), dated August 29, 1941.
(b) Suggested Plan of Photographic Laboratory

Enclosure:
(A) Reference (b).

1. Since the First Supplemental National Defense Appropriation of 1942 was submitted, this bureau has been directed by Reference (a) to expand its facilities and personnel to meet the photographic requirements of

(a) Public Relations
(b) Recruiting
(c) Education and training (for all bureaus)
(d) Experiments and development and to establish a laboratory constructed and equipped along the most modern and efficient lines for the production of educational and training films and for the taking and processing of monotone and full color stills.

2. In the Supplemental Act, mentioned in paragraph 1, $510,000 was approved for construction of photographic laboratories, of which $110,000 was for the laboratory at the Naval Air Station, Anacostia, D.C. This sum is not sufficient for a laboratory which will take care of the above requirements.

3. It is therefore requested that additional funds be obtained to complete the construction of a laboratory similar to that shown in Enclosure (a) in the earliest possible legislation.

4. Pending availability of these additional funds, it is requested that the Bureau of Yards and Docks proceed immediately with the plans for this laboratory and prepare an estimate of the sum required.

/s/ J. H. TOWERS
REAR ADMIRAL U.S.N.
Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics

A.R.Brady,
Lt. Comdr. USN
9/10/41

In September of 1941, it became quite evident, due to the ever increasing requirements for photographic services needed in the various Navy Department bureaus and offices in Washington, D.C. and the fact that of the $510,000. which was approved for construction of all Navy photographic laboratories, that with only $110,000. allocated to the laboratory at Anacostia, we needed to obtain Congressional approval of additional funds to construct and equip the Anacostia facility. Therefore, to assist in getting Congress' approval, we changed the name of the project from "Central Photographic Laboratory" to "U. S. Naval Photographic Science Laboratory."

During the months of June-July-August, 1941, I made a number of layout drawings for the central Navy photographic laboratory which Lieutenant Fraser and I were trying to fit into one of the existing buildings at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Anacostia.

The main reason we were trying to get our photo lab plans to fit into an existing building at Anacostia was due to the then approved allocation of $110,000.

Almost as fast as we could get a plan that appeared to have the necessary space allocations to service the various Navy Department Bureaus and offices, additional requirements were being brought to light, or existing ones were being expanded to the point that Lieutenant Fraser and myself were having lots of problems in our attempt to fit all of the photographic service requirements into some unused or unwanted structure at NAS Anacostia for an expenditure of $110,000.

The Bureau of Aeronautics letter of 11 September to the Bureau of Yards and Docks was a major step in the right direction, because the Bureau of Yards and Docks had the professional architects, engineers and draftsmen to do the work of the appropriate plans for the central Navy photographic laboratory facility at NAS Anacostia.

Early in September, 1941, I was on duty orders in the Naval Bureau of Aeronautics, photography section of the flight division as the liaison representative of the Bureau of Aeronautics photography section to the various Navy Department Bureaus and offices, and any civilian organization involved in the program of modernization and expansion of U.S. Naval photographic facilities.

It was about the middle part of Sept., 1941 when I met with the Bureau of Yards and Docks' architects and engineers, Mr. Howard N. Terhune and Mr. Donald W. (Pat) Patterson who where responsible for the development of the plans and specifications produced by the Bureau of Yards and Docks' Architectural-Engineering Design Division.

Late in September I was flown to Rochester, N.Y. by Lieutenant Commander T. R. Frederick, USN for the purpose of conferring with Dr. Kenneth Mees and his staff in the Eastman Kodak Company's Research Division at Kodak Park.

I had known CDR. Frederick from his pilot instructor duties in 1928 at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, and during his tenure as Photography Division Officer on board the USS Ranger in the mid thirties.

CDR. Frederick was a native of Rochester, N.Y. where his father was a long time optical scientist employee of the Eastman Kodak Company.

Ted Frederick grew up in a family closely associated with photography, and after he graduated from the Naval Academy he had close relations with Naval photography at Pensacola and aboard aircraft carriers in the Pacific Fleet.

So when I asked Ted Frederick to fly me to Rochester for my scheduled meeting with Dr. Mees and staff in connection with my Naval photographic problems, he was most pleased to make the flight, as it gave him a chance for a short visit with his father and mother while I attended my meeting with the people in Eastman Kodak's Research Division.

Early in October 1941, I went to the Bureau of Yards and Docks, Architectural-Engineering Division in the Navy Department Building, and upon entering their assigned area, I observed that all of the drafting tables and desks were covered, and there were no people in the area. Being somewhat perplexed in finding no activity in an area that normally was a bee hive, I proceeded to Captain Edwin L. Marshall's office, where I made an inquiry as to the inactivity in the Architectural/Engineering Division of the Bureau of Yards and Docks, particularly the status of the progress of the U.S. Naval photographic Science Laboratory project.

Captain Marshall informed me that the President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt had ordered the Secretary of the Navy in connection with the nation being in a status of "Limited Emergency", to immediately proceed full blast to build some 12 or 15 Naval-Marine Corps air bases, along the East, Gulf and Pacific Coasts, and to greatly expand the then existing Naval-Marine Corps air bases.

The Captain remarked, therefore all of our Bureau of Yards and Docks', Navy Department, Washington, D.C. architects and engineers had been sent to the various coastal Naval Districts to proceed with the high priority program of developing the Naval air base facilities for our national defense system.

The Captain told me that at that moment he guessed that it would be a year or longer before we could resume our work in developing plans for a central Navy Department photographic laboratory in the Washington, D.C. area.

I remarked, "Captain, we can't wait that long; the Navy needs this central photographic plant now."

Captain Marshall, who I had known for some ten years, was very sympathetic and concerned about our photographic laboratory project.

The Captain suggested that I look outside the Navy for some architectural-engineering firm that might be professionally equipped to do the architectural-engineering design of the photo facility.

He told me when I located such a firm, I was to let him know and that he would take action to get the firm under contract. Once they got the contract signed, he was going to expect me, or some other qualified Bureau of Aeronautics photography representative to furnish specifications and work very closely with the architectural engineers to speedily develop the plans for the project. I left Captain Marshall's office with mixed feelings.

As I had been a Naval photographer for almost 20 years, and having no contact with outside professional architectural engineering firms, especially in the Washington D.C. area, I decided that I would consult with my friend, Mr. Johnnie Whittle, who was the Eastman Kodak, Washington, D.C. representative to the various U.S. Government departments and agencies. Mr. Whittle listened while I related my Navy photographic laboratory problems, and when I finished, he wanted to know what was wrong with the Eastman Kodak Company being considered for the professional services of architectural engineering. Johnnie Whittle told me about the Eastman Kodak Company's Kodak Park, Rochester, N.Y. Engineering Division.

I informed Mr. Whittle that I was sure that the Bureau of Yards and Docks' Captain Marshall would be interested to know if the Kodak Company was in a position to take on our project. Mr. Whittle made a phone call to his boss, Mr. Jim McGhee, in Rochester, N.Y., who in turn checked with the Kodak Rochester management and architectural engineering people. Their answer, in the affirmative, was given back to Mr. Whittle in about two days.

I made a verbal report to Captain Marshall that the Eastman Kodak Company, Kodak Park Engineering Division had the professional architectural engineering people who were familiar with and had experience in designing photographic facilities, and that they were in a position to take on our Naval photo lab project.

Captain Marshall drafted a letter from the Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks to the Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, N.Y., in which he briefly outlined our Naval photo lab project, and invited the Eastman Kodak Company to send representatives to Washington, D.C. for the purpose of discussion, and formulating procedures for a contract between the Navy Department and the Eastman Kodak Company for architectural engineering services for the design and specifications of the central Naval photographic laboratory to be built at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Anacostia, D.C.

A reply to Captain Marshall's letter was received from Eastman Kodak and a meeting was scheduled for the middle of Nov. 1941.

The meeting between representatives from the Eastman Kodak Company, Bureau of Yards and Docks and Bureau of Aeronautics photography was scheduled and held in mid November, 1941 in the Navy Department, Washington, D.C.

The meeting was held in the Bureau of Yards and Docks' contract negotiation conference room. The Eastman Kodak and U.S. Naval personnel attending the meeting were as follows: Mr. Carey Brown, Kodak Engineering Division Manager, Mr. Johnnie Whittle, Kodak Washington Area representative, one Kodak Legal Division representative, Captain De Witt C. Webb, CEC, USN (Ret.) Bureau of Yards and Docks, Captain Paul Read, CEC, USN (Ret.) Bureau of Yards and Docks (both of whom were the senior presiding Naval officers), Lieutenant A. D. Fraser, USN, BuAer photography, Chief Photographer George A. Carroll, USN, BuAer photography, and Mr. Donald W. (Pat) Patterson, Bureau of Yards and Docks, Architectural Engineering Division.

Captains Webb and Read approved the project and issued a letter of intent to the Eastman Kodak Company, which was later followed by a formal contract document no. NOY-5372 which authorized and set forth the general conditions for the Eastman Kodak Company services in connection with their furnishing the necessary architectural engineering and equipment procurement agency for the U.S. Naval photographic science laboratory project at the Naval Air Station, Anacostia, D.C.

A tentative date of 15 December, 1941 was set for a meeting in Rochester, N.Y. at the Eastman Kodak Company offices at which time the Navy would provide the general productivity requirements for the U.S. Naval photographic science laboratory project.

In late November, 1941, our nation was operating under a presidential declaration of a limited state of National Emergency.

The ready military reserve units had been called to active duty status and a number of military functions had visible signs of increased activity.

In the Navy Department Building on Constitution Avenue, Washington, D.C., various Bureaus and offices had expanded their operations during 1940-1941. Additional military and civilian personnel were in evidence as just about every office in the Navy Department Building was filled to its capacity.

All personnel, military and civilian, employed in the Navy Department Building on Constitution Ave., Washington, D.C. were identified by their picture I.D. card which they had to show to the building guards upon entering the Naval facility.

The military officers and enlisted personnel on regular duty assignment in the Navy Department Bureaus and offices, on Constitution Ave. reported to their respective offices in civilian clothes, as had been the practice for many years.

LOCAL IMPACT OF "DAY OF INFAMY", 7 DEC. 1941


On Sunday, 7 December, 1941, shortly after 2 PM Washington, D.C. time, the President of the United States made a radio announcement that the Japanese had made an armed attack on Pearl Harbor, an act of un-declared war.

The Secretary of the Navy issued an order that Sunday afternoon for all Naval personnel reporting for duty that evening and the next morning to be in uniform.

The morning of 8 December, 1941 opened with a dramatic change in Washington, D.C. on Constitution Avenue: There were almost as many persons in uniform as there were people in civilian clothes entering the Navy Department Building.

The guards at the three main entrances to the Navy Department Building were stopping everybody for inspection of their identification before they were permitted to enter the building.