Donald A. Forsyth papers

Collection

Identifier: D.317

Staff Only

Biographical/Historical note

The collection contains letters written by Forsyth to his family in Rochester, New York, while he served in the Navy during World War II. Forsyth attended Andover preparatory school in Connecticut until 1939, when upon graduation he enrolled in the University of Rochester. At the University of Rochester (1939-1943) he completed an AB in History and was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon. In April 1943 he went to New York City to attend Midshipmen's School. After completing his training in July 1943, Forsyth moved to the Submarine Chaser Training Center in Miami, Florida, where he remained until he joined the Pacific Fleet sometime later that year. While in the Pacific, Forsyth served with the 5th Fleet, moving to the 7th Fleet for the Morotai and Philippine operations. In February of 1945 he rejoined the 5th Fleet until June 1944, when he was moved once again into the 3rd Fleet under Commander William Halsey, Jr. Forsyth ranked Lieutenant Junior Grade (Lt. JG) in the US Navy until he was discharged in 1946.

After the war Forsyth attended Columbia Law School (1946-1949). Upon graduation he worked with his father, Walter S. Forsyth, in a practice located at the Genesee Valley Trust Building in Rochester. He later became US Commissioner to the US District Court in Rochester. He married Ruth Mary Keene on September 8, 1948, and they had three sons.

Scope and Contents

The bulk of the letters are written home from the Pacific. While Forsyth could not give detailed information about maneuvers or battles in his letters due to censorship, he does describe life aboard ship and attempts to gather news from his family about the home front in his letters.

Creator

Forsyth, Donald A. (Person)

Dates

Creation: 1939-1947

Language of Materials

English

Extent

.25 cubic feet (1 container)

Access

The Donald A. Forsyth Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The letters were a gift from Donald A. Forsyth on January 13, 2005.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Donald A. Forsyth Papers, D.317, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Arrangement

The letters are arranged in chronological order, beginning with one letter to Forsyth's mother sent from Andover, and continuing until 1947, with a letter from Columbia University.