Franklin D. Roosevelt letter to Albert Bauer

Collection

Identifier: Coll 957

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of a one-page letter from U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt to Albert Bauer, general manager of the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland, Oregon. In the letter, Roosevelt says he has returned from a conference with figures involved in the Pacific Theater of World War II, including Admiral Charles Nimitz and General Douglas McArthur. He says he believes amphibious combat transports that the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation is manufacturing will play an important role in upcoming military campaigns, and urges that all shipyard employees be informed of the importance of their work. Roosevelt also expresses confidence that the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation will meet or surpass production schedules, based on past performance.

Dates

1944 August 17

Creator

Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Biographical Note

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) was the 32nd president of the United States, holding office from 1933 until his death in April 1945.

Biographical Note

Albert Bauer was born in 1900 in Portland, Oregon, and studied civil engineering at Oregon Agricultural College (later Oregon State University), graduating in 1922. He then worked for the Portland Water Bureau and was involved in engineering projects, including the construction of the Ben Morrow Dam and the Bonneville Dam. In 1941, he became general manager of the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation, which built ships and other watercraft for the U.S. armed forces during World War II. After the war, Bauer worked for the Kaiser Corporation, then for the industrial supply firm Woodbury & Co. In 1955, he began working at Pacific Power & Light Company, where he served as vice president and general manager. He retired in 1966, but continued to be a consultant for the company.

Bauer married Myrtle Frances Gardner (1900-1986) in 1930; the couple had two children. Bauer died in 1993.

Sources: Obituary in the Oregonian, August 11, 1933; vital records on Ancestry.com.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder in shared box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Letter from U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) to Albert Bauer (1900-1993) about the importance of manufacturing amphibious combat transports. Bauer was the general manager of the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation, which built ships and other watercraft for the U.S. armed forces during World War II.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Betty Bauer, March 2023 (RL2023-018).

Existence and Location of Copies

Facsimiles of this letter at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library are located in the Military Collection, Mss 1514; and the Billie H. Strmiska shipbuilding memorabilia, Coll 939.