Skip to main content

SCOUT

Special Collections Online at UT

A Brief History of Marine Air Warning Squadron Eight

 Collection
Identifier: CSWS-0036

  • Staff Only

This collection consists of a memoir titled, A Brief History of Marine Air Warning Squadron Eight by Ed. Farmer, written in 1984. It was donated to the Center for the Study of War and Society by Robert F. King, a member of the Marine Air Warning Squadron. It includes a history of the Marine Air Warning Air Squadron Eight stationed in Okinawa, Japan during World War II. The monograph includes a glossary of terms, landing maps, and personnel rosters of the various operations of MAWS-8 while they were stationed in Okinawa from January 1945 until February of 1946.

Dates

  • 1984

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Conditions Governing Use

The UT Libraries claims only physical ownership of most material in the collections. Persons wishing to broadcast or publish this material must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants on www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet

Abstract

This collection consists of memoir titled, A Brief History of Marine Air Warning Squadron Eight by Ed. Farmer, written in 1984. It includes a history of the Marine Air Warning Air Squadron Eight stationed in Okinawa, Japan during World War II. The booklet includes maps and personnel rosters of the various operations of MAWS-8 as they landed in Okinawa.

Biographical/Historical Note

No biographical information on Edward W. Farmer could be found.

Marine Air Warning Squadron Eight was commissioned on March 1, 1944 in Cherry Point, North Carolina. The squadron underwent rigorous training on the operation and maintenance of radars and communications equipment. In January of 1945 the Air Warning Squadron (AWS-8) set sail for Pearl Harbor, where it was separated into smaller, semi-independent groups or “operations, in order to give “maximum air warning support to the invasion forces" in the Okinawa, Japan. The primary purpose of the AWS-8 in Okinawa was to provide radar coverage and interception. By the end of the war, the squadron totaled 26 night interceptions, which was more than any other US unit. AWS-8 was stationed in Okinawa until the war ended in August of 1945. They remained in Okinawa for several more months monitoring weather systems until they were transported back to the U.S. in February 1946. The squadron was decommissioned on March 12, 1946, two years and eleven days after its formation.

Arrangement

This collection consists of a single folder.

Previous Citation

This collection was originally cited as part of MS.1259. It was then listed as CSWS.WWII.3.0002 until receiving its current number.

Acquisition Note

This collection was donated by Robert F. King in 1985.

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480