Navy- Carrier Division 22, August 13, 1944–January 18, 1945, ca. August 2, 1944–January 18, 1945, undated

This folder consists of papers documenting Lyness’s time serving as Flag Lieutenant to Rear Admiral Sprague while he was in command of Carrier Division 22, Task Group 77.4, and Task Unit 77.4.1 ("Taffy 1"). Sprague’s flagship throughout was USS Sangamon (CVE-26). The folder begins with Lyness and Sprague’s transfer and travel to the Admiralty Islands, including two maps of the area (oversize). Overall, the folder gives a picture of Sprague and his activities. It includes an October 7, 1944 speech by Sprague on the USS Chenango (CVE-28), a letter addressed to his newborn grandson, and a dispatch about him presenting medals to members of a Chenango air group. The folder also contains papers reflecting Sprague and his staff’s interaction with other U.S. military personnel in the area, both military (observing a demonstration of combined operations hosted by U.S. Army General Innis P. Swift) and social (cocktail parties hosted by Sprague and attending a Bob Hope performance, which the collection includes signed tickets from). Other documents of note include a memorandum about voting in the U.S. elections; Ships Present lists, most filed under August 23; dispatches relating to the USS Richard M. Rowell (DE-403) bringing survivors from USS Shelton (DE-407), which was hit by a Japanese torpedo attack; and receipts such as from the Admiral’s mess. Please note that dispatches dating August 19-October 7 are filed together at the back of the folder.