In the waning days of World War II, a small congressional delegation that included Jamie L. Whitten of Mississippi embarked on a global tour to examine naval operations. From Washington, D.C., they flew west…island hopping across the Pacific with stops at important bases and engagements, including Pearl Harbor, Samoa, Guadalcanal, Guam, Iwo Jima, and the Philippines.

While the members of Congress made a point to visit with constituent servicemen from back home, their primary mission encompassed meetings to discuss conditions and priorities with a wide array of military leaders such as Admirals Chester Nimitz, William Halsey, Raymond Spruance, and John S. McCain as well as U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur.

Upon leaving the Philippines, their plane flew over Japanese-controlled territory in blackout conditions loaded with guns and emergency kits to reach China where they called upon its leader Chiang Kai-Shek. A few days later, the delegation made the dangerous crossing known as “the Hump” over the high altitudes of the Himalayan Mountains.

Since the Germans had surrendered in May, the last leg of the journey across India, Egypt, Italy, France, Germany, Britain, the Azores, and Bermuda was less hazardous. While elements of the tour retained a military focus, the delegation also had greater opportunities for more traditional sightseeing trips as well as a meeting with Pope Pius XII.

Featured in this display:

Memorandum. "Inoculation Certificates required for travel to foreign countries." 17 April 1945

Special passport for congressional delegation

Report. Inspection tour of Naval Subcommittee of House Appropriations Committee.

Photograph of the congressional delegation and accompanying naval personnel photographed on the exact spot of the American flag-raising by Marines on Mount Suribachi just four months previously during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Photograph of soldiers

Publication. Service Women's Guide. "Edited in Alohaland by Fleet Recreation and Morale Office"

Publication. Meet the Marianas

Photograph. Men sitting on the ground

Map of the Pacific Rim with hand drawn flight paths.

Publication. How to See Paris for the soldiers of the Allied Armies, presented by the Commiseriat Général du Tourisme

Photograph. Gas Masks

Publication. Egypt

Postcard of Pyramids

Scrapbook of Whitten's tour, including press clippings

Pages torn from spiral notebook, written in pencil