WW2 Special passport for the Pacific - Our Passports
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June 25, 2024
in Cold War, Passports, WWII
by Neil
0 Comments

WW2 Special passport for the Pacific

1941 issued to a Navy officer.

 

 

A passport that I saw ten years ago arrived at my home a few days ago, and I am proud to add it to my archive of World War Two travel documents & IDs.

 

But before I dive into this unique passport, I would like to mention a few words about the original owner of the document, a dear collector from the UK that I have known for several years and sadly passed away during Covid back in 2020, Mike Bishop, who originally purchased this item on eBay 10 years ago, an item that caught my attention because of its’ historical importance to WW2 history and the war in the Pacific.

 

US Special passport No. 10100 was issued to Naval officer Eugene Simon Karpe, aged 37 from Louisiana. The document indicates he was a lieutenant in the United States Navy “proceeding to the Pacific: Japan, China & Hong Kong for duty under the Commander-in-Chief, United States Asiatic Fleet“.

 

The document inside has 3 visas, with only one being used in the end, possibly due to the fact that Japan attacked the US 4 months later. British visa No. 70059 issued in San Francisco on May 1st bares entry to Hong Kong on the 28th followed with an arrival stamp to Manila three days later, and this is where the trail ends for the passport, no further stamps inside.

 

Chinese visa issued on May 1st by diplomat Feng Zhizheng (冯执正) indicating its good for the mainland, but as mentioned above, not used. And last, Japanese visa No. 00522 issued by Spy Consul General Yoshio Muto.

 

Online research has shown that Eugene continued his service in the Philippines becoming a commander of the following US Navy vessels:

 

  • USS Whipple (DD 217), Destroyer. March 1941-June 29, 1942 (Rank: Lt.Cdr.)
  • USS Boyle (DD 600), Destroyer. August 15, 1942-February 1, 1943 (Rank: Lt/Cdr.)
  • USS Charrette (DD 581), Destroyer. May 18, 1943-June 6, 1944 (Rank: T/Cdr.)

 

Eugene Karpe continued his career as a diplomat serving his country abroad, becoming a naval attaché at the American embassy in Bucharest, Romania, his last posting up to his tragic death on the night of February 23rd, 1950, while travelling onboard the Orient Express  taking him back home. Apparently, his body was located inside a railway tunnel south of Salzburg, Austria, the following day and what was assumed as an accident at first is now considered to be foul play, possibly assassinated for the spy network knowledge he had and was taking back home with him (This is possibly one of two known murders that took place on board the famed train).

 

The passport was also cancelled at the US consulate in Bucharest on May 17, 1949, by vice consul Robert J Mautner, third secretary.

 

I have added images of this rare travel document.

 

Smaller image source: Wikipedia (USS Whipple).

 

 

Thank you for reading “Our Passports”.

Neil Kaplan
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