Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Audio Recording Edwin J. Putzell, Jr. Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Unit of Service: Office of Strategic Services (OSS)
- Location of Service: United States; European Theater
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/8441
Even before he graduated from law school, Edwin Putzell, on a bet with a friend, proved he could land a job with a prestigious Wall Street firm. And not just any law firm, but one headed by legendary World War I hero William (Wild Bill) Donovan. Putzell's job served him well during the Second World War, when President Roosevelt picked Donovan to head up a new intelligence agency which became the OSS, and Donovan picked Putzell to be his right-hand man. The two followed Allied advances through Sicily and Italy, then moved on to the China-Burma-India Theater, devising ingenious ways to confuse the enemy and to learn of his plans.
Edwin J. Putzell, Jr. Collection
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PlayDuring the Depression, obtaining a legal clerkship with the offices of World War I hero General William J. Donovan, future head of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS); the men forged a bond that would last a lifetime. 00:01:22.6 - 00:03:21.3
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PlayDonovan well known to Putzell, and someone he greatly admired. 00:03:29.1 - 00:03:54.8
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PlayDonovan likened the state of US intelligence capabilities in 1939 to that of a "prizefighter going into the ring blindfolded." 00:04:23.5 - 00:05:02.3
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PlayPresident Roosevelt, heeding the concerns of Donovan and the British, gave Donovan the job of Coordinator of Information (COI), forerunner to the OSS. 00:07:52.3 - 00:08:53.0
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PlayJ. Edgar Hoover's aspirations to have all intelligence activities within his sphere; the COI a separate entity, dealing with foreign matters. 00:12:56.5 - 00:13:29.6
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PlayDonovan pulling strings to ensure that Putzell was inducted into the Navy. 00:13:41.0 - 00:15:52.6
More Resources
Edwin J. Putzell, Jr. Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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PlayTraveling the world with Donovan, aiding operatives and training others in intelligence methods. 00:15:09.6 - 00:16:19.1
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PlayOne of the techniques of psychological warfare. 00:19:19.3 - 00:20:11.9
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PlayPsychological warfare regarded as terribly important to the campaign. 00:24:31.9 - 00:25:00.8
Edwin J. Putzell, Jr. Collection
Interview / Recording
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About this Item
Title
- Edwin J. Putzell, Jr. Collection
Names
- Story Books
- Robinson, Mary Jane
- Putzell Jr., Edwin J.
Headings
- - Putzell Jr., Edwin J.
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Navy.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Unit of Service: Office of Strategic Services (OSS)
- Location of Service: United States; European Theater
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Dates of Service: 1942
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: The veteran served directly with General William J. Donovan.
Materials
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2010-09-22)
- Audio: Audio Cassette [2 items] -- Oral history interview (collected 2003-03-12)
- Audio: Audio Cassette [2 items] -- Reference copy (collected 2006-03-03; 2006-03-03)
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Reference copy (collected 2007-11-07; 2007-11-07)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/8441
Cite as
- Edwin J. Putzell, Jr. Collection (AFC/2001/001/8441), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- online text