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Maurice H. Rindskopf Papers, 1934-1996 (bulk 1938-1970): Finding Aid

Published in September 2010

Summary Information

  • Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
  • Publisher Address:
    589 McNair Road
    Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
    Phone: 410-293-6917
    https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php
  • Call number: MS 413
  • Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
  • Title: Maurice H. Rindskopf Papers
  • Dates: 1934-1996
  • Bulk Dates: 1938-1970
  • Size: 1.46 linear feet
  • Container Summary: 3 manuscript boxes, 1 half-manuscript box
  • Creator: Rindskopf, Maurice H., 1917-
  • Language(s) of material: English
  • Abstract: Maurice H. Rindskopf was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy and member of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1938 who served as a submariner and intelligence officer. The Rindskopf Papers pertain primarily to Rindskopf's career in the United States Navy, including his various duty stations and commands; his work in submarines, anti-submarine warfare, and Naval Intelligence; and education at the Naval War College.

Biographical Chronology of Maurice H. Rindskopf

1917
  • Born September 27 in Brooklyn, New York to Herbert Abraham and Amy (Baumgarten) Rindskopf.
1938
  • On June 2, graduates from the United States Naval Academy and is commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy.
  • In June, is assigned to U.S.S. Colorado (Battleship: BB-45).
1940
  • In June, is detached from U.S.S. Colorado.
  • In July, begins training at Submarine School in New London, Connecticut.
  • In October, is attached to U.S.S. R-4 (Submarine: SS-81) as Gunnery Officer and First Lieutenant.
1941
  • On June 2, is promoted to Lieutenant (junior grade).
  • In October, is detached from U.S.S. R-4.
  • In November, is transferred to U.S.S. Drum (Submarine: SS-228) as First Lieutenant, Gunnery Officer, Navigator, and Executive Officer.
1942
  • On June 15, is promoted to Lieutenant.
1944
  • On March 1, is promoted to Lieutenant Commander.
  • In June, receives command of U.S.S. Drum.
  • In November, is detached from U.S.S. Drum and is subsequently assigned to Submarine School in New London, Connecticut as an instructor in gunnery and torpedoes.
1945
  • On November 5, is promoted to Commander.
1947
  • In February, is detached from Submarine School.
  • In March, receives command of U.S.S. Sea Cat (Submarine: SS-399).
1949
  • In June, is detached from U.S.S. Sea Cat for service at the Bureau of Ordnance in Fire Control Research and Development.
1952
  • In June, is assigned to the Staff of Commander, Submarine Squadron One as Ordnance Officer, with additional duty at Officer in Charge of the Submarine Prospective Commanding Officers School.
1953
  • In September, receives command of U.S.S. Higbee (Radar Picket Destroyer: DDR-806).
1955
  • In May, is detached from U.S.S. Higbee, and subsequently receives command of Submarine Division Eleven.
1956
  • On July 1, is promoted to Captain.
  • In August, is assigned to the Naval War College for training.
1957
  • In July, is assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as Head of the Harbor Defense Branch, Underseas Warfare Division.
1958
  • In June, is detached from the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations for service as Officer in Charge of the Submarine School in New London, Connecticut.
1960
  • In July, receives command of U.S.S. Fulton (Submarine Tender: AS-11).
1961
  • In August, returns to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as Assistant Director of Naval Intelligence for Foreign Intelligence.
1963
  • In June, receives command of Submarine Squadron Two.
  • In October, is assigned to additional duty as Commander, Submarine Flotilla Two.
1964
  • In July, is detached as Commander of Submarine Squadron Two and Submarine Flotilla Two for duty as Commander, Submarine Flotilla Eight.
1965
  • In August, is assigned to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations as Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence.
1967
  • On July 1, is promoted to Rear Admiral.
  • In July is redesignated as Deputy Commander, Naval Intelligence Command, with additional duty as Deputy for Intelligence to the Assistant Chief of Naval Intelligence.
  • In September, is transferred to the office of Commander in Chief, Pacific as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence.
1969
  • In October, is assigned as Director of the Deep Submergence Systems Division and Deep Submergence Systems Program Coordinator.
1970
  • In November, is assigned additional duty as Assistant Oceanographer for Oceanographic Operations.
1972
  • On July 1, is transferred to the retired list.
2011
  • On July 27, dies in Annapolis, Maryland.

Military Decorations: Navy Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Combat "V", CINCPAC Letter of Commendation (ribbon and "V"), American Defense Service Medal with star, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two silver stars, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.

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Description of Contents

The Maurice H. Rindskopf Papers, comprising 1.46 linear feet of documentation, span from 1934 to 1989 (bulk 1938-1970). The papers pertain primarily to Rindskopf's career in the United States Navy, including his various duty stations and commands; his work in submarines, anti-submarine warfare, and Naval Intelligence; and education at the Naval War College.

The collection consists of incoming and outgoing letters, memoranda, orders, leave requests, travel reimbursement vouchers, reports, term papers, essays, account summaries, inventories of personal effects, press releases, handwritten notes, maps, charts, drawings, and event programs.

The Rindskopf Papers are organized into three records series by document type and subject scope. GENERAL FILES consists of personal and official materials spanning Rindskopf's entire career in the United States Navy, including his service aboard U.S.S. Drum during World War II; commands of U.S.S. Higbee, U.S.S. Fulton, the Submarine School in New London, and various submarine squadrons and flotillas; work in Naval Intelligence; and educational experiences at the Naval War College. Rindskopf's assignments and writings while both a traditional and correspondence student at the Naval War College are detailed in NAVAL WAR COLLEGE FILES. Rindskopf's work in the field of naval intelligence is further discussed in the reports found in WRITINGS. Specifically, the reports concern: the threat missiles pose to aircraft carriers, the Soviet Mediterranean fleet, and guerilla warfare. The series also includes works regarding U.S. Navy buildings named for submariners and the U.S. fleet of submarine tenders.

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Arrangement

  • Series 1: GENERAL FILES, 1934-1996
  • Series 2: NAVAL WAR COLLEGE FILES, 1939-1957
  • Series 3: WRITINGS, 1965-1994
  • Subseries 3a: General, 1993-1994
  • Subseries 3b: Reports, 1965-1969
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Access and Use

Access

In December 2015, the majority of marked classified materials was declared declassified. Access to several additional documents is restricted pending further declassification review.

Copyright and Permission

The Maurice H. Rindskopf Papers are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.

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Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Gifts of Rear Admiral Maurice H. Rindskopf, USN (Ret.) in October 1993, July 1994, and April 1996. Accession Nos. 93-54, 94-46, and 96-29.

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Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional material pertaining to Rindskopf's career can be found in his oral history, entitled Rear Admiral Maurice H. Rindskopf: Submarine Service and Other Duties during World War II and the Cold War.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

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Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Maurice H. Rindskopf Papers, MS 413

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

The following sources were consulted during preparation of the biographical note:

United States. Dept. of the Navy. Office of Information. "Rear Admiral Maurice H. Rindskopf, United States Navy, Retired." Washington, D.C.: Office of Information, Biographies Branch, Navy Department, 1972.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in September 2010. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in September 2010.

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Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

  • Anti-submarine warfare -- United States
  • Drum (Submarine : SS-228)
  • Fulton (Submarine tender : AS-11)
  • Military intelligence -- United States
  • Naval education
  • Rindskopf, Maurice H., 1917-
  • United States -- Foreign relations -- Soviet Union
  • United States. Navy -- Submarine Forces

Genre Terms

  • Correspondence
  • Drawings (visual works)
  • Manuscripts
  • Maps (documents)
  • Reports
  • Term papers
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Contents List

Series 1: GENERAL FILES, 1934-1996 Boxes 1-3

Series Description

Documentation of Rindskopf's career in the United States Navy, and personal life to a lesser extent. The documents relating to Rindskopf's career pertain to his various promotions, especially his promotion to Rear Admiral; transfers to and from each of his assigned duty stations; official speaking engagements; fitness reports; transportation of household goods and dependents resulting from new assignments; World War II submarine patrols: the 25th reunion of the Naval Academy Class of 1938; the operation of Submarine Forces, Atlantic; and anti-submarine warfare. Documents relating to Rindskopf's personal life pertain to subjects such as club memberships, personal purchases, tax issues, and insurance claims. Included in the series are incoming and outgoing letters, memoranda, orders, leave requests, travel reimbursement vouchers, account summaries, inventories of personal effects, press releases, handwritten notes, sketches, event programs, and a photograph.

Series Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by duty station.

Box 1 Folder 1

Midshipman, Naval Academy and U.S.S. Colorado, 1934-1940 June

Includes Rindskopf's appointment as a midshipman, as well as documents relating to gunnery training and requests for submarine training.

Box 1 Folder 2

Trainee, Submarine School and First Lieutenant, U.S.S. R-4, 1940 July-1941 October

Includes materials pertaining to transfer to R-4, travel reimbursements, promotion to Lieutenant (junior grade); physical examinations; and qualification in submarines.

Box 1 Folder 3

Executive and Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Drum, 1941 November-1944 October, 1989

Includes materials regarding transfer to Drum, qualification for command, leaves of absence; mechanical issues aboard Drum; transport of Rindskopf's wife; reactions to war patrols; and Drum reunions.

Box 1 Folder 4

Executive and Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Drum - War Patrol Sketches, 1943, 1996

Includes three sketches of attacks made by Drum on her eighth war patrol.

Box 1 Folder 5

Instructor, Submarine School, 1945 January-December

Includes documents concerning submarine design and equipment; speaking engagements on submarine operations; and duties as instructor during Command Class Practice Approaches and Torpedo Firing aboard various submarines.

Box 1 Folder 6

Instructor, Submarine School, 1946 January-1947 January

Includes materials relating to duties as instructor during Command Class Practice Approaches and Torpedo Firing aboard various submarines and Naval War College correspondence courses.

Box 1 Folder 7

Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Sea Cat (Official), 1947 February-1949 June

Includes materials pertaining to transfer to Sea Cat; transport of dependents and personal effects; submarine organization; target designation systems; the Undersea Warfare Symposium; fitness reports; and transfer from Sea Cat.

Box 1 Folder 8

Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Sea Cat (Personal), 1947 February-1949 June

Includes documents regarding personal purchases; club memberships; the murder trial of Edward W. Krooner, Jr.; the purchase of a mahogany bar; as well as speech notes.

Box 1 Folder 9

Staff, Bureau of Ordnance, 1949 November, 1951 February

Includes materials concerning an illness contracted by Rindskopf's wife, Sophia.

Box 1 Folder 10

Staff, Commander Submarine Squadron One, 1952 September-1953 June

Includes materials pertaining to assumption of command of U.S.S. Higbee; submarine fire control developments; and local tax issues.

Box 1 Folder 11

Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Higbee, 1953 September-1954 October

Includes documents relating to requests for command of a submarine division and the Mare Island centennial.

Box 1 Folder 12

Commander, Submarine Division Eleven, 1955 August-1956 July

Includes materials pertaining to Rindskopf's biography; advancement to captain; a speech on reenlistment in the armed forces; commendations for U.S.S. Higbee; and relief as division commander.

Box 1 Folder 13

Student, Naval War College, 1956 September-1957 April

Includes materials concerning requests for shore duty as Officer in Charge of the Submarine School; an insurance waiver; and a speaking engagement at Brooklyn's Polytechnic Preparatory Country Day School.

Box 1 Folder 14

Staff, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, 1957 September-1958 April

Includes documents regarding a speaking engagement at Brooklyn's Polytechnic Preparatory Country Day School; a biography for the Lucky Bag; and an automobile accident involving Rindskopf.

Box 1 Folder 15

Officer in Charge, Submarine School, 1958 June-1958 December

Includes materials pertaining to speaking engagement invitations; receipt of command of the Submarine School; and a book review of The Complete Book of Submarines.

Box 1 Folder 16

Officer in Charge, Submarine School, 1959

Includes materials relating to evaluation of ASW [anti-submarine warfare] attacks; an invitation to the University of Connecticut's Military Day Program; turn count masking; remarks made at the New London Memorial Day ceremonies; graduation exercises for Fishers Island Union Free School, and a model of U.S.S. Sailfish.

Box 1 Folder 17

Officer in Charge, Submarine School, 1960 January-August

Includes materials concerning a presentation at University of Connecticut's Annual Postgraduate Clinic for Pharmacists; an editorial by Rindskopf entitled "The Military Obligation of Young America;" and Submarine School change of command. Also included is a poem about Rindskopf.

Box 2 Folder 1

Officer in Charge, Submarine School (Omnibus File), 1958, 1979

Documents regarding an episode of the television series Omnibus, entitled "The Submarine that Goes No Place," which was filmed at the Submarine School in New London.

Box 2 Folder 2

Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Fulton, 1960 June-December

Includes documents pertaining to Fulton's tending to British submarines; Vice Admiral Elton Grenfell's trip to Portsmouth, England; Community Chest Drives; the Submarine Cadet Corps; inspections of Fulton; and prospective future commands.

Box 2 Folder 3

Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Fulton, 1961 January-September

Includes materials relating to submarine command decisions; an automobile accident involving Rindskopf; pending transfer from Fulton; grounding of the Fulton on April 28, 1961; and transfer to Office of Naval Intelligence.

Box 2 Folder 4

Assistant Director of Naval Intelligence, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, 1962 January-December

Includes materials concerning anti-submarine warfare briefings and the Anti-Submarine Warfare Study Group; New York State motor vehicle issues; the National Naval Reserve Intelligence Trophy; and staffing issues.

Box 2 Folder 5

Assistant Director of Naval Intelligence, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, 1963 January-April

Includes documents regarding meetings with representatives from H.R.B. Singer; the 25th reunion of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1938; and transfer to Submarine Squadron Two as Commander.

Box 2 Folder 6

Assistant Director of Naval Intelligence, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (Class of 1938 25 Year Book File), 1962 November-1963 July

Documents pertaining to the 25th reunion of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1938 and the class' 25 year book.

Box 2 Folder 7

Commander, Submarine Squadron/Flotilla Two (Home File), 1963 June-December

Includes materials pertaining to assistance for Rindskopf's father and damages to Rindskopf's Volkswagen.

Box 2 Folder 8

Commander, Submarine Squadron/Flotilla Two (Office File), 1964 January-May

Includes materials regarding graduation from Guided Missiles School; a speech before the East Lyme PTA; research into experiments in submarine explosives by Samuel Colt; and the decommissioning of U.S.S. Sarda and transfer of U.S.S. Diablo to Pakistan.

Box 2 Folder 9

Commander, Submarine Squadron/Flotilla Two (Office File), 1964 June-July, 1987

Includes materials concerning punishments aboard U.S.S. Mitscher (Guided Missile Destroyer: DDG-35); views on separation of the Squadron and Flotilla billets; and transfer to Submarine Flotilla Eight. Also includes programs for the 1964 and 1987 Submarine Squadron Two change of command.

Box 2 Folder 10

Commander, Submarine Flotilla Eight, 1964 July-December

Includes materials relating to transfer to Submarine Flotilla Eight; Mediterranean deployment of the U.S. Sixth Fleet; personnel requirements; flag visits; and the relationship between flotilla/squadron commanders and Submarine Forces Atlantic.

Box 2 Folder 11

Commander, Submarine Flotilla Eight, 1965 January-September

Includes documents pertaining to briefings for the NATO Weapons Systems Department; visits to facilities in Rota, Italy; fitness reports; and a report on missile threats.

Box 3 Folder 1

Commander, Submarine Flotilla Eight (Personal Office Letters), 1964 September-1965 September

Includes materials regarding the relationship between flotilla/squadron commanders and Submarine Forces Atlantic; Submarine Forces Atlantic organization; COMSUBMED staffing; and flag selection board results.

Box 3 Folder 2

Commander, Submarine Flotilla Eight (Personal Office Letters), 1964 September-1965 September

Includes materials concerning division commanders in the Mediterranean; flag selection board results; personnel issues; transfer to and from Submarine Flotilla Eight; a car accident involving Rindskopf; and diversification in Rindskopf's career. Also included is a photograph of then Captain Rindskopf.

Box 3 Folder 3

Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence (Flag Selection), 1967 June-July

Thank-you letters pertaining to Rindskopf's selection to the rank of Rear Admiral.

Box 3 Folder 4

Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence (Personal Correspondence), 1966 April-December

Includes documents relating to various invitations; the Navy Security Classification and Management Program; the annual Naval Reserve Intelligence Dinner; and Baha'i World Faith members on active duty.

Box 3 Folder 5

Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence (Personal Correspondence), 1967 January-July

Includes materials regarding various social events; entry into the Special Duty (Intelligence) program; and transport of dependents.

Box 3 Folder 6

Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, 1969 January-July

Includes materials concerning a trip to Thailand; a speech on intelligence myths; and possible solutions to the Vietnam War.

Box 3 Folder 7

Deep Submergence Systems Program Coordinator, 1969 October-December, 1972

Includes documents pertaining to USS Dolphin (Submarine: AGSS-555); personnel issues; and Rindskopf's retirement. Also included is an article entitled "U.S. Big Stick over the Indian Ocean," published in the Soviet Military Review.

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Series 2: NAVAL WAR COLLEGE FILES, 1939-1957 Boxes 3-4

Series Description

Documentation of Rindskopf's educational experiences at the U.S. Naval War College as both a traditional and correspondence course student. The materials overwhelmingly pertain to written assignments (in the form of term papers and assignments for the Correspondence Course in Strategy and Tactics) submitted by Rindskopf on topics such as directive and order writing; sound military decision and logistics; the Russo-Japanese War; and American and Soviet foreign policy. Included in the series are correspondence course assignments (including exercises, essay responses, maps, and charts), term papers, and a published directory.

Series Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by document type.

Box 3 Folder 8

Correspondence Courses, 1939 March-August

Installments I - III. Includes discussions and exercises in order writing; characteristics of commanders; and the Russo-Japanese War.

Box 3 Folder 9

Correspondence Courses, 1939 November-1940 January

Installments IV and V. Includes discussions of sound military decision making and search exercises.

Box 3 Folder 10

Correspondence Courses, 1940 May, 1946 January-July

Installment VI and Part 1, Assignments I - II. Includes discussions of the Battle of Coronel; the Gibraltar Campaign; and the assault on Kwajalein and Majuro.

Box 3 Folder 11

Correspondence Courses, 1947 January-April

Part 1, Assignment IV and Part 2, Assignment I. Includes discussions and exercises in directive writing and advancements in military logistics.

Box 4 Folder 1

Correspondence Courses, 1947 November-1948 August

Part 2, Assignments II - IV. Includes discussions and exercises in convoy attacks; search and reconnaissance; raider defense; and campaign planning in the Pacific.

Box 4 Folder 2

Term Papers, 1956-1957

Includes copies of papers entitled, "Major Russian and U.S. Foreign Policy Objectives: 1787-1994," and "The Relationship between War Potential and Current Foreign Policy in the U.S. and in the U.S.S.R."

Box 4 Folder 3

The United States Naval War College Information Bulletin, 1956

Description of and administrative information pertaining to the Naval War College.

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Series 3: WRITINGS, 1965-1994 Box 4

Series Description

Writings by Rindskopf, in his capacity as an officer in the U.S. Navy as well as in retirement, pertaining to notable submariners, submarine tenders, and various naval intelligence issues.

Series Arrangement

Organized into two subseries by document type.

Subseries 3a: General, 1993-1994

Subseries Description

Articles, written by Rindskopf during his retirement, pertaining to buildings named for notable submariners at various U.S. Navy installations; and brief histories of 41 U.S. Navy submarine tenders, including biographical data on their respective namesakes.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by title.

Box 4 Folder 4
"Buildings Honor Submariners", 1994

Article pertaining to buildings named after submariners including those at the U.S. Naval Submarine Base and School in New London, Connecticut; the U.S. Naval Academy; and the Submarine Training Facility in Norfolk, Virginia.

Box 4 Folder 5
"Tenders and their Names", 1993

Information on 41 American submarine tenders and their namesakes.

Subseries 3b: Reports, 1965-1969

Subseries Description

Reports written by Rindskopf in the course of his various assignments in naval intelligence. The reports pertain largely to the threat of Chinese and Soviet missiles to American aircraft carriers; the significance of the Soviet Mediterranean fleet to the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Command; and guerilla naval warfare.

Subseries Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by title.

Box 4 Folder 6
Guerilla War Goes to Sea, undated
Box 4 Folder 7
The Missile Threat to Attack Carrier Forces, 1965
Box 4 Folder 8
The Significance of the Soviet Mediterranean Fleet to CINCPAC, 1969
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