P. T. Deutermann Papers, 1991-2002: Finding Aid

Biography of P. T. Deutermann

Peter T. Deutermann, son of Lieutenant Commander and Mrs. H. T. Deutermann, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1941. Following graduation from Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha, Nebraska in 1959, he was admitted to the United States Naval Academy as a midshipman. On June 5, 1963, Deutermann graduated from the Naval Academy, after which he was ordered to U.S.S. Morton (Destroyer: DD-948). During Deutermann's tour aboard her, Morton operated off the West Coast and off South Vietnam, including during the Gulf of Tonkin incident.

Detached from U.S.S. Morton, Deutermann was assigned to Department Head School in Newport, Rhode Island, after which he was assigned to train in PCF Swift Boats. Upon completion of his own training, Deutermann was ordered to Manila to train Philippine Navy crews in Swift Boat operations. Moving to the Mekong, he assumed command of PCF-39 for one year, after which he was attached to U.S.S. Hull (Destroyer: DD-945) as Operations Officer.

After marrying Susan Cornelia Degenhardt, of Gainesville, Florida, in 1968, Deutermann attended the University of Washington, earning a master's degree in public administration and international law after two years of study. In 1970, he was attached to the U.S.S. Jouett (Guided missile cruiser: DLG-29) as Operations Officer, serving first with the Pacific Fleet, and then again in the waters off Vietnam. In 1972, he was assigned to the Naval War College for one year, after which he was assigned to the Pentagon for three years.

Following shore duty, he returned to sea for two years as Executive Officer of U.S.S. Charles F. Adams (Guided missile destroyer: DDG-2), with deployments to the Mediterranean. In 1978, Deutermann assumed a policy role at the Pentagon, and in 1980, published his first book, The Ops Officer's Manual, through the Naval Institute Press. In 1981, he assumed command of U.S.S. Tattnall (Guided missile destroyer: DDG-19) for a three year tour of duty, which included combat operations off Lebanon. Detached from the Tattnall, he next served as executive secretary to the Chief of Naval Operations for Joint Chiefs of Staff matters. Beginning in late 1985, he commanded Destroyer Squadron 25 for two years, based out of Pearl Harbor.

Following his command of Destroyer Squadron 25, Deutermann was assigned to the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, England, for studies in the influence of military affairs on geopolitics. In 1988, he returned once again to the Pentagon as the head of the Strategy Planning branch on the Navy staff. He was then assigned as the division director of the arms control negotiations office concerned with chemical, biological, and radiation weapons on the joint staff. As a technical delegate to the United Nations, he participated in arms control negotiations with the Soviet Union in Geneva. He retired from the United States Navy with the rank of Captain in 1989. Following his retirement, he worked for several companies which supported the Federal Aviation Administration in the procurement of large scale computer systems.

Deutermann published his first novel, Scorpion in the Sea, in 1992 through the George Mason University Press. In 1993, he contracted with St. Martin's Press, with whom he has published The Edge of Honor (1994), Official Privilege (1995), Sweepers (1997), Zero Option (1998), Train Man (1999), Hunting Season (2001), Darkside (2002), Firefly (2003), Spider Mountain (2006), The Moonpool (2008), Nightwalkers (2009), Pacific Glory (2011), The Last Man (2012), Ghosts of Bungo Suido (2013), Sentinels of Fire (2014), Cold Frame (2015), The Commodore (2016), Red Swan (2017), and The Iceman (2018).

Description of Contents

The P. T. Deutermann Papers, comprising 3.34 linear feet of documentation, span from 1991 until 2002. The papers consist of the manuscripts, mostly copy-edited, of Deutermann's first eight suspense novels, most of which are set in the context of the U.S. Navy or FBI.

Included in the collection manuscripts and published monographs.

Arranged chronologically by publication year, the P. T. Deutermann Papers consist of the manuscripts for Deutermann's first eight novels: Scorpion in the Sea (1992), The Edge of Honor (1994), Official Privilege (1995), Sweepers (1997), Zero Option (1998), Train Man (1999), Hunting Season (2001), and Darkside (2002). Every title is represented by a copy-edited manuscript. Three titles, Scorpion in the Sea, The Edge of Honor and Official Privilege, are also represented by unedited drafts under the working titles The Goldsborough Incident, Red Crown, and Malachi's Game, respectively. Included with Deutermann's first three manuscripts are published English editions, inscribed by the author to Nimitz Library. Also included in the collection are several foreign language editions of Deutermann's first two novels.

Arrangement

The P. T. Deutermann Papers are arranged chronologically by publication year.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The P. T. Deutermann 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.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Gift of P. T. Deutermann in January 1996, October 1997, December 1998, December 1999, April 2001, and February 2003. Accession No. 96-03, 97-65, 98-34, 99-118, 01-05, 03-09.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

Additional material in this repository pertaining to P. T. Deutermann can be found in his midshipman personnel jacket (sealed until 2051) and alumni jacket.

Materials Cataloged Separately

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

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

P. T. Deutermann Papers, MS 548

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

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

Deutermann, Peter T. "About PT Deutermann," on P. T. Deutermann's official website, accessed December 18, 2019, https://www.ptdeutermann.com/about.php.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in December 2019. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in December 2019.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• American fiction -- 20th century
• American fiction -- 21st century
• Deutermann, Peter T., 1941-
• Novelists, American -- 20th century
• Novelists, American -- 21st century

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts
• Monographs