Oral History Interview with Lloyd Wiltse
Creation Information
Context
Audiences
We've identified this sound as a primary source within our collections. Researchers, educators, and students may find this recording useful in their work.
Contact Us
Subjects
Related Items
Oral History Interview with Lloyd Wiltse (Text)
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lloyd Wiltse. Wiltse joined the Navy and was a submarine officer during World War I. He received his first combat star at Pearl Harbor, as commanding officer of the USS Detroit (CL-8). The ship delivered strong antiaircraft fire during the attack and managed to leave the harbor without the assistance of tugs. In April 1942 Wiltse became Assistant Chief of Staff to Nimitz, reluctantly leaving his command at sea to perform administrative duties, including overseeing censorship policy. Both he and Nimitz were opposed to media publicity at the onset of the war, believing it jeopardized the Navy’s security. Later, Nimitz became more comfortable in his role as a public figure. He and Wiltse often walked the deck together as a way of helping Nimitz relieve tension. One morning, Nimitz offered Wiltse the opportunity to return to sea, which Wiltse gladly accepted. He was made an admiral and given command of a light cruiser division, with the USS San Diego (CL-53) as his flagship. When he was later given command of a heavy cruiser division, his flagship was the USS Boston (CA-69). Wiltse returned home after five-and-a-half years of continuous service in the Pacific, mostly spent at sea.
Oral History Interview with Lloyd Wiltse, [transcript] ark:/67531/metapth1603530
Oral History Interview with Lloyd Wiltse, audio recording, Date Unknown; Fredericksburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1607497/: accessed June 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation.