Op-16-A-3
QE/Riheldaffer, J. L.
  SECRET  
  Serial 00210116  
                                                                                                              
     
 
From: Chief of Naval Operations.
To: Secretary of the Navy (Board of Decorations and Medals).
     
Subj: Captain J. L. Riheldaffer, USN (Ret.) - Recommendation for the Legion of Merit for.
     
Encl: (A) Suggested Citation.
  (B) Cominch FX-45 Memo, dated 15 Feb. 1944 to DNI.
  (C) Op-20 Memo., Serial 0425520, dated 20 March 1944 to Op-16.
 
     
  1.        It is recommended that the Legion of Merit be awarded to Captain J. L. Riheldaffer, USN (Ret.) in recognition of his services to the Navy Department, the Navy and to the United Nations' war effort in creating and developing an organization and techniques for the interrogation of prisoners of war.  
     
  2.        This officer has been assigned to the Division of Naval Intelligence since 15 January 1941.  In the summer of 1941 he was given the responsibility of creating an organization for the interrogation of naval prisoners of war, a relatively undeveloped field of intelligence.  As an outgrowth of his recommendations, an organization was created and trained for prisoner-of-war interrogation, and joint Army-Navy arrangements were accomplished covering the processing, interrogation and custody of enemy prisoners of war.  
     
  3.  Captain Riheldaffer selected some 20 to 30 officers considered fitted for interrogation duties after exhaustively reviewing their qualifications.  He then gave them intensive training in German naval organisation and procedures and in the tactics and methods of operation of German submarines, and indoctrinated them in the approach of a long-range, comprehensive questioning designed to extract from the prisoner any and all knowledge he might have concerning the enemy's war effort.  
     
  4.        The interrogation of prisoners of war entails immediate psychological conflict with the enemy whose will to resist questioning must be broken.  An interrogator must have the courage and skill to overcome any efforts on the part of the enemy to oppose this result.  Interrogations are of necessity carried out, not only under internment camp conditions, but also during or as immediately subsequent to actual combat conditions as circumstances will permit.  The forceful example of Captain Riheldaffer as the training given by him to the officers of his Branch have fitted them with the necessary resources and art to accomplish the desired result.  
     
     

 

     

   
Op-16-A-3
QE/Riheldaffer, J. L.
  SECRET  
  Serial 00210116  
     
  Subj:      Captain J. L. Riheldaffer, USN (Ret.) - Recommendation for the Legion of Merit for.  
  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  
     
  5.      The importance of interrogation as a means of producing intelligence concerning enemy activities has been emphasized by the successes accomplished with respect to German submarine warfare.   Experimental developments in radar and counter-radar, and in new types of torpedoes have been first ascertained through interrogation of German personnel who were familiar with experiments or research on this project.  Enclosures (B) and (C) are examples of commendation received.  
     
  6.        In terms of statistics, nearly 2,000 naval prisoners from some 46 German submarines and 6 blockade runners have been interrogated by Captain Riheldaffer's section.  
     
  7.        Recognition of the worth of interrogation conducted along the lines developed by Captain Riheldaffer has been reflected in the demands from operational commands for trained interrogators.  Both in the Mediterranean and South Atlantic Theatres, their services were utilized with appreciation.  At the time of the Normandy landing, and subsequently, virtually all interrogation personnel have been transferred to the European Theatre where their abilities and knowledge have received the most favorable comment.  Personnel trained by Captain Riheldaffer formed the nucleus of Japanese naval prisoner-of-war interrogation activity in the South West Pacific Area.  
     
  8.        Captain Riheldaffer was promoted from Lieutenant Commander to Commander rank from 26 February 1942, and from Commander to Captain to rank from 8 May 1945.  
     
  9.        Enclosure (A) contains a suggested citation.  
     
  10.      Captain Riheldaffer has received orders detaching him from active duty as of 30 June 1945.  The phase of his assignment for which this award is recommended has been completed.  In view of these facts, it is considered desirable and appropriate that the award, if approved, be made to him just prior to or at the time of his detachment.  It is understood that this is in conformity with established policy.  
  ______    
  Op-02    
                                                                                                F. J. HORNE  
  ______                                                                                    Vice Chief of Naval Operations  
  Op-16    
     
  ______    
  16-1    
     
  ______    
  16-1-F Redictated 4 June 1945  
  Redictated by Lt. Causey  
  ______ Typed by M. Okell Y2c  
  16-A-3
- 2 -
 
     
     

 

     

   
                   L/C to be cancelled and L of M awarded in lieu thereof.
                   00-7309 RJP Prepared 10/20/48 Signed_____________________
     
     
 
        The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the LEGION OF MERIT to
 
CAPTAIN JOHN LAWRENCE RIHELDAFFER
UNITED STATES NAVY, RETIRED
 
for service as set forth in the following
 
CITATION
 
        "For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Officer in Charge of the Special Activities Section of the Office of Naval Intelligence from January 1941, to June 1945.  Responsible for the direction of critically important and diverse activities concerned with captured enemy equipment and its operation.  Captain Riheldaffer inaugurated and staffed the Prisoner of War Interrogation Unit, the first of its kind in the history of the Navy.  In this connection, he established necessary liaison in formulating policies and in cooperating with other organizations which had custody of Prisoners Of War, such as the Military Intelligence Service, the Provost Marshall of the Army, and British Interrogation Service both in the United Kingdom and the field.  As a result of his clear understanding of his mission and his meticulous attention to the most effective techniques to be followed, the information furnished by this unit throughout the war and particularly during its latter stages, served as one of the principal sources upon which Combat Intelligence based its' appreciations of the enemy, especially in the evaluation of the U-boat campaign.  His unique analytical skill, sound judgment and professional ability were contributing factors in the final defeat of the German U-boat Fleet in the Battle of the Atlantic and reflect the highest credit upon Captain Riheldaffer and the United States Naval Service."
 
Copy to:
Public Relations, Navy Dept. for the President,
Pers:  L01 101H
ALL HANDS
 
Ref:  BdAwds ser 2342 of 18 Aug 1948 - end on CNO ltr Op-32C1/Ser 6257P32 of 6 July Secretary of the Navy 1948 AppSecNav 9 Sept 1948.