American History Hit The German Spies at Pearl Harbor
Dec 8, 2025
Christine Kuehn, an author and descendant of the Kuhn family, along with former journalist Mark Schiponi, uncover a shocking family secret about their ancestors' espionage activities at Pearl Harbor. They discuss the emotional journey of discovering their family's involvement with Nazi Germany and the Japanese in Hawaii. Listeners will learn about cunning methods of intelligence gathering, including Ruth's social strategies and Otto's coded signaling system. Their insights highlight the impact of hidden histories on personal identity and national narratives.
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Window Light Used As Coded Signal
- Christine Kuehn recounts spotting a pulsing light from her grandparents' house that Japanese submarines used as a coded signal.
- That light was later identified as part of a signaling system designed to report Pearl Harbor ship movements to Tokyo.
Aunt's Sudden Silence Sparks Curiosity
- Christine describes her first uneasy meeting with Aunt Ruth in 1987 where Ruth refused to answer family questions.
- Ruth bluntly warned Christine, "Don't ask any more about your family, your grandparents, or Pearl Harbor."
Everyday Families Drawn Into Nazism
- The Kuhn family became ardent Nazis after attending Hitler rallies and seeking economic and national revival.
- Ordinary, respectable families were swept into Nazi mania by promises of jobs and national renewal.
