On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti A family secret like no other
Dec 3, 2025
Christine Kuehn, an author and researcher, uncovers her family's shocking ties to Nazi-era espionage and Pearl Harbor, sparked by a mysterious letter in 1994. She shares the intense journey of meeting Aunt Ruth and discovering their dark past. Mark Schiappone, her research collaborator, highlights how they found shocking historical evidence, including an FBI file, revealing their family's role in intelligence gathering for Japan. Together, they discuss the struggle of reconciling with their ancestry and the burden of hidden family secrets.
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First Meeting That Sparked A Quest
- Christine met Aunt Ruth for the first time in 1987 and was shocked when Ruth warned, "Don't ruin it with the past. Or Pearl Harbor."
- The encounter launched decades of research after Ruth's evasive reaction and a later mysterious letter resurfaced the family's hidden history.
Sensational Stories Outpaced The Facts
- Early histories sensationalized the family's role in Pearl Harbor, claiming they signaled the attack from an attic dormer.
- Physical geography and archive research showed those dramatic claims were exaggerated or false.
How The Family Ended Up In Hawaii
- Otto joined the Nazi Party after hearing Hitler speak in Kiel and became ambitious within party ranks.
- Ruth had an affair with Joseph Goebbels, which led to the family's arranged exit to Hawaii to avoid Nazi racial laws.
