Scope and arrangement

Captain Merdinger, an engineer and a Rhodes Scholar, received his Ph. D. from Oxford University while still an active duty Naval officer. Since he has participated in an oral memoir for the Naval History Institute, this memoir concentrates on the period since his retirement in 1968.

Dr. Merdinger comments on his return from Vietnam in 1968 and his retirement from active duty, More detailed descriptions are included for his presidency of Washington College (1970-1973); work with the Aspen Institute, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, and Avco International; and his chairmanship of the board of trustees of Sierra Nevada College.

For his active duty Naval career, he discusses experiences with public works in Vietnam and conditions on the USS NEVADA during and after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Gift of Charles J. Merdinger

Processing information

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Copyright notice

Repository does not own copyright to the oral history collection. Permission to cite, reproduce, or broadcast must be obtained from both the repository and the participants in the oral history, or their heirs.

Metadata Rights Declaration

General note

1941

General note

1968-1990

Key terms

Personal Names

Merdinger, Charles J., 1918-2013

Corporate Names

Aspen Institute
Avco Corporation
Nevada (Battleship)
Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Sierra Nevada College
United States. Navy--Officers--Interviews
Washington College (Chestertown, Md.)--Presidents

Topical

College presidents--Maryland--Chestertown
College trustees--Nevada--Incline Village
Pearl Harbor (Hawaii), Attack on, 1941
Vietnam War, 1961-1975

Places

Japan--Description and travel

Container list