MARCH 23 • 2023 | 19
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LACK OF COURAGE?
In a letter to the American Israelite, Rear Adm. Wilson
insisted that Kaplan could not have been a victim of
antisemitism since he denied having a religion. Some
also suggested that since Kaplan did not have the
courage to admit that he was a Jew, he was presumed
to be a coward and therefore could not be relied upon
in dangerous situations. (It is unlikely that any of
Kaplan’s peers knew that “no religion” was listed on
his registration card.)
Taking an opposing view, Jewish Midshipman
Joseph Werlin (who briefly attended the Academy
at the same time as Kaplan) argued that Kaplan’s
denial of his religion was irrelevant to his treat-
ment. The midshipman claimed that Kaplan
received the “harshest, most outrageous and wholly
undeserved treatment that was ever the lot of a
Jewish student, at least in this country.” Werlin also
commented that the Academy was “steeped” in
antisemitism.
The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle wrote that a Jew
may change his religion or call himself agnostic,
atheist, or Bolshevik, but at the end of the day he is
still a Jew.
The Kaplan incident provided observers the oppor-
tunity to note the contributions that Jews had made to
America, highlighting that Jews participated valiantly
in all of America’s wars. Observers also noted the con-
tributions American Jews made to the arts, literature
and business. Recognition was also given to the chari-
table nature of American Jews.
With the debate having captured the attention of
America, it is interesting to see what Olmsted himself
said of the matter.
Olmsted, in remarks made to the Des Moines
Register, denied being antisemitic. In doing so, he
employed the cliche that some of his “best friends
were Jewish.
”
He also attempted to mitigate his own responsi-
bility for the page. Specifically, he claimed that some
classmates wanted to exclude Kaplan from the year-
book. Olmsted argued that by perforating the page
he was merely placating those members of the class
who did not want Kaplan to appear in the yearbook
at all.
Olmsted also said that following pressure from the
majority of the class, he attempted to remove the per-
foration prior to publication but was informed by the
publisher that it was too late to make any changes.
As for Ensign Kaplan, he remained silent on the
incident throughout his entire life.
This is virtually the only known public remarks
that Kaplan ever made on the incident: “I consider the
matter closed,
” he said.
“I would rather let the matter drop to save the
Academy and classmates from accusations of harbor-
ing racial and religious intolerance.
”
KIRKIKIS / ISTOCK