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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