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Edward V. Sittler Dismissal Records

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: MTU-042

Collection Scope and Content Summary

Records, 1949-1962, documenting the dismissal of Edward V. Sittler, an assistant professor of German at the Michigan College of Mining and Technology in Houghton, Michigan. Includes correspondence, clippings and legal papers documenting the hiring and dismissal of Sittler and the subsequent lawsuits brought by Sittler against the college. Also includes transcripts of some of Sittler's broadcasts during World War II. Sittler was a United States citizen who renounced his citizenship to become a German citizen just before World War II. As a member of the Nazi party, he engaged in English-language broadcasts of falsified news stories designed to damage the morale of American troops. In addition, he misrepresented his citizenship status during his employment with the Michigan College of Mining and Technology.

Dates

  • 1949-1962

Access

Available for use in the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

Biography

Edward V. Sittler was hired by the Michigan College of Mining and Technology in September of 1949 as an assistant professor of German. As was the practice, this appointment began with a probationary period with final confirmation resting with the Board of Control. At the time of his employment it was known that two years before the United States entered World War II he had renounced his American citizenship and became a German citizen. During the war he was active in the German war effort. However, he did not disclose that he was due to be deported on January 1, 1950 and therefore could not complete a year's teaching obligation nor did he disclose that during the war, as a member of the Nazi party, he had engaged in English-language broadcasts of falsified news stories designed to damage the morale of American troops. Based on these facts, the Board of Control failed to confirm Sittler's appointment and dismissed him in November of 1949. Subsequent to his termination, and the end of the treason trials for which he was a government witness, Sittler was denied American citizenship and deported to Cuba in 1954. Sittler later filed a lawsuit against the Michigan College of Mining and Technology, contending that his contract had been broken and that he was owed the remainder of his yearly salary. This suit was found in the college's favor.

Extent

0.18 Cubic Feet (1/2 manuscript box (letter size))

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Records, 1949-1962, documenting the dismissal of Edward V. Sittler, an assistant professor of German at the Michigan College of Mining and Technology in Houghton, Michigan. Includes correspondence, clippings and legal papers documenting the hiring and dismissal of Sittler and the subsequent lawsuits brought by Sittler against the college. Also includes transcripts of some of Sittler's broadcasts during World War II. Sittler was a United States citizen who renounced his citizenship to become a German citizen just before World War II. As a member of the Nazi party, he engaged in English-language broadcasts of falsified news stories designed to damage the morale of American troops. In addition, he misrepresented his citizenship status during his employment with the Michigan College of Mining and Technology.

General Physical Description note

0.18 cubic feet1/2 manuscript box (letter size)

Processing History

Elizabeth Russell,6/22/2010

Title
Edward V. Sittler Dismissal Records
Author
Finding aid prepared by Elizabeth Russell
Date
6/22/2010
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Description is in English

Repository Details

Part of the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections Repository

Contact:
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton 49931 U.S.A. US