Faded Glory: Dusty Roads Of An FBI Era

Oral History Interview of SA Charles E. Kleinkauf (1931-1963) 

The interview of Special Agent Kleinkauf was done by our retired Society members.  It’s an intriguing look at a young man hired by the Bureau as a messenger around Director Hoover's office and progressed to special agent during the early 1930s.  I don’t think there’s any doubt that “Charles” and the Director shared a closeness which is consistent with many of Hoover's relationships with his employees.   

Kleinkauf talks about many experiences during those turbulent 1930s as a young clerical employee at FBI Headquarters. His description of his position as one of two “Night-time Directors,” and the descriptive responsibilities that came with that are really hard to imagine, as is the general working atmosphere.  There are comical instances relating to Kleinkauf and the Director himself, his office, Miss Gandy and more.  He comments on the Director’s concerns for others, lays out examples, and presents some intricate insight into the Director himself, most of which have gone unheard of until now.

And - there are the sad times too…

From his clerical position he rises to become a special agent with the Bureau and his continued contact with the Director is narrarated with continued warm recollections. 
I could go on and on, but do yourself a favor…  If you have any interest in what it was like to be in the company of J. Edgar Hoover and a still, very young FBI, this exclusive interview will keep you mesmerized as you progress through Kelinkauf’s career. 

We've incorporated the entire interview here - about forty five pages - and easily downloaded.  

Kleinkauf passed away in November, 2005....