Minter's Ring

August 2, 2011 4:52 PM

Smithsonian Magazine's new blog Past Imperfect has already told some interesting stories in its first weeks, but none more compelling than that of Lt. Commander Minter Dial's Annapolis class ring.
posted by Horace Rumpole (10 comments total)

Already so past this blog.
posted by Imperfect at 5:45 PM on August 2, 2011 [6 favorites]

What a story. Thanks for posting this.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 6:28 PM on August 2, 2011 [2 favorites]

Incredible story and well told. Definitely worth your time.
posted by jmccw at 6:32 PM on August 2, 2011

Needs more Christopher Walken.
posted by briank at 6:40 PM on August 2, 2011

Nice!
posted by wowbobwow at 6:47 PM on August 2, 2011

Nice site, though I could have re-enacted the Hundred Years War in its entirety in the time it took to load.
posted by joannemullen at 7:55 PM on August 2, 2011

What an excellent story, but such an unsatisfying ending! The coded message was brilliant -- not many people could have pulled that off in Dial's circumstances.
posted by Judith Butlerian Jihad at 9:21 PM on August 2, 2011

Amazing story and so sad... Wish I hadn't read the descriptions of the conditions they were kept in, but at the same time everyone should.

What an incredible man to be sending such optimistic messages to his "worshipped" wife right until the end. I hope that my love always burns that strong.
posted by greenish at 4:39 AM on August 3, 2011

Huh. I feel kinda like an asshole for my earlier comment. Just an FYI, I've had this account forever, and saw a perfect opportunity to toss a quick eponysterical thinger in there.

Having read the article for reals, that's an awesome tale. It honestly sounds like part of a plot to an old black-and-white wartime movie.
posted by Imperfect at 7:50 AM on August 3, 2011

Wow, thanks for sharing. Off to read more stories...
posted by maryr at 8:16 AM on August 3, 2011