Skip to main content

Veterans History Project Personal Narratives

World War II

World War II Era

Muriel L. Smith

Korea

Vietnam

Vietnam Era

Henry J. Ferris

KFOR (Kosova/Bosnia)

Michael S. Siegel

Persian Gulf – OEF/OIF

Global War on Terror

George Akusis, Jr.

Veteran Panel

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Switch View to Grid View Slideshow

Oral History Interview with George Akusis, Jr.

George Akusis Jr.

George Akusis – Army, 2nd infantry division 210 Fries Brigade, 6/37 field artillery battalion, alpha Battery, Global War on Terrorism. 2010 stationed in Korea, training and preparing near DMZ. He worked with the Korean army. His wife was able to deploy with him.
Oral History Interview with Charles E. Bayides

Charles E. Bayides

Charles E. Bayides served as a B-24 Tailgunner in the 449th Bomb Group in the Army Air Force. He completed 50 combat missions over enemy-occupied territory in the European, Middle Eastern and African theaters of war.
Oral History Interview with John F. Boiros

John F. Boiros

John Boiros, Marine in 1st Marine division, 5th regiment, 2nd battalion, Company G.

John Boiros was a rifleman in the infantry and speaks about his time in Vietnam and how he was injured and received the Purple Heart. He reads a piece that he wrote about his experience in Vietnam and how it has affected his life.
Oral History Interview with Three Veterans

John Boiros, William Sweeney, and James Foley

Three veterans share their experience of serving in military and transitioning to having a normal life.
Oral History Interview with Gene L. Bound

Gene L. Bound

Gene, L. Bound -- Marines, Vietnam, 1966, sergeant,E-5, 1st Battalion, fifth Marines, C-Company, 1st Marine Division, Vietnam. Charlie Company 15. Vietnam; South Vietnam, Mekong Delta, all 5 Corps. Operation Colorado. He does not remember the names of the other operations. Many of the men he served with were killed.
Oral History Interview with Anthony Branco

Anthony Branco

Anthony Branco – US Navy 1987-1990. Air force Iraqi Freedom. Ship USS Kansas City (AOR -3), DET 210, US Air Force 85th Aerial port Squadron (APS) & 58th APS. Locations of service: Oakland Naval supply center, CA; Newport RI; Hanscom AFB, MA; Westover AFB, MA. Noriega invasion Panama.
Oral History Interview with Charles M. Brickhouse

Charles M. Brickhouse

Brickhouse, Charles – Army 2nd battalion mechanized 2nd infantry. Vietnam 1967, Counterinsurgency operation. Two Bronze Star medals and two Purple Hearts.
Oral History Interview with Kenneth Brown

Kenneth Brown

Kenneth Brown – US Army Corps of engineers 1968 Vietnam, 18 Engineer Battalion (CBT). Various locations in South Vietnam. Road construction in Vietnam highway QL1. He also helped children in orphanage in Vietnam.
Oral History Interview with Robert Burkhardt

Robert Burkhardt

Robert Burkhardt, Marine, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

Robert Burkhardt was in Korea during the war and describe being attacked a number of times. He related that he suffered from frozen feet and a foot wound. He applied for a Purple Heart and was denied, because they told him frozen feet did not warrant a Purple Heart. It said they did not acknowledge that he was also wounded.
Oral History Interview with Jeff Cabral

Jeff Cabral

Jeff Cabral served during peacetime in the U.S. Navy. During his service he was stationed in California and Connecticut; while at sea he traveled to Italy, Spain, Cuba, and, Norway.
Oral History Interview with Kenneth Cabral

Kenneth Cabral

Sgt. Kenneth Cabral enlisted in 1979 and served at 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion in Golf War. He earned several medals/service awards and his highest rank was E8 MSG.
Oral History Interview with Glenn R. Chambless

Glenn R. Chambless

Glenn R. Chambless – Marines, Sergeant, E-5,1966-1969, 6th &9th division No Carolina, second recon, 2nd battalion, Vietnam, ICORP, DaNang, DMZ. Battles, TET, Hill 881, 861, ICOR. Special duties; 0311 tunnel Rat, M-14. He had a difficult readjustment when he came home.
Oral History Interview with Michael Clifford

Michael Clifford

Michael Clifford enlisted in April 1987 and served in the battle, Desert Shield/Storm till 1993. He earned several medals/service awards for his service.
Oral History Interview with George P. Costas

George P. Costas

George P. Costas enlisted in July 1952 and served in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War, rising to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant. Though he entered the service with only a 9^th grade education, Costas succeeded in completing both a high school and college degree during his 21 years in the Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserves. He participated in a number of operations in the Dong Ha area of South Vietnam.
Oral History Interview with Andrew Craig

Andrew Craig

Andrew Craig – US Army OEF 2007 Germany (Grafenwohr) & Afghanistan FOB (lightening). Worked with Estonian, Belgian and Scottish. Insomnia, mild PTSD, reintegration difficult. 615th military police corp. D. Co 1/1182nd Infantry.
Oral History Interview with Raymond D. Crombie

Raymond D. Crombie

Crombie, Raymond, Army, 25th infantry division,(division support command). Cuchi, Tay Ninh, MuiLon, GoDaHa. 22 villages in his area of operations. Interpreter for the Army propaganda Team Leader (fluent in Vietnamese). He sponsored 72 refugees in coming to America.
Oral History Interview with Jennifer Davenport

Jennifer Davenport

Jennifer Davenport enlisted in 1996 and served during the Desert Storm Era in Gulf War.
Oral History Interview with Steven Paul Dugan Jr.

Steven Paul Dugan Jr.

Steven Dugan served in Afghanistan and Korea during his service in the U.S. Army during Operation Enduring Freedom. Dugan, trained as an electrician, discusses his duties during his postings in Korea and Afghanistan. He talks about his transition from military service to civilian life.
Oral History Interview with Henry T. Ferris

Henry T. Ferris

Henry Ferris – US Navy 1960-1966. Carrier Air Group 15, Western Pacific, Japan & Philippines. Learned values from his military service.
Oral History Interview with Brian M. Fitzgibbons

Brian M. Fitzgibbons

Fitzgibbons served in the Marine Wing Support Squadron 472 and 2^nd Marine Air Wing (Forward), rising to the rank of First Lieutenant during his service in the Marine Corps. He served at the Al Asaad Air Base and Al Taquadam Air Base while stationed in Iraq.
Oral History Interview with Howard J. Gilmore

Howard J. Gilmore

Howard Gilmore, Navy, USS Montros.

Gilmore was off the coast of Vietnam in the early years of Vietnam 1965. His ship landed the troops on the shores on Vietnam. He was in ROTC in high school and entered the Navy the day of graduation from high school. His highest rank was a lieutenant.
Oral History Interview with Murray Morris Gorelick

Murray Morris Gorelick

Murray Morris Gorelick, Army Corp of Engineers, Depot Company.

Served in CBI Theatre of Operations; China, Burma & India. Africa duty to ship supplies to Italy. India worked on equipment repair trucks. August 1943 he was sending supplies to Burma. He brought a welding shop to Burma and truck rolled over and he was injured and in the hospital three weeks.
Oral History Interview with John Charles Griffith, Sr.

John C. Griffith Sr.

Griffith enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1968, serving in the 2^nd CAG III MAF (2^nd Combined Action Group III Marine Amphibious Force). He rose to rank of Sargent E-5, receiving the Purple Heart, Combat Action Medal, RVN Cross of Gallantry, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Oral History Interview with John L. Griffith, Jr.

John L. Griffith Jr.

Griffith was drafted in 1943 and served in the Fleet Marine Force in the Mariana Islands (Guam, Saipan, and Tinian).
Oral History Interview with Norman Grossman

Norman Grossman

Norman Grossman, U.S.Army, Infantry, 116th Infantry Regiment, 19th Division.

Norman Grossman served and wounded in Normandy (Omaha Beach) and received the Purple Heart for his injuries. He spent many months in the hospital following his injury and still today has a seizure disorder secondary to the injury. Norman Grossman spoke of the invasion of Normandy and the death of fellow soldiers.
Oral History Interview with Thomas M. Hayward

Thomas M. Hayward

Thomas Hayward – U.S. Army, E-7 in Vietnam. Units; C-BTry 1st Bn, 94th Arty. 4th Armd Div, Germany. 1964-1968 transportation units, Pleiku, Vietnam. 199 light infantry Brigade, 11 armored cavalry regiment (Black Horse unit). He drove tanks and heavy equipment. Served in Germany and reenlisted to go to Vietnam. Exposed to mortar and rocket attacks.
Oral History Interview with Michael A. House

Michael A. House

Michael House, U.S. Navy 3rd battalion, 9th regiment, Marine Division, Mike Company.

Michael House was a medic in Vietnam and was himself injured and received the Purple Heart. He explains how his time in Vietnam caused him to develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Oral History Interview with Brian M. Landry

Brian M. Landry

Landry, Brian, U.S. Marine, E-3,7th Engineer “B” company, 1st Marine Division, I CORP Vietnam, Hill-34, Hill-55 and Hill-10. His MOS was Land mine, Booby-trap clearing. Served Oct of 1969- 1971.His job was to do sweeps to clear the mines and Booby-traps. He spent most all of his tour in the field and was rarely on a base. He worked with the Koreans for a period of time.
Oral History Interview with David B. LaPlant

David P. LaPlant

David La Plant – US Air Force 1982-2004 341 Strategic missile wing, 576 flight test squadron. During the Iraq OIF. Moscow working with Russians. Strategic air command.
Oral History Interview with Michael B. Leahy

Michael B. Leahy

Michael Leahy served as a Lance Corporal in the 1^st Battalion, 9^th Marines, 2^nd Marine Division during Operation Enduring Freedom. He served at Camp Lejeune, NC and the Helmund Province in Afghanistan.
Oral History Interview with Joseph Marchisio

Joseph Marchisio

Joseph Marchisio – US Army, 1968-1970. E company 1/327th Infantry. 1st. Brigade, 101st Airborne division. L company 75th Ranger Regiments 101st Airborne division. Vietnam. Two Purple Hearts.
Oral History Interview with David Martin

David Martin

David Martin – 2008-2012 US Marines, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, OEF Afghanistan. National defense Global War on Terrorism. Two deployments Afghanistan. Story of incident that could only happen in Afghanistan. Life lessons.
Oral History Interview with Francis T. McMenamin, Jr.

Francis T. McMenamin Jr.

Francis McMenamin – Army OEF/OIF 2001-2006 Ghost Troop, 2nd armored Calvary regiment, Ranger Battalion 509th, was in Sadam’s palace and saw his statue pulled down. Hit with IED and at Walter Reed. 1-1/2 years to readjust.
Oral History Interview with Robert N. Mood

Robert N. Mood

Robert Mood – Served in South China Sea and bays, inlets and rivers of South Vietnam. Operation Junction City (Iron Triangle). Returned from Vietnam in 1967; experienced health issues arising from exposure to Agent Orange and asbestos which only became apparent after military service.
Oral History Interview with Robert E. Nolan

Robert E. Nolan

Robert Nolan – Served in H Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Regiment, First Marine Division; 2nd Battalion, 2nd Regiment. Injured during tour of duty in Korea, receiving Purple Heart. Second tour of duty was served in Subic Bay, Philippines; Capetown, South Africa; Mombasa, Kenya; Madagascar. Active in effort to build monument honoring Korean War veterans in Massachusetts.
Oral History Interview with Robert North

Robert North

Robert North – Army reserves 2002- 2010. 208th Transportation Co. OIF in Iraq. Convoy commander’s driver, radio operator. Transition back into civilian life.
Oral History Interview with Tammatha J. O’Connor

Tammatha J. O'Connor

Tammatha O’Connor U.S.A.F., 7366 mines, Det 9 Air Rescue & 39th SP Squadron.

Tammatha was in Operation Desert Shield & Storm. She was in Persian Gulf and related how she was captured by an Iraqi and a Turk and abused. She related how this has adversely affected her post deployment adjustment.
Oral History Interview with James A. Oldham

James A. Oldham

James Oldham served the infantry of the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War. He is of the 5th generation of his family to serve in the military and received two Bronze Stars and an Air Medal.
Oral History Interview with Joseph Ormonde

Josoph Ormonde

Joseph Ormonde enlisted in 2013 and served at the Operation Enduring Freedom in Gulf War.
Oral History Interview with Gregory C. O’Roak

Gregory C. O'Roak

Gregory O’Roak, Marine, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine Air Wing.

O'Roak volunteered that his father was in World War II and that he enlisted in the service during Vietnam. He spoke about the close relationships that he developed with fellow Marines and the difficulties being away from home on holidays.
Oral History Interview with John W. Peterson

John W. Peterson

John Peterson rose to the rank of E-4 Sergeant during his service in the 29th ATS (MAC) [Air Transport Squadron, Military Airlift Command], 67th ARRS (MATS) [Aerospace Rescue and recovery Squadron], Squadron 3727-Lackland Airforce Base, TRWG, and others. Peterson received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
Oral History Interview with Edward Joseph Reulbach, Jr.

Edward Joseph Reulbach Jr.

Edward J. Reulbach rose to the rank of First Sergeant in the U.S. Army during the 2^nd World War. He served in the Pacific Theater of Operations in the Hawaiian and Philippine Islands. Reulbach discusses his service, including basic training, and Army life.
Oral History Interview with Joseph J. Russo

Joseph J. Russo

Joseph Russo was drafted in 1968 and trained at Fort Dix, N.J. He served in a support battalion delivering food to troops.
Oral History Interview with Patrick F. Ryan

Patrick F. Ryan

Patrick F. Ryan, Navy, (Amphibious Force),Gunner’s mate, third class USNR, USS Clay PA 39, USS Knox PA 46.

Ryan’s job was the invasion force, taking the Army & Navy troops into the beaches. Involved in Philippine liberation invasion of Leyte & Luzon Asiatic Pacific invasions of Saipan, Tinian, Yap and Iwo Jima.
Oral History Interview with Veteran's Wives

Angela Rynolds and Maureen Boiros

The veterans' family members share their family lives before and after the war. They share the mental and physical issues veterans faced after the war, as well as the medical, organizational, and family support that helps veterans go through a difficult time.
Oral History Interview with Veteran's Daughter

Elizabeth Sergey
Oral History Interview with Michael S. Siegel

Michael S. Siegel

Michael Siegel, Army National Guard, Echo Battery Target Acquisition, 101 Field Artillery, 1-102nd infantry battalion.

Michael Siegel was in Bosnia and Afghanistan. He described basic training and spoke of the differences between his two deployments. He spoke of the coming home adjustments and the life lessons from his service.
Oral History Interview with Elyse Smith (Coutinho)

Elyse Simth

Elyse Smith enlisted in January 2009 and served at the 443rd Civil Affairs Battalion in Operation Enduring Freedom/Global War.
Oral History Interview with Sumner E. Sklar

Sumner E. Sklar

Sumner Sklar – Served on the U.S.S. Hambleton in the Europe, Africa, Asiatic-Pacific theaters of war; Normandy, Cherbourg, Okinawa.
Recollections of the SC 1474

Donald J. Smith

Recollections of the subchaser 1474 of Donald J. Smith, OM 1/C USNR. Twelve-page recollections typed from his personal account by his wife Muriel L. Smith.