Interview conducted by Robert Kulak. Charles K. Griffith was a conscientious objector during World War II. He grew up a pacifist, and was a member of the Unitarian church, where the pastor also had pacifist beliefs. Griffith underwent an FBI...
World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American; Veterans -- Connecticut -- Interviews; World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Iwo Jima; World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Japan -- Okinawa Island; United States. Coast Guard. Combat Veterans;...
Interview conducted by Jim Lyko. Nicholas P. Greci joined the U.S. Coast Guard after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He went to basic training in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY. He was then sent to St. Augustine, FL for beach patrol duty. Greci...
World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American; Veterans -- Connecticut -- Interviews; World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Iwo Jima; World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Mariana Islands; World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Marshall...
Interview conducted by Eileen Hurst. John F. Croce enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942 while he was a sophomore in college. He went to basic training at Parris Island (S.C.), and then radio school at Camp Lejeune (N.C.). He was then sent to...
Veterans -- Connecticut -- Interviews; United States. Navy -- Sea life; Destroyers (Warships); United Service Organizations (U.S.);
Interview conducted by Jim Lyko. Richard Hill enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17, with his parent’s permission. Although World War II had ended, he was still anxious to join. He went to basic training at Camp Peary, Va., and from there...
Prisoners of war; Veterans -- Connecticut; Veterans -- Connecticut -- Interviews;
World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations, American; World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives; World War, 1939-1945 -- Prisoners and prisons; World War, 1939-1945...
Interview conducted by Eileen Hurst. Steven Stupak enlisted in the Army Air Corps shortly after Pearl Harbor. His Basic Training was at Jefferson Barracks in MO. After Basic, he was assigned to Bakersfield, CA for aircraft maintenance OJT.
He was...
World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American; Veterans -- Connecticut -- Interviews; World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Pacific Area; United States. Navy -- Postal Service; U.S.S. John W. Weeks (DD-701)
Interview conducted by Arianne Salcito. Louis A. Bianco was drafted on his 18th birthday, and travelled to New Haven, with some friends from Waterbury, to undergo tests and a physical. He was able to join the U.S. Navy, and in January of 1944,...
World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Japan -- Okinawa Island; World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American; Veterans -- Connecticut -- Interviews; United States. Marine Corps;
Interview conducted by Eileen Hurst. Busha enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on September 1, 1943. He chose the Marine Corps because of its reputation for "being the best", according to Busha. After basic training on Parris Island (SC), Busha...
Veterans -- Connecticut -- Interviews; Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Personal narratives, American; United States. Army -- Postal service
Interview conducted by Amy Arsenault. Edward J. McKenna was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952, at the age of 20. He went to Fort Dix, NJ for basic training, and then went on to advanced infantry training. He also attended the Defense Language...
Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narrative, American; Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Women; Military hospitals; Military nurses;
Interview conducted by Jane L. Natoli. Elaine Gemma was motivated to serve in the military after growing up hearing her uncle tell stories about his WWII Navy experiences. Her three brothers all served in the military and she joined the Air Force...
World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives; World War, 1939-1945 -- Veterans -- Connecticut; Veterans -- Connecticut -- Interviews;
Interview conducted by Eileen Hurst. Robert B. August originally enlisted in the Naval Air Corps while a student at Yankton College and washed out in flight training. To qualify for a commission, he completed his degree in three years. In August...
Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal narratives, American; Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Veterans -- Connecticut; United States. Marine Corps; Basic training (Military education); Military reconnaissance; Radio operators
Interview conducted by Eileen Hurst. Richard Smith enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1966 after a semester of college. He joined for a variety of reasons. Smith had his basic training on Parris Island (SC) which he vividly remembers...
Veterans -- Connecticut -- Interviews; Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal narratives, American; United States. Army. Special Forces;
Interview conducted by Eileen Hurst. Theaker enlisted in the U.S. Army in May of 1964 after finishing two years of college. He enlisted before any sign of war in Vietnam appeared. He attended basic training at Fort Dix (NJ). From there he went to...
Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Veterans -- Connecticut -- Interviews; Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal narratives, American; United States. Marine Corps;
Interview conducted by Eileen Hurst. Parker joined the U.S. Marine Corps on July 22, 1968 just after graduation from high school. He attended boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, and after additional training in North Carolina and...
Persian Gulf War, 1991 -- Personal narratives, American; Veterans -- Connecticut -- Interviews; United States. Marine Corps; Infantry;
Interview conducted by Eileen Hurst. Eric Eaton enlisted in the Marine Corps the day after his 16th birthday in 1985. Because of his young age he had to sign up for the delayed entry program, which meant that he wouldn't go to boot camp until his...
Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Personal narratives, American; Veterans -- Connecticut -- Interviews; Military uniforms; United States. Marine Corps; Military education;
Interview conducted by Carlee McAlees. Pasquale Mazzone enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1945, at the age of 16. He attended basic training at Parris Island, SC, where the drill instructor discovered that Mazzone was not of age to...
World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American; World War, 1939-1945 -- Women; Iwo Jima, Battle of, Japan, 1945; Military nursing -- United States -- History; Veterans -- Connecticut -- Interviews;
Interview conducted by Eileen Hurst. Katherine Leahy enlisted in the U.S. Navy, as a nurse in 1934. She lived in Bridgeport, CT at the time. Before joining the Navy she was a registered nurse working in a public hospital. She graduated with...
Iraq War, 2003- -- Personal narratives, American; Veterans -- Connecticut -- Interviews; United States. Marine Corps Reserve; Vehicle bombs; Letter writing;United States. Marine Corps -- Demobilization;
Interview conducted by Jane Natoli. Guliad Ismail enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves after September 11th, because he believed in the cause. He was activated in 2006, and sent to training at Twenty-nine Palms, in San Diego, for three...
Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal narratives, American; Veterans -- Connecticut -- Interviews; Military discharge; Enterprise (Aircraft carrier : CVA(N) 65)
Interview conducted by Eileen Hurst. Joseph Niedermayer enlisted in the United States Navy in October of 1971. He chose the navy because his draft number was very low, and he wanted to choose the branch of service that he would be a part of...
World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American; Veterans -- Connecticut -- Interviews; World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Japan -- Okinawa Island; World War, 1939-1945 -- Campaigns -- Pacific Area; Marriage; Rationing -- United States;
Interview conducted by Darcey Cunningham. Interview contains stories by both Francis O. "Ham" Cunningham, and Mary "Polly" Cunningham. Mr. Cunningham was recruited in 1941, while in his senior year at UCONN, into the Marine Corps Officer...
