Log in
|
Help
|
English

English

Engish-Pirate

한국어

Search

Advanced Search

Find results with:

Add another field

Search by date

to

Searching collections:

Veterans History Project

Add or remove collections

Home Oral history interview with Kjell T. Tollefsen recorded on 5 Dec. 2008

Reference URL

Share

Add tags

Comment

Rate

To link to this object, paste this link in email, IM or document

To embed this object, paste this HTML in website

Oral history interview with Kjell T. Tollefsen recorded on 5 Dec. 2008

View Description

Download

small (250x250 max)

medium (500x500 max)

large ( > 500x500)

Full Resolution

5890.asx [0.00 MB]

File Format:
Digital file

you wish to report:

Your comment:

Your Name:

Submit

Cancel

...

Back to top

Powered by CONTENTdm®

Select the collections to add or remove from your search

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Select All Collections

C

CCSU Student Publications

CCSU Theses and Dissertations

G

GLBTQ Archives

M

Modern Language Oral Histories

O

O'Neill Archives Oral Histories

P

Polish American Pamphlets

T

Treasures from the Special Collections

V

Veterans History Project

OK

Cancel

Title	Oral history interview with Kjell T. Tollefsen recorded on 5 Dec. 2008
Description	Interview conducted by Eileen Hurst. Kjell T. Tollefsen joined the U.S. Army in 1966, with the intention of going to flight school. He went to basic training at Fort Polk, LA, and then went to Fort Walters, TX and Fort Rucker, AL for flight training and helicopter school. He arrived in Dau Tieng, Vietnam in November of 1966, where he became a pilot in the 188th Assault Helicopter Company, also known as the “Black Widows”. Tollefsen went out on his first mission as a co-pilot, and describes the mission as overwhelming because of the intensity and the aggression involved. In subsequent missions however, he describes the activity as becoming more routine. The helicopter pilots were responsible for a number of activities including transporting supplies, troops, ammunition, and medical evacuations. Tollefson was shot down on three different occasions, for which he earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses. He describes the tense situations in detail during the interview. Tollefsen’s helicopter was outfitted to pump thick smoke in advance of troops, in order to confuse the NVA. It was one of only two helicopters that had this capacity, and the helicopter earned the nickname “Smokie”. Tollefsen also discusses daily life in the interview, including the pressure they were under, what they did for entertainment, and the friendships that developed within the unit. He returned to the United States in 1968. He was then sent to Germany to teach other pilots how to be flight instructors, and to finish out his four year enlistment. After his discharge he returned to Connecticut. Tollefsen discusses his feelings about the war, and how it affected his life after his discharge.
Coverage	1966-1968
Date Original	12/05/2008
Digital Format	video/x-ms-wmv
Duration	01:34:21
Contributors	Hurst, Eileen
Software	Windows Media Player required for viewing
Access Restrictions and Permissions	No access restrictions. For permission to reproduce contact Central Connecticut State University, Center for Public Policy and Social Research at (860) 832-2976
Image Identifier	VHP2008.30
Creator/Owner	Tollefsen, Kjell T.
War or Conflict	Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Branch of Service	United States. Army
Unit of Service	188th Assault Helicopter Company
Rank	CW-3, Chief Warrant Officer
Status	Veteran
Subject	Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal narratives, American Veterans -- Connecticut -- Interviews Distinguished Flying Cross (Medal) Charms United States. Army. Assault Helicopter Company, 188th Wayne, John, 1907-1979
Geographic Location	A Shau Valley (Vietnam) Fort Polk (La.) Dầu Tiếng (Vietnam) Fort Rucker (Ala.) Fort Benning (Ga.) Saigon (Vietnam) Germany
Publisher	Central Connecticut State University. Center for Public Policy and Social Research
Language	eng
Relation	Veterans History Project (U.S.)
Type of Resource	Moving image
Citation	Kjell T. Tollefsen Papers. VHP2008/30. Veterans History Project; Central Connecticut State University, Center for Public Policy and Social Research.
Rating

Find results with:

Searching collections:

Home Oral history interview with Kjell T. Tollefsen recorded on 5 Dec. 2008

Oral history interview with Kjell T. Tollefsen recorded on 5 Dec. 2008

File Format:

Description

Tags

Comments