Oral History Commons^™

World War Ii: On The Home Front - M. Francis Coulson Interview, Jenny Sonnenberg

Adams County History

Americans love anniversaries. The fiftieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War has afforded citizens an opportunity to remember with pride the great men and events of a war that saved the world from totalitarian tyranny. Happily, memories of World War II have not been restricted to recalling battlefield heroics or diplomatic intrigues. Across the United States, public libraries and local historical societies have commemorated the Home Front during the war years with exhibits that recapture the texture of life on farms, factories, in classrooms, and at home during what Studs Terkel has labeled "the Good War." These …

Interview With Jane H. Adams - Oh 241, Jane H. Adams

Winthrop University Oral History Program

In her 1996 interview with Ron Chepesiuk, Jane Adams described her time as a 1960s radical. She covered various topics, including bohemians, socialism, beatniks, civil rights, women’s liberation and consciousness, the Vietnam War, counterculture, and World War II. Adams also discussed the Student Peace Union, SNCC and its factions, Progressive Labor, prairie populism, feminism, the Anita Hill-Clarence Thomas hearings, and other ‘60s activists. Adams also briefly discussed her current work with the indigenous people of Latin America and her work as a professor. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

Interview With Thomas Wolf, December 29, 1994 & August 9, 1995, Thomas Wolf, Michael J. Birkner, David Hedrick

Oral Histories

Thomas Wolf was interviewed on December 29, 1994 & August 9, 1995 by Michael J. Birkner & David Hedrick about his service in World War II and involvement in the Nixon administration. He discusses his role in the Air Force Counterintelligence Corps during World War II, and his work with several government agencies, such as the Citizens of Eisenhower and the Office of Economic Opportunity. Wolf also describes the Watergate Scandal and his participation in the trial.

Length of Interview: 92 Minutes (Part 1), 47 Minutes (Part 2)

Collection Note: This oral history was selected from the Oral History Collection …

Interview No. 890, Rafael Navarro Mendoza

Combined Interviews

Part of WWII-Mexican Air Force Oral History Project; recalls military training in Georgia and Oklahoma; attending military schools in Mexico, France and Italy.

Interview No. 889, Genaro Romero Parra

Combined Interviews

Par of WWII-Mexican Air Force Oral History Project; discusses enlistment; training in U.S.; Pacific Theater.

Interview No. 888, Gilberto De La Rosa Alvarez

Combined Interviews

Part of WWII-Mexican Air Force Oral History Project; discusses enlistment; military training in U.S.; tour of duty in Pacific Theater.

Interview No. 891, Carlos Garduño

Combined Interviews

Part of WWII-Mexican Air Force Oral History Project; shares memories of Pearl Harbor; tour of duty in Pacific Theater; narrates death of Fausto Vega S., 201st Squadron fighter pilot killed in action.

Interview No. 887, Alfonso Cuellar Ponce De León

Combined Interviews

Part of WWII-Mexican Air Force Oral History Project; recalls employment with Mexican government as foundry man for military industry; solicitation by Mexican president Lázaro Cárdenas for military volunteers; enlistment and training; tour of in Pacific Theater; downing of pilots.

Interview No. 886, Julio Cal Y Mayor

Combined Interviews

Part of WWII-Mexican Air Force Oral History Project; recalls military duty at Plaza de la Paz, Isla Margarita, and Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico; training at U.S. naval base in San Diego, California; combat experiences in Pacific Theater; recounts incident of nearly running out of fuel while piloting fighter airplane in Philippines; piloting of aircraft for Mexican government.

Interview No. 787, Hal J. Gambrell

Combined Interviews

World War II combat experiences; stories of being wounded three times and describes convalescent periods; tells about brief encounters with Gen. Terry Allen; related story of General Allen's problems in Africa with the 1st Division which led to his dismissal and eventual command 104th.

Interview No. 790, Albert Schwartz

Combined Interviews

Discusses biographical data; how General Allen asked him to join the 104th Division; training of Division in Arizona; Allen's belief of why he (Allen) had trouble with military "brass;" General Allen's removal as commander of the 1st Division; "midnight requisitions;" movement and combat experiences of the 104th; Concentration Camp at Nordhousen (Dora); Terry Allen Jr's death and the effect on General Allen; General Allen during retirement; encounters with Russian soldiers; night fighting; and general reflections on General Terry Allen as a man.

Interview No. 789, Anita Whelen

Combined Interviews

Discusses family background; relationship of El Paso girls and cavalry officers at Fort Bliss; marriage of Terry and Mary Frances Allen; circumstances of General Allen's removal from command of the Division; the pre-WWII visit of Will Rogers in El Paso; general recollections about General Terry Allen.

Interview No. 788, Jim Williamson

Combined Interviews

Discusses training and leadership of the 104th; functions of the ordinance companies; German long range railroad guns; American air raid on Eschweiler; night fighting; General Allen's troubled with General Patton in Sicily; the 104th division chosen to lead an attack on Japan after end of hostilities in Germany.

Interview With Anne Miltiades, Zach S. Henderson Library Special Collections

Zach S. Henderson Library Special Collections Oral History Collection

A part of the "Savannah Greeks" series. Anne Miltiades was interviewed by Esther Mallard, ca. 1991. Find this collection in the University Libraries' catalog!

Interview With Leo Center, Zach S. Henderson Library Special Collections

Zach S. Henderson Library Special Collections Oral History Collection

Leo Center interviewed by Esther Mallard and Jay Fraser, July 24, 1990. Find this collection in the University Libraries' catalog!

Interview With Bird Daniel, Zach S. Henderson Library Special Collections

Zach S. Henderson Library Special Collections Oral History Collection

Bird Daniel interviewed by an unknown interviewer, December 2, 1988. Find this collection in the University Libraries' catalog!

Interview No. 771, James H. Polk

Combined Interviews

Influence of parents, strong military tradition of family, West Point days 1929-1933, Fort Bliss in 1930s with trips to Juarez and polo games, cavalry school at Fort Riley, marriage and in-laws. Service in Europe in 3rd Cavalry under Gen. George Patton, battle tactics during European campaigns, comments about Patton, treatment of those released from concentration camps, comments about Douglas MacArthur, Korean campaigns, Berlin and political involvement required of military, comments on changes in the army between 1930s and 40s and 1970s, effects of Vietnam on the military, experiences during retirement years.

Interview No. 628, Eric Morris

Combined Interviews

Presentation to UTEP history class on the Battle of Salerno during World War II.

Interview No. 712, Col. Vicent M. Lockhart

Combined Interviews

Biographical data; work as a newspaperman in Virginia and Texas; experiences during WWII with the 36th Divison; his work with the CIA, especially his experiences in Vietnam; his activities after retirement. (Also included are two tapes of radio communications and partial transcripts of same recorded during the Tet Offensive of 1968 in Saigon, maps of Saigon, and several articles about Col. Lockhart from his scrapbook.

Interview No. 519, Al (Armond) Jackson

Combined Interviews

The Mexican Revolution and Pancho Villa; job experiences; the Depression; Prohibition; World War II. See also Interview no. 172

Interview No. 518, Carolina L. Villanueva

Combined Interviews

Migracion de su familia de Chihuahua a Cd. Juarez y El Paso durante la Revolucion; experiencias laborales de sus padres; recuerdos de Pancho Villa; la Depresion; epoca de la Ley Seca en Estados Unidos; Segunda Guerra Mundial y su efecto acerca la migracion de Mexico a Estados Unidos.

Interview No. 516, Col. Cruz R. Alvarez

Combined Interviews

Biographical data; youth years and dating patterns; employment experiences, including that as a teacher (first to use bilingual education methodology); experiences in Spain as a translator and secret service agent; the history of the Southwestern New Mexico; the Mexican Revolution; the Spanish Flu; Prohibition; the Depression; WWII; Chamizal dedication.

Interview With Katharine Strozier - Oh 112, Katharine Strozier

Winthrop University Oral History Program

In her December 6, 1980 interview with Rebecca Myers, Katharine Strozier shares the details of her life at Winthrop from the time she was in Training School until the time she graduated. Included are the memories of her life after Winthrop as a teacher and how her mother lived after the death of President James P. Kinard. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

Interview With Naomi Banks Bridges - Oh 110, Naomi Banks Bridges

Winthrop University Oral History Program

In her December 6, 1980 interview with her daughter Kathryn Bridges, Naomi Banks Bridges describes her schooling, time at Winthrop, and the effects of World War II on her family. Bridges concludes her interview describing Christmas day and her family’s Christmas traditions. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

Interview With William Ledford - Oh 103, William Ledford

Winthrop University Oral History Program

In his November 30, 1980 interview with his daughter Anne Ledford, William Ledford remembers his service in the Army during WWII. In particular, Ledford details his basic training and journey through Iceland, England, and France. Ledford shares his recollection of the Battle of the Bulge and the aftermath of WWII. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

Interview No. 464, Julio G. Perez

Combined Interviews

Datos biograficos; experiencias educacionales y laborales; la Revolucion Mexicana, la Depresion, las Guerras Mundiales I y II; su interpretacion de la palabra 'Chicano'.

Interview No. 465, Alfredo Jacques

Combined Interviews

Biografical data; Army years; childhood recollections; schooling; dating; community and political involvement; work experiences and his produce business; mentioned the Prohibition and Depression era, World War II, the repatriation of Mexicans to Mexico in the 1930s, and his home life.

Interview With Agnes Lawton - Oh 100, Agnes Lawton

Winthrop University Oral History Program

In her November 13, 1980 interview with Lewis P. Armistead, Agnes Lawton relays her family history and career as a teacher. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections Oral History Program.

Interview No. 466, Francisca Villa De Porras

Combined Interviews

Datos biograficos; narrativa detallada de la Revolucion Mexicana; como vino a El Paso; la Depresion; la Segunda Guerra Mundial, donde murieron sus dos hijos; su vida en Estados Unidos; la Gripa del 1918.

Interview No. 377, Un Joven De Meoqui

Combined Interviews

Cruzo varias veces por el rio. En varias ocasiones paso tambien por "American." Explica que un companero de el lo insultaron y jalaron agentes de la patrulla fronteriza. Actualmente trabaja en un camion. Se queda con un amigo y come donde puede. Explica como su patron cobra $600 dolares por cambiar una cosa mientras ellos reciben unicamente $20 dolares.