Warbird Information Exchange

A while back I saw a few topics on a group that records the stories of WII veterans. A co-workers dad has some neat stories to share, and his time is running out. He hadn't talked about his experiences at all until 2 or 3 years ago.

Any information is appreciated.
Thanks,
Chuck

1. Where does he reside?
2. What did he do?
3. How up to traveling is he?
There are several groups that do oral histories, and I think that the answers to the previous questions would be helpful to tell you which direction to turn.

Ryan

_________________
Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

Hi Chuck,

There are a number of oral history programs around recording WWII stories. First and foremost is the Library of Congress Veterans History Project: http://www.loc.gov/vets/

The CAF has an oral history project: http://www.airpowermuseum.org/oralhistory/index.shtml

and EAA has the "Timeless Voices of Aviation" video oral history program, which I run: www.timelessvoices.org

I'd be happy to help get your co-worker's dad's memories preserved. Just shoot me a PM and we can follow up on it.

Zack

_________________
Volunteer Coordinator/Curator - Military Aviation Museum - Virginia Beach, VA
"America's Flying Museum"
http://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org

I found Timeless Voices, but he was not involved with aviation.

He is currently in Wacross, GA. He was in the Pacific as a mamber of the Army. He was part of a group called the amphibious engineers. The group was apparently disbanded immediately after the war. His groupwas responsible for setting up temporary piers to assist in landing. They would be required to go in and setup these beacheads before the main landing force so they were in harms way without backup. They'd setup, land, take the island, ship out t the next island and do it again.

Towards the end of the war he was put in charge of guarding (well, more accurately suicide watch) a high ranking Japanese General. They would do 4 hour shifts of standing at attention making sure the guy didn't kill himself.

He is currently not able to travel. I am not completely sure what his ailments are.

Chuck

His background is really fit for the Veterans History Project. Both the VHP and Timeless Voices are designed so that anyone with a camera or recorder can conduct an interview. Where does he live? Perhaps I can still help out.

Zack

_________________
Volunteer Coordinator/Curator - Military Aviation Museum - Virginia Beach, VA
"America's Flying Museum"
http://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org

Oops, didn't catch that in your other post. As it turns out, I'll be in Atlanta at the end of the month recording interviews at the Women in Aviation, International conference. Unfortunately Wacross is a bit of a stretch for me to get to as it looks to be about a four hour drive from Atlanta, and I'll be limited on my time.

My suggestion would be for your co-worker to borrow a video camera and download the sample questions from the VHP website and do the interview him/herself. If that fails, they could check with the local library or scouting troops and see if any are involved in the VHP. It would be an ideal project for a Boy Scout to work on.

Zack

_________________
Volunteer Coordinator/Curator - Military Aviation Museum - Virginia Beach, VA
"America's Flying Museum"
http://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org

What if I could get him to Atlanta?

My co-worker just told me that his dad witnessed the signing of the peace treaty in the Pacific.

Anyway, if you can PM me a phone number and the dates that you'll be in Atlanta I will try to coordinate it. I may have my co-worker give you a call directly to make it easier. I'll PM you his name back.
Chuck

By the way, Planes of Fame in Chino also records interviews of veteran pilots, so there is an effort on the west coast as well.

You might also try contacting the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, TX. They do an oral history program and might be able to give you some tips.

Ryan

_________________
Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.