Smith, Eugene (Interview outline and video), 2006
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Michigan--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army
description: Eugene Smith was drafted to the United States Army in the 1940's. He was stationed in Calcutta, India for a total of 28 months. Although the American troops deployed to India at this time were intended to attack Axis supply lines coming from the country of Burma, Smith was not actively involved in this mission and served as a military policeman. His duties consisted of primarily base patrol with occasional prisoner safeguarding. The base which Smith was stationed was highly underdeveloped and demanded fast adaptation by new recruits who had been thrust into highly dangerous positions from a previous life of suburban factory work. The 44-day voyage to India presented Smith and the other young American men with unfamiliar situations including attacks by Japanese submarines, hurricanes, and extended sea travel. Smith was discharged on January 1st 1946 and returned to his home in Wisconsin to attend Marquette University funded by the GI Bill of 1944.
creator: Smith, Eugene
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2006-05-31
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Smith, George (Interview outline and video), 2008
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Michigan--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army
description: George Smith was born in Coopersville, Michigan on April 28, 1922. George was drafted into the Army when he was 20 years old. He was assigned to the 105th Artillery and mostly trained in Georgia. George landed in France and moved into Germany where his job was to support the infantry with artillery. His unit was pulled off the front lines in Germany to help out in Bastone, Belgium where he was wounded by a mortar. George was put in a horse arena that was converted into a hospital and got gas gangrene. He lost his left leg and his big toe on his right foot. George was sent home and spent over a year at a hospital in Texas.
creator: Smith, George
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2008-05-21
contributor: McCauslin, Kelly
contributor: Spring Lake District Area Library (Spring Lake, Mich.)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Smith, Helen "Gig" (Interview transcript and video), 2009
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: Video recordings
subject: All-American Girls Professional Baseball League--Personal narratives
subject: Baseball for women--United States
subject: Baseball
subject: Sports for women
subject: World War, 1939-1945
subject: Baseball players--players--Wisconsin
subject: Baseball players--Michigan
subject: Women
description: Helen "Gig" Smith was born on January 5, 1922 in Richmond, Virginia. She began playing softball at the age of 13. She joined the Women's Army Corps after Pearl Harbor and later was attached on special assignment to the Pentagon to decrypt Japanese codes. In 1947, she joined the AAGPBL's Kenosha Comets and then in 1948 played for the Grand Rapids Chicks. During her time in the league she played the infield. In 1948, she left the league to pursue teaching art in Virginia.
creator: Smith, Helen
source: All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Collection, (RHC-55)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2009-09-26
contributor: Smither, James (Interviewer)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Smith, Jason (Interview outline), 2010
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Michigan--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: United States. Army
subject: Iraq War, 2003-2011--Personal narratives, American
description: Jason Smith served in the U.S. Army during operation Iraqi Freedom in the early 2000s. He interacted often with civilians and believes that his service has lead him to appreciate what he has in his own life. He discusses losing close friends while serving.
creator: Smith, Jason
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2010-02-06
contributor: Dion, Sam (Interviewer), Caledonia High School (Caledonia, Mich.)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Text

Smith, Joe (Interview transcript and video), 2019
subject: Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
description: Joe Smith was born on April 17th , 1946 in Topeka, Kansas. After graduating from high school, he attended Virginia Military Institute where he graduated with a degree in civil engineering in 1968 and joined the Army. He was then sent to Fort Bragg to join the 82nd Airborne Division, with which he became a platoon leader and General's aid. He later requested a transfer to Vietnam, where he was first stationed at Camp Eagle and saw combat at Firebase Ripcord. In 1971, Smith was stationed at Fort Belvior where he served out the rest of his tour and instructed the student brigade at the engineering school. He retired from the military in 1973 before pursuing a law degree at the University of Virginia Law School.
creator: Smith, Joe O.
source: Veterans History Project collection, RHC-27
publisher: Grand Valley State University Libraries, Special Collections & University Archives, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale, MI, 49401.
date: 2019-07-27
contributor: Smither, James (Interviewer)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: video/mp4
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Smith, John (Interview outline and video), 2014
subject: Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Michigan--History, Military
subject: Veterans
description: John Smith was born in 1946 in Fredericktown Missouri, he later moved to Tennessee. He joined the ROTC in college, then joined the Army in 1969. He trained at the IOBC at Fort Benning, then at Fort Reilly. He served with the D Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, as platoon leader of 2nd platoon, and was involved in the fighting in early July 1970 around Firebase Ripcord. After he was wounded he served as the properties officer, later air coordinator. After returning to the US he was involved in the training base at Fort Campbell, before leaving the Army in June of 1972.
creator: Smith, John
source: Veterans History Project collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University Libraries. Allendale, Michigan
date: 2014-10-10
contributor: Smither, James (Interviewer)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: video/x-m4v
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Text
type: Moving Image

Lacey Smith video interview and transcript, interview 1
subject: Young Lords (Organization)
subject: Puerto Ricans--United States
subject: Civil Rights--United States--History
subject: Lincoln Park (Chicago, Ill.)
subject: Mexican Americans--Personal narratives
subject: Social justice
subject: Community activists--Illinois--Chicago
subject: Mexican Americans--Illinois--Chicago--Social conditions
subject: Race relations
subject: Social conflict
subject: Cultural identity
subject: Black Panther Party. Illinois Chapter
description: Oral history of Lacey Smith, interviewed by Jose 'Cha-Cha' Jimenez, on 10/19/2012 about the Young Lords in Lincoln Park.
creator: Smith, Lacey
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2012-10-19
contributor: Jimenez, Jose, 1948-
rights: In Copyright
format: video/mp4
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Lacey Smith video interview and transcript, interview 2
subject: Young Lords (Organization)
subject: Puerto Ricans--United States
subject: Civil Rights--United States--History
subject: Lincoln Park (Chicago, Ill.)
subject: Mexican Americans--Personal narratives
subject: Social justice
subject: Community activists--Illinois--Chicago
subject: Mexican Americans--Illinois--Chicago--Social conditions
subject: Race relations
subject: Social conflict
subject: Cultural identity
subject: Black Panther Party. Illinois Chapter
description: Oral history of Lacey Smith, interviewed by Jose 'Cha-Cha' Jimenez, on 12/14/2012 about the Young Lords in Lincoln Park.
creator: Smith, Lacey
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2012-12-14
contributor: Jimenez, Jose, 1948-
rights: In Copyright
format: video/mp4
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Smith, Mabelle Vincent (Interview outline and video), 2012
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Michigan--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army Air Forces
description: Mabelle "Barry" Vincent Smith was born in Syracuse, New York in 1920. Her two older brothers were pilots during World War I, and encouraged her to learn to fly. She took flying lessons, and then enlisted in the WASP program during World War II, primarily as a flight instructor at Lackland Army Air Force base in San Antonio, and served with it for a year until it disbanded late in 1944.
creator: Smith, Mabelle Vincent
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2012-04-10
contributor: Snyder, Elaine (Interviewer)
contributor: Byron Area Historic Museum (Byron Center, Mich.)
contributor: BCTV
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Smith, Richard LaVern (Interview outline and video), 2005
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Michigan--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: Other veterans & civilians--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army
description: Richard Smith enlisted in the United States Army shortly after he graduated from high school. He served in the motor pool at various bases throughout the United States, including Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and Fort Eustis in Virginia. Upon his release from the Army in 1957, he continued his service by way of the active reserves until he was released from that service.
creator: Smith, Richard LaVern
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2005-05-30
contributor: Oatmen, Brad A. (Interviewer)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Robert M. Smith interview (video and transcript, 1 of 6), 1991
subject: Oral history
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: China--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: China. Kong jun. American Volunteer Group
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
description: Interview with Robert M. Smith by filmmaker Frank Boring for the documentary, Fei Hu: The Story of the Flying Tigers. Smith served in the American Volunteer Group (AVG) as a Communications Specialist. In this tape, Smith discusses his background in the Army Air Corps prior to joining the American Volunteer Group and his journey overseas aboard the Jaegersfontein.
creator: Smith, Robert M.
source: Fei Hu Films research and production files (RHC-88)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
date: 1991-04-25
contributor: Boring, Frank (interviewer)
contributor: Christopher, Frank (director)
contributor: Fei Hu Films
rights: In Copyright
format: video/mp4
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Robert M. Smith interview (video and transcript, 2 of 6), 1991
subject: Oral history
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: China--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: China. Kong jun. American Volunteer Group
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
description: Interview with Robert M. Smith by filmmaker Frank Boring for the documentary, Fei Hu: The Story of the Flying Tigers. Smith served in the American Volunteer Group (AVG) as a Communications Specialist. In this tape, Smith describes the journey overseas with the AVG, his first impressions upon arrival in Rangoon and Toungoo, and his first duties as a radioman for the group.
creator: Smith, Robert M.
source: Fei Hu Films research and production files (RHC-88)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
date: 1991-04-25
contributor: Boring, Frank (interviewer)
contributor: Christopher, Frank (director)
contributor: Fei Hu Films
rights: In Copyright
format: video/mp4
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Robert M. Smith interview (video and transcript, 3 of 6) 1991
subject: Oral history
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: China--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: China. Kong jun. American Volunteer Group
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
description: Interview with Robert M. Smith by filmmaker Frank Boring for the documentary, Fei Hu: The Story of the Flying Tigers. Smith served in the American Volunteer Group (AVG) as a Communications Specialist. In this tape, Smith discusses his reactions to the airplane radios of the AVG, the news of Pearl Harbor, and traveling up the Burma Road.
creator: Smith, Robert M.
source: Fei Hu Films research and production files (RHC-88)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
date: 1991-04-25
contributor: Boring, Frank (interviewer)
contributor: Christopher, Frank (director)
contributor: Fei Hu Films
rights: In Copyright
format: video/mp4
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Robert M. Smith interview (video and transcript, 4 of 6), 1991
subject: Oral history
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: China--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: China. Kong jun. American Volunteer Group
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
description: Interview with Robert M. Smith by filmmaker Frank Boring for the documentary, Fei Hu: The Story of the Flying Tigers. Smith served in the American Volunteer Group (AVG) as a Communications Specialist. In this tape, Smith describes the overall communications for the AVG, in addition to the attack on Kunming and working at the radio station in Chengyi.
creator: Smith, Robert M.
source: Fei Hu Films research and production files (RHC-88)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
date: 1991-04-25
contributor: Boring, Frank (interviewer)
contributor: Christopher, Frank (director)
contributor: Fei Hu Films
rights: In Copyright
format: video/mp4
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Robert M. Smith interview (video and transcript, 5 of 6), 1991
subject: Oral history
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: China--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: China. Kong jun. American Volunteer Group
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
description: Interview with Robert M. Smith by filmmaker Frank Boring for the documentary, Fei Hu: The Story of the Flying Tigers. Smith served in the American Volunteer Group (AVG) as a Communications Specialist. In this tape, Smith discusses the experience of having to leave his station at Chengyi and later returning to the United States.
creator: Smith, Robert M.
source: Fei Hu Films research and production files (RHC-88)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
date: 1991-04-25
contributor: Boring, Frank (interviewer)
contributor: Christopher, Frank (director)
contributor: Fei Hu Films
rights: In Copyright
format: video/mp4
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Robert M. Smith interview (video and transcript, 6 of 6), 1991
subject: Oral history
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: China--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: China. Kong jun. American Volunteer Group
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
description: Interview with Robert M. Smith by filmmaker Frank Boring for the documentary, Fei Hu: The Story of the Flying Tigers. Smith served in the American Volunteer Group (AVG) as a Communications Specialist. In this tape, Smith describes his impression of the members of the American Volunteer Group and his sense of pride in being a member, in addition to their place in Chinese history.
creator: Smith, Robert M.
source: Fei Hu Films research and production files (RHC-88)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
date: 1991-04-25
contributor: Boring, Frank (interviewer)
contributor: Christopher, Frank (director)
contributor: Fei Hu Films
rights: In Copyright
format: video/mp4
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Robert T. Smith interview (video and transcript, 1 of 8), 1991
subject: Oral history
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: China--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: China. Kong jun. American Volunteer Group
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
description: Interview of Robert T. Smith by filmmaker Frank Boring for the documentary, Fei Hu: The Story of the Flying Tigers. R. T. Smith joined the American Volunteer Group (AVG) in 1941, after resiging his commission as a U.S. Army Air Corps basic flight instructor. He served in the AVG as Flight Leader for the 3rd Squadron, "Hell's Angels." In the AVG he was credited with shooting down 8 Japanese planes and was awarded the Nine Star Medal and Order of Cloud Banner by the Chinese government. He returned to the US in 1942 and was drafted into the US Army, but was quickly re-commissioned as a US Air Corps Second Lieutenant. Over the course of the war, Smith returned to the Pacific Theater and flew 55 combat missions over Burma. He was awarded the Air Medal, Distinguisghed Flying Cross, and Silver Star. In this tape, Smith discusses his background in the Army Air Corps before joining the American Volunteer Group in search of adventure and the honorable mission to protect the Chinese.
creator: Smith, Robert T.
source: Fei Hu Films research and production files (RHC-88)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
date: 1991-04-23
contributor: Boring, Frank (interviewer)
contributor: Christopher, Frank (director)
contributor: Fei Hu Films
rights: In Copyright
format: video/mp4
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Robert T. Smith interview (video and transcript, 2 of 8), 1991
subject: Oral history
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: China--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: China. Kong jun. American Volunteer Group
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
description: Interview of Robert T. Smith by filmmaker Frank Boring for the documentary, Fei Hu: The Story of the Flying Tigers. R. T. Smith joined the American Volunteer Group (AVG) in 1941, after resiging his commission as a U.S. Army Air Corps basic flight instructor. He served in the AVG as Flight Leader for the 3rd Squadron, "Hell's Angels." In the AVG he was credited with shooting down 8 Japanese planes and was awarded the Nine Star Medal and Order of Cloud Banner by the Chinese government. He returned to the US in 1942 and was drafted into the US Army, but was quickly re-commissioned as a US Air Corps Second Lieutenant. Over the course of the war, Smith returned to the Pacific Theater and flew 55 combat missions over Burma. He was awarded the Air Medal, Distinguisghed Flying Cross, and Silver Star. In this tape, Smith describes his journey overseas to join the AVG from San Francisco to Rangoon, in addition to his first impressions upon arrival.
creator: Smith, Robert T.
source: Fei Hu Films research and production files (RHC-88)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
date: 1991-04-23
contributor: Boring, Frank (interviewer)
contributor: Christopher, Frank (director)
contributor: Fei Hu Films
rights: In Copyright
format: video/mp4
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Robert T. Smith interview (video and transcript, 3 of 8), 1991
subject: Oral history
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: China--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: China. Kong jun. American Volunteer Group
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
description: Interview of Robert T. Smith by filmmaker Frank Boring for the documentary, Fei Hu: The Story of the Flying Tigers. R. T. Smith joined the American Volunteer Group (AVG) in 1941, after resiging his commission as a U.S. Army Air Corps basic flight instructor. He served in the AVG as Flight Leader for the 3rd Squadron, "Hell's Angels." In the AVG he was credited with shooting down 8 Japanese planes and was awarded the Nine Star Medal and Order of Cloud Banner by the Chinese government. He returned to the US in 1942 and was drafted into the US Army, but was quickly re-commissioned as a US Air Corps Second Lieutenant. Over the course of the war, Smith returned to the Pacific Theater and flew 55 combat missions over Burma. He was awarded the Air Medal, Distinguisghed Flying Cross, and Silver Star. In this tape, Smith discusses his first impressions of his fellow Flying Tigers and how they embarked on this journey together, in addition to their arrival in Toungoo and their reaction to the news of Pearl Harbor.
creator: Smith, Robert T.
source: Fei Hu Films research and production files (RHC-88)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
date: 1991-04-23
contributor: Boring, Frank (interviewer)
contributor: Christopher, Frank (director)
contributor: Fei Hu Films
rights: In Copyright
format: video/mp4
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Robert T. Smith interview (video and transcript, 4 of 8), 1991
subject: Oral history
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: China--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: China. Kong jun. American Volunteer Group
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
description: Interview of Robert T. Smith by filmmaker Frank Boring for the documentary, Fei Hu: The Story of the Flying Tigers. R. T. Smith joined the American Volunteer Group (AVG) in 1941, after resiging his commission as a U.S. Army Air Corps basic flight instructor. He served in the AVG as Flight Leader for the 3rd Squadron, "Hell's Angels." In the AVG he was credited with shooting down 8 Japanese planes and was awarded the Nine Star Medal and Order of Cloud Banner by the Chinese government. He returned to the US in 1942 and was drafted into the US Army, but was quickly re-commissioned as a US Air Corps Second Lieutenant. Over the course of the war, Smith returned to the Pacific Theater and flew 55 combat missions over Burma. He was awarded the Air Medal, Distinguisghed Flying Cross, and Silver Star. In this tape, Smith describes the training period in Toungoo, his experience belonging to the Third Squadron, and their first combat with the Japanese pilots near Rangoon.
creator: Smith, Robert T.
source: Fei Hu Films research and production files (RHC-88)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
date: 1991-04-23
contributor: Boring, Frank (interviewer)
contributor: Christopher, Frank (director)
contributor: Fei Hu Films
rights: In Copyright
format: video/mp4
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Robert T. Smith interview (video and transcript, 5 of 8), 1991
subject: Oral history
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: China--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: China. Kong jun. American Volunteer Group
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
description: Interview of Robert T. Smith by filmmaker Frank Boring for the documentary, Fei Hu: The Story of the Flying Tigers. R. T. Smith joined the American Volunteer Group (AVG) in 1941, after resiging his commission as a U.S. Army Air Corps basic flight instructor. He served in the AVG as Flight Leader for the 3rd Squadron, "Hell's Angels." In the AVG he was credited with shooting down 8 Japanese planes and was awarded the Nine Star Medal and Order of Cloud Banner by the Chinese government. He returned to the US in 1942 and was drafted into the US Army, but was quickly re-commissioned as a US Air Corps Second Lieutenant. Over the course of the war, Smith returned to the Pacific Theater and flew 55 combat missions over Burma. He was awarded the Air Medal, Distinguisghed Flying Cross, and Silver Star. In this tape, Smith discusses his first two major battles and the reactions of the ground crew, in addition to their daily routines in the days that followed.
creator: Smith, Robert T.
source: Fei Hu Films research and production files (RHC-88)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
date: 1991-04-23
contributor: Boring, Frank (interviewer)
contributor: Christopher, Frank (director)
contributor: Fei Hu Films
rights: In Copyright
format: video/mp4
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Robert T. Smith interview (video and transcript, 6 of 8), 1991
subject: Oral history
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: China--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: China. Kong jun. American Volunteer Group
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
description: Interview of Robert T. Smith by filmmaker Frank Boring for the documentary, Fei Hu: The Story of the Flying Tigers. R. T. Smith joined the American Volunteer Group (AVG) in 1941, after resiging his commission as a U.S. Army Air Corps basic flight instructor. He served in the AVG as Flight Leader for the 3rd Squadron, "Hell's Angels." In the AVG he was credited with shooting down 8 Japanese planes and was awarded the Nine Star Medal and Order of Cloud Banner by the Chinese government. He returned to the US in 1942 and was drafted into the US Army, but was quickly re-commissioned as a US Air Corps Second Lieutenant. Over the course of the war, Smith returned to the Pacific Theater and flew 55 combat missions over Burma. He was awarded the Air Medal, Distinguisghed Flying Cross, and Silver Star. In this tape, Smith describes the living conditions in Kunming and the reaction of the Chinese people to the Flying Tigers, in addition to their five week trip to pick up P-40E airplanes in Africa.
creator: Smith, Robert T.
source: Fei Hu Films research and production files (RHC-88)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
date: 1991-04-23
contributor: Boring, Frank (interviewer)
contributor: Christopher, Frank (director)
contributor: Fei Hu Films
rights: In Copyright
format: video/mp4
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Robert T. Smith interview (video and transcript, 7 of 8), 1991
subject: Oral history
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: China--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: China. Kong jun. American Volunteer Group
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
description: Interview of Robert T. Smith by filmmaker Frank Boring for the documentary, Fei Hu: The Story of the Flying Tigers. R. T. Smith joined the American Volunteer Group (AVG) in 1941, after resiging his commission as a U.S. Army Air Corps basic flight instructor. He served in the AVG as Flight Leader for the 3rd Squadron, "Hell's Angels." In the AVG he was credited with shooting down 8 Japanese planes and was awarded the Nine Star Medal and Order of Cloud Banner by the Chinese government. He returned to the US in 1942 and was drafted into the US Army, but was quickly re-commissioned as a US Air Corps Second Lieutenant. Over the course of the war, Smith returned to the Pacific Theater and flew 55 combat missions over Burma. He was awarded the Air Medal, Distinguisghed Flying Cross, and Silver Star. In this tape, Smith discusses the morale missions that his squadron was a part of in Loiwing, in addition to his impressions of Harvey and Olga Greenlaw, Greg Boyington, Bert Christman, and General Bissell.
creator: Smith, Robert T.
source: Fei Hu Films research and production files (RHC-88)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
date: 1991-04-23
contributor: Boring, Frank (interviewer)
contributor: Christopher, Frank (director)
contributor: Fei Hu Films
rights: In Copyright
format: video/mp4
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Robert T. Smith interview (video and transcript, 8 of 8), 1991
subject: Oral history
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: China--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: China. Kong jun. American Volunteer Group
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
description: Interview of Robert T. Smith by filmmaker Frank Boring for the documentary, Fei Hu: The Story of the Flying Tigers. R. T. Smith joined the American Volunteer Group (AVG) in 1941, after resiging his commission as a U.S. Army Air Corps basic flight instructor. He served in the AVG as Flight Leader for the 3rd Squadron, "Hell's Angels." In the AVG he was credited with shooting down 8 Japanese planes and was awarded the Nine Star Medal and Order of Cloud Banner by the Chinese government. He returned to the US in 1942 and was drafted into the US Army, but was quickly re-commissioned as a US Air Corps Second Lieutenant. Over the course of the war, Smith returned to the Pacific Theater and flew 55 combat missions over Burma. He was awarded the Air Medal, Distinguisghed Flying Cross, and Silver Star. In this tape, Smith describes the meeting with General Bissell in the final days of the AVG and the significance of the Flying Tigers in Chinese and American history.
creator: Smith, Robert T.
source: Fei Hu Films research and production files (RHC-88)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives.
date: 1991-04-23
contributor: Boring, Frank (interviewer)
contributor: Christopher, Frank (director)
contributor: Fei Hu Films
rights: In Copyright
format: video/mp4
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text