Trovato, Anthony (Interview outline and video), 2012
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: Michigan--History, Military
subject: United States. Navy
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
description: Tony Trovato was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1912. He was son to Italian immigrants and could speak fluent Italian. He enlisted into the Navy in 1943 when he was 31 years old and trained at Great Lakes where he learned how to handle troops and personnel. He was later assigned to Norfolk, Virginia where he was trained to be a boatswain. After leaving Norfolk, he was sent down the Mississippi River to New Orleans and eventually made his way across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea. While in the Mediterranean, his convoy spent the majority of its time resupplying troops in France and Italy as well as carrying war prisoners. He served as shore patrol near the end of his time before he was discharged in 1945, after both Germany and Japan had surrendered.
creator: Trovato, Anthony
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2012-03-15
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

Tibbe, John (Interview outline and video), 2008
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: Michigan--History, Military
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army
description: John Tibbe was born in Grant, Michigan on March 10, 1921. He went to school through the 8th grade and then began working on his family's farm until he was drafted into the Army in the fall of 1942. John went through basic training at Camp Shelby in Mississippi and then later went through Advanced Infantry Training at Camp Pickett in Virginia where he trained to be an anti-tank gunner. After training John was stationed in New Guinea and also the island of Morotai.
creator: Tibbe, John
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2008-12-04
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

Keizer, Herman Jr. (Interview outline and video), 2015
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
subject: Other veterans & civilians--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army
description: Herman Keizer was born in Chicago on May 21, 1938. He was drafted into the Army in 1962 and served as a Chaplain's Assistant at Fort Belvoir, Virginia until 1964. He studied at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and also attended the Calvin Theological Seminary in 1968. He was commissioned as a chaplain in the Army and was deployed to Vietnam. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion of the 26th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division and operated out of Lai Khe. He went into Cambodia in the spring of 1970, and due to actions there received a Bronze Star for valor. He joined the 4th Infantry Division in An Khe where he developed an amnesty program for soldiers suffering from drug addictions. While at An Khe, he broke both of his arms in a helicopter crash. He recovered at Camp Zama, Japan, and at Great Lakes Naval Hospital in Chicago. He served as the hospital chaplain at Fort Carson, Colorado, from 1971 to 1972 where he wrote an essay on Selective Conscientious Objection and wrote the basis for the Army's drug and alcohol program. He also worked on a case dealing with sexual harassment in the Army. He served at the State Department and helped with evacuation of personnel during the September 11th Attacks. After he retired from the Army he has stayed active with support groups for veterans, and helped with the Truth Commission on Conscience in War, and has also written on Moral Injury in War.
creator: Keizer, Herman Jr.
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2015-01-16
contributor: Vega, Nikki (Interviewer)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Keith, Robert (Interview outline and video), 2015
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army Air Forces
subject: Michigan--History, Military
description: Robert Keith was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1926. He grew up in Grand Rapids and in August 1944 he enlisted in the Army Air Force, almost a month before his eighteenth birthday. He reported for duty on March 1, 1945 and was processed at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. He was sent to Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi for basic training and then a technical school where he learned how to be an aircraft mechanic. His time there ended in September 1945 and he was sent to Langley Field, Virginia for two months. In November 1945 he was sent over to Germany where he was stationed at Landsberg Air Base near Munich doing engine changes on a variety of aircraft, but the major focus was on the C-47 transport plane. His time in Germany ended in September 1946. He returned to the United States and was discharged in October 1946.
creator: Keith, Robert
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2015-04-22
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

Jerzyk, Benjamin (Interview outline and video), 2014
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army
description: Ben Jerzyk born in 1945 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. He was the oldest of eight other children and his father was a World War Two veteran. He attended college and trained as a physical therapist and was drafted into the Army in June 1967. He trained as a medic at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was deployed to Vietnam in mid-December of 1967 and was stationed at Cat Lai with the 133rd Medical Detachment Company. He spent eleven months in Vietnam during which time he lived through the Tet Offensive in early 1968. After returning home from Vietnam he completed his service at Fort Carson, Colorado in early 1969.
creator: Jerzyk, Benjamin
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2014-05-22
contributor: Jerzyk, Isabel (Interviewer)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Hoffman, Mort (Interview outline and video), 2015
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. National Guard
subject: United States. Navy
description: Mort Hoffman was born in Rochester, New York in 1926. He grew up in Rochester and graduated in June 1944. From 1942-1944 he was in the New York National Guard and after graduating from high school decided to enlist in the Navy. He trained at Naval Training Station Sampson, New York and was deployed out of Camp Parks, California. He was sent up to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska and served on the island of Adak with the 114th Naval Construction Battalion, helping to maintain vehicles and equipment as well as take part in construction projects. He stayed on the Aleutian Islands from December 1944 to July 1946, and was discharged shortly after his return.
creator: Hoffman, Mort
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2015-05-04
contributor: Moore, Deb (Interviewer)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Heyn, James (Interview outline and video), 2015
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army
description: James Heyn was born in St. Joseph, MI and lived a quiet, independent life. He was largely a pacifist before he was drafted in 1965, but reluctantly accepted his duty to his country. James was in the first group of soldiers to attend basic training in Ft. Campbell, KY. He then attended Aviation school in Ft. Rucker, AL, and upon graduating was assigned to the newly reformed 92nd Assault Helicopter Company. James was then deployed to Vietnam, where he operated with the 10th Aviation Battalion in Dong Ba Thin. He operated all over II Corps before the Tet Offensive, including a few operations in Cambodia and building the base at Bau Lach from scratch. James survived a sabotage attempt during the Tet Offensive, and flew the II Corps commander to survey the damages after the first night. He even stopped in Khe Sanh during the bloody siege. Continued to support units all over Vietnam until he gave up his helicopter so he could return home.
creator: Heyn, James
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2015-12-08
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

Heiden, Edwin Franklyn Jr (Interview outline and video), 2015
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Marine Corps
description: Edwin Heiden was born and raised in St. Joseph, MI in March 1947. He graduated high school in 1965 and joined the Marine Corps shortly thereafter. Edwin adapted to Marine life well and became a mechanic. He was deployed to Vietnam as reinforcement for the 3rd Motor Transport Battalion in Phu Bai, operating mostly as a truck driver. He was soon transferred to the 3rd Medical Battalion, where he served during the Tet Offensive, helping transport and care for the wounded coming from Hue City. His unit then moved north to Quang Tri where he helped construct a new base. Edwin then returned home to finish his enlistment by teaching marines to drive trucks in California. He then left the military for a short time to attend college and get married, before returning to the service through Officer Candidate School. Edwin became an Infantry Platoon Commander and led a unit operating at Guantanamo Bay. Edwin left the service again soon after this and moved back home to Michigan.
creator: Heiden, Edwin Franklyn Jr.
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2015-12-08
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

Frederiksen, Robert (Interview outline and video), 2015
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army Air Corps
description: Robert Frederiksen was born on October 29, 1925 in West Point, New York but grew up in Newaygo, Michigan. On February 3, 1944 he enlisted in the Army Air Force with the intention of becoming a pilot. He received basic training at Miami Beach, Florida and after the Aviation Cadets program ended he selected Radio School. He received radio training in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and then went to Yuma, Arizona for Gunnery School. He joined a bomber crew in Lincoln, Nebraska and did Overseas Training with them before deploying to the South Pacific. He and his crew were assigned to a B-24 Liberator bomber in the 372nd Bombardment Squadron of the 307th Bombardment Group of the 13th Air Force based on the island of Biak. He flew on bombing missions hitting targets on islands in the South Pacific. Over the course of 1944 and 1945 they moved to Morotai, then to Leyte, and were at Clark Field in the Philippines after Japan's formal surrender on September 2, 1945. He stayed in the Reserves for four years after the war.
creator: Frederiksen, Robert
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2015-09-30
contributor: Boring, Frank (Interviewer)
contributor: WKTV (Wyoming, Mich.)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Felver, Walter (Interview outline and video), 2014
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: Other veterans & civilians--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army
subject: Michigan--History, Military
description: Walter Felver was born in Littleton, Colorado on September 4, 1927, but his family moved to Phillipsburg, New Jersey when he was five years old. He grew up during the Second World War and lost a brother to that conflict. After graduating from high school in June 1945 he signed up for the draft and in August he received his draft notice. He reported for duty on January 6, 1946, and after a short stay at Fort Hancock, New Jersey he was sent by train to Fort Knox, Kentucky for basic training and armored (tank) training. When his two months of training were complete he was sent to Fort Lewis, Washington where he stayed for a year and a half, going on maneuvers, keeping a record of where the small arms were and who had them, and acting as the Venereal Diseases Noncommissioned Officer. He was discharged in September 1947.
creator: Felver, Walter
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2014-10-31
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

Dykstra, Andrew (Interview outline and video), 2004
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army
description: Milton was born in Wyoming, Michigan and worked at General Motors until he was drafted. Albert was from Caledonia, Michigan and he worked on a farm. Andrew grew up in Kellogsville and he too was a farm hand for many years. Like Milton and Albert, he was drafted on April 16, 1941. All three men served with the 32nd Division and were sent to New Guinea and participated in the Buna campaign.
creator: Dykstra, Andrew
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2004-10-04
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

Davis, Roy M. and Marion (Interview outline and video), 2016
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army Air Forces
description: Roy Davis was born in Hartford, Michigan in 1924. He grew up in Hartford and after graduating from high school in 1942 enlisted in the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet. He reported for duty on June 1, 1943 and began training at Sheppard Field, Texas. From there he went to Wittenberg University for College Training then went to San Antonio, Texas for Active Pre-Flight Training. He received flight training in Uvalde, Texas, and after graduating as a pilot and receiving his commission as a 2nd lieutenant he was assigned to Multi-engine Advanced Training. In Reno, Nevada he trained on the C-46 cargo plane. In late summer 1944 he deployed to the China-Burma-India Theater and was stationed at Sookerating Field in the Assam Valley of India, flying supply missions into China over the Himalayas. Three months later, after Christmas 1944, he was transferred to Myitkyina Airfield, Burma where he continued to fly supply missions until the war ended. He contracted a disease (most likely malaria) and stayed in Burma until he was transferred to Calcutta, India in September 1945 for 30 days in a hospital. In October 1945 he returned to the United States and arrived in November. He received 30 days of leave and was discharged in early 1946. Marion Davis grew up in Hartford, Michigan and in September 1943 enrolled as a cadet nurse at St. Jospeh Hospital in South Bend, Indiana. She received hands-on training on how to be a nurse and planned on joining the Navy after she completed her nursing program if the war was still going on. She completed her nursing program at St. Joseph Hospital in September 1946, and married Roy Davis in 1947.
creator: Davis, Roy M. and Marion
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2016-01-04
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

Crans, Robert K (Interview outline and video), 2015
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Navy
description: Robert Crans was born in Hastings, Michigan on July 8, 1947. He enlisted in the Navy in early 1966 and reported for basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station, Illinois in June 1966. He served with the deck crew on the USS Lexington (CV-16) in Pensacola, Florida and Corpus Christi, Texas from September 1966 to July 1967. He served aboard the USS Robert H. McCard (DD-822) in the laundry room and in late 1967 was stationed off the coast of Vietnam at Yankee Station supporting the aircraft carriers there. He also served on that ship as a barber and participated in Operation Silver Tower, a NATO exercise involving early stealth technology in the North Sea. The final ship he served on was the USS New (DD-818) as the ship's serviceman clerk. Due to downsizing of the military he was discharged 90 days early in late February 1970.
creator: Crans, Robert K.
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2015-10-29
contributor: Smither, James (Interviewer)
contributor: WKTV (Wyoming, Mich.)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Corrigan, Raymond Keith (Interview outline and video), 2015
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Navy
description: Raymond Corrigan was born in Newaygo, Michigan on June 15, 1924. He enlisted in the Navy when he was 17 years old (sometime in 1942). He received basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station, Illinois and was assigned to the USS Cincinnati (CL-6), a light cruiser. During his time aboard the Cincinnati he received training on the ship and stateside on how to aim and operate the ship's guns as well as went on patrols around the Caribbean Sea and near South America. In 1944 they escorted convoys to Belfast, Ireland in preparation for the Normandy Invasion. In late 1944 he was reassigned to a ship in the Pacific Theater, and in January 1945 they set sail. He was aboard that ship and participated in the pre-invasion bombardment of an island and assembled at Okinawa in preparation for the invasion of Japan. After the atomic bombing and subsequent surrender of Japan the ship pulled into Nagasaki where Raymond saw firsthand the destructive capability of the atom bomb. In late September 1945 he returned to Okinawa and by late October 1945 was back at Great Lakes Naval Station where he was discharged from the Navy.
creator: Corrigan, Raymond Keith
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2015-09-30
contributor: Boring, Frank (Interviewer)
contributor: WKTV (Wyoming, Mich.)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Cooley, James Peter (Interview outline and video), 2015
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: Iraq War, 2003-2011--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. National Guard
description: James Cooley was born on March 6, 1986 and grew up in Caledonia, Michigan. In 2003 he enlisted in the Army. He received basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia and after that Advanced Individual Training. He deployed to Iraq and served with a transportation unit, moving food, ammunition, supplies, and vehicles to bases around the country. He also helped with the distribution of humanitarian aid to Iraqi civilians. After nearly a year he returned to the United States and spent two years in the United States. He redeployed to Iraq and worked as a Detainee Payroll Manager. His first tour was in 2004-2005 and his second tour was in 2008-2009. His enlistment ended after his second tour, but as of 2015 he is trying to reenlist as an officer.
creator: Cooley, James Peter
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2015-05-21
contributor: Vansuilichem, Michael (Interviewer)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Clisso, Kenneth (Interview outline and video), 2014
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: Other veterans & civilians--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Marine Corps
description: Ken Clisso was born May 27th, 1959 and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1982 until 1989 and achieved the rank of Sergeant of the Guard. After graduating from Kansas State University Ken joined the Marine Corps for financial reasons and he had a close neighbor who used to serve as well. Ken finished boot camp around the 15th of November of 1982. He went to Camp Pendleton for infantry training and ended up at Twentynine Palms in the Mojave Desert in California afterwards. He was commissioned to the WWII battleship Iowa.
creator: Clisso, Kenneth
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2014-05-18
contributor: Watson, Liam (Interviewer)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Churchill, Dennis Ray (Interview outline and video), 2015
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Air Force
description: Dennis Churchill was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan in 1946. He enlisted in the Air Force in late September, or early October 1965 after graduating from high school in that same year. He received basic training in November 1965 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas and mechanical training at the Technical School at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. He was stationed at Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas and did temporary duty assignments at San Isidro Air Base, Dominican Republic and at RAF Mildenhall, England. He was reassigned to Ching Chuan Kang Air Base near Taichung, Taiwan and while there served multiple temporary duties in Vietnam. While in Vietnam he was stationed at Tuy Hoa Air Base and Cam Ranh Bay and made supply runs to the major American bases in the country. After his time in Vietnam and being stationed in Taiwan he received an early discharge from the Air Force, and was discharged at McChord Air Force Base, Washington in 1969.
creator: Churchill, Dennis Ray
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2015-12-08
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

Christensen, Hoyt (Interview outline and video), 2014
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army
description: Hoyt Christensen was born in 1926 in Greenville, Michigan. Prior to his service he left school after the seventh grade and worked on a farm and later at the age of fifteen managed a dairy farm until he was drafted at the age of eighteen in the summer of 1944. In November 1944 he attended basic training at Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Arkansas. On April 13, 1945 he was sent to New Guinea and was assigned to the 31st Infantry Division. He aided with clearing out the remaining Japanese forces on the islands of Halmahera and Morotai. After that operation his unit was sent to aid in the liberation of the Philippines. His unit landed at Davao on the island of Mindanao where they encountered fierce Japanese resistance. He was stationed on Mindanao until the end of the war and afterwards he was reassigned to an ordinance unit and then on to the island of Leyte where he joined an engineering unit where he drove a fuel truck. On October 17, 1946 he was sent home and was discharged from the Army at Fort Sheridan, Illinois.
creator: Christensen, Hoyt
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2014-06-10
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

Castora, Timothy (Interview outline and video), 2014
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Marine Corps
description: Timothy Castora was born on July 3rd, 1949 in Highland Park, Michigan. He was drafted into the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He served as a radio operator to the 1st Shore Party Battalion 5th Marines. He directed helicopters on supply drops, ammo drops and medevac services. Timothy came back to the United States wondering why they went to war in the first place and ultimately learned to love those who love you the most from his time in the service.
creator: Castora, Timothy
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2014-05-10
contributor: Hagan, Sarah (Interviewer)
contributor: Caledonia High School (Caledonia, Mich.)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Bush, Alfred L "Sam" (Interview outline and video), 2015
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Navy
subject: Merchant marine--United States
description: Sam Bush was born in 1925 near Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. In 1943, at Dartmouth College, he undertook the Navy’s air corps V12 training program. Initially he spent time in Lynchburg, VA as well as Sheepshead Bay, NY working tarmac duty. In 1944 he was attending flight prep when the military screened him out with a physical exam. Instead he decided to join the Merchant Marines. He undertook basic training at Sheepshead Bay, radio school on Hoffman Island, and physics training. By July 1945 he completed his trainings and became a Junior Radio Officer aboard the Heber M. Creel Liberty Ship. Shortly after the bombing of Japan, they docked in Samar, the Philippines, where they unloaded cargo and transported locals as a troop ship. After enduring a typhoon he returned to the US in August 1946.
creator: Bush, Alfred L.
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2015-12-01
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

Boland, Richard D (Interview outline and video), 2015
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: Other veterans & civilians--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Air Force
description: Richard Boland was born on August 2, 1933 in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Norte Dame University and took part in the ROTC. Upon his graduation in 1955, he joined the United States Air Force and was placed in the 15th Fighter Interceptor Squadron as an F-86 pilot. His squadron was tasked with protecting various Strategic Air Command (SAC) bases throughout the United States. After leaving the air force in 1958, Richard got his master’s degree in accounting from St. Louis University and worked for Steelcase for 30 years.
creator: Boland, Richard D.
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2015-05-22
contributor: Irons, Jacob (Interviewer)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Boisvenue, Raymond L (Interview outline and video), 2015
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army
description: Raymond Boisvenue was born in Trenton, Michigan on December 3, 1945. He was drafted in 1968 and received basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and advanced infantry training in Louisiana (most likely at Fort Polk). He was deployed to Vietnam in late 1968 where he served at the 9th Infantry Division headquarters at Dong Tam processing paperwork for the division. He was transferred to a base south of Saigon and completed his tour there. Due to extending his tour by two months he was able to be discharged as soon as he landed in San Francisco.
creator: Boisvenue, Raymond L.
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2015-05-22
contributor: Southerton, Erica (Interviewer)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Besteman, Marvin J (Interview outline and video), 2010
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: Other veterans & civilians--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army
description: Marvin Besteman was born on June 29, 1934 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. On November 8, 1956 he received his draft notice. After being processed in Detroit and at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri he went to Fort Carson, Colorado for basic training. He stayed at Fort Carson to help train recruits then received advanced infantry training there. He stayed at Fort Carson for two months as a company clerk then received orders for Europe. He was stationed at Patton Barracks in Heidelberg, West Germany as the Chief Clerk of Headquarters Company of United States Army Europe and his wife joined him there as an Army nurse at the hospital in Heidelberg. In 1958 he left Germany and then was discharged from the Army.
creator: Besteman, Marvin J.
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2010-05-06
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

Beachum, Norman L (Interview outline and video), 2011
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Navy
description: Norman Beachum was born in Union City, Tennessee on March 7, 1927. After moving around the country his family settled in Muskegon, Michigan and on his 17th birthday he enlisted in the Navy (March 7, 1944). He took basic training at Farragut Naval Training Station, Idaho and after 14 weeks went to Tacoma, Washington where he joined the USS Cumberland Sound (AV-17), a seaplane tender. They went to sea on October 28, 1944 and sailed to Pearl Harbor where he received antiaircraft training. The ship sailed to Eniwetok, then Kwajalein, then Saipan, then Guam before reaching Ulithi on January 12, 1945. He was stationed at Ulithi until the ship returned to Eniwetok on June 24, 1945. After the war he was aboard the Cumberland Sound during occupation duty in Japan then joined the USS Gardiners Bay (AVP-39), a small seaplane tender. He sailed around Japan and China for the remainder of 1945 and into 1946. In early spring 1946 he boarded a troopship in Hong Kong and returned to the United States. He was discharged from the Navy at Great Lakes Naval Station, Illinois on May 23, 1946.
creator: Beachum, Norman L.
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2011-02-08
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