Vandermeer, Henry (Interview outline and video), 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: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army
description: Henry Vandermeer was born in the Netherlands in 1931 and lived there during the Nazi occupation. His family emigrated to the United States in 1952, and he served in the US Army. He was sent to La Rochelle, France, where he worked in an army hospital.
creator: Vandermeer, Henry
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2010-02-22
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

Vander Veen, Maurice (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: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Marine Corps
description: Morris Vander Veen is a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Marines from 1944 to 1946. In this account he discusses his pre-enlistment, enlistment and training in the U.S. and the Pacific. Serving his active duty in the Pacific Theater, Vander Veen gives one a brief but detailed perspective of what island-hopping fighting was like specifically focusing on the fighting on Okinawa. He then discusses in some detail what his occupational duties and responsibilities were while stationed in northern China.
creator: Vander Veen, Maurice
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2005-01-17
contributor: Boring, Frank (Interviewer)
contributor: Michigan Military Preservation Society (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Vander Molen, Kenneth (Interview outline and video), 2004
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: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
description: Kenneth Vander Molen is a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Army, first as an infantry replacement and then later in the regular army from August 1945 to December 1946. In this account, Vander Molen discusses his pre-enlistment, enlistment and training in the U.S. and active duty in the Philippines and Japan. Among the interesting things Vander Molen discusses is the fighting on Cebu and his time in Japan during its occupation.
creator: Vander Molen, Kenneth
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2004-12-08
contributor: Boring, Frank (Interviewer)
contributor: Michigan Military Preservation Society (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Vander Laan, Robert (Interview outline and video), 2007
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Michigan--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: United States. Army
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, American
subject: Video recordings
description: Robert Vander Laan is a Korean War era veteran who served in the 7th Army 966 Field Engineering Battalion. He was sent to Germany during his time in the service, and was never involved in any active combat. However, he witnessed the aftermath of WW II during his travels throughout Europe. He also discusses his reaction upon being taken by the Army to several concentration camps in the Munich are. He also recalls the difficulties of basic training during the summer in Louisiana.
creator: Vander Lann, Robert
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2007-06-25
contributor: Alvin, Warren (Interviewer)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

VandenBosch, James (Interview outline and video, 2 of 2), 2007
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. Navy
subject: Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
description: James VandenBosch, born in Ada, Michigan, enlisted in the Navy in 1966 and trained as a medical corpsman. After a cruise aboard the aircraft carrier USS Shangri La in the Mediterranean, he trained for combat duty with the Marines at Camp Lejeune and was sent to Vietnam in 1968. After a short stint with a Civil Action Patrol working in the villages near Da Nang, he became the senior corpsman for a rifle company of the 26th Marines, and participated with them in a series of combat operations. He spent the last part of his tour at a hospital in Da Nang. After his discharge, he eventually decided to go to nursing school and re-enlist in the Navy, this time as a nurse and officer. He did so, and retired from the Navy in 1989.
creator: VandenBosch, James
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2007-06-28
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

VandenBosch, James (Interview outline and video, 1 of 2), 2007
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. Navy
subject: Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
description: James VandenBosch, born in Ada, Michigan, enlisted in the Navy in 1966 and trained as a medical corpsman. After a cruise aboard the aircraft carrier USS Shangri La in the Mediterranean, he trained for combat duty with the Marines at Camp Lejeune and was sent to Vietnam in 1968. After a short stint with a Civil Action Patrol working in the villages near Da Nang, he became the senior corpsman for a rifle company of the 26th Marines, and participated with them in a series of combat operations. He spent the last part of his tour at a hospital in Da Nang. After his discharge, he eventually decided to go to nursing school and re-enlist in the Navy, this time as a nurse and officer. He did so, and retired from the Navy in 1989.
creator: VandenBosch, James
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2007-06-28
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

Vande Vusse, Alan (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: Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Marine Corps
description: Allen Vande Vusse was born and raised in Holland, Michigan, and graduated from high school there in 1962. He married and got a job shortly afterward, and his marriage gave him a draft deferment, which he lost after getting divorced in 1968. Upon receiving his draft notice, he enlisted in the Marine Corps so as to stay out of the Army, joining in early 1969. He scored well on the aptitude tests and took specialized training in communications and took a four-year enlistment, which meant that he stayed in the US until January, 1971, when he was sent to Vietnam so serve as a radio operator for the 1st Marine Medical Battalion at Da Nang, where he communicated with helicopters bringing in wounded soldiers and the teams that met them upon landing. He served there for the better part of a year, but his tour was cut short by a serious intestinal problems which required hospitalization. He was sent to Great Lakes Naval hospital, and from there to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He extended his enlistment, and was able to move to California, where he trained as a drill instructor and eventually wound up as a recruiter in Buffalo, New York.
creator: Vande Vusse, Alan
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2012-05-16
contributor: Smither, James (Interviewer)
contributor: Kentwood Historic Preservation Commission (Kentwood, Mich.)
contributor: WKTV
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

Vande Kerk, Christine and Henry (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. Navy
subject: Women
description: Christine and Henry Vande Kerk are both World War II veterans who served their country in different capacities during the course of World War II. Christine Vande Kerk briefly discusses her pre-enlistment, enlistment as a nurse into the armed services, and her nursing experience while serving in England until 1944. She then discusses her missionary work in Iraq and Jordan in some detail. Henry Vande Kerk briefly discusses his pre-enlistment, enlistment and basic training in the U.S. and then his goes into some detail about his days as a U.S. Navy Air Force civilian flight instructor working in the training of pilots in the basic procedures of aviation mechanics before they went on to pursue advanced training in bomber, fighter, and transport plane dynamics. Henry then briefly describes his thoughts on his wartime and what he learned from it. They both wrap up their interviews by showing some pictures and documents from Christine's Army and Missionary Books.
creator: Vande Kerk, Christine
creator: Vande Kerk, Henry
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2008-06-01
contributor: Rodriguez, Kyle (Interviewer)
contributor: Petz, Alyssa (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

VanAllsberg, Richard (Interview outline), 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: United States. Navy
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: Other veterans & civilians--Personal narratives, American
description: Richard VanAllsburg, born on February 17th 1921 in Grand Rapids Michigan, served in the U.S. Navy from approximately 1943-1945 as a pilot during World War II. Richard spent his first year of service in various training locations and active duty on bases. He soon volunteered to be sent to the Pacific in order to fly more. Richard was sent to Hawaii where he pulled targets for shooting practice. After being discharged in 1945 Richard joined the Naval Reserve. He was called back into duty in 1962 to carry out reconnaissance missions in the Caribbean for approximately 1 year.
creator: VanAllsberg, Richard
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2005-06-06
contributor: Vandersyde, Seth (Interviewer)
contributor: Caledonia High School (Caledonia, Mich.)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
language: eng
type: Text

Van Wylen, Gordon (Interview outline and video), 2004
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Michigan--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: United States. Navy
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: Video recordings
description: Gordon Van Wylen left his job as an engineer for Dupont in 1943 and joined the US Navy. He entered an officer training program, but then transferred into submarine school. He served on the submarine USS Hardhead in 1944-45 and went on six patrols in the Pacific. His boat sank several Japanese warships, including an aircraft carrier, and after the war he contacted and befriended some of the Japanese sailors who survived the sinking of this ship.
creator: Van Wylen, Gordon
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2004-10-22
contributor: Montagna, Douglas (Interviewer)
contributor: Great Lakes Naval Memorial & Museum (Muskegon, Mich.)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Van Vleet, Leroy (Interview outline and video), 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: Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Air Force
description: LeRoy Van Vleet was born in Michigan in 1931. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1931, and received training as a specialist in fuels and lubricants. He was assigned to a refueling base in the Aleutian Islands for thirteen months, and then spent the rest of his time in the service at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
creator: Van Vleet, Leroy
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2010-12-15
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

Van Strien, Robert (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. Navy
description: Robert Van Strien was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and graduated from Byron Center High School in 1945. After high school he and three of his friends joined the Navy. After basic training he was assigned to be a typist for a Commander aboard the USS Columbus. He served after the war during the Occupation of Japan and typed part of the ships newsletter. After his discharge in 1946 he used his GI bill money to learn how to fly and has owned three planes.
creator: Van Strien, Robert
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2008-08-15
contributor: Moore, Debra (Interviewer)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Van Solkema, Howard (Interview transcript 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: Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Marine Corps
description: Howard Van Solkema was born in Byron Center, Michigan, in 1950. He was drafted shortly after graduating from high school and served in the Marine Corps between 1969 and 1971. He trained as a machine gunner and joined the First Marine Division at Da Nang in 1969. When his original regiment was sent home, he was transferred to a different unit in the northern part of the country, and finally to a base camp toward the end of his tour. He saw a good deal of small unit action, but no large battles, and worked with Australian and Korean troops.
creator: Van Solkema, Howard
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2008-10-21
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

Van Solkema, Garret (Interview outline and video), 2007
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: Garret Van Solkema was born in Byron Center, Michigan in 1919. He was drafted in 1941 and went into the 2nd Armored Division commanded by General Patton. He landed in North Africa and fought in Sicily, Normandy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Garret attended the Potsdam Conference as an Honor Guard.
creator: Van Solkema, Garret
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2007-11-29
contributor: Smither, James (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

Van Singel, Willard (Interview outline and video), 2007
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: Video recordings
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Michigan--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: United States. Army
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives
description: Willard Van Singel was drafted into the Army in 1941 and trained in Texas. He spent 3 years in Texas working as a battalion supply sergeant and also helped with administration and clerical work. Willard then served in the 83rd Infantry Division, landing in France in late 1944. He switched from being a supply sergeant to being a platoon sergeant in a rifle company and saw action in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and at the end of the war met the Soviets east of the Elbe River.
creator: Van Singel, Willard
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2007-11-01
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

Van Singel, Larry (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: United States. Army
subject: Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
subject: Video recordings
description: Larry Van Singel grew up in Byron Center, MI, and volunteered for the Army in early 1967 since he expected to be drafted and wanted to have some choice in his training and assignment. He initially served as a clerk at the 9th Division headquarters outside of Saigon, and traveled into Saigon several times during the Tet Offensive. Next he served as a radioman at a small base in the Mekong Delta. He was brought home early because of a death in the family and served the rest of his tour in the United States. He discusses his own feelings about the war and the difficulties of adjusting to civilian life, as well as a visit to the Vietnam memorial in Washington.
creator: Van Singel, Larry
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2008-01-15
contributor: Smither, James (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

Van Singel, Harris (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: United States. Air Force
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: Video recordings
description: Harris Van Singel was born in Byron Center, and has lived there his entire life. He went to school, and graduated from Byron Center School in 1940. He avoided the draft for four years because his two brothers had both enlisted, and because he was doing farm work. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1944, and was trained as a remote control gunner on the B-29. He initially wanted to be a pilot, but they had too many applicants. He served in the Pacific theatre, and flew on 14 combat missions over Japan from a base on Saipan.
creator: Van Singel, Harris
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2008-01-29
contributor: Smither, James (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

Van Oss, Julius (Interview outline and video), 2011
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: United States. Army Air Corps
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
description: Julius Van Oss was drafted into the US Army in 1943 and initially assigned to the Army Air Corps. In training, he qualified for the ASTP program, which sent men to college to prepare them to become engineers, but the program was cancelled after he had been in it for seven months, and he was returned to the Air Corps. After failing to qualify as a radio operator, he was assigned to the infantry and was slated to go to Europe. The Germans surrendered before he could leave, however, and he wound up being sent to the Philippines as a replacement for the 6th Division. He fought briefly prior to the Japanese surrender, after which he was assigned to work with communications for his regiment, first in the Philippines and then in Korea before he returned home in 1946.
creator: Van Oss, Julius
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2011-10-17
contributor: Montagna, Douglas (Interviewer)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Van Hout, Craig (Interview outline and video), 2011
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: Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
description: Craig Van Hout was born in 1949 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. After graduating from high school, he went to college for three semesters before dropping out, and received his draft notice soon afterward in January 1969. After finishing his basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Van Hout went through advanced training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Once he finished at Fort Polk, Van Hout deployed to Vietnam and joined B Company, 2nd of the 506th, 101st Airborne Division in January, 1970. While serving with the 101st Airborne, His unit took part in the campaign around Firebase Ripcord from April through July, 1970, and was wounded during the evacuation of the base. He eventually returned to his company, which saw relatively little combat during his final months in the field. He spent the last few months of his enlistment at Fort Hood, Texas, where he served as a clerk.
creator: Van Hout, Craig
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2011-08-10
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

Van Hammen, Robert (Interview transcript and video), 2005
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Michigan--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army
subject: Video recordings
description: Robert Van Hammen enlisted in the Michigan National Guard in 1940, and served in the intelligence section of the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd (Red Arrow) Division until 1945. He trained with his unit in Louisiana, and then was shipped first to the East Coast and then back across the country to go to Australia and on to New Guinea. He saw extensive combat in a series of battles in New Guinea and the Philippines, and his account includes detailed descriptions of the physical aspects of war in a jungle, as well as of several of the battles in which he served. His interview is featured in the documentary Nightmare in new Guinea produced aby Grand Valley State University.
creator: Van Hammen, Robert
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2005-11-11
contributor: Bush, Dan (Interviewer)
contributor: Vredeveld, Chris (Interviewer)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Van Ess, Marcia (Interview outline and video), 2014
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Michigan--History, Military
subject: Veterans
subject: Video recordings
subject: Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
subject: United States. Army
description: Marcia Van Ess was born in 1949 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After graduating from high school she went on to attend the nursing program at Mercy Central School of Nursing in Grand Rapids at St. Mary's Hospital and during that time enlisted in the Army as a nurse. After graduating from nursing school in December 1969 and passing the nursing test in February 1969 she attended basic training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. In April 1969 she was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky and remained there until she received orders for Vietnam in late summer of 1970. She was deployed to Vietnam in October 1970 and was assigned to the 24th Evacuation Hospital at Long Binh. During her time there she was stationed in the pre-operation and recovery ward, had experience with severe burns, amputations, traumatic head injuries and treating the wounds of both U.S. soldiers and Vietnamese prisoners of war. She stayed in Vietnam until November 1971 when she returned home and was discharged from the Army. She is now an active member in a Vietnam War historical group and speaks about her experiences in Vietnam.
creator: Van Ess, Marcia
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2014-03-20
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

Van Dyck, Rodney (Interview outline and video), 2008
subject: Oral history
subject: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
subject: Video recordings
subject: United States--History, Military
subject: Michigan--History, Military
subject: Veterans
description: Rodney Van Dyck was born in Muskegon, Michigan on March 23, 1956. He enlisted in the Army on June 29, 1974 and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne. Rodney was stationed at Fort Bragg, Fort Dix, and Fort Benning. He went through jump school and was trained as a voice radio operator. Rodney jumped into Texas, Alaska and South Carolina. When he was in Alaska he had cold weather training. Rodney then fell and broke both of his ankles so he had to be discharged.
creator: Van Dyck, Rodney
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2008-06-30
contributor: Collins Sr., Charles E. (Interviewer)
contributor: Collins, Carol (Interviewer)
rights: In Copyright
relation: Veterans History Project (U.S.)
format: application/pdf
format: video/mp4
language: eng
type: Moving Image
type: Text

Van Dreumel, Michael (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: United States. Army
subject: Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
description: Michael Van Dreumel was born in 1943 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and lived there until he graduated from high school in 1961. He then went to California to train as a aircraft mechanic, after which he worked at several commercial airlines before receiving his draft notice in 1964. Once he received his draft notice, Van Dreumel went through basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky before joining an aviation section at Fort Benning, Georgia outfitted with six OV-1 Mohawks. When Van Dreumel first joined the section, it belonged to the 11th Air Assault Division but only a couple of weeks after his arrival, the section switched to the 1st Air Cavalry Division, which was then deployed to Vietnam. He spent his tour at An Khe working on Mohawks and other observation aircraft. Once Van Dreumel's tour came to an end, he rotated back to the United States and finished his enlistment as part of the 5th Mechanized Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado.
creator: Van Dreumel, Michael
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2012-04-25
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

Van Dis, Melvin (Interview outline and video), 2009
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: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
description: Melvin Van Dis was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan and served in the Army during World War II. Van Dis was drafted into the Army in 1943, and was sent to Europe as a replacement for killed or injured troops. He was attached to the 1st Division, which had lost a number of men during their previous campaigns. He landed in Normandy on D-Day as part of the second wave to hit the beaches. He was injured in Normandy in a friendly fire incident. He recovered and was sent back to his unit, serving with them across France and into Aachen, only to succumb to trench foot in the Hurtgen Forest. He finished his tour of duty working for the American Legion back in the United States.
creator: Van Dis, Melvin
source: Veterans History Project Collection, (RHC-27)
publisher: Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives
date: 2009-07-06
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