World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American; United States. Coast Guard; Oral history; Veterans History Project (U.S.); United States--History, Military; Michigan--History, Military; Veterans; Video recordings
Edwin Jamros joined the US Coast Guard in 1940 because he knew the United States was going to war. After going to Ellis Island for basic training, he was assigned to the USS Joseph Dickman as an electrician’s apprentice. While on the Dickman, he...
Oral history; Veterans History Project (U.S.); United States--History, Military; Michigan--History, Military; Veterans; Video recordings; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American; United States. Navy
Wesley Strehlau was born on December 14, 1926 in Detroit, MI. He served in World War II in the U.S. Navy as a second class water tender. During his three years of service, his responsibilities included operating and repairing machinery. He traveled...
Oral history; Veterans History Project (U.S.); United States--History, Military; Michigan--History, Military; Veterans; Video recordings;
World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American; United States. Army
Ray Remus, from Gilberts, IL, served in the army during World War II as a mail carrier and company clerk in an engineer unit. His unit traveled throughout Italy, France, and North Africa working to repair roads, hospitals, and air fields. He was in...
Oral history; Veterans History Project (U.S.); United States--History, Military; Michigan--History, Military; Veterans; Video recordings;
World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American; United States. Army Air Corps
Born in Racine, Wisconsin, Donald Brazones enlisted into the Army Air Corps at the age of 18 in retaliation to the Japanese’s bombing of Pearl Harbor. Brazones trained to be a navigator and was sent to England to fly missions over Europe. On...
Oral history; Veterans History Project (U.S.); United States--History, Military; Michigan--History, Military; Veterans; Video recordings; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American; United States. Navy
Fred Burgess is a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Navy from June 23, 1944 to May 16, 1946. During the course of the interview he discusses in great detail his pre-enlistment, enlistment/basic training experience, and active duty in the...
Oral history; Veterans History Project (U.S.); United States--History, Military; Michigan--History, Military; Veterans; Video recordings;
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American; United States. Marine Corps
Clyde Westra was born in Grand Haven, MI in 1948. He dropped out of high school to join the Marine Corps at the age of 17. Clyde was initially trained and worked in Vietnam as a Combat Engineer, but was shipped to Danang and trained to be a radio...
Oral history; Veterans History Project (U.S.); United States--History, Military; Michigan--History, Military; Veterans; Video recordings; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American; United States. Army
Joseph Borst was drafted into the United States Army during World War II. He was sent to Europe after going through training and fought in France, Germany, and Luxembourg. Joseph spent about 6 months in Europe and had two different machine gun...
Oral history; Veterans History Project (U.S.); United States--History, Military; Michigan--History, Military; Veterans; Video recordings; Persian Gulf War, 1991--Personal narratives, American; United States. Marine Corps
Don King served in the Marine Corps during the Cold War and Gulf War years. He served overseas in the Philippines and Japan during his original tour in the early 1980s, as well as in the U.S. He joined the reserves and was mobilized for the Gulf...
Oral history; Veterans History Project (U.S.); United States--History, Military; Michigan--History, Military; Veterans; Video recordings; Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American; United States. Marine Corps;
Duane Ritsema was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and enlisted in the Marine Corps on March 3, 1964 because he had wanted to avoid being drafted into the Army. Duane went through basic training for 3 months and then spent 1 month in advanced...
Oral history; Veterans History Project (U.S.); United States--History, Military; Michigan--History, Military; Veterans; Video recordings; Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American; Other veterans & civilians--Personal narratives,...
Arlen Dove is a Vietnam and Cold War Era veteran who served with the Military Police Corps in the U.S. Army, in which he served in active service from 1968 to 1971. In this account, Dove discusses his pre-enlistment, enlistment and training in the...
Oral history; Veterans History Project (U.S.); United States--History, Military; Michigan--History, Military; Veterans; Video recordings; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American; United States. Army;
Donald Yondo is a World War II veteran who served with the 25th Division, U.S. Army as part of the occupational forces in Japan in late 1945 for a period of eighteen months. In this account, Yondo discusses his pre-enlistment, enlistment and basic...
Oral history; Veterans History Project (U.S.); United States--History, Military; Michigan--History, Military; Veterans; Video recordings; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American; United States. Army Air Corps
Basil Morris was born in Allegan, Michigan and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Basil joined the Air Corp following the attacks on Pearl Harbor, and went through the requisite training to fly B-24s. He was eventually sent to...
Oral history; Veterans History Project (U.S.); United States--History, Military; Michigan--History, Military; Veterans; Video recordings; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American; United States. Army Air Corps
Richard Paul was born in Hannibal, Missouri, and served in the Army Air Corps in World War II. Richard was sent to train in various locations throughout the United States on the B-24 bomber. He was eventually sent to the South Pacific, where he...
Sargent, Nathan, 1794-1875; Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874; Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852; Whig Party (U.S.); United States--Politics and government--19th century; United States--Officials and employees
Letter detailing Fillmore's assessment of a letter sent from Daniel Webster to Captain Jewett.
Sargent, Nathan, 1794-1875; Fillmore, Millard, 1800-1874; Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852; Clayton, John M. (John Middleton), 1796-1856; Whig Party (U.S.); United States--Politics and government--19th century; United States--Officials and employees;...
Letter detailing Fillmore's denouncement a letter sent without his approval by Daniel Webster, and his attempt to discover how the error occurred.
Sargent, Nathan, 1794-1875; Clayton, John M. (John Middleton), 1796-1856; Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852; Clay, Henry, 1777-1852; Whig Party (U.S.); United States--Politics and government--19th century; United States--Officials and employees
Letter requesting Sargent's advice on the possible nomination of John M. Clayton for a cabinet position.
Sargent, Nathan, 1794-1875; Clayton, John M. (John Middleton), 1796-1856; Whig Party (U.S.); United States--Politics and government--19th century; United States--Officials and employees;
Letter expressing Clayton's fear that he may have heart disease. Clayton also expresses disappointment at not being able to see Sargent.
Sargent, Nathan, 1794-1875; Wright, John Crafts, 1783-1861; Harrison, William Henry, 1773-1841; Clay, Henry, 1777-1852; Whig Party (U.S.); United States--Politics and government--19th century; United States--Officials and employees; Cincinnati...
Letter discussing the formation of President-elect William Henry Harrison's cabinet.
Sargent, Nathan, 1794-1875; Clayton, John M. (John Middleton), 1796-1856; Whig Party (U.S.); United States--Politics and government--19th century; United States--Officials and employees;
Letter containing a cryptic prediction, possibly of the Civil War, that, “something extraordinary is in the wind.” Clayton also asks Sargent to arrange room and board for him in the summer.
Sargent, Nathan, 1794-1875; Clayton, John M. (John Middleton), 1796-1856; Whig Party (U.S.); United States--Politics and government--19th century; United States--Officials and employees; Compromise of 1850; United States. Congress
Letter expressing Clayton's concern over growing sectionalism, and his belief that the Compromise of 1850 only worsened matters. Clayton also references the events known as “Bleeding Kansas”, and notes an opinion that several states may secede.
