Military oral history collectionMS.0510

Military oral history collectionMS.0510


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Virginia Military Institute Archives

VMI Archives
Preston Library
Lexington, VA 24450
Business Number: 540-464-7516
archives@vmi.edu
URL: http://www.vmi.edu/archives

Repository
Virginia Military Institute Archives
Identification
MS.0510
Title
Military oral history collection 2003-2014
Quantity
12 cubic feet
Creator
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
Location
Manuscripts stacks
Language
English .

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

Manuscript collections in the VMI Archives are made available for educational and research use. The VMI Archives should be cited as the source. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any copyright holders. Materials from our collections may not be redistributed, published or reproduced without permission from the VMI Archives. Contact the VMI Archives for additional information.

Conditions Governing Access

A small number of interviews carry donor access restrictions. Most are available without restriction.

Online Access

The bulk of this collection is available online.

Preferred Citation

[Name of Interviewee] Interview, Military oral history collection, 2003-2014. MS 0510. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.


Biographical / Historical

The Military Oral History Project was orginally an initiative of VMI's John A. Adams '71 Center for Military History and Strategic Analysis. The Center's first Director, Kip Muir (served 2002-2011) initiated the oral history program, in which VMI cadets interviewed veterans as part of their military history coursework. Subsequent cadet-conducted interviews were overseen by the Center's second Director, Bradley L. Coleman.

In addition, a 2015 collaborate effort between Coleman and journalist Lisa Tracy resulted in a number of interviews conducted by Tracy with VMI World War II alumni.

Scope and Contents

This oral history collection spans the World War II era through recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. One interview (Frank Buckles) covers World War I service. The majority of the interviews were conducted by VMI cadets taking courses in military history. The interview files and recordings are housed in the VMI Archives.

Subjects and Indexing Terms


Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

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Significant Places Associated With the Collection

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Container List

World War II interviews by Lisa Tracy
Tracy, Lisa (Elizabeth Kilbourne)2014-2015English.
Scope and Contents

This series consists of transcripts of oral history interviews conducted in 2014 to 2015 with VMI alumni who served during World War II. The interviewer is journalist Lisa Tracy. These interviews contain information about cadet life during the War, as well as wartime service of individuals.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This addition to the oral history collection was received from Lisa Tracy in 2015.

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Oral history project, HI-393
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military HistoryTracy, Lisa (Elizabeth Kilbourne)
1.3 Gigabytes
2015English.
Scope and Contents

This series consists of oral histories of World War II era VMI alumni conducted by cadets taking History 393, World War II, taught by Lieutenant Colonel Bradley L. Coleman (Fall 2015). The interviews cover cadet experiences from the era as well as military service.

Conditions Governing Access

These interviews are not available online. Please contact the VMI Archives for information about accessing this material.

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World War II
English.
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Korean War
English.
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Vietnam War
English.
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Persian Gulf War
English.
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Afghan War and Iraq War
English.
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Keith R. Anderson interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (12 pages) and audio (duration 00:04:13)
2010 October 3English.
Biographical / Historical

Keith R. Anderson served as an active duty Marine Corps officer for eleven years (1980-1992). During his career he flew the H-53 Sea Stallion helicopter, and in addition, spent four years as a Marine One pilot (HMX, presidential helicopter squadron) during the Reagan and Bush administrations. Since leaving military service, Anderson has worked as a jet pilot in corporate aviation.

Thomas P. Arendes interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (14 pages) and audio (duration 00:02:34)
2008 September 23English.
Biographical / Historical

Thomas Arendes joined the United States Navy following his graduation from high school in 2006. At the time of this interview he was an Electrician's Mate, 3rd Class, in the nuclear field, and was serving on the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).

Scope and Contents

This interview covers Thomas P. Arendes' service to date and in particular his training as a nuclear operator.

Kenneth W. Baity interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (21 pages) and audio (duration 00:01:53)
2008 September 27English.
Biographical / Historical

Kenneth W. Baity served in the United States Navy on the USS Sam Houston (SSBN-609). His enlisted rate was Machinist Mate/Engineering Laboratory Technician Nuclear.

Brandon A. Bissell interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (10 pages) and audio (duration 00:02:38)
2007 February 16English.
Biographical / Historical

Brandon A. Bissell accepted a commission in the United States Army following his graduation from VMI in 1998. He served with the 101st Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, flying Black Hawk helicopters. He also has been a company Executive Officer, platoon leader, S-1 and S-3. Bissell subsequently spent two years in Korea.

Marti J. Bissell interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (13 pages)
2007 February 2English.
Biographical / Historical

Lieutenant Colonel Marti J. Bissell commissioned in the United States Army in 1988. She trained as a helicopter test pilot and has served on active duty in Korea, Germany, and Fort Riley, Kansas.

Charles F. Brower IV interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (13 pages)
2005 March 2English.
Scope and Contents

This interview covers Charles F. Brower IV's service as Army Aide to President Ronald Reagan from 1982 to 1984.

Biographical / Historical

Brigadier General Charles F. Brower, IV served in the United States Army from 1969 to 2001, serving in: United States Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR) RVN Continental United States in the 4th Armored Division, 101st Airborne Division, 24th Infantry Division (Mech), and 23rd Infanty Division Cavalry Troop Commander, RVN, from 1971 to 1972 Brower was an Professor, departments of History and Behavior Sciences and Leadership, at the United States Military Academy. He also served as Deputy Superintendent and Dean of the Faculty at VMI from 2001 to 2008.

Kenneth R. Brown interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (5 pages)
2005 February 24English.
Biographical / Historical

Lieutenant Kenneth R. Brown enlisted in the Navy in 1994. He received a four-year Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship to Norwich University and received his commission in 1999. He has served as a Surface Warfare Officer.

Frank W. Buckles interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (8 pages) and audio (duration 00:01:41)
2010 February 27English.
Biographical / Historical

Frank Woodruff Buckles was born in 1901 and grew up on a farm in Missouri. He enlisted age 16 and joined the United States Army Ambulance Corps, arriving in France a few months before the end of World War I. At the beginning of World War II he was working as a civilian in the Philippines when he was captured by the Japanese and held in a prisoner of war camp for more than three years.

Steven E. Day interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (48 pages) and audio (duration 00:01:42)
2010 February 6English.
Biographical / Historical

Rear Admiral Steven E. Day enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1967 and received his commission in 1979. His long career has included numerous posting stateside and overseas.

James Eicher interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (16 pages)
2005 October 17English.
Scope and Contents

This interview covers James Eicher's experience flying the OV-10 and the AV-8 ("The Harrier"), and his thoughts on military flight technology.

Biographical / Historical

Colonel Eicher served with the United States Marine Corps for 26 years as an aviator, commissioning in November 1970.

Steven V. Ferguson interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (16 pages)
2006 February 10English.
Scope and Contents

This interview covers Steven V. Ferguson's United States Navy career.

Biographical / Historical

Steven V. Ferguson served with the United States Navy, four years active and two years reserve. He served on the USS Gearing (DD-710).

Victoria P. Friedensen interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (9 pages) and audio (duration 00:02:16)
2010 October 5English.
Biographical / Historical

Victoria P. Friedensen holds an Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina and and Master of Science from Virginia Tech. Her career has included positions at the National Academy of Science and the National Academy of Engineering. At the time of this interview, Friedensen was a civilian employee at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), where she was the acting program manager of the Lunar Precursor Robotic Program.

John D. Gober interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (20 pages) and audio (duration 00:03:28)
2008 October 12English.
Biographical / Historical

John D. Gober, M.D., served as a United States Navy flight surgeon.

Scope and Contents

This interview covers John D. Gober's various training and assignment experiences.

Paul F. Gorman interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
4 items Transcript (47 pages); audio part one (duration 00:59:54); audio part two (duration 00:59:54); audio part three (duration 00:51:51)
2014 May 26English.
Scope and Contents

This interview concentrates on United States and Latin American security relations during the Ronald Reagan administration.

Biographical / Historical

Paul F. Gorman is a retired United States Army General whose active duty spanned an enlistment in the United States Navy toward the end of World War II, graduation from West Point in 1950, three years of infantry combat in Korea and Vietnam, and two decades of assignments in the upper echelons of the Pentagon.

William R. Grace interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (17 pages)
2005 February 6English.
Biographical / Historical

Colonel William R. Grace was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1981. Upon completion of the Basic School he reported to Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, for flight training and was designated a Naval Aviator in 1983. He received his initial AH-1J training with Marine Helicopter Training Squadron 303 at Camp Pendleton, California. During his distingished career, Grace has served with numerous Marine Corps Helicopter Squadrons, including Marine Helicopter Squadron One, which supports White House missions worldwide. He led presidential detachments on four continents while serving under presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

Chris Gray interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (13 pages)
2006 March 3English.
Scope and Contents

This interview covers Chris Gray's military education and career through 2006.

Biographical / Historical

Lieutenant Chris Gray graduated from the Naval Academy in 2001. He subsequently reported to Nuclear Power School and then went to Prototype in Charleston, South Carolina. He was first assigned to the USS Tennessee (SSBN-734) in Kings Bay, Georgia. Gray spent three years on board the USS Tennessee and was an instructor with VMI's Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program.

George F. Hafkemeyer interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (28 pages) and audio (duration 00:03:12)
2010 March 10English.
Biographical / Historical

Colonel George F. Hafkemeyer served for 30 years in the United States Army as a an officer in the areas of maintenance, material management, and logistics. In addition to his stateside assignments, he served overseas in Germany, Kuwait, and Sweden.

Evan T. Hanks interviews
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
3 items First interview transcript (7 pages); Second interview transcript (13 pages) and audio (duration 00:02:19)
2005-2007English.
Biographical / Historical

At the time of this interview, Evan T. Hanks, VMI Class of 2007, served with the 192nd Maintenance Squadron, Virginia Air National Guard as an aircraft structural mechanic and corrosion control journeyman.

Scope and Contents

These two interviews cover Evan T. Hanks' experiences working on F-15s and F-16s.

Alexis Hart interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (15 pages)
2006 February 22English.
Scope and Contents

This interview covers Alexis Hart experiences on board the USS Essex (LHD 2).

Biographical / Historical

Alexis Hart commissioned with the United States Navy in May 1993. From August 1993 to April 1994 she was a student at the Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, Georgia. From May 1994 to June 1997, she served as Division Officer on board the USS Essex (LHD 2), and was first woman assigned to an amphibious ship. From July 1997 to June 1999, Hart served as Instructor at the Navy Supply Corps School.

Maurice B. Hill, Jr. interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (10 pages)
2006 February 21English.
Biographical / Historical

Rear Admiral Maurice B. Hill, Jr. served in the United States Navy Dental Corps on both active duty and in the reserves.

Alvin N. Hockaday interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military HistoryGallahan, Maxwell R.
1 items DVD
2019 July 17English.
Biographical / Historical

Seargeant Major Alvin N. Hockaday, United States Marine Corps (Retired), was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. After completing high school in 1960, he enlisted in the Marine Corps where he was trained as a Marksmanship Instructor and Rifle Team Member. In 1965, Hockaday served his first tour of duty in Vietnam until he was wounded in 1966. From 1966 to 1968 he served as an instructor at the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School. He returned to Vietnam in 1968 and was wounded again in 1969.

Hockaday returned to the United States in 1974 and was assigned as the first enlisted Marine Instructor at the VMI. In 1977 he was assigned to The Marine Corps Ceremonial Units at Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. Following his retirment from the Marine Corps in 1990, Hockaday became the first Seargeant Major to the Corps of Cadets at VMI, a position he held until 2003.

Donald B. Holt interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (15 pages) and audio (duration 00:01:26)
2008 October 13English.
Biographical / Historical

Donald B. Holt enlisted in the United States Navy in 1971 and after boot camp trained in electronics and nuclear power. He served as a reactor operator on the submarine USS Billfish (SSN 676), and subsequently was an instructor in a nuclear power training unit. Holt received his honorable discharge in 1979 after serving almost nine years.

Vernon C. Honsinger interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (12 pages)
2005 February 6English.
Biographical / Historical

Captain Vernon C. Honsinger enlisted in the Navy in 1951 and served for 30 years. Among his many assignments were those of Operations Officer and Chief Engineer on the USS Laffey (DD 724) in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, and Weapons Officer and Assistant Engineering Officer on the USS Seadragon (SSN 584), Pacific Ocean.

Rodney A. Hottle interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (12 pages) and audio (duration 00:03:13)
2007 February 18English.
Biographical / Historical

Rodney A. Hottle, VMI Class of 1976, served in the United States Air Force from 1977 to 2003. He was a Missile Officer from 1977 to 1996 and subsequently transferred into Services.

Reed Johnson interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (21 pages) and audio (duration 01:04:19)
2006 August 24English.
Biographical / Historical

Dr. Reed Johnson graduated from VMI in 1953 with a degree in physics. After completing post-graduate work at the Oak Ridge School of Reactor Technology (ORSORT), he was employed by Electric Boat and was involved in testing and designing radiation shields for the earliest nuclear submarines, including the Nautilus (SSN 571) and the Seawolf. He subsequently worked in many other nuclear projects during the 1950s, including the United States Army Package Power Reactor.

Kristopher G. Kowalczyk interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (7 pages) and audio (duration 00:01:39)
2007 March 1English.
Biographical / Historical

Kristopher G. Kowalczyk was born in 1982 and enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17. He trained as an ammunition specialist and subsequently went to flight school, becoming an Apache helicopter pilot. Among his assignments was a 12 month deployment to Kosovo, Serbia.

Daryl Laninga interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (8 pages)
2005 February 16English.
Scope and Contents

This interview covers Daryl Laninga's service in the United States Marine Corps through 2005.

Biographical / Historical

Major Daryl Laninga joined the United States Marine Corps in 1983. He served as an enlisted infantryman (mortar man) for nine and a years, commissioned via the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program in 1992.

Jerome Leugers interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (13 pages) and audio (duration 00:01:13)
2010 October 13English.
Biographical / Historical

Lieutenant Commander (retired) Jerome Leugers commissioned in the United States Navy 1973 and spent his career as a naval aviator, flying the C-1, Saberline, C-9, and A-6. He served on active duty for ten years and subsequently in the reserves, retiring after 20 years.

Mark G. Martin interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (16 pages) and audio (duration 00:02:04)
2007 March 9English.
Scope and Contents

This interview covers Mark G. Martin's career through 2006.

Biographical / Historical

Commander Mark G. Martin commissioned in the United States Navy in April 1985 and earned his Aviator wings in June 1986.

Robert McMasters interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (13 pages)
2006 February 23English.
Scope and Contents

This interview covers Robert McMasters' naval career.

Biographical / Historical

Commander Robert McMasters served with the United States Navy on the USS Will Rogers (SSBN 659) as division officer from September 1979 to June 1982. From June 1982 to June 1984 he served as the S1W Prototype leading engineering officer of the watch, Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Robert P. McMullen interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (13 pages) and audio (duration 00:01:51)
2008 October 6English.
Biographical / Historical

Robert P. McMullen enlisted in the United States Marines in December 2000 and served for four years. He was assigned to the Legal Services Support Section (LSSS) and the unit was deployed to Kuwait from 2002 to 2003.

Thomas B. Moncure interviews
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items First interview transcript (23 pages); Second interview transcript (10 pages)
2005-2007English.
Biographical / Historical

Colonel Thomas B. Moncure, VMI Class of 1972, commissioned into the United States Air Force in 1972 through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program at VMI. He graduated from pilot training in May 1973 and he served as a command pilot with over 3150 flying hours in B-52, T-38, FB-111A, F-111F, and B-1 aircraft. His other assignments included that of Deputy Director of Plans and Programs, Headquarters United States Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and Commander and Professor of Aerospace Studies at Air Force ROTC Det 880, VMI. Moncure retired from the Air Force in 2002.

James M. Morgan, Jr. interview transcript
Dittrich, James F.2006
This is a typescript. There is no accompanying audio recording.
English.
Scope and Contents

Transcript of interview with James M. Morgan, Jr., VMI Class of 1945. The interview covers Morgan's years during World War II at VMI and in the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps (ERC), recollections about graduate school work, and his early teaching career at VMI. The bulk of the discussion covers the years 1941 to 1957.

Biographical / Historical

James M. Morgan, Jr. (1923-2021) was a member of the VMI Class of 1945. He subsequently received a PhD in civil engineering from Johns Hopkins University. He spend 38 years at VMI as a professor and later head of the Civil Engineering Department. Morgan then served as Dean of the Faculty and retured from VMI in 1984.

John L. Neel interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (13 pages)
2005 October 17English.
Biographical / Historical

John L. Neel joined the United States Army in 1976 and was trained as a Parachute Infantryman. His first assignment was with the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg North Carolina. He served over 15 years with the 505th in a variety of positons. He has served three tours with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Izmir, Turkey as an Operations Sergeant, and s the Senior Enlisted Advisor and Sergeant Major for Joint Command Southeast.

Neel also served for two years on Her Majesty's service as Platoon Sergeant, 8 Platoon, 1st Battalion, British Parachute Regiment. From July 1997 to July 2000 he served as Sergeant Major of the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Department at VMI.

Neel's deployments include: 1983: Grenada 1992: Joint Task Force 6 along the New Mexico/Mexico border 1995: Operation Harvest Bear in Panama to quell the riots in the Cuban refugee camps September 2000: Kosovo as the Operations Sergeant, J3, Headquarters Kosovo Force (KFOR)-4

Laura E. Niebel interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (14 pages) and audio (duration 00:02:39)
2007 February 21English.
Scope and Contents

This interview covers Laura E. Niebel's United States Navy career up to 2007, including details about training and deployments.

Biographical / Historical

Laura E. Niebel graduated from George Washington University and commissioned in the United States Navy in 1999. At the time of this interview she was a helicopter pilot (SH-60B Seahawk) and had been deployed twice to the Arabian Gulf.

Eugene Ostlund interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (9 pages)
2006 April 6English.
Scope and Contents

This interview covers Eugene Ostlund's United States Navy career through 1965.

Biographical / Historical

Eugene Ostlund enlisted in the United States Navy in 1940, went through boot camp at Great Lakes, and qualified for a Class A school, attending Aviation Metalsmith School in Pensacola, Florida. He was subsequently sent to Naval Air Station, North Island, where he stayed until 1943, and was then transferred to a carrier aircraft service unit. He later qualified for the Navy V-12 program and enrolled in the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota and the University of Michigan.

In 1947 he was commissioned an ensign in the regular Navy. He served: On board the USS St. Paul (CA 73) On the staff of the Commander Seventh Fleet operating in Korean waters On board the USS Gearing (DD 710), a destroyer which operated in the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean where he was the communication officer and the operations officer Onboard the USS Haas (DE 424) As Commanding Officer of the USS Lansing (DER 328) Upon completion of the tour of duty on the USS Lansing, Ostlund was assigned to the Command and Staff College of the Air Force Air University in Maxwell Field in Montgomery, Alabama. He was then assigned to the Defense Communication Agency in Washington, D.C.

Valerie Overstreet interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (16 pages) and audio (duration 00:03:17)
2008 October 13English.
Biographical / Historical

Valerie Overstreet graduated from Virginia Tech in 1991. While at Tech, she was a member of the Corps of Cadets on a United States Navy scholarship. After commissioning and initial flight training, she selected carrier aviation and was assigned to the E-2C. Overstreet has also served as an instructor pilot and studied at the Naval War College. At the time of this interview she was the second female Commanding Officer in the history of United States Navy combat aviation.

Stephen D. Patchin interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (11 pages) and audio (duration 00:02:15)
2008 October 3English.
Biographical / Historical

Stephen D. Patchin grew up in Wisconsin and joined the United States Navy in 1958 at the age of 18. He served until 1979 in the field of aviation maintenance. After his retirement from the Navy, he continued to work in naval aviation mechanics and planning as a civilian contractor.

Robert C. Peniston interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (96 pages)
2005 January 12
Biographical / Historical

Captain Robert C. Peniston served 10 sea tours on nine ships. He commanded the USS Savage, USS Tattnall, and USS Albany. He was navigator of the Presidential yacht Williamsburg from 1951 to 1952 and served seven shore tours, officer distribution (two tours), Bureau of Naval Personnel (two tours) and was Director of Naval Education Development Staff of Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET).

Scope and Contents

This interview covers Robert C. Peniston's time aboard the USS Savage, USS Tattnall, USS New Jersey, USS Albany, and the Presidential yacht Williamsburg.

Mark D. Pistochini interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (16 pages)
2005 October 4
Scope and Contents

This interview covers Mark D. Pistochini's experiences in Atsugi, Japan.

Biographical / Historical

Commander Mark D. Pistochini served with the United States Navy from June 26, 1968 through September 1, 1996, and retired as a Commander (OS). He served as a Communications Intelligence Evaluator (COMEVAL) with the United States Naval Security Group, Detachment Atsugi, Japan from March 1978 through August 1981. He accrued over 2,000 hours in the VA-1 EP-3 aircraft.

Russell Rivers interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (21 pages) and audio (duration 00:02:22)
2008 March 4
Biographical / Historical

Lieutenant Colonel Russell Rivers graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1982 and commissioned in the United States Air Force. He received his Naval Aviator wings in 1984. Rivers has flown several type/model/series aircraft, ranging from turboprop trainers to rotary wing and jet aircraft, accumulating over 3600 hours of flight time as of this interview date.

Frederick C. Rody Interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (5 pages) and audio (duration 00:01:50)
2007 March 5
Scope and Contents

This interview covers Frederick C. Rody's 23 years of experience in United States Marine Corps aviation.

Biographical / Historical

Lieutenant Colonel Frederick C. Rody entered the United States Marine Corps in 1983 and spent 12 years on active duty and 11 years in the Reserves. He trained as a pilot and flew the F-18.

William B. Rutherford interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (9 pages) and audio (duration 00:02:06)
2008 October 11
Biographical / Historical

William B. Rutherford grew up in Cape May, New Jersey and joined the United States Marine Corps in 1953. After three years in the Marines, he transferred to the United States Navy and attended nuclear power school. Rutherford saw duty on several nuclear powered subs, serving as a chief electrician. He retired after 20 years of military service.

Ross Schmoll interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (43 pages)
2004 February 13
Biographical / Historical

Ross Schmoll commissioned into the United States Air Force in 1959 after graduating from Cornell University, rising to the rank of Colonel before retiring in the late 1980s. Assignments included: B-47 B-58 crew member F-11 crew member (radar navigator bombardier) stationed at Royal Air Force Upper Hayford (England) and subsequently in Thailand Deputy commander for maintenance, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina (four squadrons of F-4Es) Director of maintenance at the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) Assistant Director of Logistics at USAFE Defense Logistics Agency

Anthony Shea interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (13 pages)
2005 February 25
Scope and Contents

This interview covers Anthony Shea's United States Air Force career from 1985 to 2005.

Biographical / Historical

Major Anthony Shea served in the United States Air Force from 1985 to 1994 as: A security forces specialist An officer with the chief computer support section Wide area network program manager Internet protocol engineer Chief military telephone command and control Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies for Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), Virginia Military Institute

Jared Smith interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (13 pages) and audio (duration 00:01:42)
2008 October 9
Biographical / Historical

Lieutenant Jared Smith received a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering and commissioned into the United States Navy through Officer Candidate School (OCS). After completing Navy Nuclear Power School and other courses, he was assigned as a submarine officer on the USS Maryland (SSBN 738). He was subsequently assigned to Virginia Military Institute's Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) unit (December 2006 to February 2009).

Dennis Stone interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (10 pages)
2005 March 2
Scope and Contents

This interview covers Dennis Stone's time in Germany and at the Arctic Test Center, Alaska.

Biographical / Historical

Dennis Stone commissioned into the United States Army in June 1970 and was assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia for the Infantry Basic Officer Course (IOBC), Airborne Ranger. From June 1971 to May 1973 he served with the 1148IMF as 3rd Armored Division Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, and Detachment Commander. From May 1973 to December 1974 he served at the Arctic Test Center at Fort Greely, Alaska, where he tested cold weather equipment and commanded troops involved in testing. Other assignments included the New Jersey Army National Guard, the Virginia National Guard, and the 11th Special Forces Group. Stone retired in June 1973 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Robert W. Todd II interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (12 pages)
2006 February 18
Scope and Contents

This interview covers Robert W. Todd II's service on the USS George Washington (CVN 73).

Biographical / Historical

Robert Walston Todd II, United States Navy, has served on the USS George Washington (CVN-73) as a Reactor Operator, Electronics Technician 2nd Class since September 2004. He attended A-School and Power School in Charleston, South Carolina from January 2003 to 2004 and Nuclear Prototype School in Ballston Spa, New York from February 2004 to August 2004.

James O. Tubbs interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (18 pages)
2005 October 12
Biographical / Historical

Colonel James O. Tubbs commissioned into the United States Air Force in 1980 and has served as the following: 1983-1986: Standardization and Evaluation Pilot at the 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina 1987-1989: Flight Commander and Instructor Pilot, 496th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Hahn Air Base, Germany 1989-1993: Instructor Pilot and Assistant Operations Officer, 314th Fighter Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona 1995-1997: Operations Officer and Chief of Strategy Division, 32nd Air Operations Squadron 1997-1999: Squadron Operations Officer and Special Assistant to the Operations Group Commander, 31st Fighter Wing 1999-2001: Air Staff Action Officer and Deputy Chief of Joint Issues Division for Air Force Quadrennial Defense Review 2002-2004: Senior Military Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Resources and Plans, acting as advisor for all Air Force program, budget and acquisition issues Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy at the Pentagon, Washington D.C.

Colin S. Turnnidge II interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (14 pages) and audio (duration 00:01:58)
2010 February 25
Biographical / Historical

Major Colin S. Turnnidge II enlisted in the United States Army in May 1980 and trained as a Special Forces combat medic. He served on active duty for three years with the 7th Special Forces Group, deploying to Central America. He subsequently served 10 months in the Special Forces Reserves (11th Group) before leaving the service. He reenlisted in 1991 and served with the 3rd Group, attending Physicians Assistant School, and receiving a direct commission in 1995. Turnnidge served as a physician assistant until his retirement in 2006.

Darrell G. Van Ness interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (18 pages)
2004 June 7
Biographical / Historical

Darrell G. Van Ness began his service as a United States Army private in 1978, completing his basic training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) in Armor School at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. He went on to Ft. Bliss, Texas to 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR) and was assigned to 3rd ACR F Troop. From 1980 to 1981 Van Ness was stationed in Garlstedt, Germany, in the AD4, and from 1981 to 1984 he served with the 3rd and 7th Cavalry B Troop.

Clifford L. J. Wade interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
2 items Transcript (19 pages) and audio (duration 00:01:35)
2008 October 9
Biographical / Historical

Commander Clifford L. J. Wade grew up in Ohio and graduated from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio). He commissioned into the United States Navy and became a Naval Flight Officer, spending 21 years of his 27 year career outside of the continental United States (Hawaii, Bermuda, Japan, Spain, and England). His last duty station was at the Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NROTC) unit at Virginia Military Institute.

R. Kurt Zeppenfeld interview
Virginia Military Institute. Adams Center for Military History
1 items Transcript (5 pages)
2005 March 2
Scope and Contents

This interview covers R. Kurt Zeppenfeld's experiences in Pusan, Korea.

Biographical / Historical

R. Kurt Zeppenfeldserved with the United States Marine Corps from 1977 to 1981 and with the United States Naval Reserve.