Dated December 27th, 1978. A letter from Curtis Harnack, Executive Director of Yaddo, to Louise Kertesz in regard to duplicating the two group photos of Rukeyser at Yaddo.
Dated January 25th, 1979. A letter from Monica McCall at ICM to Louise Kertesz stating that Rukeyser liked the title of Louise’s book, and that she should be out of the hospital in a week to ten days.
Dated January 10th, 1979. A letter from Eric J. Carpenter to Louise Kertesz. Carpenter gives letters and microfiche to Louise Kertesz due to receiving permission from Monica McCall. Attached, another letter dated January 17th, from Eric J. Carpenter to LK. States that the letters 'crossed in the mail’. Carpenter had sent copies of Rukeyser’s letters on the 9th, and hopes Louise has received them by now. Louise did not request the microfilm of her manuscripts. Both letters from the University of New York at Buffalo.
Dated January 4th, 1979. A letter from Monica McCall at ICM (International Creative Management) to Eric Carpenter, Acting Curator of Poetry Collection at SUNY Buffalo, New York.. Authorizes Louise Kertesz to use letters from the poetry collection in her book. Some handwritten notes are on the paper.
Dated August 23rd. 1978. A typed letter from Miriam M. Reik to Louise Kertesz. Miriam M. Reik, a former student of Rukeyser at Sarah Lawrence recalls Rukeyser’s”unorthodox: but “entirely common sensical” teaching style. She provides one example when the class was assigned Blake’s poetry: “When we came to class, presumably having read it, Muriel asked us to write a description of Newton on the spot. Surprised by the instructions, most of the students set about the task armed with a set of predictable ideas: Newton meant reason as opposed to imagination, science as opposed to poetry; Blake was a mystic and disliked Newton and said so; scientists like Newton looked a certain bespeckled way, and so on. So most of us described an appropriately dry, professorial-looking Newton in this impromptu exercise. When we finished, Muriel managed to jiggle all of these simplicities out of our heads, merely by passing around Blake’s painting of Newton, in which he looks rather like a Greek God, preoccupied with the wonderful symmetries of geometry. This strategy did not solve the question of the relations between science and poetry, and it did not offer a specific interpretation of Blake, but for anyone with half a brain, it set you down a new track, gave you new access to the poems, and broke down what Muriel has called ‘the resistances’ to the work of the imagination.”
Dated January 2nd, 1979. A typed letter from Phyllis Leith to Louise Kertesz, writing on behalf of Denise Levertov. Levertov gives Louise Kertesz permission to use her quotes in her book, and brings up that two of her poems in Sorrow Dance, “The Unknown” and “Joy” are related to Muriel Rukeyser’s work.
Dated July 10th, 1978. A typed letter from Jane Cooper to Louise Kertesz. Cooper apologizes for replying to the letter so late, and expresses elation that Louise Kertesz is writing a book about Rukeyser. The letter suggests names of former Rukeyser students to contact. “Muriel’s writing has always meant an enormous amount to me. She was the first contemporary woman poet I read, when I was 13 or 14 … Later, in the 50s & 60s, we taught together at Sarah Lawrence. Her course then was the “Orlando” course–a marvelous, unorthodox history of English literature, which used the Woolf work as a sort of frame, read both at the beginning & end of the year. and some checks are next to the names of the sources. Some handwritten notes are also on the letter.
Dated November 7th, Unknown Year. A handwritten letter from Jane Cooper to Louise Kertesz. Cooper talks about a Writer’s Conference: A Day in Honor of Muriel Rukeyser that she hopes Kertesz will attend. Cooper regrets not having any photographs of Muriel. Letter is underlined in red (by LK) in some places.
Dated December 21st, Unknown Year. A typed letter from Gloria Bowles, University of California, to Louise Kertesz.. Bowles has included a mention of Kertesz’s book on Rukeyser in a review essay for Signs.
Dated August 3rd, 1977. A typed letter from the literary agent Richard Balkin. Balkin declines becoming the literary agent of Louise Kertesz, however, he does suggest that the book will find a publisher, and brings up another company. Some handwritten notes, including the name of another agent, are added. The letter is also underlined in parts.
Dated June 23rd, 1976. A typed letter from William Phillips of Partisan Review to Louise Kertesz: “It’s difficult to answer your questions since they all seem to have some hidden assumptions.”
Dated January 6th, 1978. Copy of a typed letter from Richard Eberhart to Beverly Jarrett, executive editor of Louisiana University Press. Louise Kertesz is CC’D. Contains a Eberhart’s blurb for Kertesz’s forthcoming book. Also contains Eberhart’s handwritten notes to Kertesz.
Dated August 1st, 1976. A handwritten letter from Kenneth Rexroth to Louise Kertesz, in which he agrees to write the preface to her book on MR (The Poetic Vision of Muriel Rukeyser) and discusses Rukeyser’’s relation to the San Francisco Renascence and the Beats: “She didn't associate much with other poets but she was a good friend of mine & of Duncan’s. Patchen had even less to do with the locals. The Beats publicity machine has obliterated the SF ‘renascence’--and, of course, they have no real connection with SF–they are New Yorkers. If Muriel wants to be connected with them, she’s crazy. I have spent 20 years trying to get them off my neck and out of my hair. She is an infinitely better poet than any of the Beats….
Dated October 13th, 1978. A typed aeromail from Clive Bush to Louise Kertesz, providing the full reference to his 1977 essay “Muriel Rukeyser: the poet as scientific biographer.”
Dated April 6th, 1976, a typed letter from MIT professor Cyril Stanley Smith to Louise Kertesz in response to her inquiries about Willard Gibbs and The Traces of Thomas Harriot: “You ask about scientists’ views on W. G. Frankly, I have never met one who liked it. Most of them think that it is not the biography of a scientist. For all of its studies of incoming and outreaching influences, it fails to catch the intellectual experience of the scientist in finding and clarifying his problem and doesn't distinguish between the moments of insight and the hard work of verification and transmission” (underlined in red by LK). Suggests that both WG and The Traces “are somewhat questionable if they are judged by the standards of down-to-earth well disciplined science or history of science, and they may even me [sic] a bit unreliable as biography.” Suggests that the two books need to be supplemented by more critical scientific biographies.The letters are underlined and have handwritten notes by Louise Kertesz.
Dated April 12th, 1976, a typed letter from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) professor Dirk Jan Struik to Louise Kertesz, in response to her inquiries about Muriel Rukeyser’s Willard Gibbs: “I never read Muriel Rukeyser’s book on Willard Gibbs, but did read that one on Thomas Harriot. This was some years ago, and I only remember off hand the general impression it made on me, namely that I got little out of it.”
Dated December 13th, 1978. A typed letter from John Cheever to Louise Kertesz, talking about a photograph from Yaddo with Muriel in it. Also contains some handwritten notes by Louise Kertesz.
Dated September 20th, 1978. A typed letter from MH (Mary Hayne) to Louise Kertesz North recounting North’s experience in a class held by Muriel Rukeyser. Entitled: “Come To Your Shell: Muriel Rukeyser from the eyes of a student.
Dated September 12th, 1978. A typed letter from Mary Hayne North, a former student of MR at Sarah Lawrence, to Louise Kertesz, talking about contributions that she could make for Louise’s book, such as her review of THE GATES, as yet unpublished; she also offers to paint a portrait of Muriel Rukeyser and wonders if she knows of grants that might support such endeavor..
Closets R4 Clothes was a LGBTQ oriented student radio program from the University of Michigan's WCBN Ann Arbor. The Closets R4 Clothes collection in the Eastern Michigan University Archives contains radio broadcast recordings from 1988 to 1999. This December 1990 broadcast includes an interview with the Director Urvashi Vaid of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, musical selections, and a sketch comedy piece.
Closets R4 Clothes was a LGBTQ oriented student radio program from the University of Michigan's WCBN Ann Arbor. The Closets R4 Clothes collection in the Eastern Michigan University Archives contains radio broadcast recordings from 1988 to 1999. This October 1990 broadcast includes musical selections, information on queer events in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, LGBTQ-related news from around the world, and an interview with American cartoonist and original creator of the Bechdel test, Alison Bechdel.
Closets R4 Clothes was a LGBTQ oriented student radio program from the University of Michigan's WCBN Ann Arbor. The Closets R4 Clothes collection in the Eastern Michigan University Archives contains radio broadcast recordings from 1988 to 1999. This February 1995 broadcast includes an interview with famed poet and writer Allen Ginsberg.
Closets R4 Clothes was a LGBTQ oriented student radio program from the University of Michigan's WCBN Ann Arbor. The Closets R4 Clothes collection in the Eastern Michigan University Archives contains radio broadcast recordings from 1988 to 1999. This August 1991 broadcast includes information about queer events in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, musical selections, LGBTQ-related news from around the world, and an interview with an Ann Arbor area lesbian male impersonator.
Closets R4 Clothes was a LGBTQ oriented student radio program from the University of Michigan's WCBN Ann Arbor. The Closets R4 Clothes collection in the Eastern Michigan University Archives contains radio broadcast recordings from 1988 to 1999. This July 1991 broadcast includes musical selections, information on queer events in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, and LGBTQ news from around the world.
Closets R4 Clothes was a LGBTQ oriented student radio program from the University of Michigan's WCBN Ann Arbor. The Closets R4 Clothes collection in the Eastern Michigan University Archives contains radio broadcast recordings from 1988 to 1999. This July 1991 broadcast includes a listing of local queer events in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, LGBTQ-related news from around the world, musical selections, and the second half of an interview with Native American and AIDS activist Beth Brant.
Closets R4 Clothes was a LGBTQ oriented student radio program from the University of Michigan's WCBN Ann Arbor. The Closets R4 Clothes collection in the Eastern Michigan University Archives contains radio broadcast recordings from 1988 to 1999. This July 1991 broadcast includes information on queer related cinema, LGBTQ news from across the country, musical selections, and a piece by drag queen Vaginal Cream Davis.
Closets R4 Clothes was a LGBTQ oriented student radio program from the University of Michigan's WCBN Ann Arbor. The Closets R4 Clothes collection in the Eastern Michigan University Archives contains radio broadcast recordings from 1988 to 1999. This June 1991 broadcast includes an intro to the twelfth anniversary of the White Night riots in San Francisco that occurred after the assassination of Harvey Milk, musical selections, and a reading of a poem titled "I am a SCAB (Society for the Complete Annihilation of Breeding)."
Closets R4 Clothes was a LGBTQ oriented student radio program from the University of Michigan's WCBN Ann Arbor. The Closets R4 Clothes collection in the Eastern Michigan University Archives contains radio broadcast recordings from 1988 to 1999. This January 1991 includes an interview with Indigo Girls singer/songwriter Amy Ray.
Closets R4 Clothes was a LGBTQ oriented student radio program from the University of Michigan's WCBN Ann Arbor. The Closets R4 Clothes collection in the Eastern Michigan University Archives contains radio broadcast recordings from 1988 to 1999. This January 1991 broadcast includes an interview with Elise Bryant, a Ann Arbor-based playwriter of the production of "Zoo Zoo Chronicles."
Closets R4 Clothes was a LGBTQ oriented student radio program from the University of Michigan's WCBN Ann Arbor. The Closets R4 Clothes collection in the Eastern Michigan University Archives contains radio broadcast recordings from 1988 to 1999. This January 1991 broadcast includes an interview with Ilene Lynch from the domestic violence organization SafeHouse about the topic of lesbian battery.
Closets R4 Clothes was a LGBTQ oriented student radio program from the University of Michigan's WCBN Ann Arbor. The Closets R4 Clothes collection in the Eastern Michigan University Archives contains radio broadcast recordings from 1988 to 1999. The February 1991 broadcast includes LGBTQ news and events in Washtenaw County as well as an interview with LGBTQ novelist Lev Raphael.
Closets R4 Clothes was a LGBTQ oriented student radio program from the University of Michigan's WCBN Ann Arbor. The Closets R4 Clothes collection in the Eastern Michigan University Archives contains radio broadcast recordings from 1988 to 1999. This October 1990 broadcast includes an interview with novelist and gay activist Sarah Schulman.
Closets R4 Clothes was a LGBTQ oriented student radio program from the University of Michigan's WCBN Ann Arbor. The Closets R4 Clothes collection in the Eastern Michigan University Archives contains radio broadcast recordings from 1988 to 1999. This September 1990 broadcast includes musical selections and an in-depth interview with three members of the HIV/AIDS advocacy group ACT UP Ann Arbor and a defendant in the Adrian 17 sex scandal in Adrian, Michigan. The Adrian 17 were seventeen male defendants who were all charged with gross indecency for engaging in homosexual acts at a public park. Over half of the men were over 40, married, and had children living in the Adrian community. The local Adrian newspaper published the names and addresses of each defendant on the front page of the newspaper.
Closets R4 Clothes was a LGBTQ oriented student radio program from the University of Michigan's WCBN Ann Arbor. The Closets R4 Clothes collection in the Eastern Michigan University Archives contains radio broadcast recordings from 1988 to 1999. This May 1990 broadcast includes musical selections and a detailed discussion with a University of Michigan PhD candidate Raelynn Hillhouse, who studied extensively in Communist East German and in Soviet influenced Eastern Europe. The conversation with Hillhouse describes the status of LGBTQ people living and expressing themselves in Eastern Bloc countries.
Closets R4 Clothes was a LGBTQ oriented student radio program from the University of Michigan's WCBN Ann Arbor. The Closets R4 Clothes collection in the Eastern Michigan University Archives contains radio broadcast recordings from 1988 to 1999. This May 1990 broadcast includes musical selections, news and announcements on LGBTQ related events and information, and an interview with three guests from the University of Michigan and ACT UP to discuss the status of HIV/AIDS in the country.
Closets R4 Clothes was a LGBTQ oriented student radio program from the University of Michigan's WCBN Ann Arbor. The Closets R4 Clothes collection in the Eastern Michigan University Archives contains radio broadcast recordings from 1988 to 1999. The January broadcast highlights LGBTQ news and events in Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan and includes the reading of a queer poem. The February broadcast begins with news and announcements about LGBTQ events and information in Washtenaw County, and later includes a roundtable discussion from several people about being the child of lesbian or gay parents.
Closets R4 Clothes was a LGBTQ oriented student radio program from the University of Michigan's WCBN Ann Arbor. The Closets R4 Clothes collection in the Eastern Michigan University Archives contains radio broadcast recordings from 1988 to 1999. This broadcast from June 1991 includes an update on queer news and events in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County and an interview with Matt Bower from the local Metro Detroit chapter of Copwatch.
A screen shot of a zoom class taught by Matt Jones in the Winter of 2021 at Eastern Michigan University. The Oral History Methods course, taught out of the University Archives was offered online because of the pandemic.
Former Vice President for Marketing and Student Affairs Laurence Smith, worked at Eastern Michigan University from 1975-2000. Smith worked in the capacity of Vice President for University Marketing and Student Affairs where he had overall leadership responsibility for strategic University marketing, communication and media relations, as well as student affairs. Smith played an important role in campus life and served on the EMU Logo Review Committee and Logo Selection Committee. In his interview, Smith describes the state of higher education thirty years ago compared to now; how alumni and community placed value in the institution vs. a symbol; and the selection process for a new logo. Smith speaks in broad strokes about higher education and their role in social justice causes and does not speak to the specifics of the committee's work.
William Everett Shelton (b. 1942) was president of Eastern Michigan University 1989-2000, and is universally recognized for his work to do away with the EMU logo and mascot, seen as culturally insensitive to many inside and outside of the university. In this interview, Shelton recounts his rise to higher education administration from his roots in segregated southern schools, and the turmoil surrounding the change of the EMU logo and mascot. Arriving on the heels of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission recommendation that all Michigan schools with culturally insensitive logos and mascots make changes to those depictions, Shelton was thrust into the spotlight as a brand new university president grappling with painful institutional growing pains. This interview centers around the values espoused by Shelton in his recommendation to the Board that EMU should, in fact, change the logo and mascot, that change is inevitable, and that it was the responsibility of universities to encourage growth and change along with the rest of American culture. Shelton also wrestles with his legacy at EMU as he describes the backlash from alumni unhappy with the logo change and the longterm effects of the Board's decision to drop the Huron logo.
Longtime Ypsilanti resident and EMU Regent Dr. Richard Robb was named chair of the University Logo Committee and tasked with finding a new EMU logo to replace the Huron. Understanding that the logo was offensive to many students, Robb predicted a quick decision and adjournment. Fending off the ire of alums attached to the logo as well as the frustration and occasional apathy of fellow committee members, Robb found himself entrenched in a much larger debate over the identity of the school itself.
Juanita Reid served EMU for 28 years in vital roles such as Vice President of University Relations, Executive Associate to the President and Secretary of the Board of Regents. Reid's integral roles gave her a front row seat to the workings of upper administration and her view of the EMU logo and mascot change reflects this close, professional proximity. Explaining the rationale of the Board of Regents and the president in changing the mascot and logo, as well as the reactions from the community both on and off campus, Reid paints a uniquely vivid portrait of a university enmeshed in the thorny process of altering the identity of a university and committing itself to the cause of inclusivity and social justice.
During her more than 40 years with Eastern Michigan University, Emerita Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Glenna Frank Miller served in various capacities and was called a "Human Dynamo" by former Vice President for Student Affairs Laurence Smith for her tireless devotion to the student experience on campus. Serving on the EMU Logo Review Committee and Logo Selection Committee, Frank Miller describes her confidence in newly appointed EMU President William Shelton despite the public backlash from alumni for dropping the EMU Huron, a logo/mascot deemed culturally insensitive by many members of the university community. Adhering to the belief that all community members are harmed by the negative depiction of any one group, Frank Miller details the tension in Board of Regents meetings, the aftermath of the logo and mascot change, and the higher duty of academic institutions to causes of social justice.
A member of the Native American Student Organization at Eastern Michigan University at the time of the struggle to change the EMU mascot and logo, Deisha [Olszewski] Myles attended nearly every meeting related to the change of what many considered to be an insensitive depiction of Native American culture. Myles speaks of her experience as a student on the Logo Selection Committee, witnessing the tense interactions between university administrators and describing the divisions amongst indigenous participants, divisions that often adhered closely to differing generational values.
Former Michigan State Senator Anthony Derezinsky (b. 1942) joined the Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents in 1981 and served in that position until his retirement in 1996. In this interview, Derezinsky recounts his formative years with the University of Michigan Law School and Harvard Law before describing his time with the United States Navy serving with the Judge Advocate General Corps in Vietnam, 1968-1971. As a University Regent, Derezinsky played a vital role in the EMU logo/mascot change, placing the value of fairness above all other considerations. Stating that it "rankled my civil liberties heart" to see students offended by the Huron logo and mascot, and known by fellow regents as "Mr. Gavel," Derezinsky describes the process of learning from other institutions how to go about the changing of a logo/mascot that had become synonymous with school spirit and identity for many alumni and community members. Helping to steer the university through difficult ethical waters, Derezinsky traveled the country with EMU President William Shelton to provide insight to schools considering a change of logo/mascot.
Leon Zimmerman was born in Hersey, Michigan on June 4, 1924 in a town of 206 people. Leon was attending Grand Rapids University when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He enlisted in the Army rather than being drafted and having no choice of assignment. After numerous tests, Leon was finally assigned to Bombardier training. His first six weeks were spent marching, and doing calisthenics. Eventually Leon was transferred to Las Vegas for gunnery school, followed by Advanced Bombardier School in New Mexico. Leon graduated in 2/4/44 and was sent to England by way of Baltimore and Florida, where he was assigned to a replacement crew in the 8th Air Force. Eventually, his crew was assigned to the 457th Bomb Group. His crew participated in a number of training flights before they went on a mission. Their first mission was uneventful, a "Milk Run," that experienced no flak, no losses, no battle damage. There were many other missions by his crew. Two missions especially stood out for Leon. The first was over Stettin where they took a great deal of flak and were very close to ditching the plane. They did return to England safely however. The other was in Northern Germany. His B17 crew had to bail out because of the extensive damage. After a harrowing jump, he was captured by the Home Guard. His treatment was poor until the regular army took over. Leon and his crew were assigned to a camp that was commanded by a former Luftwaffe General who treated prisoners with respect. It was not a pleasant time but certainly it was not overly difficult. Leon's camp was liberated by the Russians. After spending time in different camps and some time in Paris, he returned home, by troop ship. He met and married his wife after his discharge. They are now in retirement in Jackson, Michigan.
Clifford Woodside was born in Masten, PA. on January 22, 1923. Before completing high school, he enlisted in the Navy. This was immediately following Pearl Harbor. He was 17 at the time. Since he had been in the Sea Scouts, he was immediately assigned to training for gunnery. Clifford was eventually assigned to the USS Portland, and later to the USS Yokes. Clifford saw combat at Midway, Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands, and the Aleutian Islands. At one time he was at sea for 110 straight days. Although he enlisted for eight years, he did not make the Navy a career. He had married by that time and elected discharge in 1947. Clifford and his wife returned to Ypsilanti, Michigan and he eventually went to work as a salesman for a local Ford dealer. Clifford and his wife lived on Ford Lake until he could no longer live independently. He and his wife now live in an assisted living facility in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Russell Woinowsk was born on 8/8/1915 in Debut, Iowa. His father moved to Texas when Russ was young. Russ was in the ROTC in high school and eventually joined the National Guard in order to get help with his college expenses. He was able to complete two years before entering the Army. He wanted to be a pilot but "flunked out." His training turned to Bombardier School. Russ became a trainer. He was never assigned as a permanent member of a team. When he was sent to England, he was assigned to a B24 and completed 21 missions before the end of the war. Before V-E Day Russ was returned to the United States where he began training with a B29 group. The War ended before he was able to complete any missions. When the Korean Ward started, Russell was flying with B29's and completed 16 missions. He remained in the Air Corp retiring as a Lt. Colonel. During his service he received 2 DSC's and 4 Air Metals. He spent time in Turkey, the Philippines and many different States. Upon discharge, he returned to college and eventually received a Master's Degree in teaching. He spent 21 years teaching math (20 years in Romulus High School) before retiring because he was 70, the maximum retirement age. For a time, he and two friends owned and flew a Piper Cub. He and his wife had two children. He has four grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He was married for 51 years before his wife died. He lives with his son in Ann Arbor.
Richard Wegner was born on December 13, 1924 in Blissfield, Michigan. He attended Blissfield High School and enlisted in the Army at the end of his senior year after taking a class in aircraft identification. He left home for Fort Custer near Kalamazoo on July 9, 1943. After passing the necessary tests to join the Air Corps, he was sent down south to Miami Beach for ten weeks basic training. In October of 1943, Richard attended the Air Force College Training Department at Michigan State University. In April of 1944, he was sent to San Antonio, Texas and was trained as a bombardier-navigator for eight weeks. From there, he received flight training in San Angelo, Texas. Richard was assigned as a bombardier/assistant navigator/nose gunner in a B-24. After getting married while on commissioning leave, he was sent to Westover Field Airbase near Springfield, Massachusetts where he became acquainted with his crew and did large amounts of flying and bombing practice. After VE Day, Richard's crew was taken off shipping orders to Europe and was sent to Boise, Idaho. After rendezvousing at the Golding Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, Richard's crew flew to New Guinea where they spent ten weeks. After they arrived at Clark Airbase in the Philippines, the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, and the second on Nagasaki. Richard remembers seeing the Japanese delegation in their white planes at le Shima on their way to the signing of the peace treaty in Tokyo Bay.
Richard Wegner was born on December 13, 1924 in Blissfield, Michigan. He attended Blissfield High School and enlisted in the Army at the end of his senior year after taking a class in aircraft identification. He left home for Fort Custer near Kalamazoo on July 9, 1943. After passing the necessary tests to join the Air Corps, he was sent down south to Miami Beach for ten weeks basic training. In October of 1943, Richard attended the Air Force College Training Department at Michigan State University. In April of 1944, he was sent to San Antonio, Texas and was trained as a bombardier-navigator for eight weeks. From there, he received flight training in San Angelo, Texas. Richard was assigned as a bombardier/assistant navigator/nose gunner in a B-24. After getting married while on commissioning leave, he was sent to Westover Field Airbase near Springfield, Massachusetts where he became acquainted with his crew and did large amounts of flying and bombing practice. After VE Day, Richard's crew was taken off shipping orders to Europe and was sent to Boise, Idaho. After rendezvousing at the Golding Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, Richard's crew flew to New Guinea where they spent ten weeks. After they arrived at Clark Airbase in the Philippines, the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, and the second on Nagasaki. Richard remembers seeing the Japanese delegation in their white planes at le Shima on their way to the signing of the peace treaty in Tokyo Bay.
Elliot Valenstein enlisted in the Army at the age of 18 following the Pearl Harbor attack. After training he was shipped to the South Pacific. They traveled without escort and landed in Australia. Before the Coral Sea victory, the Japanese were unstoppable. His unit was then sent on to Bombay, India and crossed to Calcutta by train. Elliot received quick training in how to string lines. There was fear the Japanese who were threatening India would link up with the Africa Corp from the East. In Burma, his unit met up with Head Hunters. Elliot's unit worked under a great deal of hardship including swollen rivers and threats of Chinese bandits. When World War II ended, Elliot was in Calcutta. He was shipped back to Seattle and on to Fort Dix. After discharge he spent time in a VA hospital with malaria. Eventually Elliot enrolled in college and began his research project that eventually attracted him to the University of Michigan. Much of his research was supported by NASA. After retiring Elliot continued to live in Ann Arbor and became Professor Emeritus.
Amherst Turner was born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He earned his English degree and teaching certification from the University of Michigan while also participating in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC.) In 1961, after graduating from U of M, Amherst attended basic training in Fort Benning, Georgia and was trained as an officer. After his basic training, Amherst was shipped out to Korea and joined a unit guarding the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. Amherst did this for for 13 months and became a 2nd Lieutenant in that time. Amherst returned to Fort Benning, was promoted to Captain and eventually was transferred to a base in Florida that was to serve as the staging area for a proposed invasion of Cuba. On this base, he served as a property book officer. In 1963, Amherst left the service, still involved in the reserves, and went into manufacturing. He was married in 1969 and had two children.
Like many young men of his generation, Bud Tracy served in the Armed Forces during World War II. Eager to see the world, he chose the Navy because he could enlist at seventeen and his uncle could help him through the process. He left high school before his graduation date, but made up the credits by enlisting. Mr. Tracy's wartime service was spent in the South Pacific including the Admiralty Islands. Tracy loved being in the service despite facing the same fears and frustrations that other young men encountered. For example, his first night on guard duty turned out to be one of his scariest moments in the Navy. Tracy mistook an anthill for a Japanese helmet and was told by his superiors to fire. Tracy did not want to alert other possible Japanese soldiers in the area of his location. As a result, he sat and stared at it, imagining the "helmet" coming closer and closer as the hours passed. His battle experiences were full of danger and adventure as well. Mr. Tracy was asked to go into the water and sink shell casings, swim up a river at night to scout the Japanese positions, and save his fellow sailors who were in trouble in the water. While completing his duties, Tracy was wounded on coral and was sent to Australia as a casualty to heal his legs which developed jungle rot. There were many enjoyable moments throughout Tracy’s time overseas. He and his buddies enjoyed pulling pranks on other men in their unit. In one instance, Tracy and his buddies rigged up a fake spider in the tent of one of their friends and surprised him with it when he returned from guard duty. USA Tours passed through the South Pacific while Bud was there and he was able to see Bob Hope and other performers in the tours. He particularly remembered a time when Bob Hope visited and ate a meal in the chow hall with the enlisted men instead of going to the officers' hall as was scheduled. Just as they are to American troops serving overseas today, care packages from home were highly valued during World War II. Mr. Tracy told an interesting story off-camera about a care package that he received from home. A couple of months after Christmas, he received his Christmas present from his family back home. When he got the box, the other men all crowded around because there is an unspoken rule that all packages are shared with the unit. The box was opened to reveal several cans of Spam that his mother had saved up her ration coupons to get for him. However, the sailors were regularly fed Spam for meals and were sick of it by that point. Tracy stated that once the box was opened and everyone saw that it was Spam, they left it for him, and never ever ate a single can of it. When Tracy returned home after his military service was over, he utilized the G.I. Bill to enroll in college. He had a successful career working for the phone company and raised a family. Despite this, like many of the men that he served with, Tracy still feels guilt over an incident that resulted in the deaths of fellow sailors, even though he did all that he could to save them. In many cases, those not involved in the situation can look at it and see that there is no reason for the person affected to blame himself, yet in his mind, he still does. Tracy was very humble in his accounts of his experiences during World War II, yet even in the short time it took to conduct the interview, there were examples of his bravery and heroism. Like so many veterans, he did not give the impression that what he had done was very remarkable in the grand scheme of things, yet it was. He risked his life to save others more than once in the memories that are captured in the interview and that can only be a tiny fraction of. what his war experience was really like.
Reuben Swisher had nine years, two months and eighteen days on active duty, followed by five years in the Reserves. He was wounded twice in Korea and earned the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for valor while a combat infantryman. Swisher was seventeen years old when he served in Korea and was assigned to Fox Company of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was wounded on Hill 578 on February 15, 1951 at Chipyong-ni, near Yangpyoeng as part of a force defending the Wonju Line during "Operation Killer." Besides being wounded twice, he suffered frostbitten feet. After his Army service in 1950-1952 and rise to Corporal, he joined the Air Force in 1957 and served until 1964, achieving the rank of Technical Sergeant. Besides the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, he earned the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, and the United Nations Service Medal. Swisher then served the Department of Veterans Affairs and earned several honors while employed there, followed by 400 hours of volunteer work at the VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor after his retirement in 1991. He also served as Commander of the Washtenaw County Chapter of Disabled American Veterans for seven consecutive terms.
John Strouss was born in Freeport, Illinois on March 4, 1918. His family moved to Jackson, Michigan during the influenza epidemic while he was very young. John attended the University of Michigan from 1937 to 1942. While sleeping in on a Sunday morning, he and his roommate heard over the radio the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Eighteen of his friends went in for physicals, yet only three passed. John's eyes kept him out of the line officers. After several physicals, he was commissioned in the Navy in the spring of 1942. He became a staff officer in the supply corps - those responsible for the food and clothing in the Navy. John was called up in January 1943 and sent to South Austin Naval Yard for basic training (note: transcriber could not verify the location of said naval yard). He was then sent to Harvard University until the summer for supply officer education. He was assigned to Acorn 16 and sent to Port Hueneme, California to wait for the rest of the officers. In September, Acorn 16 was officially commissioned into the Navy and was granted base personnel for airbases in the Pacific. The unit shipped out to Barber's Point in Oahu, Hawaii. From there, they were ordered to Apamama in the Gilbert Islands along with a Marine Corps unit and a CP unit. An airbase was constructed at Apamama in which John worked. John remembers very friendly Natives and nice weather in Apamama. One incident stuck with John. A Japanese submarine was reported in the area. Despite the harsh weather, a scout plane was still sent out. the plane never returned. John was ordered to gather and send the missing man's belongings to his family. After a little over a year, the airbase Apamama was shut down and John was transferred to Guam. He recalls mud and relentless rain in Guam. He was put in charge of the mess hall. Most of the food was canned, yet at one point they were sent fresh ground beef. Hamburgers were prepared for the men, which gave many a feeling of homesickness. After the war, the Navy put together a class for those interested in aiding in terminating Navy contracts. John volunteered due to his business school training. He was sent to Harvard for the class. From there, he was sent to an office in Cincinnati, Ohio to clear plants for civilian production. Later on, he was transferred to the Naval Reserve and left as a Lieutenant Commander.
Philip Stokes was born in Cleveland, Ohio and moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan when he was eleven years old. He graduated from Ypsilanti High School in June of 1943 and enlisted in the Marines in November of 1943. After boot and basic training, Philip was assigned to the newly formed Marine 5th Division, the Division landed on Iwo Jima in February 19 of 1944. They were responsible for cutting the Japanese forces in two. Philip was assigned to the Battalion Headquarters as a clerk. Casualties were heavy, two of every three Marines were killed or wounded. The Marines received a big morale boost when on the 27th of March a damaged B29 landed on Iwo Jima even though the island was not fully secured. That had been part of their mission to provide a landing area close to Japan. Philip's Division returned to Hawaii and began preparing for the invasion of Japan. Philip was sent to Washington D.C. where he was responsible for reviewing requests for hardship discharges. Philip was discharged in April of 1946 and was married in September of 1946. He attended Cleary College and received an Associate Degree, which eventually helped to secure a position at a local bank, from which he retired. Philip has four children, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He continues to live in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
Gerald Staton tried to enlist after Pearl Harbor but he was denied because he was not yet 17. He joined the Marines when he became 17. Gerald did his basic training in San Diego and had additional training in San Luis Obispo. He was sent to Mare Island just north of San Francisco and from there was sent to Woodlark Island which is a part of the Solomon Islands. The landing at Woodlark was considered Gerald’s worst experience ever. Gerald was assigned to a Caterpillar D-8 Dozer to clear away the thick vegetation for roads and airfields. Japanese planes would attack the island after dark. On one particular night, a Japanese fighter strafed an area near Gerald. He jumped in the river and was bitten by a rat. He was hospitalized for several days with typhus and a high fever. After his hospital stay, Gerald was sent to the US to train as a tank commander. He was shipped to Saipan where he witnessed the B-29 taking off to bomb Japan, using the atomic bomb. After the surrender, Gerald was sent to Nagasaki as a scout for the 2nd Division. He stayed there for 60 days, which ultimately affected his health due to exposure to radiation. After discharge he went to Miami University in Ohio and spent the rest of his life as an insurance salesman. Once a year Gerald and his wife attend a reunion of the Marine Battalion in which he served.
Roscoe (he goes by Tyson) grew up in Mounds, Illinois. He received numerous letters asking that he report for duty. Instead, he went to Detroit to live with relatives. He graduated from Lane College in Tennessee and was slated for a career in Medicine. The Federal Agents caught up with him in Detroit. Tyson was sent to Officers Training School (90-day wonders), and was assigned to train Black soldiers for combat. "Becoming an Officer was quite a distinction and honor" despite the resentment he received from many of the White officers. Tyson was discharged after seven years of service. It amazed him that after spending so much time and energy in trying to stay out of the Army, he worked very hard to accomplish the goals established for him while in the Army. He describes his experience as an honor and he is very grateful. After discharge, Tyson went to Chicago with his wife. He drove a bus for ten years. Eventually, Tyson settled in Ypsilanti. He joined his brother in the construction business. At the time a Black contracting business could not borrow money from Ann Arbor banks so they went into remodeling. Eventually Tyson joined Ford Motor Company as a Testing Technician, retiring in 1987. Tyson often describes "Two Armies - One White and One Black." He does not show any resentment realizing that was the way the country was at that time.
James was born in Ironwood, Michigan, on May 17, 1924. After graduating from high school, he tried to enlist in the Marines but was told to wait for the draft. He took a job as a tool and dye apprentice in the De Sota plant. He was drafted into the Marines in early 1943. After several difficult boot camp experiences, he was finally sent for training as a mechanic. After months of training, he was assigned to a B25 unit patrolling the East Coast, after which he was sent to the South Pacific. There he participated as a mechanic on several missions. When the war ended, he was eventually discharged and returned to Michigan. He could not get his job back at De Sota but did get a tool and dye job at Kaiser and then Republic Tool and Dye. James lives in Ypsilanti, Michigan and has eleven children.
Charles Snider enlisted in the Army in March of 1943 while attending the University of Michigan. He took his basic training in Ann Arbor. Because of his interest in foreign languages, after basic training, he began training in a meteorological program sponsored by the Army. Because of his meteorological training and his knowledge of Russian, he was given orders in the middle of the night to report to Great Falls, Montana. After being interviewed by a Russian speaking American officer, he was one of two people selected for a special program. Mr. Snider was given orders to report to Ladd Air Force Base in Alaska where he began conducting meteorological forecasts for the Lend-Lease Program that was sending planes to Russia from the United States. He commented on how he worked with Russian officers daily. He also noticed the Russians had political officers in Alaska to "monitor" the interaction between the Americans and the Russians. Snider noted in his journal that the Russians became very cold toward the Americans after the U.S. dropped the atomic bombs on Japan. Mr. Snider commented on how the best service pilots he ever saw during the Lend-Lease Program were female WASP's or Women's Army Service Pilots.
Just after his 17th birthday, while still a junior in high school, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy. He was sent to the Great Lakes Naval Station in Chicago, Illinois for his basic training. After six weeks there he was sent to California. Bill was assigned to the U.S.S. Rudyerd Bay, an aircraft carrier. While on board as a Seaman 1/C he served as a gunner’s mate, in the air department on gasoline detail, and on the crash squad. The Rudyerd Bay was involved in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa while Bill was on board. Much of his recreational time was spent playing his saxophone in the ship’s band. When the ship returned to the states, Bill was transferred off due to illness and sent to the Philadelphia Naval Hospital. It was while in the hospital that he received his medical discharge from the Navy. He returned to his home town of Sharon, Pennsylvania where he went on to get his GED and study mortuary science at the college level. He was a funeral director his entire life, until the day he retired. This interview was conducted in San Diego, California during a reunion of the U.S.S Rudyerd Bay.
