Oral History Interview with Edward J. Drake, 2002

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Interview with attorney and Army Air Forces veteran Edward J. Drake. The interview includes Drake's personal experiences about being a B-17 pilot in the European Theater during World War II, youth and education in Dallas, Texas, enlistment in the Aviation Cadet Program, various training programs, bombing transportation facilities during and after the Ardennes Offensive, crash-landing in Belgium after his plane was hit, and linking up with American troops. Additionally, Drake talks about his assignment to the 91st Bomb Group, the routine for a typical mission, formation flying, flying through enemy flak, rest and relaxation on-base and in London, recuperating from a collapsed lung, his return to combat for three more missions, and his return to the crash site of his plane 57 years later. The interview includes an appendix with "The Last Flight of 'Jezebel,'" written by Drake.
Date: October 16, 2002
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Drake, Edward J.
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with James F. Brede, 2011

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Interview with James F. Brede, dentist and U.S. Army Air Forces veteran. The interview includes his personal experiences in World War II as a B-17 co-pilot with the 8th Air Force in the European Theater, his childhood in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, enlistment in the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1943, preliminary training in Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas, his active service with the 379th Bomb Group in Kimbolton, England, combat experience in 35 missions, return to the U.S. and continued military service as a flight instructor in Lakeland, Florida and Wichita Falls, Texas, as well as the return to civilian life, marriage, dental school under the G.I. Bill, reenlistment in the Air Force as a dentist, his deployment to Korea, his discharge from the Air Force, and the establishment of his dental practice and experiences since retirement. The interview includes an appendix with a copy of his book.
Date: March 30, 2011
Creator: Fox, Lisa A. & Brede, James F.
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Louise Young and Vivienne Armstrong, February 24, 2010

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Interview with Louise Young and Vivienne Armstrong, longtime activists in the Dallas lesbian community. The interview includes Armstrong's personal experiences of childhood in Knoxville, Tennessee, New Jersey, and California, as well as her decision to study nursing and settle in Denver, Colorado, and her coming out narrative. The interview also includes Young's personal experiences of childhood in Ada, Oklahoma, her education at East Central State University and the University of Colorado, and her coming out narrative. They talk about their meeting and early relationship, give descriptions of Denver's gay and lesbian communities, their involvement with various groups such as the Daughters of Bilitis and Gay Liberation Front, their decision to move to Dallas, their involvement with groups such as the National Organization for Women and Dallas Gay Political Caucus/Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance in various political campaigns, and Young's career at Texas Instruments and Raytheon and efforts to create more equitable human resources policies from within the corporations. Additionally, Armstrong and Young talk about the effects of the HIV-AIDS crisis on Dallas's gay and lesbian communities, their 2008 marriage, relationships with family members, and secrets to a long relationship.
Date: February 24, 2010
Creator: Wisely, Karen; Young, Louise & Armstrong, Vivienne
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with John Connolly, June 22, 2010

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Interview with John Connolly, veteran of the Civilian Conservation Corps. The interview includes Connolly's personal experiences of childhood in Whitney and Amarillo, Texas, Civilian Conservation Corps camps in Cleburne and Hillsboro, Texas, and Grand Junction, Colorado, as well as his World War II-era experience in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Additionally, Connolly discusses his family's difficulties in the Great Depression, his decision to enroll in the Civilian Conservation Corps, his work as a tool and dye manufacturer, and Republican Party politics in Dallas County.
Date: June 22, 2010
Creator: Moye, Todd & Connolly, John
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with William J. Alexander, November 11, 2002

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Interview with advertising executive and Navy veteran William J. Alexander. The interview includes Alexander's personal experiences about being a teenager during World War II, being a sailor during the last months of World War II, early youth in Casper, Wyoming, moving back to Denver to be reunited with his parent and employment at the Brown Palace Hotel, wartime rationing, joining the Navy, and boot camp. Additionally, Alexander talks about his close relationship with his older brother, life in Casper during the Great Depression while living with his aunt and uncle, local reactions to the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, vignettes about John Barrymore, Sammy Kaye, Harry James, and Betty Grable, his brother's enlistment in the Navy, his employment at Station KOA in Denver, making broadcast announcements about D-Day, the sinking of his brother's destroyer, the USS Spence, during a typhoon, the effects of his brother's death on him and his parents, V-J Day celebrations in Chicago, his role as director of the base chapel choir at Opa Locka Naval Air Station, and his postwar career.
Date: November 11, 2002
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Alexander, William J.
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with LeRoy Ellis Cox, February 5, 2004

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Interview with LeRoy Ellis Cox. The interview includes Cox's personal experiences about childhood and early adulthood in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado, World War-II-era Army Air Corps training in armaments and electronics, stateside service in the 303rd Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force, aviation cadet training, serving as a B-25 instructor pilot, and as a DC-3 tow pilot for the glider program.
Date: February 5, 2004
Creator: Alexander, William J. & Cox, LeRoy E., 1919-
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with J. W. Stoker, August 4, 2010

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Interview with J. W. Stoker, a cowboy from Weatherford, Texas. Stoker discusses his family and growing up, getting involved in the rodeo, traveling shows, being drafted into the Army and serving in Korea, celebrities he has worked with, the Six Flags Wild West Show, induction into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, contemporary rodeos, his favorite acts, and reflections on his career. In appendix are two promotional photos of Stoker and his horse, and three of him performing.
Date: August 4, 2010
Creator: Liles, Debbie & Stoker, J. W.
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Garfield Thompson, October 11, 1993

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Interview with Garfield Thompson, a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps from Fort Worth, Texas. Thompson discusses his family background and education, the effects of the Great Depression, Republicans, the New Deal, joining the CCC and assignment to Company 812 in Cache, Oklahoma, the layout of the camp, projects worked, routine, recreation and leave, discharge, and reflections on the program.
Date: October 11, 1993
Creator: Calame, Michelle & Thompson, Garfield
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Willie V. Jordan, June 3, 1987 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Willie V. Jordan, June 3, 1987

Interview with Willie Jordan, a farmer and former member of the Civilian Conservation Corps from Newport, Texas, regarding his experiences and memories of participating in the CCC during the Great Depression.
Date: June 3, 1987
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Jordan, Willie V.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with David and Virginia Ciruli, April 18, 1987 (open access)

Oral History Interview with David and Virginia Ciruli, April 18, 1987

Interview with David and Virginia Ciruli, farmers and ranchers from Pueblo, Colorado, to gather their recollections and experiences as second generation Italians. They discuss their education, the immigration experience of their parents, the establishment of their own farming and ranching business, and their children.
Date: April 18, 1987
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E.; Ciruli, David & Ciruli, Virginia
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Alvin Dean, September 17, 1990

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Interview with Alivin Dean, a farmer and former member of the Civilian Conservation Corps from Geronimo, Texas, regarding his experiences and memories of participating in the CCC during the Great Depression.
Date: September 17, 1990
Creator: Antle, Mike & Dean, Alvin
System: The UNT Digital Library