Oral History Interview with James Hudson, May 30, 2001

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Transcript of an interview with James Hudson, Army veteran (3rd Platoon, 36th/83rd Quartermaster Trucking Company, 470th Quartermaster Regiment), concerning his experiences in the European Theater during World War II. Hudson discusses his youth in segregated Yalobusha County, Mississippi; his reaction to being drafted, December, 1942; basic training, Camp McCain, Grenada, Mississippi, 1942-43; segregated training facilities; maneuvers at Camp Polk, Louisiana, 1943; training in truck maintenance and operation; relations between white officers and black enlisted men; entertainment on and off base for black soldiers; illiteracy among black troops; voyage to Europe, February, 1944; pre-invasion training around Cardigan, Wales; transfer of the unit to Swansea for further pre-invasion training; his observations of the Normandy landings, June 6, 1944; the landing of his unit on June 7 at Omaha Beach; establishment of beach supply depots; his participation in the activities of the "Red Ball Express," August-September, 1944; his description of war damage in German towns and cities; postwar adjustments to segregated society in Mississippi. Appendix consists of photocopy of "Honorable Discharge" (1 page).
Date: May 30, 2001
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Hudson, James I.,1921-
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Janet Blair, June 25, 2001

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Interview with homemaker Janet Blair. The interview includes Blair's personal experiences about being a Red Cross volunteer in the European Theater during World War II, education in Europe, working with "Bundles for Britain," various assignments, rationing and air raids in England, D-Day, and serving troops during the Battle of the Bulge. Additionally, Blair talks about her patriotic motivation, her decision to join the Red Cross, her selection as a clubmobiler, the formation of a lifelong friendship with Diana Marvin and Peggy Bell, the use of Greenliners, relationships between Red Cross women and U.S. military personnel, leave time in Paris, living conditions of France, looting, and the end of the war and her return to the States.
Date: June 25, 2001
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Blair, Janet
System: The UNT Digital Library