Oral History Project

Phase I - 1998

The importance of capturing and recording the experiences of some older Georgia soldiers has recently become a priority of the Society. An intensive effort has begun to interview and video tape some of these Georgia National Guardsmen reliving their stories from the past.

From ten hours of video tape containing 17 oral histories, complete transcriptions are on file in the Historical Society's Archive Collections. Most of the soldiers joined in the 1930's and all had served during World War II, serving in positions from bandsman to infantryman. Some were "citizen-soldiers" serving part-time, while others retired from the service and reached the rank of General after decades of service.

These interviews revealed much new information as well as many 'human interest' stories. In all cases, the soldiers were extremely pleased that their contributions to history are being recorded for generations to come. Sadly, since these interviews began, at least one man has died. It is our hope that we can record the stories of many more Georgians before they, too, are lost to history.

Through the collective efforts of the State Area Command (STARC) Historical Section, Historical Society, 124th Public Affairs Detachment video crew, and the 116th Bomb Wing the following interviews have been recorded thus far:

LOCATION INTERVIEWEE DATE

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