Oral History Collection. Oral History Collection

Scope and Contents Jimm Larry Hendren served aboard Intrepid as the ship’s legal officer during the 1966 WESTPAC cruise to Vietnam. Hendren began his interview by discussing his family’s history and describing his education, from high school through Naval Justice School. He then continued, stating that his first orders were as Assistant Legal Officer at Commander Fleet Air Norfolk, where a fortuitous meeting with Captain Giuseppe Macri and Captain John Fair resulted in Hendren becoming Intrepid’s legal...

Scope and Contents John “Andy” Anderson served aboard Growler from August 1961 to May 1963, as a fire control technician (missile guidance systems) third class and was the torpedo fire controlman aboard Growler. Anderson began his interview by stating that his father served aboard German submarines during World War I, which influenced his decision to join the Navy and serve aboard submarines. He then briefly discussed his childhood before explaining why he joined the Navy. Anderson continued, describing his...

Scope and Contents Joseph Barry served aboard Intrepid as a radioman during World War II. Barry began his interview by recalling the early years of his life. He then discussed how he learned about the attack on Pearl Harbor and his decision to join the Navy. Barry next recounted becoming a radioman, seeing Intrepid for the first time, and working in the radio shack. He described the radio shack, stated the number of men that worked in that space, and explained the job they performed. Barry also noted that the...

Scope and Contents Joseph D. Murphy served aboard Intrepid as a gunnery officer and deck officer during World War II, from 1943 to 1946. Murphy began his interview by discussing his family and the community where he was raised. He then described hearing the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor, joining the Navy Reserve, and receiving his commission as an ensign from Columbia midshipmen school. Murphy then continued, describing the first time he saw Intrepid and Intrepid’s commissioning ceremony. At this time,...

Scope and Contents June Hays married Wesley Hays in 1943, and experienced life on the home front during World War II while Wes served aboard Intrepid in VBF-10. Hays began her interview by discussing her childhood in Santa Anna, Texas. She also explained how she met Wesley Hays. June then recalled Wes joining the Navy, getting engaged to Wes, getting married in Pensacola, and having their first son, Wes Jr. As the interview continued, June noted that Wes was eventually stationed in Groton, Connecticut, and...

Scope and Contents Kenneth Erger served aboard Intrepid as a fire controlman third class during World War II, from 1944 to 1946. He began his interview by discussing his childhood in Iowa and describing life growing up on a farm. Erger then explained his decision to join the Navy and described boot camp before stating that he went aboard Intrepid while the ship was in San Francisco. He noted the ship’s shakedown after being repaired from a torpedo strike and also recounted the arrival of the air group and the...

Scope and Contents Lance Nowland served on Growler as a missile technician second class from 1959 to 1962. He began his interview by recalling his decision to join the Navy and stating that he was in the Coast Guard Reserve while in high school. Nowland then continued, noting boot camp, as well as Temporary Active Duty at Anacostia Naval Air Station in Washington DC, before stating that he attended guided missilman A school in Dam Neck, VA. The topic of guided missileman A school then led to a discussion on...

Scope and Contents Laurence Blackburn served as the senior medical officer aboard Intrepid during the ship’s first and second deployments to Vietnam, from 1965 to 1967. Blackburn began his interview by discussing his decision to become a doctor. He then recounted joining the Navy, meeting his wife while in medical school, and attending flight surgeon school. Blackburn then continued, relating his decision to serve aboard Intrepid rather than Randolph, and shortly thereafter learning that Intrepid was being...