Oral History Interview: Jerry Blaken (1458)
Subject
Enlistment
Basic training
Vietnam War
Fort Bragg
Army Reserves
Barbers
Veterans
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/73891Description
In his 2015 interview with Derek Blaken, Jerry Blaken discusses his experiences in the Army Reserves (1966-1972), including basic training at Fort Bragg (North Carolina) and his assignment in mechanical repair (Maryland). He describes the men he met there, and how he kept in touch with family. He also recalls seeing Bobby Kennedy's coffin pass while living in Maryland. Finally, he offers commentary on how the service "matures young men in a hurry," and discussed his impressions of the notion of "kill or be killed." This interview was conducted for inclusion in the Badger Veterans project and is being stored in the Oral History Collection at the UW-Madison Archives.
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