- Collection:
- Veterans History Project: Oral History Interviews
- Title:
- Oral history interview of Kenneth Stanley Matson
- Creator:
- Hilliard, Tony (Anthony Stephen), 1944-
Hilliard, Peggy
Merritt, Steve
Merritt, Gina
Matson, Kenneth Stanley, 1923- - Publisher:
- Atlanta, Ga. : Kenan Research Center
- Date of Original:
- 2015-10-02
- Subject:
- World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Solomon Islands
World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
Racism--United States
United States. Marine Corps
United States. Navy. Seabees - People:
- Boyington, Gregory, 1912-1988
Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963
Foss, Joseph Jacob, 1915-2003 - Location:
- United States, California, San Diego County, Oceanside, 33.19587, -117.37948
United States, North Carolina, Craven County, Township 6, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, 34.91501, -76.87915 - Medium:
- oral histories (literary works)
- Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/mp4
- Description:
- In this interview, Ken Matson recalls his 22-year career in the United States Marine Corps, serving during and after World War II. He describes his growing up years as the youngest of fourteen children and recalls that the Hollywood movie "Tell It To The Marines" inspired him to enlist in the Marine Corps. He describes his training, early assignments, and how he became personal assistant to General James Tillinghast Moore. He recalls serving with the General in the South Pacific during World War II and describes being wounded when a Japanese ammunition dump exploded. He remembers the challenges of providing adequate housing and security for the first women admitted to the Marine Corps. He describes his interactions with Medal of Honor recipients Gregory "Pappy" Boyington and Joseph Jacob Foss. He recalls receiving a field commission and describes his work at the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C., including a parade event attended by then-President John F. Kennedy. He remembers incidents during which he and his Hawaiian wife experienced racism, including his commanding officer's refusal to grant them permission to marry.
boot camp; communications; Marine aviation; field commission; service battalion; Headquarters Marine Air Pacific; Headquarters Marine Air Atlantic; IG (Inspector General)
Ken Matson served in the United States Marine Corps during and after World War II. - Metadata URL:
- http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/cdm/ref/collection/VHPohr/id/800
- Additional Rights Information:
- This material is protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code) Permission for use must be cleared through the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center. Licensing agreement may be required.
- Extent:
- 1:54:42
- Original Collection:
- Veterans History Project oral history recordings
Veterans History Project collection, MSS 1010, Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center - Holding Institution:
- Atlanta History Center
- Rights:
-
