- Collection:
- Veterans History Project: Oral History Interviews
- Title:
- Oral history interview of Burlyn Everett Michel
- Creator:
- Bruckner, William Joseph, 1944-
Michel, Burlyn Everett, 1923- - Publisher:
- Atlanta, Ga. : Kenan Research Center
- Date of Original:
- 2015-08-24
- Subject:
- World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
World War, 1939-1945--Occupied territories
Depressions--1929
Statue of Liberty (New York, N.Y.)
V-E Day, 1945
Sexually transmitted diseases
United States. Army. Army, 7th
Purdue University
University of Iowa
University of Georgia
United States. Army. Reserve Officers' Training Corps
United States. Army. Signal Corps
United States. Army. Infantry Regiment, 399th. Company F
United States. Army. Infantry Division, 100th - Location:
- United States, Indiana, Saint Joseph County, South Bend, 41.68338, -86.25001
United States, Massachusetts, Barnstable County, Woods Hole, 41.5238393, -70.669195
United States, South Dakota, Spink County, Redfield, 44.87581, -98.51871 - Medium:
- oral histories (literary works)
- Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/mp4
- Description:
- In this interview, Burlyn Michel recalls his service in the United States Army in Europe during World War II. He remembers his growing up years in Indiana, including his family, health, education, and extracurricular activities. He recalls hearing about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and explains how and why he enlisted in the Army. He describes his training and how he met and married his wife. He traveled to his duty assignment in Europe in a convoy and describes living conditions on the ship. He recalls the first time he saw a dead German soldier and how upsetting that was for him. He describes his various assignments and recalls a number of combat experiences including watching German soldiers surrender and then becoming separated from his unit, traveling German roads alone and without a map. He remembers hearing about the German surrender and describes in detail his post-war occupation duties and his experiences with German civilians. He recalls the dances arranged by the Army; the Polish women from nearby displaced persons camps who attended them; and the German woman who taught him to waltz. He remembers the former German paratroopers who taught him to ski and describes earning enough points to go home. He recalls his post-military education, family, and his career as a university professor.
Army Specialized Training Program; chemical engineering; electrical engineering; convoy; 40 and 8 boxcars; replacement depot; "million dollar wound"; displaced person's camp; Co. F, 399th Regiment, 100th Division, 7th Army; venereal disease; Great Depression
Burlyn Michel served in the United States Army in Europe during World War II. - Metadata URL:
- http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/cdm/ref/collection/VHPohr/id/803
- 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:
- 1:34:52
- 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:
-
