- Collection:
- Veterans History Project: Oral History Interviews
- Title:
- Oral history interview of Kenneth Harold Smyth
- Creator:
- King, Cary
Smyth, Kenneth Harold, 1926- - Publisher:
- Atlanta, Ga. : Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center
- Date of Original:
- 2016-11-04
- Subject:
- World War, 1939-1945--Equipment and supplies
World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, American
Liberty Ships
Seafarers' International Union of North America
National Maritime Union of America
United States. Army. Military Police Battalion, 163rd - Location:
- Canada, 60.10867, -113.64258
China, 35.0, 105.0
Germany, 51.5, 10.5
Malaya, 4.0, 102.0 - Medium:
- video recordings (physical artifacts)
- Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/mp4
- Description:
- In this interview, Harold Smyth recalls his experiences serving in the Merchant Marine during World War II and in the United States Army during the Korean War. He remembers joining the Merchant Marine at 15 years old, serving on tankers and freighters that brought supplies to ports all over the world. He was falsely accused of black marketeering during the war and contracted malaria in East Africa. He remembers sending food to family members and friends after World War II and describes several incidents during his time in the Merchant Marine, including when the ship he was on ran aground because the captain was inebriated. He recalls a cargo of hyenas escaping on one voyage and how their handler rounded them up. He was drafted into the Army during the Korean War although the Army refused his enlistment during World War II because of his speech. He describes his post-military education, career, and family.
Army of Occupation medal; "scabs";
Harold Smyth served in the Merchant Marine during World War II and in the United States Army during the Korean War. - Metadata URL:
- http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/cdm/ref/collection/VHPohr/id/825
- 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:
- 1:05:15
- 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:
-
