- Collection:
- Veterans History Project: Oral History Interviews
- Title:
- Oral history interview of William O. Smith
- Creator:
- Taylor, David
Smith, William O., 1940- - Publisher:
- Atlanta, Ga. : Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center
- Date of Original:
- 2018-03-15
- Subject:
- Military personnel
United States--Armed Forces--African Americans
Juneteenth
Radar
Racism--United States
United States. Air Force. Air Defense Command
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
Association for the Study of African-American Life and History - People:
- Berry, Theodore M. (Theodore Moody), 1905-
James, Daniel, 1920-1978 - Location:
- Germany, Giebelstadt, 49.64778, 9.96833
United States, Arizona, Pima County, Tucson, 32.22174, -110.92648
United States, Florida, Jacksonville, Naval Air Station, 30.23583, -81.68056
United States, Maine, Penobscot County, Bangor, 44.80118, -68.77781
United States, Ohio, Hamilton County, Cincinnati, 39.12711, -84.51439
United States, Texas, Bexar County, Lackland Air Force Base, 29.38663, -98.61797 - Medium:
- oral histories (literary works)
- Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/mp4
- Description:
- In this interview, W. O. Smith recalls his 20-year career in the United States Air Force. He remembers growing up in Cincinnati, the son of a World War II Navy veteran. He describes his schooling and participation in sports. He remembers a Cincinnati businessman, Ted Berry, who successfully defended members of the Tuskegee Airmen who were court-martialed for protesting segregated officers' quarters during World War II. He describes his reasons for joining the Air Force and describes his early training and assignments. He remembers an incident when he found a cross on his barracks bed and "KKK" scrawled across his mirror in shoe polish and explains the difficulties Black servicemembers had getting promoted. He recalls subsequent assignments to Spain and Germany and reflects on the lack of racial discrimination he experienced in Europe compared to the United States. He remembers meeting General "Chappie" James (Daniel James Jr.) and describes how their paths crossed again later in his career. He recalls a later recruiting assignment in Atlanta, Georgia, and how he became Rookie Recruiter of the Year. He remembers being promoted to Master Sergeant and describes his last assignment at Charleston Air Force Station in Maine. He describes his post-military education and careers and how he became a part of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. He reflects on his family and his military service. This interview was conducted by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Atlanta Branch.
Freeman Field mutiny; Tuskegee Airmen; 65th Air Division; 273XO; non-productive discharge; Operation Southern Tip; movement & identification; Torrejón Air Base (Spain); flight follower; RS-71 (SR-71); Electronic Countermeasures School; Afro (hairstyle); racial discrimination; Charleston Air Force Station (Maine)
W. O. Smith served in the United States Air Force from 1957-1977. - Metadata URL:
- http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/cdm/ref/collection/VHPohr/id/849
- 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:
- 1:48:20
- 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:
-
