- Collection:
- Veterans History Project: Oral History Interviews
- Title:
- Oral history interview of Gerald G. Roberts
- Creator:
- Bruckner, William Joseph, 1944-
VerHoef, Sue Hardy
Roberts, Gerald G., 1926- - Publisher:
- Atlanta, Ga. : Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center
- Date of Original:
- 2021-08-11
2021 - Subject:
- Cruisers (Warships)--United States
Destroyer escorts--United States
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
United States. Navy. Fleet, 6th - People:
- Chiang, Kai-shek, 1887-1975
Mao, Zedong, 1893-1976
Gravely, S. L. (Samuel Lee), Jr., 1922-2004 - Location:
- Australia, -25.0, 135.0
China, Hong Kong, 22.2793278, 114.1628131
Greece, Athens, 37.9841493, 23.7279843
Spain, Málaga, 36.72016, -4.42034
United States, District of Columbia, Washington, Fort Lesley J. McNair, 38.8659409, -77.01623753804438
United States, Maryland, Anne Arundel County, Annapolis, 38.97859, -76.49184
United States, Virginia, James City County, Williamsburg, 37.27344, -76.74148
United States, Virginia, Norfolk City County, Norfolk, 36.81904, -76.27494
United States, Virginia, York County, Camp Peary, 37.33201, -76.6604
Vietnam, 16.16667, 107.83333 - Medium:
- oral histories (literary works)
- Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/mp4
- Description:
- In this interview, Gerald Roberts recalls his experiences serving in the United States Navy. He remembers his upbringing, his father pushing for his education, and he playfully admits to aggravating all his teachers. He recalls joining the Army Specialized Training Program, attending university, being sent to boot camp, and the mix-up that occurred when he tried to transfer to the Naval Academy. He describes slowly moving up in rank until he became Commander of the destroyer USS Boyd, providing "plane guard" for an aircraft carrier, and patrolling waters between China and Taiwan during the Vietnam War. He discusses his relationship with fellow Navy ship Commander Sam Gravely, his time in Australia, and a prank involving a cactus. Roberts shares stories about his time as Commodore in Italy, his duties, his retirement, and working for the Pentagon. He finishes by talking about his family.
USS Boyd; USS Salem; Midshipmen; Ensign; National War College; Pentagon
Gerald Roberts commanded the USS Boyd during the Vietnam War. - External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/cdm/ref/collection/VHPohr/id/907
- 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:
- 1:48:04
51:37 - 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:
-
