- Collection:
- Veterans History Project: Oral History Interviews
- Title:
- Oral history interview of Charles E. Polk III
- Creator:
- Woods, Ed
VerHoef, Sue Hardy
Polk, Charles E. III, 1951- - Publisher:
- Atlanta, Ga. : Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center
- Date of Original:
- 2021-10-18
2021 - Subject:
- Basic training (Military education)--United States
Persian Gulf War, 1991
Persian Gulf War, 1991--Personal narratives, American
September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001
War on Terrorism, 2001-2009
Hurricane Katrina, 2005
United States. Coast Guard Reserve
United States. Transportation Security Administration - Location:
- United States, Arkansas, Pulaski County, Little Rock, 34.74648, -92.28959
United States, District of Columbia, Washington, 38.89511, -77.03637
United States, Kentucky, Jefferson County, Louisville, 38.25424, -85.75941
United States, Louisiana, Orleans County, New Orleans, 29.433, -89.73438
United States, Missouri, Jackson County, Kansas City, 39.09973, -94.57857
United States, New Jersey, Cape May County, Cape May, 38.93511, -74.90601
United States, North Dakota, Burleigh County, Bismarck, 46.80833, -100.78374
United States, Ohio, Hamilton County, Cincinnati, 39.12711, -84.51439
United States, Tennessee, Davidson County, Nashville, 36.16589, -86.78444
United States, Texas, Travis County, Austin, 30.26715, -97.74306
United States, Virginia, Portsmouth City County, Portsmouth, 36.83418, -76.29739
United States, Virginia, York County, Yorktown, 37.23876, -76.50967 - Medium:
- oral histories (literary works)
- Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/mp4
- Description:
- In this interview, Chuck Polk shares his experiences serving in the United States Coast Guard. He recalls his high school years in Louisville, Kentucky and talks about his family's service in the military, and the reason he chose to join the Coast Guard. He discusses the differences in his Coast Guard training compared to the other branches of service including aspects of emergency and readiness planning. Polk shares an excellent history of the United States Coast Guard and includes many facts about its inception to present day. He recalls his duties while on active duty and on reserve, serving as an Executive Officer of a drilling unit, and the struggles he faced in transitioning to the civilian work force. He remembers the September 11th terrorist attacks, landing a job with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and being recalled back to the Coast Guard for natural disaster relief many times. Polk describes the relationships he maintained with his fellow "Coasties" and his Company Commander in particular over a 40 year career in the Coast Guard.
Cracker Jack Uniform; Dixie Cup Cap; Butter Bars; Pentagon; C-130; FEMA
Chuck Polk served in the United States Coast Guard for over 40 years. - External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/cdm/ref/collection/VHPohr/id/913
- 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:
- 50:54
- 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:
-