- Collection:
- Veterans History Project: Oral History Interviews
- Title:
- Oral history interview of Raymond K. Curtis
- Creator:
- Tate, Candy
Pannell, Robert
Curtis, Raymond K., 1943- - Publisher:
- Atlanta, Ga. : Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center
- Date of Original:
- 2015-06-06
2015 - Subject:
- Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Personal narratives, American
Vietnam War, 1961-1975--African Americans
United States. Air Force - People:
- King, Martin Luther, Jr., 1929-1968
- Location:
- Dominican Republic, 19.0, -70.66667
Korea, 37.663998, 127.978458
Vietnam, Đà Lạt, 11.9402416, 108.4375758 - Medium:
- oral histories (literary works)
- Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/quicktime
- Description:
- This interview was conducted by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Atlanta Branch. In this interview, Raymond Curtis recalls his experiences serving in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He explains his reasons for enlisting in the Air Force; his basic training in San Antonio; and his first duty station at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. While there, he recalls that the beaches were segregated, forcing him and other African American servicemen and women to travel to beaches further away for recreation. He describes an assignment in the Dominican Republic during which they witnessed local insurgents spraying a bridge with gunfire as they were about to cross. He describes his time in Vietnam and relates several incidents including securing a mountaintop installation alone at night; communicating with family at home; and how Black soldiers tended to stay together in off-duty hours. He recalls in detail the tensions between white and Black troops after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated and remembers distinctly seeing the words "Ha Ha Ha, King is dead" written on the walls of a bathroom his unit used. He explains how promotions tended to be racially motivated. He reflects on the military; his feelings about war; how much he enjoyed the Vietnamese town of Da Lat; and how a military draft might be a good thing for many of today's youth who lack direction in their lives. He recalls spending an extra seven days in Vietnam after his tour of duty there ended due to an infection in his foot. He describes his post-military careers.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. assassination; "Sin Strip"; TDY
Raymond Curtis served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. - External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/cdm/ref/collection/VHPohr/id/922
- 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.
- 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:
-
