Hillam War Project interviews of Korean and Vietnam War veterans
Scope and Contents note
This collection consists of inteviews with Korean and Vietnam veterans. It covered topics such as recruitment, training, daily routines, duties, missions, how their experience as a Mormon soldier differed from their fellow soldiers, and many other topics as the veterans reveal their war experiences and what it meant to them. Includes six interviews, each interview consisting of a transcript and either a cassette tape or audio reel of the interview. The interviews that are dated were conducted in 1985, but some are undated.
Interview 1 was conducted by Ray Hillam of Jay Jensen, a lieutenant colonel who wrote the book "Six years in hell : a returned Vietnam POW views captivity, country, and the future." His transcript is 56 pages and includes a cassette tape. Interview 2 was conducted by Tim Turner of Jerry Jensen, who was both a Korean and Vietnam veteran. His transcript is 26 pages with a cassette tape. Interview 3 was done by Rory Reid of David R. Lyon, a colonel in the Korean war. It is 25 pages and includes an audio reel. Interview 4 was done by Gary Dewey of Kirk T. Waldron, a colonel in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. This interview is 31 pages with a cassette tape. Interview 5 was conducted by Scott M. Fellows of Grant Warren who was in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. His interview is 36 pages with an audio reel. Interview 6 was conducted by Richard Weeks of Wener Glen Weeks, who was also in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. His interview is 28 pages with a cassette tape.
Dates
- 1985
Creator
- Hillam, Ray C. (Person)
Conditions Governing Access note
Open for public research.
Conditions Governing Use note
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the Hillam War Project interviews of Korean and Vietnam War veterans must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services. and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Board of Curators.
Biographical History
Ray C. Hillam (1928- ) was a professor of political science at Brigham Young University.
Ray Cole Hillam was born on 25 July 1928 to James Ralph Hillam and Mabel Cole in Carlin, Nevada. He received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Utah in 1955, his M.A. in Political Science from George Washington University in 1958, and his Ph.D. in International Relations from American University in 1964. He served as a corporal in the U.S. Army from 1952-1954. During his time in the military he served as a research assistant for the psychological warfare unit of the United Nations Military Command in Tokyo, Japan from 1953-1954 and also as a Swedish interpreter for the US Army in Korea in 1953.
From 1955-1958 he served as a Swedish and Chinese intelligence analyst for the US Government. He then served as an administrative assistant for the Chief of the US Park Police of the National Park Service in Washington D.C. from 1958-1959. He then began his career as a professor for the Department of Political Science at Brigham Young University in 1960. While a professor he also served as a consultant for the Unconventional Warfare group of the US Navy from 1961-1963; as coordinator of the International Relations Program at Brigham Young University, 1963-1966, 1967-1968, 1981-1985; then as director of the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies starting in 1985; as well as serving as a lecturer or director on several programs (including the Washington Seminar and abroad programs in East Asia, London, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, Vietnam, and others).
His awards include the Fulbright Hays Award to Vietnam, Taiwan, and China; Vietnamese Medal of Honor, First Class; U.S. Patriotic Civilian Service Award; Karl G. Maesar’s Distinguished Teaching Award; Phi Kappa Phi Faculty Award; Virginia F. Culter Faculty Lecturer; as well as many others.
He is married to Carolyn Sanders and they have six children.
Extent
1 box (0.5 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection consists of interviews with Korean and Vietnam veterans under the direction of Ray C. Hillam for his war project. It covers topics such as recruitment, training, daily routines, duties, missions, how their experience as an LDS soldier differed from their fellow soldiers, and many other topics as the veterans reveal their war experiences and what it meant to them. Includes six interviews, each interview consisting of a transcript and either a cassette tape or audio reel of the interview.
Custodial History note
Found in the stacks in 2008.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Found in the stacks in 2008.
Appraisal note
20th Century Western and Mormon Americana because of the war veterans' experiences as LDS American soldiers.
Processing Information note
Processed; Melissa Cowles, student processor and John Murphy, curator; 2008.
- Interviews
- Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Personal narratives, American
- Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Veterans
- Material Types
- Military
- Oral Histories
- Politics, Government, and Law
- Transcripts
- Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Aerial operations, American
- Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal narratives, American
- Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Veterans
- War -- Moral and ethical aspects
- War -- Psychological aspects
- War -- Religious aspects
- Title
- Register of Hillam War Project interviews of Korean and Vietnam War veterans
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Melissa Cowles, student processor and John Murphy, curator
- Date
- 2008
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English in Latin script.
Repository Details
Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States