Oral history interview with Steven L. Oreck, 2001.

ArchivalResource

Oreck, Steven L., 1948-,. Oral history interview with Steven L. Oreck, 2001.

Oral history interview with Steven L. Oreck, 2001.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/76160110

Steven Oreck, a Madison, Wisconsin veteran, discusses his service in the Navy during the Cold War and the Persian Gulf War and his career in the Naval Reserves. Oreck talks about enlisting in the Reserves while in college, ways people he knew avoided the draft, air officer training at Pensacola (Florida), intelligence training at Lowry Air Force Base (Colorado), and anti-submarine warfare training at Norfolk (Virginia). He analyzes how the United States mishandled the Vietnam War. Oreck details his first assignment with a Patrol Bomber Squadron tracking Russian nuclear submarines in P-3 airplanes, including the use of sonobuoys and being prepared to torpedo the submarines. After leaving active duty, he talks about having similar missions while serving with a Reserve unit based in South Weymouth (Massachusetts). He portrays his plane's crew, equipment, and typical missions monitoring Russian ships. Oreck explains his duties as squadron intelligence officer, such as handling classified messages and prepared intelligence reports. He addresses being married, being inactive in the Reserves while returning to school on the GI Bill, joining the Medical Corps, and becoming active again in 1984. Assigned to the 23rd Marine Regiment (Reserve) as the regimental surgeon, Oreck talks about commuting to monthly drills and being the Marine Air-Ground Task Force surgeon during next summer's amphibious operation drill. He addresses participating in Civil War reenactments and getting called up to the Persian Gulf. Stationed in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm, Oreck mentions erecting a 500-bed field hospital, the supplies they used, problems sand caused for medical instruments, and the water supply. Oreck explains the sorts of medical care his hospital provided, the impressive amount of rank and knowledge the Medical Corps Reservists had, and the downsides of being pulled out of private practice into service. After the ground war ended, he talks about being transferred to Kuwait City as a doctor for British, Australian, and American Explosive Ordnance Disposal divers. He tells of driving around Kuwait daily to check on which medical units were still functioning. Oreck touches upon military life in the Middle East, including being armed with a pistol, the ban on alcohol in Saudi Arabia, and using a Kuwaiti City bus to transport nurses to a party hosted by Australian naval troops. He speaks about trading food with French military doctors and equipment with British hospitals. Oreck notes the health problems caused by oil fire smoke and working to control fly and rat infestations. He talks about returning to his civilian practice, leaving due to tensions caused by his refusal to leave the Naval Reserves, and moving to Madison (Wisconsin).

Sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 62 min.) ; analog, 1 7/8 ips.Videorecording : 1 videocassette (ca. 62 min.) ; sd., col. ; 1/2 in.Master sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 62 min.) ; analog, 1 7/8 ips.Transcript : 37 p.Military papers : 0.1 linear ft. (1 folder)

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center