Oral history interview with James W. Ormsby [sound recording], 2005.

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Oral history interview with James W. Ormsby [sound recording], 2005.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/79650030

Ormsby, born and raised in Milwaukee, held several jobs after graduating from high school before taking the test to become a fireman. After completing his fireman training, Ormsby was assigned to a fire house and spent one day on duty (Monday) before being drafted into the U.S. Army on Tuesday. He describes his basic training experience at Fort Leonard Wood (Missouri) in April 1960, the tough drill sergeants, and how a Black drill sergeant looked out for him. Following basic training, Ormsby was sent to Radio Operator School at Fort Knox (Kentucky). Ormsby talks about Morse code training and some of the operators who seemed to have a natural ability. Following school at Fort Knox, he was sent to Germany where he served with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment and was assigned to a border unit. Ormsby mentions some of his patrols along the East German border and he also talks about West German guards patrolling with German shepherd dogs. He briefly describes communication between the border units and patrols. Ormsby mentions the order which prohibited American soldiers to fire at East German guards preventing a border crossing but they were allowed to assist people once they were across the border. Ormsby states the units were rotated to the border every two to three months and that other than time spent in the field during winter "alert" periods he enjoyed Germany. He mentions that they would go to a local town while off-duty to drink and socialize. After one year in Germany, Ormsby returned home to be discharged with forty-five days accumulated leave time, for which he was paid.

Sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 45 min.) ; analog, 1 7/8 ips.Master sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 45 min.) ; analog, 1 7/8 ips.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center

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SNAC Resource ID: 8235032

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center

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