Oral history interview with William G. Siebert [sound recording], 2003.

ArchivalResource

Siebert, William G., d. 2004,. Oral history interview with William G. Siebert [sound recording], 2003.

Oral history interview with William G. Siebert [sound recording], 2003.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/83318105

William Siebert, an Oconto, Wisconsin native, discusses his post-World War II service with the 77th Ordnance Depot on Guam and his Korean War service with the 96th Quartermaster Battalion, the Career Record Analysis Branch, and as a guard at the Koje-do prisoner of war camp. Siebert comments on growing up during World War II: the death of local soldiers, collecting materials for the war effort, and the effects of gas rationing on dating. He talks about his ancestor's civil war service, enlisting in the Army, and basic training at Fort Knox (Kentucky). Assigned to the message center with the 77th Ordnance Depot in Guam, Siebert tells of transporting classified documents and the mail. He recalls being in a typhoon while on duty in a Quonset hut and the work of his unit on Saipan to destroy ammunition that had been stockpiled for the invasion of Japan during World War II. Transferred to the 96th Quartermaster Battalion, Seibert discusses intelligence briefings and his awareness of tensions with China over Formosa. He characterizes Sammy Black, a West Point graduate he served with. After a thirty-day leave at home, Siebert talks about assignment to the Career Record Analysis Branch at the Pentagon pulling officers' records. He reports he tried to volunteer for overseas duty but was ineligible because he'd recently served in Guam, and he states his roommate, who was sent overseas, was killed in Korea. Siebert speaks of graduating from armored school at Fort Knox, assignment to Fort Monmouth (New Jersey) training new recruits, and doing summer training of ROTC and West Point students at Camp Leonard Wood (Missouri). He comments on the roles in a tank crew, having a troublesome student, and continuing to request transfer to Korea. Sent to Korea in 1951, Siebert talks about being stationed at Koje-do prisoner of war camp and details the riots between communist and non-communist prisoners. He recalls knowing that his cousin was a prisoner of war at the time. Siebert describes the Korean prisoners' being in control of the island, having a United States general taken hostage for two days, and the battle to retake control of the island. Siebert mentions trading with a Navy ship for lettuce and having his equipment destroyed in a fire. Sent back to the States in 1952, he discusses his homecoming, having problems with being overly aggressive, and feeling cowardly for being discharged while the war was ongoing. Siebert mentions serving as commander at the American Legion post in Oconto (Wisconsin) and at the VFW post in Sturgeon Bay.

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.Transcript : 28 p.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center