Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Audio Recording Bobby J. Wallace Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Location of Service: Pacific Theater
- Highest Rank: Boatswain's Mate
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/4736
The chance not only to serve his country but also to help his cash-strapped family propelled Bobby Wallace into service with the Navy during World War II. And he served for twenty years, mindful that he always had to prove himself, not just as a Navy man, but as a black man.
Interview / Recording
Transcript
Share
-
PlayFamily's financial circumstances forced him to join the service; basic training; racism pushing some recruits over the edge. 00:01:47.1 - 00:04:27.2
-
PlayRacist Marines having the tables turned when they were wounded in combat; fighting more than one enemy in WWII. 00:05:09.2 - 00:07:54.6
-
PlayHeeding advice from Marines about Japanese tricks. 00:08:53.1 - 00:10:32.8
-
PlayHow pride in proving their detractors wrong spurred on black troops." 00:12:25.2 - 00:13:28.8
-
PlayHaving his V-mail to his parents censored during WWII. 00:18:50.0 - 00:19:29.2
-
Play30-day shore leave during the war; getting ready for the invasion of Japan; celebrating the end of the war; hardships aboard ship. 00:34:54.5 - 00:42:50.4
-
PlayWWII didn't end segregation or racism. 00:43:45.0 - 00:46:45.0
-
PlayHis old-school moral values; appreciating the sacrifices made by servicemen he fought with; getting a perspective on life in America by seeing other countries. 00:47:20.0 - 00:50:09.9
About this Item
Title
- Bobby J. Wallace Collection
Names
- Wallace, Bobby J.
- Mott, Holly
- Clio Associates Center for Recording Life Stories
Home State
- Massachusetts
Headings
- - Wallace, Bobby J.
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Navy.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- Black or African American
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Location of Service: Pacific Theater
- Highest Rank: Boatswain's Mate
- Dates of Service: 1943-1963
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Video: Digital Betacam [1 item] -- Digitized Copy (collected unknown)
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Reference copy (collected unknown)
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Reference copy (collected unknown)
- Video: MiniDV [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected unknown)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of video recording (collected 2014-10-25)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/4736
Cite as
- Bobby J. Wallace Collection (AFC/2001/001/4736), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- online text
- video