Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Software, E-Resource Audio Recording Stephen M. Collins, Jr. Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Iraq War, 2003-2011; Afghan War, 2001-
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Unit of Service: Company A, 8th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division; Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division; Marine Corps Reserve; Company E, 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/11615
At the time of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Staff Sergeant Stephen M. Collins, Jr., was a Marine Corps reservist and a medical student. Suddenly he had to balance the demands of his educational pursuits with his military obligations and the possibility of deployment. Though many of his colleagues and fellow students asked if he would leave the Marine Corps to focus on medical school, he says he felt a moral obligation to serve his country. He was called to active duty in 2003, and deployed to Iraq and Kuwait as a tank commander with the 8th Tank Battalion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In an interview conducted for VHP just a few months after he returned from his deployment, Collins reflected on his experience, and shared a straightforward view of his service, saying "I did my job. I did the best that I could do, and I made it back."
Stephen M. Collins, Jr. Collection
Interview / Recording
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PlayChoice of career fields; recruiters wanted him to go into administration or avionics; told machine gunners just blow things up. 00:03:53.0 - 00:05:09.0
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PlayKnowing he could be deployed; learning of the events of September 11; people asked if he would leave the Marine Corps to focus on medical school; felt an obligation to continue serving. 00:12:43.0 - 00:15:41.0
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PlayArriving in Kuwait; preparing tanks for combat; crossing the border into Iraq. 00:18:43.0 - 00:21:14.0
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PlayPlatoon sergeant's tank broke down; staying behind with broken tank; moving north through Iraq; arrival at Camp Viper. 00:22:05.0 - 00:26:00.0
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PlayFocused on getting tank fixed; travelling north to Baghdad; passing his company on the road. 00:26:52.0 - 00:28:54.0
More Resources
About this Item
Title
- Stephen M. Collins, Jr. Collection
Names
- Lugar, Richard
- U.S. Senate/Richard Lugar
- Huffman, Emmy
- Collins Jr., Stephen M.
Home State
- Kentucky
Headings
- - Collins Jr., Stephen M.
- - Afghan War, 2001- -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Marine Corps.
- - Iraq War, 2003-2011 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Marine Corps.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- Black or African American
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
Afghan War, 2001-
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Unit of Service: Company E, 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Dates of Service: 2011
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
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Iraq War, 2003-2011
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Unit of Service: Company A, 8th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division; Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division; Marine Corps Reserve
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Dates of Service: 1993-2007
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Multiple types of electronic files (collected 2003; 2003-11-09)
- Audio: CD [2 items] -- Reference copy (collected 2003-09-08; 2010-07-21)
- Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Multiple types of electronic files (collected 2003; 2004-06-03)
- Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Multiple types of electronic files (collected 2003; 2004-03-26)
- Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Electronic file of photograph (collected 2003; 2004-01-05)
- Manuscript: Clippings [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2003-09-26)
- Manuscript: Correspondence [4 items] -- Mixed (handwritten and typewritten documents) (collected 2003)
- Manuscript: Military papers (orders, personnel/201 files, etc) [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2013-01-07)
- Manuscript: Unit histories [9 items] -- Typewritten document (collected 2012)
- Photograph: Original photographic print [35 items] -- Photograph (collected 2012)
- Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Electronic file of photograph (collected 2012; 2017)
- Manuscript: Correspondence [5 items] -- Typewritten document (collected 2002-2003)
- Manuscript: Periodicals [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2003-05-06)
- Manuscript: Civilian papers (certificates, forms, wills, etc) [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2003-03-24)
- Photograph: Original photographic print [15 items] -- Photograph (collected 1994-2003)
- Audio: Audio Cassette [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2003-09-08)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/11615
Cite as
- Stephen M. Collins, Jr. Collection (AFC/2001/001/11615), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- image
Additional Metadata Formats
IIIF Presentation Manifest
Part of
Wars & Conflicts
Service Branch
Location of Service
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan
- Camp Shoup, Kuwait
- Fort Knox, Kentucky
- Nasiriyah, Iraq
- San Diego, California
Battles & Campaigns
Service Unit
- 23rd Marine Regiment
- 3rd Battalion
- 4th Marine Division
- 4th Tank Battalion
- 8th Tank Battalion
- Company a
- Company E
- Marine Corps Reserve
- Weapons Company