Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Software, E-Resource Raffi Armen Bahadarian Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Iraq War, 2003-2011
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Unit of Service: WPNS Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
- Location of Service: Kuwait; Iraq
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/21418
His parents brought him from Lebanon to America to escape the horrors of war, but young Raffi Bahadarian grew to love his new country so much he was willing to serve in its armed forces and return to the Middle East to fight in another war. He signed up with the Marine Corps Reserves and was called up to fight in Operation Iraqi Freedom, joining the First Marine Division to be among the first U.S. soldiers into Baghdad.
Interview / Recording
Transcript
Share
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PlayHow he joined the Marines; getting called up to serve in Iraq. 00:01:40.0 - 00:03:54.0
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PlayTheir route to Baghdad; taking issue with media coverage of Iraqi civilians' reaction to the war. 00:04:20.0 - 00:07:06.0
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PlayHis reasons for joining the Marines; their history in Lebanon. 00:07:10.0 - 00:08:05.0
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PlayWorking out front of supply or communications lines; staying in touch with home and his fiancee. 00:13:59.0 - 00:15:40.0
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PlayDealing with stress; the camaraderie of an all-male unit. 00:16:57.0 - 00:20:38.0
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PlayLessons from his experience: appreciating intangibles, relying on his faith for a foundation; the importance of serving others. 00:27:47.0 - 00:31:45.0
More Resources
About this Item
Title
- Raffi Armen Bahadarian Collection
Names
- Dreier, David
- U.S. House of Representatives/David Dreier
- Bahadarian, Raffi Armen
- Schneider, Dorothy M.
Home State
- California
Headings
- - Bahadarian, Raffi Armen
- - Iraq War, 2003-2011 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Marine Corps.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- White
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Iraq War, 2003-2011
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Unit of Service: WPNS Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
- Location of Service: Kuwait; Iraq
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Dates of Service: 1996
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Video: Digital Betacam [1 item] -- Digitized Copy (collected 2004-09-22)
- Photograph: Digital print [13 items] -- Photograph (collected unknown)
- Manuscript: Diaries and journals [1 item] -- Handwritten document (collected 2003)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of video recording (collected 2004-09-22)
- Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Electronic file of photograph (collected 2004-09-22; 2004-09-22)
- Video: DVD [1 item] -- Home movie footage (collected 2004; 2003-11-12)
- Video: Hi-8/Digital 8 [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2004-09-22)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/21418
Cite as
- Raffi Armen Bahadarian Collection (AFC/2001/001/21418), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- online text
- video