Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Audio Recording Richard J. Rogala Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Unit of Service: USS Pueblo
- Location of Service: Japan; Korea
- Highest Rank: Storekeeper Third Class
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/65963
Enlisting in the Navy Reserves in 1966, Storekeeper Third Class Richard Rogala had no idea that he would eventually find himself in the center of one of the Cold War's major incidents. Assigned to the deck crew of the USS Pueblo, he worked on ship maintenance; he was unaware that the main role of the Pueblo was intelligence gathering. Captured by the North Koreans in January 1968, he, along with the rest of the Pueblo crew, spent the next eleven months in captivity before US officials negotiated their release. Subsisting on a diet of turnips, rice, and bread, he lost 40 pounds; he credits his youth (he was twenty-one at the time he was captured) and the camaraderie of his crew for his survival.
Richard J. Rogala Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
Share
-
PlayPatrolling off the coast of North Korea, about fifteen miles from land; being surrounded by North Korean torpedo boats and airplanes; being fired upon; one sailor injured during attack; not understanding that the USS Pueblo was an intelligence gathering ship until they were attacked and captured; no history of this kind of incident. 00:17:10.0 - 00:21:49.0
-
PlayBeing captured; led off ship in blindfolds; brainwashing; getting no news; government efforts to negotiate their release; eighty-three Navy personnel in captivity. 00:21:50.0 - 00:27:57.0
-
PlayKeeping morale up by talking to one another; being beaten in response to report in newsmagazine about the situation; interrogations; successful negotiation for their release; transfer back to San Diego; eating the best meal of his life. 00:27:58.0 - 00:34:26.0
About this Item
Title
- Richard J. Rogala Collection
Names
- Rogala, Richard J.
- O'Shea, Cornelius
- Wolicki, Kate
- Niles Public Library District
Home State
- Illinois
Headings
- - Rogala, Richard J.
- - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Navy.
- - Prisoner of War -- United States
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Unit of Service: USS Pueblo
- Location of Service: Japan; Korea
- Highest Rank: Storekeeper Third Class
- Dates of Service: 1967-1969
- Prisoner of War: Yes
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: Rogala served in the US Navy Reserve. He was serving on board the USS Pueblo when it was captured by the North Koreans on 1/23/1968, and spent 11 months as a prisoner of war (POW).
Materials
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2007-09-29; 1994-12-31)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of audio recording (collected 2007-09-29)
- Photograph: Digital print [11 items] -- Photograph (collected 1968-2007)
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2007-09-29; 1994-12-31)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/65963
Cite as
- Richard J. Rogala Collection (AFC/2001/001/65963), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- online text