Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Audio Recording Richard A. Ruddy Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Air Force
- Unit of Service: 600th Photo Squadron
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/34500
Arriving in Vietnam in 1965, Richard Ruddy worked to coordinate the visual documentation of the war as it escalated. As an officer with the 600th Photo Squadron, stationed at Tan Son Nhut Airbase, it was his job to determine into which planes to place cameras in order to get the best documentary footage, and to work with the media--such as Life photographer Larry Burrows--to provide access. In his interview, he notes his pride in helping to "record history in a way that it can't be recorded any other way."
Richard A. Ruddy Collection
Interview / Recording
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PlayNature of still photography in Vietnam; working with the media; military allowed and assisted the media as much as they could. 00:30:54.6 - 00:32:53.0
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PlayState of technology in Vietnam; initially working with cameras from Korean War; types of still and motion picture cameras; transition to lighter equipment; film shot in color. 00:33:40.1 - 00:36:44.1
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PlayGaining an appreciation for still photography; working with Life photographer Larry Burrows; becoming a still photographer as a professional career after Vietnam. 00:57:20.6 - 01:00:31.3
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PlayGoing up to a little radar station near the DMZ to take still photos; remote runway in middle of flat valley; no other military man who was further north than he was at that point. 01:05:41.9 - 01:07:45.3
About this Item
Title
- Richard A. Ruddy Collection
Names
- Ruddy, Richard A.
- Courtnage, Lee
- OASIS of Albuquerque, New Mexico
Home State
- New Mexico
Headings
- - Ruddy, Richard A.
- - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Air Force.
Form
- Audio Cassette
Extent
- 1 item
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- White
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Air Force
- Unit of Service: 600th Photo Squadron
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Dates of Service: 1963-1968
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Audio: Audio Cassette [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2005-02-10)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/34500
Cite as
- Richard A. Ruddy Collection (AFC/2001/001/34500), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
Additional Metadata Formats
Part of
Wars & Conflicts
Service Branch
Location of Service
Service Unit
Highest Rank
Service Entrance
Discharge Status
Gender
Race
Home State
Interviewee
Interviewer
Organization/Affiliation
Featured in
- Military Photographers: Framing the Shot  | Creative Expressions of Service  | Serving: Our Voices  | Veterans History Project Collection  | Digital Collections
- Military Photographers: Framing the Shot  | Occupations and Specialties in Service  | Serving: Our Voices  | Veterans History Project Collection  | Digital Collections