Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Software, E-Resource Kjell T. Tollefsen Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 188th Assault Helicopter Company (Black Widows); 235th Aviation Company; 1109th Transportation Company; 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment
- Location of Service: Fort Polk, Louisiana; Fort Wolters, Texas; Fort Rucker, Alabama; Fort Benning, Georgia; Dau Tieng, Vietnam; Landing Zone Sally, Vietnam; New London, Connecticut
- Highest Rank: Chief Warrant Officer 3
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/67682
The son of Norwegian immigrants, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kjell Tollefsen wanted to serve his country--and he wanted to fly. Enlisting in the Army granted both these wishes. By 1968, he was serving with the 188th Assault Helicopter Company, a unit nicknamed the "Black Widows" with a reputation for talent and aggression. Stationed first at Dau Tieng and then at Landing Zone Sally near Khe San, the Black Widows provided direct combat support, ferrying munitions, food, and troops to the bush and back, often coming under enemy fire. His interview is a highly detailed, evocative account of life in a helicopter unit: he describes being shot down, aircraft names, good luck charms, and the culture of adrenaline. Despite the grueling conditions, the bonds he developed with his comrades made it difficult to leave Vietnam at the end of his tour of duty.
Interview / Recording
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PlayMotivation for enlistment; family background; sense of patriotism that came from parents' immigration story. 00:02:25.4 - 00:03:39.6
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PlayArriving in Vietnam; assignment to the 188th Assault Helicopter Company. 00:13:25.9 - 00:15:51.1
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PlayExperience of going on his first mission; taking fire; whole experience was overwhelming. 00:17:06.3 - 00:18:07.1
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PlayResponsibilities of the 188th Assault Helicopter Company; daily duties; total number of missions flown. 00:18:32.6 - 00:21:48.8
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PlayIncident in which his aircraft was shot down while providing combat support for a special forces unit. 00:29:26.6 - 00:37:28.3
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PlayFlying "smoke ships," helicopters that pumped out clouds of white smoke to provide a visual barrier when troops were delivered to a combat zone. 00:38:53.6 - 00:41:10.3
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PlayAircraft names; personal nicknames; good luck charms. 00:42:10.4 - 00:44:13.0
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PlayAdjusting to the constant stress; living on the adrenaline rush; instincts being honed; adapting and changing so that he was able to react quickly; becoming more pragmatic. 00:57:38:7 - 00:59:45.9
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PlayFeeling sad to leave his unit at the end of his tour; arriving in the US and facing protestors at the airport; making his way home. 01:15:29.0 - 01:19:46.0
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PlayThoughts on necessity of war in general and of the Vietnam War in particular. 01:28:15.0 - 01:30:59.0
More Resources
About this Item
Title
- Kjell T. Tollefsen Collection
Names
- Tollefsen, Kjell T.
- Hurst, Eileen M.
- McGuckin, Briana
- Central Connecticut State University
Home State
- Connecticut
Headings
- - Tollefsen, Kjell T.
- - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 188th Assault Helicopter Company (Black Widows); 235th Aviation Company; 1109th Transportation Company; 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment
- Location of Service: Fort Polk, Louisiana; Fort Wolters, Texas; Fort Rucker, Alabama; Fort Benning, Georgia; Dau Tieng, Vietnam; Landing Zone Sally, Vietnam; New London, Connecticut
- Highest Rank: Chief Warrant Officer 3
- Dates of Service: 1967-1972
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Video: DVD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2008-12-05; 2009-04-17)
- Photograph: Digital print [72 items] -- Photograph (collected 1967-2008)
- Video: DVD [1 item] -- Reference copy (collected 2008-12-05; 2013-10-24)
- Manuscript: Military papers (orders, personnel/201 files, etc) [2 items] -- Typewritten document (collected 1967-1969)
- Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Electronic file of manuscript (collected 1967-1969)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/67682
Cite as
- Kjell T. Tollefsen Collection (AFC/2001/001/67682), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- video
Additional Metadata Formats
IIIF Presentation Manifest
Part of
Wars & Conflicts
Service Branch
Location of Service
- Dau Tieng, Vietnam
- Fort Benning, Georgia
- Fort Polk, Louisiana
- Fort Rucker, Alabama
- Fort Wolters, Texas
- Landing Zone Sally, Vietnam
- New London, Connecticut
Service Unit
- 1109th Transportation Company
- 188th Assault Helicopter Company (Black Widows)
- 235th Aviation Company
- 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment