Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing George Jerome Marsinko Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Persian Gulf War, 1991
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: Chief
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/28591
In 1989, at the age of 19, George Marsinko joined the Navy after his father died and there was no money for him to attend college. He spent the next 16 years manning helicopters that flew primarily antisubmarine missions. His belief that if you train properly you'll know how to handle yourself under pressure served him well through a variety of missions. Marsinko understood the complexities of helicopters, which allowed them to perform so many tasks but also made them challenging to operate and maintain.
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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PlayWhy he joined the Navy; service locations; in an antisubmarine warfare unit; flying peacetime missions with the same intensity and purpose as if they were in wartime, to be prepared for the possibility of war; crew of four in his helicopter; in the Navy crews have to be trained to do a multitude of jobs. 00:00:44.8 - 00:05:51.6
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PlayHelicopters have more moving parts than a fixed-wing aircraft; aerodynamics based solely on rotors which work against each other; use of night-vision goggles; one of his duties was to scan and alert pilots of potential dangers; enforcing the U.N. resolution to apprehend oil smuggling operations out of Iraq, a perilous operation; high-altitude flying presents other dangers; made some of those flights over Kosovo. 00:06:30.4 - 00:11:18.1
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PlayIn 1998, with squadron known as the "Dusty Dogs" when a good friend was killed in accident caused by poor piloting skills; morale among many of the sailor's comrades was so damaged they didn't want to fly; Marsinko was asked to talk to them and get them refocused on the need to carry on. 00:11:38.2 - 00:16:30.9
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PlayHis training; fortunately entering the Navy on an air crew program that funneled him into that area; skills he learned in air crewman training, then search and rescue school; very tough, with third highest attrition rate in Navy; learning about sonar systems; trained on how to react as a prisoner of war under Geneva convention, not torture; that training teaching students a lot about themselves; graduation is a very emotional event. 00:20:07.7 - 00:25:50.4
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PlayStarted in Navy during Cold War when military was held in low regard; nation wasn't supportive, but his family was; after Gulf War, general attitudes changed for the better; support ebbed again during Clinton administration; doesn't see a difference between supporting the troops and supporting the mission. 00:26:38.6 - 00:30:37.3
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PlayGiving up your freedom when you deploy on an aircraft carrier; personal space is very limited; experience in war makes your more introspective. 00:31:18.6 - 00:33:50.9
About this Item
Title
- George Jerome Marsinko Collection
Names
- Coronado Middle School
- Marsinko, George Jerome
- Waters, Heather
- Eyerly, Charlie
Home State
- California
Headings
- - Marsinko, George Jerome
- - Persian Gulf War, 1991 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Navy.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- White
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
Persian Gulf War, 1991
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: Chief
- Dates of Service: 1989-2005
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Manuscript: Other Manuscript Material [1 item] -- Typewritten document (collected 2005-01-26)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of video recording (collected 2005-01-26)
- Video: VHS [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2005-01-26)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/28591
Cite as
- George Jerome Marsinko Collection (AFC/2001/001/28591), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- online text
- video