Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans

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Harold Bobroff

WWII | 3rd Marine Division

After training on Guam, "Hutch" relives the shocking scene of dead Marines on the island of Iwo Jima, smoking volcanic terrain, and carrying guns he couldn't shoot. (6:14)
"Hutch" shares his dramatic account of travelling with a friend whose dangerous job, flamethrower, threatened both their lives. (3:15)
Brave and bleeding while treating other wounded soldiers, "Hutch" relives being honored with a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart (5:52)
Remembering the horrors of war, "Hutch" vividly describes US tanks being hit by mortars, Japanese banzai attacks, and friends who were killed in action. (4:31)
"Hutch" reflects back on witnessing a fight between two US Marines, how he felt about enemy soldiers, and the one corpsman who proved to be an amazing hero on Iwo Jima. (3:37)
Honorably discharged from duty, "Hutch" recalls leaving Iwo Jima, celebrating with two friends, and receiving a shocking note when he arrives back home. (3:27)
Harold Sterrett

Vietnam | Multiple Units

It was a turbulent time to come of age in the 1960's. Rollie Sterrett majored in political science because of all the history unfolding around him and he was attracted to the military because he craved adventure. (4:44)
Rollie Sterrett was vaguely aware of the war in Vietnam, which was really just beginning. At the Air Intelligence Training Center, he learned photo interpretation using photos from the Cuban missile crisis. Upon graduation, the entire class was informed they were all going to Vietnam (5:40)
When Rollie Sterrett got to Vietnam, he initially had to squeeze with seven others into a Saigon hotel room while they waited for assignment. He was assigned to the Directorate of Targets at 7th Air Force HQ, where he learned the intricate inter-service politics at play in the air war. He also soon shared the frustration with the micro-management of the war coming from the White House. (7:44)
The air war over Vietnam was highly politicized. President Johnson was concerned that China could enter the war, the way they did in Korea. This led to every target requiring approval from the White House itself. Air Force intelligence officer Rollie Sterrett says this led to missed opportunities to easily destroy enemy capabilities. (5:44)