Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans

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Irv Press

WWII | Headquarters Battery, 68th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Armored Division Artillery

At the end of the war, Irv Press was given a special assignment and an unusual partner. The partner was a former Wermacht captain and the mission was the liberation of farm workers forced into labor on German farms by the Nazis. (7:04)
Irv Press was approached by a Russian soldier who only wanted to know one thing, "Do you have Mickey Mouse watch?" He couldn't help with that problem but when he was asked to set up a nightclub for non-coms, he really delivered. (5:24)
His time was up but European duty was so different from his Brooklyn home, Irv Press decided to re-enlist and carry on. Eventually, though, he felt the need to continue his education. (2:07)
The first time Irv Press faced discrimination, he heard it from the head cook at basic training. He dismissed it as the ravings of a redneck but it wasn't so easy to dismiss the deaths of six million Jews. (3:35)
Irving Locker

WWII | 116th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion

Irving Locker grew up the youngest of seven children and lived a moderate lifestyle before training at Fort Dix and Camp Davis. It was during this time that he was also trained to use huge 90mm guns. (This interview made possible with the support of RUSSELL G. JOHNSON.) (6:26)
Traveling overseas for the second world war would prove to be one of the greatest challenges Irving Locker would face. Unfortunately with a boat ride of that magnitude, there's bound to be plenty of seasickness. (This interview made possible with the support of RUSSELL G. JOHNSON.) (5:26)
Upon arriving in Europe, Locker and the rest of his troop spent a lot of time training for the D-Day Invasion. Here he speaks of stories concerning those training exercises and the invasion itself. (This interview made possible with the support of RUSSELL G. JOHNSON.) (9:53)
On many occasions, Irving Locker and his men were given instructions to conduct a ten mile march forward. Here he talks about his experiences with that, and how it felt to scavenge the area for dangerous terrain such as minefields. (This interview made possible with the support of RUSSELL G. JOHNSON.) (8:52)
After the success of the D-Day Invasion, Irving Locker finally got to visit Paris. His men were the first ones there during the liberation effort, and here he documents exactly what that felt like. (This interview made possible with the support of RUSSELL G. JOHNSON.) (5:51)
After the war ended, Irving Locker recalls a few reunions he had from his unit that stand out to him. Following this, he talks about the last big pieces of the war, including the Siege of Aachen and the Battle of the Bulge. (This interview made possible with the support of RUSSELL G. JOHNSON.) (7:41)