Contributed Stories

emember, an important part of the story of the Liberty ships is the story of those who built, sailed and defended them. Your story!

Tell us your story: Oral histories wanted.

The loss of people like Ted Taddei and other fine people who sailed in the merchant marine or Navy highlights the need for the collection of oral histories. All of the admirals, all of the generals and, probably, most of the captains and colonels, have long since sat down with a tape recorder or video camera and recorded their reminiscences of their World War II service. Have you? It doesn't take much effort. It's best done with someone to ask you questions - preferably someone who's done this sort of thing before and knows what questions to ask. We also have several volunteers aboard the BROWN who would be happy to sit down with you over a cup of coffee to talk about old times. Some of our guys are real experts at this! Record your memories on tape, or write them down. We are in the history business here and you who were there can help us further that business better than anyone else.

Here are some questions to get you started on an oral history:

• How did you get interested in the merchant marine/Navy?
• When and where did you sign up?
• What training school or schools did you attend?
• What was your first ship?
• Where did you go? What cargoes did you carry?
• Talk about some of your fellow crew members?
• Did you have any real 'characters' aboard your ship(s)?
  What am I saying? Of course you did!
• Did you see any action? Describe in detail.
• If your ship was lost, what happened to you and your shipmates?
• How many ships did you sail on during the war?
• Did your ship participate in any invasions?
• Did your ship operate in convoy? Atlantic? Pacific?
• Talk about daily life aboard your ship(s).
• Were you able to get ashore in any of the war zones?
  Do you have any pictures?
  Can we get copies?
• What did you do after the war?

These are only some examples of the kind of questions that need to be asked to begin an oral history. Give it a try. Posterity, your family included, will greatly appreciate your efforts.

Copies of oral histories will be cataloged and stored in the ship's Library.