Nieman Enhanced Learning Center (NOTE: After we finished the interviews we realized that asking the questions in sequential order was helpful in writing the narratives. These questions are not in sequential order.) Connecting with the Past Many people have a hard time understanding events that they, themselves, have not experienced. Students, especially, must learn they are a part of a country that has a truly special history. Americans share a culture and a history that make them often admired, and sometimes hated. Americans share a record of hard work, sacrifice and faith that colors their thoughts and hopes even today. Too often, young people miss out on a golden opportunity to learn about America’s past, because some are cut off from their elders. Our project will provide an opportunity for students to reach out to the older generations in their own families and communities, in order to learn more about the past. What were the experiences of average Americans in WWII? To many individuals, "The War" represents a defining moment of shared purpose and sacrifice. Many older Americans are happy to tell their individual stories in a conscious effort to connect their lives to the generations that follow. Students and interview subjects will remember this important project long after the project is complete. Plan to tell of your experiences growing up in post-war America and serving our country during WWII. Enclosed find a list of possible questions the students may ask. They are sent to you only as a reference. Similar questions may be contained in different sections. Do not feel you have to write down the answers, it’s up to you. Military Action What were you doing just before you joined the armed forces? Student? Working? Married? Single? Children? Under what circumstances did you enter the armed forces? Were you drafted or did you enlist? How old were you? Why did you join the armed forces? What branch of the service were you in? Why did you choose the branch that you did? What was the specific unit that you were assigned to? What kind of training did you receive? What was the most helpful part of your training? What was the mission of your unit? What was your rank and your job? What are some of the things from your training that stand out in your memory? What was a typical day like in the life of a GI during the war? How much money did a soldier make? Did you serve overseas during the war? Where were you? Home Front What were you doing just before you joined the armed forces? Student? Working? Married? Single? Children? Did your parents approve of you serving in the military? How did you feel about leaving home? How did you communicate with loved ones on the home front? What was different when you got back? Frontline and Battles Describe your living conditions while on assignment. Can you describe your feelings during a battle? How did you cope with the fear of battle? What was your division/platoons job during the battle? Impact What was your happiest (funniest or saddest) memory of the war? Were you afraid? What was your biggest fear? What do you think your biggest accomplishment was? What were you most proud of during your military service? What impact did your unit have on the outcome of the war? How did your experiences in WWII affect the rest of your life? Pearl Harbor How did you hear about Pearl Harbor? Where were you when it happened? What was your reaction? What happened in the days that followed? D-Day Invasion Only How were you trained for the invasion? How did you get to the Normandy beaches? What was your job on D-Day? What were your experiences in the first hours of the invasion? How did your unit achieve its objective? What is your most vivid memory about the invasion? Hiroshima How did you hear about the bombing of Hiroshima? How did you react to the news? Peace How did you find out about the surrender of Japan? What did you do on V-E (V-J) Day? What happened on the day you (or a loved one) came home? What were the holidays like in 1945? What were you hopes for the future? Follow Up Questions What would you want people to know about this time in history? What important question did I forget to ask you? Tell me about any friendships you made during the war. What would you have changed about your war experience if you could? Did you ever doubt that the Allies would succeed in winning the war? What mistakes do you think the military made, if any, during the war. Do you think the war could have been prevented? What had changed when you got home from the war? Did anything happen during the war that affected you for the rest of your life? What do you think the biggest misconception about WWII is? Do you think the war was worth the price? Do you think fighting in the war was the moral thing to do? Thanks for visiting! Do you have any questions?
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