Center for U.S. War Veterans' Oral Histories

CENTER FOR U.S. WAR
VETERANS' ORAL HISTORIES

Veterans History Project

The National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey is the home of the Center for U.S. War Veterans’ Oral Histories. It is the Center’s mission to collect and preserve the memories of Veterans and Gold Star family members through recorded oral history interviews.

To date, the Center’s collection contains over 600 interviews of Veterans of all branches of service from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and other American military campaigns. Over 400 interviews are available in our oral history archives.

The interviews are recorded on DVD formats and housed at the museum’s Sea Girt location, where they are accessible to researchers and scholars.

The Center for U. S. War Veterans’ Oral Histories is an official partner of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project in Washington, DC. A record of each interview is filed with that organization. Each interviewed Veteran receives a copy of his or her recording in DVD format for personal use.

For further information on access to this collection, or to participate in the program, please visit or contact Carol Fowler at the museum in Sea Girt at 732-974-4571 or carol.fowler@dmava.nj.gov.

Interested Veterans and Gold Star family members are asked to complete the Oral History Biographical Questionnaire Form.

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Oral History Testimonials

The Center’s collection contains over 600 interviews of Veterans of all branches of service from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and other American military campaigns.

Read testimonies about their Oral History experience.

Everybody wants to be remembered for something, and that’s why I think this project is so important.

Christine Goetz Desert Storm Veteran

Carol was well prepared and had apparently done a lot of research and was able to prompt me on occasion. I did not talk about my experiences for over 50 years and some vets have to be pushed. It enabled me to put my story down for my children and grandchildren.

Matthew Parks Ex-POW

The questions that were asked helped me to give good answers, easily. Most enjoyable was knowing that this will be there for family and others made me enjoy doing this and that you were there to help me. It was so good to have my family there during this time. Thank you.

John Baillie WWII Veteran

The interviewers prepared by requesting information from the interviewees in advance. It’s important to record the experiences of the men and women involved in U.S. wars. Some of them will certainly include lessons we should learn from. I most enjoyed the girl who interviewed me!

Robert Lutz WWII Veteran

I enjoyed the most being able to bring my son Ronnie to life by sharing his story. And experiencing with others all the hope, enthusiasm, motivation and inspiration that his life and message gives. Giving an oral history of a veteran’s story is an uplifting and healing experience. I will highly recommend it.

Eileen Daly Gold Star Mother

The stories of these heroic veterans are so touching and inspiring! It is an honor to recognize them and share their stories with our staff for those who haven’t heard them before.

Noelle Lee-Turner

DMAVA Staff