Questions Used to Interview Veterans
These are a sample of the questions used in the Morse Institute Library Veterans Oral History Project. They can be individualized for specific interviews.
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Questions Used to Interview Veterans
Begin the interview
This is . We are in Natick, Massachusetts, and this tape is part of the Morse Institute Library’s continuing Veterans Oral History Project.
My name is
Our cameraman is
We are privileged to have with us today.
Welcome
May I ask you when you were born?
Where were you born?
What is your current address?
Marital Status?
Do you have children?
Where and when did you enter the military?
Why did you join at that time?
What branch did you join?
Why did you choose that branch?
Did family or friends join the service when you did?
Where were you sent for basic training?
Tell us what it was like.
What did you like or dislike about it?
Did you receive advanced or specialized training beyond basic?
How was it determined what kind of advanced training you would receive?
As a result, was that your specialty during the remainder of your military career?
Where was your first duty station after basic or after schools you might have attended?
Were you sent there as an individual or part of a unit?
What did you do there?
Where did you go from there?
Were you in direct combat with the enemy?
Against whom?
When and where?
What unit were you in at that time?
What was your rank at that time?
Tell us about air or naval support you may have had.
Do you feel it was effective?
Were your clothes adequate for the climate you were in?
Describe the terrain you were in.
What did look like?
Do you feel your officers gave you good leadership?
Were you wounded in combat?
If so, where and how quickly were you treated?
Would you evaluate the quality of the medical care you received?
Did you hear about the progress of the war in other areas?
How did you get your news?
Where did you go from this particular place?
Were you ever given R and R (Rest and Relaxation time off) in some rear area?
Where? What did you do there?
Before combat, how much did you know about the enemy you faced?
How about after the fight?
Do you feel you were properly trained and equipped for the combat you faced?
Do you feel your weapons (or plane or ship) were equal to, better than or inferior to what you faced?
When and where were you discharged?
What was your rank and what commendations did you receive at the time of discharge?
What were your feelings about coming home?
When you came home, did you discuss with your spouse or family or friends what you had seen and done in the service?
Did you join any unit of the military reserve?
Did you join any veterans’ organizations, such as the American Legion?
Have you received any veterans’ benefits, such as hospitalization, the GI Bill or insurance?
Do you attend any reunions of your old outfit?
How important to you was serving in the military?
Do you feel in some way if affected your life?
Looking back on it all, was there a most memorable experience or individual in your military career?
Was there a humorous experience you could share with us?
Above all, is there one thought, or incident, you would like to share with your family or others who will see this tape?
Are there any additional comments you would like to make?
Thank you for your participation in this program.
(Shake hands and hold until cameraman signals OK on fade)
Questions Used to Interview Civilians Supporting the Home front in World War II
These are a sample of the questions used for civilians supporting the home front in the Morse Institute Library Veterans Oral History Project. They can be individualized for specific interviews.
Begin the Interview
Time begun:
This is . We are in Natick, Massachusetts, and this tape is part of the Morse Institute Library’s continuing Veterans Oral History Project.
My name is
Our cameraman is
We are privileged to have with us today.
Welcome
May I ask you when you were born?
Where were you born?
What is your current address?
Marital Status?
Do you have children?
What was your life like prior to World War II?
Did you follow the events leading up to the US entering the War?
Where were you on December 7, 1941 – bombing of Pearl Harbor?
Before the attack on Pearl Harbor, did you think the US would go to war?
Why?
How did you hear about the attack on Pearl Harbor?
How did the attack change your life?
Did you have family or friends in the Armed Services?
Did you write to servicemen?
Do you feel the letters you sent were important to the servicemen?
Did you know servicemen who did not return?
What did you do during the war years?
If the response was that the individual worked:
What was your work? Pay?
If non-traditional work (e.g.: welding):
Were you treated differently than members of the opposite sex for the same job?
Did your work contribute to the war effort?
What was your housing arrangement (house, apartment, room)?
What did you wear to work?
Did you feel your contribution was appreciated after the war?
How did you hear about the war?
Were there news reels at the movies that bolstered the war effort?
Tell us about rationing and shortages.
Did you collect scrap for the war effort?
Did you participate in blackouts? In what way?
Did you have or know of someone who had a victory garden? What was grown?
Tell us about war bond drives.
Did you develop close friendships during the war years?
What did you think of the Germans and Japanese?
What was your most memorable experience or character during that time?
After the war ended, did you continue to work at the same job?
Looking back on the news coverage, do you feel you received accurate information about the war?
What do you think now regarding the war effort?
Is there one thought or memory you would like to share with family or with those viewing this recording?
Are there any additional comments you would like to make?
Thank you for your participation in this program.
(Shake hands and hold until cameraman signals OK on fade)
14 East Central Street