Interview with Charles H. Stallard, June 14, 2003

Partial Transcript: This is a interview completed under the direction of the Library of Congress...

Segment Synopsis: Stallard discusses his enlistment into the Marine Corps and then boot camp at Parris Island, S.C. He also mentions attending Motor Transportation School at Camp Geiger in Jacksonville, N.C.

Keywords: Advanced training; Basic training; Boot camp; Drill instructors; Gas chambers training; Marksmanship; Motor Transportation School; Swimming training; Weapons training

Subjects: Camp Geiger (N.C.); Camp Lejeune (N.C.); Franklin County (Ky.); Parris Island (S.C.); United States. Marine Corps.

Partial Transcript: After your experience--(coughs)--in both, uh, basic and advanced training, where was your first assignment then?

Segment Synopsis: Stallard discusses his prewar assignment at Camp Elmore (now known as Camp Allen) in Norfolk, Virginia and then further training at Camp Pendleton in California. He also mentions the death of his mother prior to being sent to Camp Pendleton.

Keywords: "Concentration camp" training; 50 caliber machine guns; Bridgeport (Ky.); Camp Allen (Vir.); Camp Elmore (Vir.); Feelings about going to Vietnam; Leadership; Mother's death; Motor transportation; Parental support; Race relations; Replacements; Survival training

Subjects: Camp Pendleton (Calif.); Okinawa-shi (Japan); United States. Marine Corps.

Partial Transcript: Now you have with you a, uh, map of Vietnam...

Segment Synopsis: Stallard discusses his experience of arriving in Dong Ha, Vietnam. He also talks about how he left Vietnam, including a negative incident he had in Dallas, Tx. [Includes a map of the area that Stallard arrived and served in Vietnam.]

Keywords: 3rd Marine Division (United States); Dallas (Tex.); Encountering the enemies; Feelings about service; Flakjackets; Treatment of Vietnam Veterans; Vietcong

Subjects: United States. Marine Corps.; Đông Hà (Vietnam)

Partial Transcript: --(coughs)--I want to go back now, to your first experiences in Vietnam?

Segment Synopsis: Stallard discusses his experiences driving trucks as a part of a convey delivering supplies and ammunition to Marine outposts in the area. He also talks about military awards he received.
[Includes a map of the Dong Ha area, which shows the area in which Stallard operated in Vietnam and he also shows his DD-214.]

Keywords: 3rd Marine Division, 12th Battalion; Combat experiences; DD-214; Dong Ha (South Vietnam); Experiencing enemy fire; Hauling ammunition and supplies; Job assignment; Military awards/honors; Motor transport unit; Weather conditions

Subjects: Vietnam War, 1961-1975.; Đông Hà (Vietnam)

Partial Transcript: One of the questions you had been asked previously was about medals or citations.

Segment Synopsis: Stallard describes some of the photographs he took while he was in Vietnam.

Keywords: 3rd Marine Division (United States); Dong Ha (South Vietnam); Interactions with locals; Living conditions; Motor Pool unit; Outposts; Photographs; Presidential Unit Citation; Sand dunes; Weather conditions

Subjects: Vietnam War, 1961-1975.; Đông Hà (Vietnam)

Partial Transcript: Now, do you recall the day your service ended?

Segment Synopsis: Stallard talks about his decision to leave the Marine Corps, working at the Post office in Louisville, and his involvement with the Montford Point Marine Association.

Keywords: 50 caliber machine guns; Black Marine history; Combat experiences; Friendships; G.I. Bill; Montford Point (N.C.); Postal School; Race relations

Subjects: Louisville (Ky.); Montford Point Marine Association; Tet Offensive, 1968.; United States Postal Service.; United States. Marine Corps.; Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Veterans--United States.; Vietnam War, 1961-1975.

Partial Transcript: Let me ask you, do you speak to high school or college aged groups occasionally?

Segment Synopsis: Stallard reflects on his military service and talks about speaking to young people about the Vietnam War.

Keywords: Faith; Impact of Vietnam; Military service

Subjects: Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Veterans--United States.