ScholarWorks at University of Montana

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  Ace Glen Nielsen, July 21, 1984

  Ace Glen Nielsen

  Ace Nielsen discusses becoming a smokejumper in 1946 after returning from World War Two. He describes training at the Nine Mile Ranger Station in Montana and being stationed in McCall, Idaho from 1946 to 1948. Nielsen recalls his experiences fighting fires. He also talks about ... Read More

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  Albert W. "Al" Cramer Interview, July 22, 1984

  Al Cramer

  Albert Cramer discusses his 30-year career, which began in 1943, as a smokejumper and program administrator in Missoula, Montana, and Alaska. He talks about the training and equipment, as well as the changes to both. He describes specific jumps and fires, including the 1949 Mann ... Read More

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  Andrew Stevenson Interview, October 7, 1984

  Andrew Stevenson

  Andrew Stevenson describes his one regular season in 1965 as a smokejumper and his nine years as a retread, or a regular U.S. Forest Service employee who can be called up to jump as needed, from 1966 to 1974. In particular, he talks about training ... Read More

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  Art Flick Interview, July 22, 1984

  Art Flick

  Art Flick describes his summer working as a smokejumper in 1953 in Yellowstone National Park. He recalls his training experiences at the Nine Mile Ranger Station in Montana, as well as jumping in the national park.

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  Ashley O. Court Interview, June 6, 1984

  Ashley Court

  Ashley Court discusses his long career as a smokejumper from 1963 to 1982, working out of the North Cascades Smokejumping Base in Winthrop, Washington, as well as the satellite base in La Grande, Oregon, eastern states, and Alaska. He talks about the fires in Washington ... Read More

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  Aubrey Garber Interview, July 21, 1984

  Aubrey Garber

  Aubrey Garber describes his serving as a smokejumper during World War Two because of his conscientious objector status. He talks about the training and the Japanese fire bomb threat. Garber also recalls designing the smokejumpers emblem, working a lookout after breaking his hand, and surveying ... Read More

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  Bert Tanner Interview, July 22, 1984

  Bert Tanner

  Bert Tanner, who smokejumped from 1968 to 1977, offers his opinions the smokejumper program and its policies, including the use of career jumpers and women, and the “let burn” policy. He describes training in Missoula, Montana, and jumping on fires throughout the western United States.

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  Bill Moody Interview, June 6, 1984

  Bill Moody

  Bill Moody talks about being involved in the smokejumper program from 1957 until the date of the interview in 1984. He describes his roles at two different smokejumping bases, both as a smokejumper and as an administrator. Moody talks about working as a smokejumper, trainer, ... Read More

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  Bob McGraw Interview, July 21, 1984

  Bob McGraw

  Bob McGraw reminisces about the 1953 and 1954 smokejumping seasons in Missoula, Montana, and Silver City, New Mexico. He describes his training and talks about the changes in the smokejumper program, particularly equipment, from the 1950s to the 1980s.

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  Brooks Henderson Interview, July 21, 1984

  Brooks Henderson

  Brooks Henderson describes his experiences jumping in Alaska and New Mexico, as well as McCall, Idaho, and Redding, California, in a career that lasted from 1969 to 1974. Henderson contrasts the different attitudes and practices between each region. He discusses training and project work as ... Read More

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  Bruce E. Jackson Interview, July 20, 1984

  Bruce E. Jackson

  Bruce Jackson describes the different bases from which he jumped, including those in Oregon, California, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska. He also recalls the impact the different terrains had on fighting fires. Jackson describes training at the Redmond Air Center in Oregon and notes the physical ... Read More

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  Calvin “Rawhide” Papritz Interview, July 21, 1984

  Calvin Papritz

  Calvin Papritz discusses the five seasons he worked as a smokejumper 1958-1959 and 1965-1966 in Missoula, Montana, and 1967 in Fairbanks, Alaska. He talks about the differences in jumping and firefighting between Montana and Alaska, focusing on such factors as terrain and climate.

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  Calvin “Rawhide” Papritz Interview, July 22, 1984

  Calvin Papritz

  Calvin Papritz recalls being asked by ABC News to recreate hijacker D.B. Cooper’s jump from the back of a Boeing 727. He also suggests an identity for Cooper.

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  Charles Clemensen Interview, July 21, 1984

  Charles Clemensen

  Charles Clemensen relates in detail his two summers as a smokejumper working out of the Cave Junction, Oregon base. He describes the training, fires, project work, jumping equipment, and the uncertainty of the future of the program in 1949.

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  Charles R. Whitt Interview, July 21, 1984

  Charles R. Whitt

  Charles Whitt describes his one season, 1946, working as a smokejumper out of McCall, Idaho, with particular emphasis on fire jumps and resulting injuries, as well as the social life. He also talks about working primarily with fellow military veterans and the camaraderie that developed ... Read More

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  Charles "Ted" Nyquist Interview, May 19, 1984

  Charles "Ted" Nyquist

  Charles Nyquist describes the 13 seasons he worked as a smokejumper, from 1954 to 1972. He discusses the training and facilities at the Missoula, Montana base, the role of the spotter, and his jumps in Yellowstone National Park. He also recalls one experience when he ... Read More

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  Charles Viviano Interview, July 22, 1984

  Charles Viviano

  Charles Viviano recalls his experiences as a smokejumper in 1953 and 1954. He describes training at the Nine Mile Ranger Station in Montana and compares it the training he received in the military. Viviano talks about the smokejumper operation in Yellowstone National Park, especially the ... Read More

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  Chuck Sheley Interview, October 1984

  Chuck Sheley

  Chuck Sheley compares his eight years (1959-1966) smokejumping from Cave Junction, Oregon, with his four years (1966-1970) jumping from McGrath and Fairbanks, Alaska. He describes how a small base like Cave Junction promotes a tight sense of camaraderie unlike larger bases. Sheley discusses how differences ... Read More

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  C.J. "Buck" Stucky Interview, July 20, 1984

  C. J. Stucky

  C.J. “Buck” Stucky relates experiences from his two seasons working as a smokejumper in Missoula, Montana, from 1954 to 1955. He describes the smokejumper training and credits squad leaders like Norm Allen for preparing him for the job. Stucky also talks about how military units, ... Read More

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  Cole MacPherson Interview, June 21, 1984

  Cole MacPherson

  Cole MacPherson discusses the years he worked as a smokejumper from 1955 to 1957 and then again from 1962 to 1965. He describes the smokejumper equipment at that time, as well as the physical nature of the training. MacPherson tells stories about the fires, the ... Read More

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  Conrad O. "Connie" Orr Interview, June 14, 1984

  Conrad O. Orr

  Conrad Orr talks about his time working as a smokejumper from 1953 until 1958. He describes the training, including the types of injuries jumpers could receive, working on fires and project work, and the equipment smokejumpers used at that time. Orr also describes the dedication ... Read More

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  Craig Boesel Interview, June 6, 1984

  Craig Boesel

  Craig Boesel discusses his career as a smokejumper, which started in 1966 and lasted until 1980, with two years off in 1975 and 1976 when he worked as the Assistant Fire Manager Officer of the Twisp Ranger District in Washington State. Boesel talks about the ... Read More

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  Dave Flaccus Interview, July 10, 1984

  Dave Flaccus

  David Flaccus describes his experiences as a smokejumper during World War Two from 1943 through 1945 through the Civilian Public Service program (CPS). He discusses training at Seeley Lake, Montana, fire jumps in Idaho, the financial problems experienced by the conscientious objectors, and the moral ... Read More

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  David V. Kauffman Interview, August 16, 1984

  David V. Kauffman

  David Kauffman discusses working as a smokejumper during World War Two due to his conscientious objector status. He describes the training and the attitudes of the conscientious objectors, and he recalls working with the African American 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion. Kauffman also relates a conversation ... Read More

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  Deanne Shulman Interview, July 22, 1984

  Deanne Shulman

  Deanne Shulman discusses being the first female smokejumper at the McCall, Idaho base from 1981 until 1984. She talks about the difficulties she faced as a woman jumper, such as feeling like she needed to prove herself to her male colleagues. Shulman tells of the ... Read More

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  Diane Pryce Interview, October 1984

  Diane Pryce

  Diane Pryce talks about being the first woman smokejumper in California in 1983 and describes her two seasons there. She discusses the discrimination she faced, including her first unsuccessful attempt at being a smokejumper in Missoula, Montana, in 1982. Pryce talks about the attitudes of ... Read More

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  Donald R. "Don" Webb Interview, July 21, 1984

  Donald R. Webb

  Don Webb discusses his time working as a smokejumper out of McCall, Idaho; Missoula, Montana; and Silver City, New Mexico, from 1956 until 1960. He describes the training procedures in 1956, as well as the types of aircraft used. Webb also talks about some of ... Read More

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  Donal Halloran Interview, July 20, 1984

  Donal Halloran

  Donal Halloran discusses his time working as a smokejumper from 1953 to 1955. He describes the relationships between different groups of smokejumpers including college students and World War Two veterans, as well as smokejumpers from different parts of the United States. Halloran talks about training ... Read More

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  Earl Cooley Interview, June 20, 1984

  Earl Cooley

  Earl Cooley describes developments in the smokejumper program from World War II until he left the organization in 1951. He discusses the use of conscientious objectors as smokejumpers during the war through the Civilian Public Service program (CPS). Cooley also recalls the smokejumper program training ... Read More

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  Earl Cooley Interview, May 30, 1984

  Earl Cooley

  One of the first men selected in 1940 to train as a smokejumper, Earl Cooley describes the early years of the program, including the selection of men, the training, and the equipment. He also recalls being on the first fire jump for the smokejumper program, ... Read More

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  Edward T. "Ed" Case Interview, July 21, 1984

  Edward T. Case

  Edward Case describes working as a smokejumper from 1946 to 1948 in McCall, Idaho. He discusses being a member of the first group of smokejumpers after World War Two, which consisted primarily of military veterans. He talks about his fellow smokejumpers, their camaraderie, his training ... Read More

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  Eugene Pitts Interview, September 28, 1984

  Eugene Pitts

  Eugene Pitts talks about his experiences working as a smokejumper at Seeley Lake, Montana, in 1942. He discusses the training and his fellow smokejumpers, who were all preparing to enter the service. Pitts describes how being a smokejumper helped him as a fighter pilot during ... Read More

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  Francis B. Lufkin Interview, June 7, 1984

  Francis Lufkin

  Francis Lufkin discusses his 40-year career with the U.S. Forest Service, which includes being one of the first smokejumpers as well as an equipment developer, trainer, and base manager of the North Cascades Smokejumper Base. He describes the many changes in the program during his ... Read More

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  Frank Borgeson Interview, July 21, 1984

  Frank Borgeson

  Frank Borgeson describes his career as a pilot for smokejumpers which began in 1958 when he worked as a pilot for Johnson Flying Service out of McCall, Idaho. Borgeson talks about flying for the U.S. Forest Service directly and becoming the Chief Pilot for the ... Read More

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  Fred O. Brauer Interview, June 27, 1984

  Fred O. Brauer

  A smokejumper from 1941 to 1942 and 1945 to 1958, Fred O. Brauer describes the early development of the smokejumper program. He discusses the many challenges the program faced during that time, including equipment development, wartime shortages, and funding issues. He also describes the personnel ... Read More

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  Fred Rohrback Interview, July 21, 1984

  Fred Rohrback

  Fred Rohrback discusses his time as a smokejumper for both the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from 1965 to 1973. He compares jumping for the different organizations, as well as the differences between working at bases across the western ... Read More

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  Fritz Koepp Interview, July 22, 1984

  Fritz Koepp

  Fritz Koepp describes training at Cave Junction, Oregon, and jumping in Redding, California, in 1957 and 1958. He reminisces about other smokejumpers and relationships among them, as well as the socializing they did during their downtime. Koepp also describes project work and fire procedures, such ... Read More

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  Gary R. Johnson Interview, July 21, 1984

  Gary R. Johnson

  Gary Johnson discusses his career as a smokejumper from 1968 to 1984 and the effects that career smokejumpers had on the organization. He describes his training and the equipment and notes how both have changed over the years. As head of the smokejumpers at Redding, ... Read More

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  Gary Welch Interview, July 21, 1984

  Gary Welch

  Gary Welch describes his three seasons smokejumping from Cave Junction, Oregon, from 1960 to 1962. He discusses training, the facilities at Cave Junction, fire jumps, and injuries. Welch also recalls recreational activities of off-duty smokejumpers, such as playing volleyball and softball.

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  George Honey Interview, June 6, 1984

  George Honey

  George Honey talks about the beginning of the smokejumper program and the experimentation on equipment and methods. He specifically discusses his friendship with Francis Lufkin, a pioneer smokejumper, and how the two of them ran the Winthrop, Washington base during World War Two. Honey describes ... Read More

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  Hal Samsel Interview, June 21, 1984

  Hal Samsel

  Hal Samsel talks about his career as a smokejumper in Missoula, Montana, from 1949 to 1965 and as the rigging loft foreman from 1966 to 1980. He talks about the aftermath of the 1949 Mann Gulch Fire, the film Red Skies of Montana, and the ... Read More

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  Herb Fischer and Robert E. Reid Interview, July 22, 1984

  Herb Fischer and Robert E. Reid

  Herb Fischer and Robert Reid reminisce about the rookie smokejumper class of 1957 in Missoula, Montana, and about their fire jumps across the western United States. They also discuss project work, the future of the smokejumper program, injuries, and a plane crash at the Moose ... Read More

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  Herb Oertli Interview, June 27, 1984

  Herb Oertli

  Herb Oertli talks about his career as a smokejumper, which began in 1948 and ended in 1960. He describes his training in Missoula, Montana, project work during his first “wet” year, and his jumps out of Silver City, New Mexico, in 1950. Oertli discusses retrieving ... Read More

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  Howard Beatty Interview, June 7, 1984

  Howard Beatty

  Howard Beatty of Twisp, Washington, discusses his career as a smokejumper from 1948 until 1954, in Winthrop, Washington, Montana, and Cave Junction, Oregon. Beatty talks about participating in non-firefighting activities, such as trail maintenance, building lookouts, and other maintenance around bases. He points out the ... Read More

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  H.W. "Skip" Stratton Interview, June 29, 1984

  H. W. Stratton

  H.W. “Skip” Stratton speaks of his experiences smokejumping out of Missoula, Montana from 1947 to 1950. He describes the training and facilities at the Nine Mile Ranger Station and jumping with other military veterans. He recalls the events of the 1949 Mann Gulch Fire, the ... Read More

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  James C. Ayers Interview, June 18, 1984

  James C. Ayers

  James C. Ayers discusses his career as a smokejumper, which started in the 1940s and lasted until 1972. He describes his training at the Nine Mile Ranger Station in Montana, as well as what it was like to fight a fire, from jumping in to ... Read More

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  Jeff Fereday Interview, July 22, 1984

  Jeff Fereday

  Jeff Fereday describes his involvement with an inter-regional fire crew in 1968 and 1969. His discusses his experiences with a new man crew at McCall, Idaho, jumping in Idaho and Alaska, as well as the differences between the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and ... Read More

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  Jim Browne Interview, July 22, 1984

  Jim Browne

  Jim Browne discusses the two seasons he worked as a smokejumper in 1949 and 1950. He describes his training at the Nine Mile Ranger Station in Montana and the camaraderie there. Browne talks about what it was like to be a smokejumper during the 1949 ... Read More

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  Jim Deeds Interview, July 30, 1984

  Jim Deeds

  Jim Deeds describes his experiences working as a smokejumper from 1964 to 1968, primarily based out of Missoula, Montana, with some time spent in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and New Mexico. He discusses an incident in which he and his twin brother jumped a two-man fire ... Read More

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  Jim Ford Interview, July 20, 1984

  Jim Ford

  Jim Ford describes his time from 1963 to 1968 flying smokejumpers for the Johnson Brothers Flying Service, primarily based out of Grangeville, Idaho. He discusses the cargo, water and borate drops, the use of helicopters, and the use of private contractors to fly for the ... Read More