Interviewer
Gregg Phifer
Files
Description
Walter Reimer discusses how his Mennonite faith influenced him to apply for a 4-E classification. He mentions his time at the Weeping Water, Nebraska, Lapine, Oregon, and Three Rivers, California CPS camps working on soil conservation and telephone connectivity projects. He then talks about his transfer to the smokejumpers in 1944, and describes some memorable jumps he experienced over the two fire seasons he spent with the smokejumpers. Specifically, he recalls his time on the Seven Devils, Idaho fire and the Lake Chelan, Washington fire, and also details a rescue jump he made. He briefly discusses his return to Kansas after discharge, and also briefly talks about the warm reception he feels the people of Missoula had toward the smokejumpers.
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Document Type
Oral History
Subjects
Civilian Public Service; Conscientious objectors, United States; Smokejumpers, Montana; World War, 1939-1945; Mennonite Church; 4-E classification; Smokejumper training; Ninemile, Montana
Original Date
8-1986
Time Period
Twentieth century
Geographic Coverage
Montana; Idaho; Washington
Language
eng
Original Collection
Civilian Public Service Smokejumpers Oral History Project, OH 163, Archives and Special Collections, Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula
Digital Publisher
University of Montana--Missoula. Mansfield Library
Rights
Copyright to this collection is held by the interview participants and by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula. Permission may be required for use. For further information please contact Archives and Special Collections: (406) 243-2053 / library.archives@umontana.edu
Oral History Number
OH 163-016
Media Type
Sound; Text
Original Format
1 sound cassette (01:30:00 min.) analog + 1 transcript (19 p.: 28 cm.)
Digital Format
audio/mp3; application/pdf
Run Time
00:31:34 minutes
Local Filename
OH_163_016.mp3; OH_163_016.pdf
Citation
Reimer, Walter, "Walter Reimer Interview, August 1986" (1986). Civilian Public Service Smokejumpers Oral History Project. 16.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/civilianpublicservicesmokejumpers_oralhistory/16