Interviewer
Rosa Stone
Files
Description
Leland “Lee” Miller recalls his time with the smokejumpers. He discusses how his Mennonite faith expedited the process of registering as a conscientious objector, and how his sense of adventure and desire to not be seen as cowardly by active servicemen influenced him to join the smokejumper program. Miller talks about the mostly small fires he jumped on during the summers of 1944 and 1945. He then briefly discusses his post-war career, including why he eventually switched from farming to operating heavy machinery for Caterpillar. He also talks about how much the environment of the northwestern United States left an impression, and eventually influenced Miller and his wife to move to Washington State permanently.
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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
Original Date
8-12-1986
Time Period
Twentieth century
Geographic Coverage
Montana
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 163-018
Media Type
Sound; Text
Original Format
1 sound cassette (01:30:00 min.) analog + 1 transcript (6 p.: 28 cm.)
Digital Format
audio/mp3; application/pdf
Run Time
00:20:51 minutes
Local Filename
OH_163_018.mp3; OH_163_018.pdf
Citation
Miller, Leland, "Leland "Lee" Miller Interview, August 12, 1986" (1986). Civilian Public Service Smokejumpers Oral History Project. 18.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/civilianpublicservicesmokejumpers_oralhistory/18