Interviewer
Rosa Stone
Files
Description
John Ainsworth describes his experiences during the three years he spent as a smokejumper, from 1943 to 1945. He talks about wanting to do work of national importance rather than use violence in the war, and how he feels that firefighting fit that description. He recalls a few of his 28 fire jumps, particularly a fire at Pot Mountain in Idaho. Ainsworth discusses being on a lookout tower overnight on that fire and watching lightning hit the forest below. He then talks about his career as an electrical engineer after the war, and about his interest in renewable energy and sustainable housing. He criticizes the government’s handling of natural resources. The interview ends with interviewer Rosa Stone explaining the larger purpose of the oral history project, and some of its methodology.
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Document Type
Oral History
Subjects
Civilian Public Service; Conscientious objectors, United States; Smokejumpers, Montana; World War, 1939-1945; Methodist Church; 4-E classification; Smokejumper training; renewable energy
Original Date
8-8-1986
Time Period
Twentieth century
Geographic Coverage
Montana; Idaho
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 163-025
Media Type
Sound; Text
Original Format
1 sound cassette (01:30:00 min.) analog + 1 transcript (12 p.: 28 cm.)
Digital Format
audio/mp3; application/pdf
Run Time
00:41:39 minutes
Local Filename
OH_163_025.mp3; OH_163_025.pdf
Citation
Ainsworth, John L., "John L. Ainsworth Interview, August 8, 1986" (1986). Civilian Public Service Smokejumpers Oral History Project. 25.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/civilianpublicservicesmokejumpers_oralhistory/25