Interviewer
Tedford Lewis
Files
Description
James Brunk talks about entering the smokejumpers in 1945, when he was 19 years old. He discusses the training regimen, and being significantly younger than many of his peers at the camp. He recalls some of the men whom he befriended, particularly Maynard Shetler and Ad Carlson. He then describes some of his 14 jumps, including three rescue jumps. Brunk describes a jump in which one of his team members broke his leg, and the crew had to carry him out. He also talks about the Smith Mountain Fire, where he worked with a crew of Mexican laborers to contain the fire. He describes his religious background and convictions, and how he had to re-apply as a conscientious objector when being drafted for the Korean war. Brunk concludes by discussing his decision to go into medical school after the war, and the ways in which the smokejumper experience helped him grow and develop.
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Document Type
Oral History
Subjects
Civilian Public Service; Conscientious objectors, United States; Smokejumpers, Montana; World War, 1939-1945; 4-E classification; Mennonite Church; Smokejumper training; United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration; Cattle boats; Rescue jumps; Korean War
Original Date
8-11-1986
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 163-031
Media Type
Sound; Text
Original Format
1 sound cassette (01:30:00 min.) analog + 1 transcript (14 p.: 28 cm.)
Digital Format
audio/mp3; application/pdf
Run Time
00:47:06 minutes
Local Filename
OH_163_031.mp3; OH_163_031.pdf
Citation
Brunk, James R., "James R. "Jim" Brunk Interview, August 11, 1986" (1986). Civilian Public Service Smokejumpers Oral History Project. 31.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/civilianpublicservicesmokejumpers_oralhistory/31