Interviewer
Kim Taylor
Files
Description
Harvey Henry Weirich describes why he chose to register as a conscientious objector [C.O.] and apply for 4-E status after being drafted at age 19. Weirich explains that his early fascination with airplanes influenced his decision to become a smokejumper. He discusses his smokejumper training at Ninemile, Montana, in 1944, before being stationed at McCall, Idaho, where he made 22 jumps during his two years as a Civilian Public Service [CPS] smokejumper. Weirich describes his memorable jumping experiences, and recalls some of the men he worked with. He also recalls working on a highway in central Idaho during the off-season and when it wasn’t his turn to jump. Weirich describes his conversations with other smokejumpers and C.O.s about religion and nonviolent expression, and he offers his own opinion about the act of non-resistance.
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Document Type
Oral History
Subjects
American Friends Service Committee; Civilian Public Service [CPS]; Conscientious objectors, United States; Smokejumpers, Idaho; Smokejumpers, Montana; World War, 1939-1945; Mennonite Church; 4-E classification; Cooley, Earl; Smokejumper training; McCall Smokejumper Base, Idaho
Original Date
8-12-1986
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 163-006
Media Type
Sound; Text
Original Format
1 sound cassette (01:00:00 min.) analog + 1 transcript (11 p.: 28 cm.)
Digital Format
audio/mp3; application/pdf
Run Time
00:40:33 minutes
Local Filename
OH_163_006.mp3; OH_163_006.pdf
Citation
Weirich, Harvey Henry, "Harvey Henry Weirich Interview, August 12, 1986" (1986). Civilian Public Service Smokejumpers Oral History Project. 6.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/civilianpublicservicesmokejumpers_oralhistory/6