Interviewer
Charles Milo McLeod
Files
Description
Joe Glass discusses his experience in the First Special Service Force. He talks about signing up for the Force in 1942, following his stint as a bayonet instructor in the Canadian Army, and describes the dynamic between Canadian and American soldiers who comprised the Force. Glass recalls his training at Fort Harrison near Helena, Montana, and talks about the degree of freedom he experienced while stationed there. He describes his combat experience in Italy, including several instances where the Force captured enemy soldiers. Glass talks about mental health issues within the Force and discusses the specific injuries and casualties he and his fellow soldiers witnessed. He describes the respect that the members of the Force had for their commanding officers such as General Robert T. Frederick. Glass also recalls various weaponry employed by the Force including the 30-millimeter mortar, the M1 Garand and the German Schmeisser.
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Document Type
Oral History
Subjects
World War, 1939-1945; First Special Service Force; Canadian Military; U.S. military; Hand-to-hand combat; Military training; Battle of Anzio; Fort Harrison, Montana; Camp Borden, Ontario, Canada; Anzio, Italy; Frederick, General Robert T.; Military, specialized missions; U.S. military servicemen; Canadian military servicemen; Goodwin, Herb
Original Date
3-28-1985
Time Period
Twentieth century
Geographic Coverage
Montana
Language
eng
Original Collection
First Special Service Force Oral History Project, OH 151, 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 151-004
Media Type
Sound; Text
Original Format
1 sound cassette (01:00:00 min.) analog + 1 transcript (25 p.: 28 cm.)
Digital Format
audio/mp3; application/pdf
Run Time
01:01:26 minutes
Local Filename
OH_151_004.mp3; OH_151_004.pdf
Citation
Glass, Joe, "Joe Glass Interview, March 28, 1985" (1985). First Special Service Force Oral History Project. 3.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/firstspecialserviceforce/3