Disclaimer
Content on this website is provided for educational and academic purposes. The West Point Center for Oral History, the United States Military Academy, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense do not make any representation or characterization with respect to the accuracy of information presented in interviews. Viewpoints, opinions, interpretations, or assessments offered in interviews, whether stated or implied, should not be construed as representing official policies or perspectives of the West Point Center for Oral History, the United States Military Academy, the United States Army, or the Department of Defense. Viewer discretion is advised. Content on this website may include vivid or graphic descriptions of violence. In the interest of maintaining the integrity of the historical record, the West Point Center for Oral History does not delete, edit, or obscure relevant words, phrases, accounts, or assertions that some viewers might consider objectionable or offensive.
Why a Center for Oral History?
Oral history supplements traditional sources, such as books, articles, and operational reports, by providing first-hand accounts from actual participants. As a discipline, oral history values accuracy, but it is more interested in the myriad ways in which events are perceived, interpreted, and remembered. Any examination of a battle acquires powerful immediacy and poignancy when it incorporates individual soldiers' experiences in the analytical narrative.
What is the Center for Oral History?
The mission of the West Point Center for Oral History (COH) is to record, preserve, and present the stories of Soldiers, statesmen, and others who have influenced the profession of arms, in order to inspire, educate, and develop cadets, enhance the public’s understanding of the experience of the Soldier, and create new primary source material for scholars. Unlike many oral history programs, the COH provides content that includes both audio and video components, enabling viewers not only to hear the speaker’s tone, emphasis, and cadence, but also to observe body language and facial gestures indicating introspection or amusement, adding a powerful emotional element to the user experience.
The West Point Center for Oral History is a privately funded organization that relies on the generosity of donors. When you click on the link below, you will be taken to the West Point Association of Graduates website and instructions on how to give to the Center. We appreciate your generosity!
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