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Harold Sterrett

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During his time at the Strategic Air Command, Rollie Sterrett had to give private briefings to a Navy Admiral who wasn't allowed in the general briefings due to arcane inter-service politics. The first question from the admiral forced Rollie to make a delicate choice, but he chose well. (6:54)

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At the time, Rollie Sterrett thought you had to be a pilot to advance in his specialty in the Air Force intelligence community. That turned out not to be the case, but he had no regrets leaving the service for a successful private life. (2:55)

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Rollie Sterrett describes the daily life in the Strategic Air Command's underground command facility. His job started at midnight, preparing the morning briefing for all strategic matters worldwide. (3:55)

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The rules of engagement in Vietnam were frustrating, and the fact that it took 36 hours to get a target approved by the White House and precious few of them were approved, meant that we were fighting the war with our arms tied. That is the observation of Rollie Sterrett, who was there trying to get targets approved. (5:03)

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Air Force photo interpreter and briefing officer Rollie Sterrett was fortunate to not experience any of the disrespect that many returning veterans had to face. He attributes this to going straight to an intense military environment right away, Strategic Air Command headquarters. (2:37)

Harold Barber

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Harold Barber was only fifteen years old when he enlisted in the Marines with the help of his mother. At Parris Island, the dentist deduced that he was not old enough to be there but he didn't blow the whistle. Boot camp was tough but there was a good reason for that. (9:55)

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After a short time on a smaller island, Harold Barber joined the rest of the 1st Marine Division on Guadalcanal. The initial invasion had been largely unopposed but the Japanese were pouring back in and their Navy relentlessly shelled American positions. (7:16)

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When Harold Barber saw combat on Guadalcanal, he became very appreciative of his thorough Marine training in firing and movement. He was never really scared but he was hungry and thirsty. When the Army's Americal Division joined the battle, their new M-1 rifles held more bullets per clip and this confused the Japanese who had been up against the Springfield rifle used by the Marines. (7:54)

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The worst thing on Guadalcanal was the stealth of the Japanese fighters. Harold Barber recalls how they could be on top of you before you knew it. They were devious, too, and liked to pretend they were going to surrender. (4:31)

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He was tired but everybody was tired. He was thirsty but everybody was thirsty. He was hungry but everybody was hungry. Harold Barber describes the conditions on Guadalcanal during his time there. He also has something to say about the way war movies present death on the battlefield. (5:49)