Guide to the Robert LeBaron Interviews and Collection
Veterans History Project Collection
Record Group 024
Date Span 1965-2003
Extent 0.1 cu ft
Physical Description 9 @ 1-hour audiocassette tapes + 90 scanned images (on CD-Rom)
Historical Note concerning the Veterans History Project: In 2000, Congress, recognizing that 1500 veterans died per day, directed the Library of Congress to initiate a nationwide project to collect the stories of veterans, family members, defense-industry workers, and similar individuals who had participated in conjunction with the United State's military in the 20th century. The Library of Congress assigned this task to its American Folklife Center, which dubbed the resulting program the "Veterans History Project" (VHP).
The The Wiregrass Archives became an official partner in the VHP in 2002, collecting oral history interviews, artifacts, documents, and photographs from veterans and others in the Wiregrass Region. This is a long-term, ongoing project of the The Wiregrass Archives. A variety of interviewers have contributed to the VHP Collection: Archives Director Dr. Martin Olliff has conducted many of the interviews; some veterans have turned in self-interviews, and Troy University--Dothan Campus students have participated.
Biographical Note: Robert LeBaron was a member of the US Navy Submarine Service between 1964 and 1972. He was a machinist's mate in the nuclear engine room aboard the USS Henry Clay then the USS Thomas Jefferson stationed in Holy Lock, Scotland, and Rota, Spain. After his enlistment, LeBaron found employment at Alabama Power Company's Farley Nuclear Plant in Houston County, Alabama.
Scope/Content: LeBaron gave 6 hours of detailed interviews about his time in the US Navy and 3 hours about his post-service career at Farley Nuclear Plant in Houston County, Alabama. In addition, he allowed The Wiregrass Archives staff to digitally copy 90 of the slides he made at the time.
Organization: Organized into two series: 1. Interviews; 2. Photographs.
Provenance: Photographs are part of a very large slide image collection created by Mr. LeBaron or by friends using Mr. LeBaron's camera (when Mr. LeBaron appears in a photograph). Dr. Olliff conducted interviews with Mr. LeBaron in 2003 as part of the The Wiregrass Archives's participation in the Veterans History Project.
Processing: Students in Dr. Olliff's class, HIS 4470, Oral History, have indexed some of Mr. LeBaron's interview tapes. When indices are complete, The Wiregrass Archives will post include them as in Series 1. Interviews.
Preferred Citation: Robert LeBaron Interview, Veterans History Project Collection, RG024. The Wiregrass Archives, Troy University Dothan Campus, Dothan, AL.
INVENTORY
Interview Date: June 16, 2003
Number of Tapes: 3 one-hour audiocassettes
Topics: LeBaron’s service in the US Navy. He also discusses some of the scanned photographs which tell the story of life aboard nuclear submarines.
Indices to Tapes: 061603 Tape 1 of 3 061603 Tape 2 of 3 061603 Tape 3 of 3
Interview Date: June 23, 2003
Number of Tapes: 3 one-hour audiocassettes
Topics: LeBaron’s service in the US Navy. He continues to discuss the scanned photographs through which he tells the story of life aboard submarines, his attitude and memories of service during the cold war, and the end of his enlistment.
Indices to Tapes: 062303 Tape 1 of 3 062303 Tape 2 of 3 062303 Tape 3 of 3
Interview Date: July 7, 2003
Number of Tapes: 3 one-hour audiocassettes
Topics: LeBaron’s search for work after his service, and his career at the newly-built Farley Nuclear Plant in Houston County, AL.
Indices to Tapes: 070703 Tape 1 of 3 070703 Tape 2 of 3 070703 Tape 3 of 3
024-03-0616-001-003: Hollylock
Contact Us
Wiregrass Archives
Troy University Dothan Campus
Everett 128
502 University Dr.
Dothan, AL 36303
Phone: 334-983-6556 x21327
Email: wiregrassarchives@troy.edu