This is a general guideline to the questions we asked while doing our oral history. Not all of the questions from the guide are included here, and sometimes we asked questions that were not on the guide at all in response to an interviewee's statement.

General Background

Where and when were you born?

Can you tell me about your early life?

What was your parents education level

What did you parents do for a living?

Where did you go to school?

What were your childhood interests?

Did anyone in your family serve in World War I?

What were you doing before the war started?

When did you first realize there would be a war?

Did you follow the events of the war before American involvement?

How did you feel about American involvement before Pearl Harbor? Did Pearl Harbor change your views?

What was the general attitude of the people after Pearl Harbor?

After the United States entered the war, did your life change?

How did you feel about the enemy (Germans, Japanese, Italians)?

We had some questions that were specially designed for different categories of people.

Veterans

Were you drafted or did you enlist?

How did you feel about entering the service?

What was the reaction of family and friends to your entry in the service?

Did you have any contact with home?

Which branch did you serve with?

What companies did you serve with?

What ranks did you hold?

Where were you positioned?

What was the morale of your company?
 
 

Women on the Homefront

What was your life like before the war?

Was your social life affected by the war?

How did the war affect you daily life?

Did you write to anyone overseas?

Did rationing affect you and your family?

How did you feel about restrictions during the war?

Did the war open up any opportunities for you?

Did you continue to work after the war?

Did your life change when your husband returned from the service?
 
 

Children

What thoughts did you have about the war?

Did you talk about the war in school?

Did you play war games? What kinds?

Did anyone in your family go off to war? Did you understand why?

Did you ever feel unsafe during the war?

Summary Questions

What were your thoughts and feelings when you learned the war had ended?

How did you adjust to post war life?

What do you think about films made about the war?

How should World War II be remembered?

Do you think today's generation understands the World War II experience?

I have asked you many questions and we've talked of many things, is there anything else you would like to add?