Oral history interview with Lenora Nagel, 2001

• Main Author: Nagel, Lenora I.
• Other Authors: Trojanowski, Hermann J.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Greensboro, N.C. : The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. University Libraries 2001
• Subjects: Korean War; 1950-1953; Post World War II; Korea (1947-1963); Air Force > WAF; Iceland
• Online Access: http://libcdm1.uncg.edu/cdm/ref/collection/WVHP/id/4435

Documents Lenora I. Nagel's early life in western North Dakota; her family history; her service with the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1956; and her work teaching overseas as a civilian with the Department of Defense for almost thirty years. Nagel discusses her family and childhood at great length. She remembers her family history in Missouri in the late 1800s and early 1900s; her family life during the Depression in western North Dakota; and her family's military service during World War II. " Nagel also provides detailed information about her military service. She describes her daily routine; inspections; and living conditions during basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas; radio school at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi; and while working as a flight operator at Selfridge Air Force Base in Mount Clemens, Michigan. She also describes her classes; interactions with the men in her integrated unit; and social activities such as drill team and choir. " Nagle discusses racial integration within the military but also cites several incidents of racial discrimination outside of the air force. She also talks about women in combat. " Nagel also provides a detailed description of her work teaching overseas with the Department of Defense. Topics include the application process; how the program functioned; and her assignments in Europe, Iceland, Japan, Bermuda, and Cuba.