Ethan+Oral+History

For my Oral History, I interviewed my Grandpa, Craig Shuler, who flew in the quarantine during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Research: On October 15, 1962, a crisis began for the United States. The United States had been in a cold-blooded relationship with the Soviet Union for years. They had been trying to outdo each other in nuclear weapons. The U.S. had nuclear missiles in the East (Turkey) capable of destroying Russia; the Soviets were far behind. It was on October 15 when a U-2 reconnaissance plane found missiles being constructed in Cuba.

President John F. Kennedy, along with his top advisors, brainstormed what to do about the Soviet missiles positioned in Cuba. Some of Kennedy’s advisors wanted an invasion or an air-strike, but that was the last thing he wanted-it could start a nuclear world war three. A blockade seemed like the best idea, but a blockade is an act of war. It was eventually decided upon to use a quarantine, which is essentially a blockade.

While EXCOMM (Kennedy and his advisors) were deciding what to do, the public was anxious, because they knew something was not right. On October 22, Kennedy announced to the public that Cuba had stationed missiles and that if any missile was fired, it would be viewed as an attack.

While Planes were at DEFCON 2: ready to attack (which is what my grandpa was part of), Khrushchev, the leader of Russia, asked that if the U.S should not attack Cuba, the missiles would be removed. Khrushchev sent a second letter demanding that in order for Cuba to remove the missiles, the U.S would have to remove their missiles in Turkey. To end the conflict, the U.S. said that they would agree to the first letter, and said that the missiles in Turkey would be removed within six months. Luckily, on October 28, Khrushchev stated that the missiles in Cuba would be removed if the U.S would not attack Cuba. Relief spread over the country.

Sources: [] [] Thirteen days (movie)

1. Can you describe yourself during 1962? How was America viewed in the world at the time? media type="file" key="1.wma" width="300" height="45"

2. What happened to trigger the Cuban Missile Crisis and what are your memories on that? media type="file" key="2.wma" width="300" height="45"

3. What was your role in the military during the quarantine? media type="file" key="3.wma" width="300" height="45"

4. How did citizens feel about Kennedy’s decisions, such as not invading, using a quarantine, and how the conflict was ended? media type="file" key="4.wma" width="300" height="45"

5. If you were commander in chief at the time, what would you have done about the missiles in Cuba? media type="file" key="5.wma" width="300" height="45"

6. How much did American citizens know about the situation with Cuba? Nothing, everything, some information? media type="file" key="6.wma" width="300" height="45"

7. What emotions did you have throughout your time in the military? Were you worried, confident, anxious? media type="file" key="7.wma" width="300" height="45"

8. How did America feel when soviet Russia agreed to remove the missiles? media type="file" key="8.wma" width="300" height="45"

9. How has your experience in and out of the military during the Cuban missile crisis impacted you, even to today? media type="file" key="9.wma" width="300" height="45"

Reflection: I enjoyed learning about my grandpa’s experience in the Cuban Missile Crisis. I found it extremely cool that he was part of the famous quarantine. I was surprised at a few things that he said, like how he got a call at midnight, and had to immediately pack his stuff and report to the marines. I learned that near the beginning, people knew little about what was going on, but near the end, citizens had a grasp on what was going on. Overall, I deeply respect my grandpa for his service in the military, and I am thankful to have this interview.

wikipedia.org

wikipedia.org

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[]awesome movie about crisis []---great info about crisis []--easy-to-follow summary about crisis