Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress

Earlier this month VHP partnered with the American Red Cross of South Central and Southeast Kansas and invited Wichita veterans to come tell their story. One of those veterans was Robert Bayer, a 93 year old veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars, who spent nearly two hours regaling our volunteers with fascinating tales that are now part of the Veterans History Project. If you or an organization you are a part of want to put on a similar event, email us at [email protected] today!

Odra “Brad” Bradley grew up in segregated Mississippi, with limited opportunities for Black men like himself. As he shared, "I realized that if I did become adult, I'd have to find a way to get out of that.”

During World War II, he found his way “out” while serving as a salvage collector in the European theater. He reflected that “We found, in Europe, that people treated us just like any other unit of soldiers.”

As we commemorate Juneteenth, we celebrate the achievements of Black enlisted troops and veterans despite discrimination. Learn more about Odra Bradley’s collection and his story here: https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.99995/

On June 18, 2026, Vietnam veteran James “Jim” Capers will receive the Medal of Honor at a ceremony at the White House. Earlier this spring, as legislation moved through Congress to waive the statute of limitations for his award, the Veterans History Project had the distinct honor of collaborating with Major Capers’ family to record his oral history for the Library’s collection.

Check out this blog to learn more of the highlights of his interview, including a story he shared because “this is the Library of Congress.” Semper Fi, Major Capers, and thank you for sharing your story before receiving your long-overdue recognition.

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What types of activities did the members of the World War II-era Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps during their downtime—or "WAAC-tivities", as they called them?

The collection of Katherine Worthen Downey has recently been digitized. Her family donated her photographs, postcards, and letters—both written and typed, thanks to her role as a stenographer. This fun example from her collection a WAAC base newsletter from her training in Fort Dayton, Florida.

Take a look at her full collection here: https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.126737/

What primary source gives you the most insight into her military experiences?

On this day in 1944, the Battle of Saipan in World War II began. For Marine Corps veteran Minard Willson, this was a lifechanging experience. On the third day of fighting, he was injured in the arm and side by a sniper, which led to a long recovery, as well as him being awarded the Purple Heart, as pictured here.

Listen to his oral history, look at more photographs and read a series of letters to Delores Hambel, his high school sweetheart and future wife, at https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.66896/

A "gung-ho" Marine recruit at 21, Daniel Burress received a liberal education when he was shipped off in 1967 to Vietnam, where "a good day was a dry day" and "a bad day was stacking bodies." During battles, he found little racial tension, but back at the garrison, it was a different story. The news of Martin Luther King's assassination only fed his disillusionment about a war in which he trusted very few people. But on his last night in-country, he did find himself sharing a bottle of whiskey with a white Marine to whom he had spoken very little during his tour.

Learn more: https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.01811/

Reynaldo Puente may not have served in direct combat, but his duties as a nuclear missile crewman put him on the front lines of the Cold War. With the knowledge that a nuclear strike would cause unparalleled death and destruction around the world, the mental stress of serving on combat alert status left a lifelong impact. After years of suffering anxiety and sleepless nights, he was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of his experiences. Nevertheless, Puente says if he could do it all again, he would answer the call to serve his country.

Learn more: https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.85195/

In 1989, Wendy Wamsley was a troubled 17-year-old high school student with bad grades and an attitude to match. When her policeman father informed her she was joining the Army-or she was moving out of the house-she agreed to enlist. What she couldn't have anticipated was a tour of duty as a medic during the Persian Gulf War, an experience which definitely provided her with an attitude adjustment.

Learn more: https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.24791/