The Oregon State University Sesquicentennial Oral History Project

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Andy Landforce Oral History Interviews

Six life history interviews conducted by Mike Dicianna and Debora Landforce.

May 2013 - October 2015

Abstracts

“Growing Up, the OSC Years, Pearl Harbor and the 1942 Rose Bowl”  May 22, 2013  Location: Landforce residence, Corvallis, Oregon.  Watch Video | Download Transcript (PDF)

In interview 1 Landforce discusses his youth in Washington including a formative experience playing high school football, his attempts at gold prospecting and important early mentors. He then recounts his undergraduate days at Oregon State College, reflecting on his initial impressions of the campus, the classes that he took and his residence in Poling Hall. A particular focus of the interview is the reaction of the OSC community to major events during World War II, including the rise of Nazism and the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Landforce also shares his unique memories of the 1942 Rose Bowl game, which he attended in the capacity of student broadcaster. The interview concludes with a reflection on Landforce's tenure as OSC student body president.


“Meeting Evelyn and Starting a Family”  May 22, 2013  Location: Landforce residence, Corvallis, Oregon.  Watch Video | Download Transcript (PDF)

In interview 2 Landforce relays the circumstances of his meeting his future wife Evelyn, herself an OSC alum. He also discusses his early years as a family man in both Joseph, Oregon and Corvallis.


“Military Training and the Racial Divide During World War II”  June 28, 2013  Location: Veteran's Lounge, Memorial Union, Oregon State University.  Watch Video | Download Transcript (PDF)

Interview 3 is the first of two sessions devoted to Landforce's military service during World War II. In it we learn of Landforce's ROTC and basic training, his early assignment to work at the War Dog Reception and Training Center, and his experience as a white commanding officer leading an all African-American unit, the 3533rd Quartermaster and Trucking Company. The interview concludes with memories of specific activities and events during the war, including a brief encounter with General Dwight Eisenhower and providing support for General George Patton during the Battle of the Bulge.


“The End of the War and Returning Stateside”  June 28, 2013  Location: Veteran's Lounge, Memorial Union, Oregon State University.  Watch Video | Download Transcript (PDF)

In interview 4 Landforce provides further detail on his unit's support role during the Battle of the Bulge. From there he discusses his company's movement into the Pacific theatre, including movement ashore in the Philippines and preparations for landing in Japan. The remainder of the interview is devoted to the conclusion of the war, Landforce's discharge from the armed forces and his return to civilian life.


“Working for OSU Extension”  September 13, 2013  Location: Ballard Hall, Oregon State University.  Watch Video | Download Transcript (PDF)

The fifth interview with Andy Landforce covers his career with OSU Extension, his involvement in the statewide 4-H youth program and his authorship of Extension Bulletin #819: "Boning out your deer." Landforce also recounts his memories of many people who were important to him during the length of his OSU career.


“Fishing, Family and Philosophy”  October 6, 2015  Location: Winkle Lake, near Corvallis, Oregon.  Watch Video | Download Transcript (PDF)

In his sixth interview, Landforce shares memories from his retirement years, including his successful second career as a fishing guide on numerous rivers in Oregon and across the Pacific Northwest. Landforce also discusses his philosophy of parenting, his cherished family memories, his continuing passions for exercise and the outdoors, and the many forms of gratitude that he feels as he nears his 100th birthday.