Tennesseans and War

News

Our New Interns

The Center is happy to welcome our latest group of interns. We’re looking forward to seeing the great work they produce!            

War Dog Ceremony

The Center was honored to be invited to participate in the War Dog Ceremony at the UTK Veterinary College of Medicine on Saturday, July 15, 2023. Center Director Dr. Chris Magra talked about World War II and the history of war dogs.  The U.S. Army officially started its K-9 Corps on March 13, 1942, in […]

WW2 Veteran William Phelps

The Center was honored to interview William Phelps this week.  He was born and raised in Tennessee, and he was drafted into the U.S. army during World War II.  Phelps served with the 101st Airborne Division at some of the most momentous moments of the war.  He was there for D-Day.  He helped liberate the […]

Interview with Major Kevin Mason (ret.)

Major Kevin Mason (ret.) joined the Center for an interview on June 20, 2023.  He attended Greeneville Middle School in Greeneville, TN from 1967 to 1968.  He earned his M.A. in U.S. history in the UTK history department between 1995 and 1998.  He and his wife plan to retire to Loudon, TN.  Mason had a […]

Interview with Robert Chittum

The Center for the Study of Tennesseans & War was honored to have Robert Chittum in our office Thursday, May 4th, 2023, and have his story added to our Korean War Veterans collection. A native of Knoxville, Robert graduated from Knoxville High School in 1950, but had already signed up for the Marine Corps Reserve […]

Interview with Kimberly DiDomenico

The Center for the Study of Tennesseans & War was delighted to have Kim DiDomenico in for an interview this morning. Originally from Illinois, but now calls East Tennessee home, DiDomenico served in the United States Army from 1987 to 1991. She did her basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina as one of the […]

Interview With Bill Conner

There are people in this world who love adventure.  They travel to distant lands.  Sometimes they hang out of various aircraft with a camera.  And they have a load of stories to share. Meet USAF Master Sergeant (Ret.) Bill Conner.  He currently works at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base.  Before joining the Air National […]

Interview with Nick McCall

It’s always a great day when a veteran comes to the Center for an interview.  There are lessons to be learned from these stories if we but listen. Nick McCall was born and raised in Franklin, Tennessee.  He entered the ROTC program at Vanderbilt University near his hometown.  Although his father wanted him to become […]

Interview with Marilyn Childress

The Center was delighted to have Marilyn Childress from the Tennessee Veterans Heritage Site Foundation visit with us on March 10th. Marilyn shared with us her experiences as a servicemember in the United States Navy, joining in 1974 and working as a corpsman in hospital and other medical units. While serving, she was one of […]

Interview with MSgt. Tammy Silvers-Haller

The Center had the privilege of interviewing USAF MSgt. Tammy Silvers-Haller this week. She joined the Air Force in 2010 and is currently active duty at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base (MTAB). Before the Air Force, she began her military career in 1987 with the Marine Corps. She drew inspiration to enlist from the […]