Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Rhonda Cornum Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Persian Gulf War, 1991
- Branch of Service: Army
- Service Unit/Ship: 2nd Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment
- Location of Service: Kuwait
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/19247
In a conflict as brief and lopsided as the Persian Gulf War, it may be surprising that there were actually American prisoners of war. Rhonda Cornum was one; she served with an Attack Helicopter Battalion as a medical officer, went down in a helicopter crash and for seven days was held by the Iraqis. She drew on her training as both a soldier and doctor to survive her brief but painful ordeal.
Interview / Recording
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PlayInfluence of her grandfather, who served in World War II. 00:05:46.0 - 00:07:27.0
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PlayRecruited by the Army out of graduate school; getting acclimated to the team concept of the military. 00:10:43.0 - 00:13:53.0
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PlayFollowing her second husband's lead toward becoming a flight surgeon; going to jump school to reinforce her military credentials. 00:21:57.5 - 00:25:46.5
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PlayOnset of Desert Shield; how she became involved with a helicopter unit that led to her joining the forces in Kuwait; first impression of Kuwait. 00:29:54.0 - 00:36:43.0
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PlayHer duties in the war; sense of mission. 00:41:35.0 - 00:45:19.5
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PlayGetting captured; first moments of her imprisonment. 00:45:31.0 - 00:58:55.0
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PlayLack of medical treatment as a POW, close call with friendly fire; the advantage of self-diagnosis. 00:59:08.0 - 01:02:49.0
More Resources
Interview / Recording
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PlayHope for a quick release; some medical attention; dealing with pain. 00:00:35.5 - 00:04:21.0
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PlayMoved to Baghdad; interrogations 00:04:46.0 - 00:09:09.9
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PlayLearning Arabic from two female Iraqis; thinking of escape; singing to occupy her mind and to alert others that she was there; release. 00:11:38.0 - 00:18:53.5
About this Item
Title
- Rhonda Cornum Collection
Names
- McDowell, Ivonne C.
- Winchester, Brad
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Public & Intergovernmental Affairs
- Cornum, Rhonda
Home State
- Kentucky
Headings
- - Cornum, Rhonda
- - Persian Gulf War, 1991 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
- - Prisoner of War -- United States
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Female
Race
- White
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Persian Gulf War, 1991
- Branch of Service: Army
- Service Unit/Ship: 2nd Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment
- Location of Service: Kuwait
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Dates of Service: 1978
- Prisoner of War: Yes
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: The veteran was captured when her helicopter was shot down on a search and rescue mission during the Persian Gulf War. Veteran is as of 6/4/2003 still serving in the Army.
Materials
- Video: Digital Betacam [1 item] -- Digitized Copy (collected unknown)
- Manuscript: Clippings [3 items] -- Typewritten document (collected unknown)
- Video: DVCAM [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2003-06-04)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/19247
Online Format
- image
- video