Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Pearle W. Mack, Jr. Collection

Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975; World War, 1939-1945; Korean War, 1950-1953
- Branch of Service: Army
- Location of Service: United States; Southeast Asia; United States; European Theater
- Highest Rank: Major
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/5764
When Pearle Mack tried to enlist on December 8, 1941 and was rebuffed by a racist recruiter, that didn't stop him from launching an Army career that took him through three wars. Whether providing logistical support for Patton in World War II, running a transportation outfit in the frozen wastes of Korea, or serving as an intelligence officer in Vietnam, Mack kept his cool in the face of further insults and rose through the ranks. What he learned in his last tour of wartime duty was that the herbicide Agent Orange doesn't discriminate among soldiers.
Interview / Recording
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PlayHis attempt to enlist in the Army. 00:00:26.2 - 00:02:16.4
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PlayGrowing up in an integrated neighborhood, encountering segregation in the South. 00:07:22.7 - 00:09:28.8
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PlayBarred from an officers' club because of his race. 00:18:56.3 - 00:19:47.3
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PlayEncountering in Belgium a chaplain who had never seen black people before. 00:24:11.1 - 00:25:02.5
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PlayLack of black officers in WWII; racial quotas; combat training overcoming fear. 00:28:36.7 - 00:35:57.4
More Resources
Interview / Recording
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PlayExperiences in Vietnam as a psychological warfare officer; using his language skills to get around the country; relations with the civilian population. 00:07:24.3 - 00:15:43.6
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PlayDangers of flying in a helicopter in Vietnam: running out of fuel, being shot at by civilians; the danger of publicizing troop movements. 00:20:48.0 - 00:23:53.3
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PlayNoting the improving conditions over his career for blacks in the Army; negative reception for returning Vietnam vets; effects of Agent Orange on him. 00:25:01.1 - 00:32:23.5
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PlayAssessing his career in the military; differences between the contemporary military and the service in his day. 00:41:58.6 - 00:43:37.6
About this Item
Title
- Pearle W. Mack, Jr. Collection
Names
- Mack Jr., Pearle W.
- Rhay, Gary
- Timeless Media Group
- Collins, Denver
State of Birth
- KS
Home State
- WA
Headings
- - Mack Jr., Pearle W.
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
- - Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
- - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- Black or African American
Status
- Veteran
Service History
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World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army
- Location of Service: United States; European Theater
- Dates of Service: 1942-1973
- Military Status: Veteran
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Korean War, 1950-1953
- Branch of Service: Army
- Dates of Service: 1942-1973
- Military Status: Veteran
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Location of Service: United States; Southeast Asia
- Highest Rank: Major
- Military Status: Veteran
Materials
- Manuscript: Memoirs [1 item] -- Handwritten document (collected unknown)
- Video: VHS [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 05/21/2003)
- Video: Digital Betacam [1 item] -- Digitized Copy (collected 05/21/2003)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/5764
Cite as
- Pearle W. Mack, Jr. Collection (AFC/2001/001/5764), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- video