Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Software, E-Resource Audio Recording Cristina A. Frisby Collection

Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Iraq War, 2003-2011; Cold War
- Branch of Service: Navy; Army
- Service Unit/Ship: 640th Aviation Support Battalion, 42nd Infantry Division; Army National Guard
- Location of Service: Iraq; Annapolis
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/53197
Like many 18-year-old "plebes," Sergeant Cristina Frisby was overwhelmed by the challenges of her first year at the Naval Academy. Falling ill and behind in her coursework, she resigned-only to be confronted with an inquiry into her sexual orientation. Leaving the Academy, she felt the agony of being denied her lifelong dream of military service because of who she was, and because of her honesty in speaking about it. Her dedication to military service was so strong that she persevered, joining the California National Guard after the terrorist attacks of September 11, in the hopes that she could be of some help to her country. Deploying to Iraq in 2005, she served as a recovery driver, a tow truck driver who aided disabled vehicles (many of which had been hit by IEDs). Her oral history interview is supplemented by over 300 photographs and a handful of home movies, which offer a fascinating glimpse into her day-to-day life in Iraq.
Home Movies: Camp Berstein
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Home Movies: Dirt, Choppers and IED Ahead
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Home Movies: Mountains
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Home Movies: Chow Hall, Fiesty Lizard, Pinkie Pose, Rough Ride and Tikrit
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Cristina A. Frisby Collection
Audio Interview
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PlayRealizing she was gay at the same time she entered Naval Academy; dealing with the mental, physical, and academic challenges of the Academy; difficult time. 00:05:35.0 - 00:06:46.0
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PlayFilling out paperwork that asked if she was gay; making it through "plebe summer" but then got sick and fell behind in schoolwork; making the decision to resign; being called in and asked if she was gay. 00:07:37.0 - 00:11:14.0
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PlayInvestigation by Navy; had to sign a confession; receiving an honorable discharge. 00:11:15.0 - 00:16:19.0
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PlayPhysical and emotional effects of leaving Academy; agony of losing her dream; denied her dream because of her identity. 00:22:03.0 - 00:23:03.0
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PlayLooking into joining the National Guard after 9/11; choosing the California State National Guard because they didn't discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation; wanting to fulfill her lifelong dream and have a positive impact during a time of military need. 00:27:45.0 - 00:30:35.0
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PlayFrustrations during training; learning how to be a leader; good reception from other soldiers; isolation during training. 00:40:53.0 - 00:45:23.0
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PlayTransfer to the "Red Bulls" unit from Minnesota; transportation company; knew she would see action; meeting other gay soldiers; asked to be a recovery driver. 00:55:00.0 - 00:58:34.0
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PlayPositive reception by her unit; feeling the lack of official support; ending her relationship while deployed. 01:01:13.0 - 01:03:16.0
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PlayIncident in which they went out to assist a truck that had been hit by an IED; soldier was killed; always remembering circumstances of that particular mission and fatality. 01:12:27.0 - 01:14:15.0
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PlayGender didn't matter in field; respect she earned as one of the best recovery mechanics; despite this, feeling isolated on base. 01:21:44.0 - 01:23:19.0
About this Item
Title
- Cristina A. Frisby Collection
Names
- Frisby, Cristina A.
- unknown
- Manalo, Sheila
- The Center (The San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center)
Home State
- California
Headings
- - Frisby, Cristina A.
- - Cold War -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Navy.
- - Iraq War, 2003-2011 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Female
Race
- White
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Cold War
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Location of Service: Annapolis
- Dates of Service: 1987-1988
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: The veteran received discharge papers and was not recommended for future commission because of prior homosexual experience.
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Iraq War, 2003-2011
- Branch of Service: Army
- Service Unit/Ship: 640th Aviation Support Battalion, 42nd Infantry Division; Army National Guard
- Location of Service: Iraq
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Dates of Service: 2003
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Audio: CD [2 items] -- Reference copy (collected 2009-01-09)
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2006-12-29; 1994-12-31)
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2006-12-29; 1994-12-31)
- Computer File: CD [1 item] -- Multiple types of electronic files (collected 2006-12-29)
- Photograph: Digital print [304 items] -- Photographs (collected unknown)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/53197
Online Format
- audio
- image
- video