Transcript Title
Joe Hughes
Mr. Thomas
U.S. History
26 April 2006
Personal Interview of Lawrence F. Teder
I interviewed Lawrence F. Teder, a United States World War II veteran. Mr. Teder volunteered in the Navy before the war started and later became part of the crew of a U.S. submarine. Mr. Teder is now eighty-eight years old and currently lives in Lafayette, Indiana. I interviewed Mr. Teder to learn first hand what a WWII veteran experienced during the war. I always respected war veterans, but now that I have personally interviewed a veteran I have the utmost respect for their service to protect or great nation.
Q: Where are you from and how was your childhood?
A: Dubois, Indiana lived during the Great Depression, very tough living as son of a farmer, not much money
Q: How old are you?
A: 88 years old
Q: Was there a lot of American pride in WWII?
A: oh yes! We wanted to get back at the Japs for what they did to our boys at Pearl Harbor
Q: Where did you serve and how (what rank, what job)?
A: I served in the Navy on a submarine, the Guardfish, under Captain Clackring in the Pacific. When I became part of the crew I was a seaman and then moved up the ranks to a Commission Warrant Officer and honored with a Silver Star. I was a fire control technician and I operated the mechanical computer, radar, and sonar.
Q: Who was your captain, and did you like him?
A: I served under Captain Clackring and I greatly respected him. He was a big reason why I am alive. He reprimanded people harshly which maintained great discipline on the sub which was a necessity for survival.
Q: Were you ever in combat?
A: Yes, many times and we sunk many Japanese ships, but we were depth charged many times.
Q: Did you know what was going on in Europe?
A: Yes.
Q: Did you like the American leaders such as the President?
A: “Roosevelt didn’t amount to a hoot!” “Truman saved the world by using the a-bomb.” Roosevelt sent us out to Hawaii then sent us back to the Atlantic then sent us back out to the Pacific.
Q: How were things back in the U.S.?
A: Totally different world.
Q: What did you think about the atomic bombs?
A: Best thing that could have happened. They saved many American lives.