Minnesota's Greatest Generation Oral History Project: Part II: Interview with Robert Erikson

Titles: Minnesota's Greatest Generation Oral History Project: Part II: Interview with Robert Erikson (Supplied title)

Description: BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Robert Erikson was born in Loma, North Dakota and moved to Minneapolis at a very young age. He joined the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) and later the National Guard where he drove a searchlight truck. Erikson joined the paratroopers and jumped into Southern France, where he was shot. After the war, he used Public Law 16 for disabled veterans to attend St. Cloud State College. After graduating, he worked for Goodyear and then sold cabinets until he retired. SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: Supporting his mother and siblings after his father died; being on welfare during the Great Depression; hitchhiking from California to Minnesota and back on a furlough; joining the paratroopers and jump training/physical fitness training; joining forces with British troops and the FFE (French resistance troops); having his legs run over by a tank and spending time at a hospital in Liege; interactions with German citizens; being shot in the chest right before the war ended; attending St. Cloud State College; working for Goodyear and his numerous promotions; quitting Goodyear and selling cabinets; making contacts and becoming one of the top cabinet suppliers in the Midwest; becoming involved in politics and the Minnesota Multi-Housing Association; retiring and the benefits of military service.

Dates

• 11/03/2005 (Creation)

Creation

• interviewee: Erikson, Robert
• interviewer: Bekke, Douglas

Identifiers

• Library Call Number: OH 115
• Accession Number: AV2008.26.10

Holding Type: Oral History - Interview

Project

• Oral History - Project, MHS Collection, project: 'Minnesota's Greatest Generation Oral History Project: Part II' <OH 115>

Quantity: 3 hours sound cassettes 64 pages transcript

Format

• Content Category: sound recordings
• Content Category: text

Measurements

• 150 minutes length

Subjects

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