At the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Oral History Program, we aim to document history straight from the mouths of those who lived it. Oral history is a field of study and a method of gathering, preserving, and interpreting the voices and memories of people, communities, and participants in past events. We preserve video and audio files of every interview, transcribe, edit, and then upload them for public access online—this entire process can take over 60 hours per interview (about 5 days). Our collection houses more than 2900 interviews (the fourth largest in the nation!) detailing the lives of veterans from the Spanish-American War through present-day. These complement the Wisconsin Veterans Museum’s archives and object collections to create a complete story of Wisconsin’s decorated history of military service. You can learn more about the Oral History Program here.
As a Mosse Research Assistant there, I help write transcripts, digitize 40-year-old VHS tapes to computer files, and write summaries and blog posts for many of these interviews. I have worked on over 300 oral histories during my time, including stories from every branch of service and every major conflict back to the First World War. These are just a few of the hundreds of stories of service members that I have worked on in the Wisconsin Veterans Museum.
Alone with the Bear: Adria P. Zuccaro
Adria P. Zuccaro’s journey in the Air National Guard is a story of relentless pursuit, resilience, and groundbreaking leadership. From her childhood fascination with flight to becoming the first female wing commander of the 128th Air Refueling Wing, her career is a testament to her unwavering dedication and pioneering spirit. As a pilot in the Alaskan Air National Guard’s 168th Wing, she experienced the unique challenges of defending the nation’s northern frontier. Among her most vivid memories is a tense encounter with a Russian Tupolev Tu-95 “Bear” bomber.
Stationed in Alaska, Zuccaro’s role as a KC-135 copilot meant being constantly ready to respond to potential intrusions into the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). One day, that readiness was put to the test. Scrambling to intercept a “Bear” bomber, a relic of Cold War tensions, Zuccaro and her crew found themselves face-to-face with the imposing Russian aircraft. Initially, the mission was a surge of adrenaline, a tangible connection to the historical narratives of aerial defense. However, the situation quickly shifted.
As the F-15 escort fighters, initially providing crucial support, were recalled to base, a sense of vulnerability settled over the KC-135 as it was left alone in the sky. Suddenly, the vast Alaskan sky felt isolating. Zuccaro recognized the stark reality: her aircraft was a tanker, not a fighter. It was a crucial support asset, but ill-equipped for direct combat. The realization that she and her crew were alone with the Russian bomber brought a heightened awareness of the potential danger. The incident served as a stark reminder of the constant vigilance required and the delicate balance of power in the region. That moment, alone with the “Bear,” underscored the gravity of her duty and the unpredictable nature of military service.
Zuccaro’s service included deployments to Hickam, Hawaii, and Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, supporting Operation Northern Watch. Her leadership has included the 128th Air Refueling Wing in Milwaukee, breaking barriers as the unit’s first female wing commander until leaving the position in late 2024. There, she prioritized community engagement, fostering connections through the “Brew City Tankers” initiative. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes participation and mission focus. She advocates for inclusivity and acknowledges the progress made for women in the military, while also highlighting the ongoing need for change. She continues to break down barriers and inspire future generations in the Wisconsin Air National Guard.
Zuccaro’s interview is part of the I Am Not Invisible Campaign, an oral history project created, maintained, and curated by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Oral History Program beginning in January 2019. It features women veterans throughout the state of Wisconsin, is an integral part of the oral history collection, and is available for public viewing here. For the full Adria P. Zuccaro story, click here.
Cat and Mouse: Donald L. Smith
Donald Smith’s naval career bridged the fiery battles of World War II and the silent, strategic tensions of the Cold War. Growing up in rural Iowa, he witnessed the Dust Bowl’s devastation, which shaped his understanding of resilience. Driven by a desire to serve, Smith joined the Navy, embarking on a career that would span decades. As a Master Chief Avionics Technician, his expertise placed him at the forefront of the Navy’s anti-submarine operations, a crucial element in the struggle against the Soviet Union.
During the Cold War, Smith found himself engaged in a high-stakes game of “cat and mouse” in the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. His role was to maintain and troubleshoot the sophisticated electronic systems aboard anti-submarine aircraft, primarily the S-2 Tracker. The equipment on these aircraft were the Navy’s eyes and ears beneath the waves, tasked with detecting and tracking Soviet submarines that posed a constant threat.
Smith vividly recalls the tense atmosphere of these operations. From the moment Soviet submarines departed Murmansk, they were tracked by a network of American naval assets. Smith and his crew would use a combination of advanced radar systems, magnetic anomaly detectors, and sonobuoys to locate and monitor the movements of these underwater adversaries. The goal was not necessarily to engage in direct combat, but to maintain constant surveillance, demonstrating American naval power and deterring any potential aggression.
“We’d ping them,” Smith explained, referring to the use of active sonar buoys. This pinging involved sending out sonar pulses and listening for the echoes that bounced back from the submarine, providing vital information about its location and movement. This constant tracking often extended from Norway to just off the coast of New York City, demonstrating the reach of Soviet submarine activity and the importance of the Navy’s vigilance. Smith’s experiences highlight the hidden nature of the Cold War, a conflict fought not with bombs and bullets, but with technological prowess and strategic maneuvering. His work, though unseen by the public, was a vital component of the nation’s defense, contributing to the delicate balance of power that defined the era.
Throughout his career, Smith’s perspective remained grounded in his rural upbringing. He observed the changing social landscape, and described the success of racial integration in the military while acknowledging the impact of differing backgrounds. He voiced his concerns about the evolving military procurement process and the need to prioritize the Navy’s needs. Upon retirement, Smith reflected on his service, offering insights into the contrasts between the Second World War and later conflicts. Smith emphasized the importance of decisive action in warfare and expressed an abiding respect for those who serve. Donald Smith’s story is a chronicle of dedication, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to his duty.
Donald Smith’s interview was conducted in 2021 by Luke Sprague for the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Oral History Program. After being digitized, it has been transcribed and is now accessible online. For the full Donald L. Smith story, click here.
The Crucible: Robert G. Thorpe
Robert G. Thorpe’s Air Force career was the culmination of his lifelong pursuit of flight. From falsifying his age to enlist as a teenager to piloting nuclear-armed bombers, his journey is marked by pivotal moments. Among his most poignant memories include his time in Vietnam, where he witnessed the devastating loss of his best friend.
Stationed in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), Thorpe flew C-123 Provider transport planes, navigating treacherous conditions and delivering vital supplies across the war-torn country. While flying in formation to supply Special Forces in Nha Trang, Thorpe’s squadron encountered thunderstorms and a confusing drop zone. The lead aircraft, flown by Thorpe’s best friend, attempted to assess the wind and became disoriented. On their second pass, they were shot down, crashing amidst the chaos. Thorpe and his fellow pilots circled the crash site, attempting to radio for help, but found their efforts thwarted by ground fire and the unresponsive aircraft. The scene was chaotic, with no immediate rescue possible. Despite the danger, Thorpe took photographs of the wreckage, hoping to provide crucial intelligence to determine North Vietnamese operations. However, the images proved too poor to be of use. It took two days and several casualties before the site was secured, revealing the grim reality: the crew had been stripped of their belongings and killed.
This harrowing experience, witnessing the loss of his best friend, the first Air Force Academy graduate to be killed in combat, left an indelible mark on Thorpe. It served as a stark reminder of the brutal realities of war and the sacrifices made by those who serve.
Thorpe continued his service, moving to Truax Field and Selfridge Air National Guard Base, where he eventually retired after twenty-one years. His prolific career included flying F-84 Thunderjets, F-86 Sabres, F-100 Super Sabres, F-101 Voodoo interceptors, and a transition from fighter pilot to B-47 Stratojet pilot and eventually C-123 Provider transport pilot. He remained active in veterans’ affairs, particularly advocating for underage veterans. His life is a testament to resilience, dedication, and the enduring impact of service.
Thorpe’s interview was originally conducted in 2002 by John MacIntosh. After years in cold storage, it has been restored from a VHS cassette tape to a digital video, now accessible online through the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Oral History Program. For the full Robert G. Thorpe story, click here.
Theodore (Teddy) Xing is a senior at UW-Madison majoring in History. His interests include United States political history, the World Wars and Cold War, and Chinese history. Beyond the George L. Mosse Research Assistantship, Teddy also serves in multiple honors societies, working as Retention Officer of Arnold Air Society and a member of Scabbard and Blade. Teddy is excited to work towards preserving veterans’ stories and experiences through the Mosse Research Assistantship and believes that understanding history is the best way to contextualize modern events.