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Finding Aids to Oral Histories in the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Record Unit 9589

Pogue, Forrest C., interviewee

Forrest C. Pogue Oral History Interview, 1986
Repository: Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator: Pogue, Forrest C., interviewee
Title: Forrest C. Pogue Oral History Interview
Dates: 1986
Quantity: 1 audiotape (Reference copy).
Collection: Record Unit 9589
Language of Materials: English
Summary:

This interview of Pogue by University of Maryland student James Tapley discusses his research on Marshall, career at the Marshall Research Center and Library, and at the Eisenhower Institute, the role of the Institute within the Smithsonian Institution and National Museum of American History, the history of the National Armed Forces Museum Advisory Board and his work with the International Commission of Military History.

Historical Note

Forrest C. Pogue (1912-1996), military historian, received the A.B. from Murray State College in 1931, M.A. from the University of Kentucky in 1932, and Ph.D. from Clark University in 1939. He taught for several years before joining the historical section of the United States Army during World War II. He pioneered the use of oral history interviews to compile battlefield histories. He was appointed Director of the George C. Marshall Research Center in 1956 and later directed the Marshall Library and Marshall Research Foundation until 1974. During this time, he began a four volume biography of General George C. Marshall. In 1974, Pogue was named Director of the newly established Eisenhower Institute for Military Research at the Smithsonian and continued in that position until his retirement in 1986.

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Introduction

The Smithsonian Institution Archives began its Oral History Program in 1973. The purpose of the program is to supplement the written documentation of the Archives' record and manuscript collections with an Oral History Collection, focusing on the history of the Institution, research by its scholars, and contributions of its staff. Program staff conduct interviews with current and retired Smithsonian staff and others who have made significant contributions to the Institution. There are also interviews conducted by researchers or students on topics related to the history of the Smithsonian or the holdings of the Smithsonian Institution Archives.

Pogue was interviewed for the Oral History Collection because of his distinguished career in military history and pioneering role in the field of oral history.

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Descriptive Entry

This interview of Pogue by University of Maryland student James Tapley in 1986 covers his education, military service, research and administrative careers. The collection consists of 1.0 hours of audiotape recording and 28 pages of transcript.

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Use Restriction

Restricted. Contact SIHistory@si.edu to request permission.

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 9589, Forrest C. Pogue Oral History Interview

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Container List

Interviews

Interview 1: 1986

Interviews

Interview of Pogue discusses his education, military service, and career, including: Decision to join the Smithsonian staff; eduation; military service; research on General George C. Marshall; career at the Marshall Research Center and Library, and at the Eisenhower Institute; the role of the Institute within the Smithsonian Institution and National Museum of American History; the history of the National Armed Forces Museum Advisory Board; and his work with the International Commission for Military History.

Forrest C. Pogue, 1960. (Image no. 92-3526)
Forrest C. Pogue, 1978, by Richard K. Hofmeister. (Image no. 78-7624-30)
Forrest C. Pogue Receiving Oral History Award from Benis M. Frank, December 1979, By Dane Penland. (Image no. 79-13443-12A)
Interviews

Transcript, pp. 1-28, of audiotape recording, 1.0 hour.

Interviews

Audio Recordings of Interview: Total Recording Time: 1.0 hour

Interviews
Original Master: 1 5" reel-to-reel analog audiotape
Preservation Masters: 2 7" reel-to-reel analog audiotapes, 3 digital .wav files
Reference Copies: 1 cassette audiotape, 2 digital .mp3 files

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