Laverne Carter Oral History

Details

Who's responsible?: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries (Repository)
How much has been digitized?: This collection has been digitized in its entirety.
Where can I find more information?: https://uncg.as.atlas-sys.com/repositories/2/resources/1050
What's in the full collection?: 18 October 2010 oral history transcript.
Full biography: Laverne Ellison Carter (b. 1951) served in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) and the United States Navy from 1971-1981. Laverne Carter was born in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1951. She grew up spending time in Greensboro, Caswell County, and Burlington. Upon graduating from high school, she briefly worked for Burlington Industries before deciding to join the United States Navy. After completing basic training in Bainbridge, Maryland, she was retained as a company assistant to aid in training. She was then assigned to San Diego, California, where she was trained as a storekeeper. While in San Diego, she became known for her abilities in bowling, nearly qualifying for the Inter-service bowling team. Carter was then stationed in Philadelphia, and then in Puerto Rico from 1977 to 1979, at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. Her next duty station was Naval Air Station Bermuda, where she remained from 1979 through 1981. By this time, Carter held a rating of E-6 or Petty Officer Second Class, and while in Bermuda, she was assigned to be Officer of the Day. After completing her tour of duty in Bermuda in 1981, Carter left the military and attended college at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, using her GI Bill. After graduation, Carter worked in accounting, in part with the prominent firm of Deloitte Haskins & Sells. She also re-entered the military via the naval reserve, and mention is made of her being in the naval reserve in 1990-1991 during the Gulf War. Carter also later became a pastor.
Topics: Women's History
Military
Branch of service: Navy -- WAVES
Conflict: Vietnam Era (1964-1974)
Post-Vietnam, Panama, Grenada (1975-1989)
Subject headings: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
United States--History--1945-
United States. Navy--Women
Contributing Institution: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries

: Oral history interview with Laverne Carter; Laverne Carter speaks of her early life, education, military training and service. Carter discusses her experience of military culture in the 1970s and 1980s, her various duty stations, hobbies and activities, and experiences upon leaving the military. Carter also mentions incidents that occurred during her service, such as the 1972 fire on the USS Forrestal, a visit to Haiti during her assignment to Puerto Rico, requesting not to be involved with transferring bodies from the Jonestown Massacre which were brought from Guyana to Puerto Rico, and the impact of the 1979 Greensboro Massacre on her decision to leave the military and return home.

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Women Veterans Historical Project

Laverne Carter Oral History

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