Ada F. Maxwell-Johnson Oral History
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Oral history interview with Ada Maxwell-Johnson
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Ada F. Maxwell-Johnson discusses her family life, education, joining the army, and after the military. She talks about how women in the military are perceived by the public, her first days in the army including weapons training, a typical day in basic and AIT training and her duty stations. Maxwell-Johnson discussed living accommodations, uniforms, and off-time activities. She discussed what awards and decorations she earned, her relationship with her peers, discrimination against her during the military, and mentoring in the army. Johnson also discusses her thoughts of how the attitude toward women in the military has changed, what the hardest thing to do in the military, and the most rewarding thing in the military. She also talks about her views on the Vietnam war, her impression of the military and presidential leadership during that time, the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr., the Cuban Missile Crisis, Woodstock, the moon landing, the women’s movement, and the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” Ada Maxwell-Johnson also talks about leaving the army, her thoughts on women in the military as trailblazers, how she used the GI Bill and the Veteran’s Administration, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), how her life is different because of the military, recommending the military service to men and women, her thoughts on patriotism, and what civilians should know about the military.
