Karen L. Chin Oral History

Details

Who's responsible?: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries (Repository)
How much has been digitized?: Digitization of this collection is still in progress.
Where can I find more information?: https://uncg.as.atlas-sys.com/repositories/2/resources/1514
What's in the full collection?: Collection includes an August 2023 oral history transcript and digitized scans of photograph albums.
Full biography: Karen L. Chin (b. 1945), of Warren, Ohio, served as a Transportation Corps Officer in the United States Women’s Army Corps (WAC) and the U.S. Army from 1976-1983. Karin L. Chin was born on 30 September 1945. She grew up in Ohio as the oldest of three children. Her mother worked off and on, while her father worked as an electrical engineer. She graduated high school in 1963 and went to Kent State University from 1963-1967. After college, Chin taught middle school art for 10 years and then joined the U.S. Army WAC in June 1976. Karen L. Chin joined the army as a First Lieutenant Student in the Direct Commission officer program for basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama from July to October in 1976. After graduation, she was permanently detailed to Transportation Corps/Highway Rail Operations. Chin’s next assignment was to Fort Eustis, Virginia as a 1st Lieutenant Student for Transportation Corps Officer Basic training from late 1976 to February 1977. After Transportation Corps Officer Basic, she was put on temporary duty at Fort Knox, Kentucky in 1977 for a Motor Officer Maintenance Course. In 1978, Chin was stationed at Kaiserslautern, Germany, where she served as 1st Lieutenant Platoon Officer in the 89th Transportation Co, 53rd Transportation Battalion, and the 4th Transportation Brigade. While in Germany, she also served Commander Headquarters and Headquarters Company and returned as commander for the 89th Transportation Co. After Germany, she was temporarily stationed at Fort Eustace, Virginia for a Transportation Officer Advanced course in 1981. After the advanced course, Chin was stationed at the Military Personnel Center in 1982, where she was in the Combat SVS Support Division where she sat on selection boards and processed compassionate re-assignments.
Topics: Women's History
Military
Branch of service: Army -- WAC
Army
Conflict: Post-Vietnam, Panama, Grenada (1975-1989)
Subject headings: United States--History--1945-
United States. Army--Women
Contributing Institution: Martha Blakeney Hodges Special Collections and University Archives, UNCG University Libraries

Pages

: "Adventures in the 53d Trans BN! cpt karen L richard" (1 of 2); Photograph album documenting Chin's time as platoon leader of the 89th Transportation Company, 53rd Transportation Battilion, 4th Transportation Brigade in Kaiserslauten, Germany from 1978-1979.

: "Adventures in the 53d Transportation Battalion cpt K L richard" (2 of 2); Photograph album and scrapbook documenting Chin's time as command of the 53rd Transportation Battaliion Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD) in Kaiserslauten, Germany in 1980.

: 53rd Transportation Batallion vehicles; Photographs of driver of M915 truck and the motor pool. Caption on back: "Our company end of the 53rd Trans. Bn's motor pool. These IHC 2000 D [?] replaced by the M915 series."

: 89th Transportation Company stands at attention; Karen Chin, unit commander, stands in front of formation in Kaiserslautern, Germany

: Candid of Captain Karen Chin; Caption on back: "Cpt in Germany circa 1979-1980."

: Captain Chin accepting the 89th Transportation Company guidon; Lieutenant Commander Brant passes command to Captain Chin in Kaiserslautern, Germany on 31 July 19179.

: Captain Chin and another U.S. soldier pose in front of a trimotor propeller aircraft; Karen Chin (on right). Probably in in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Caption on back says "Aug 1979)

: Captain Chin and three other soldiers standing in front of a M915 truck; Karen Chin (on left) poses with soldiers from 89th Transportation Company. One soldier holds a small trophy awarded to the company In Kaiserslautern, Germany. Caption on back reads "Headquarters Detachment Command and batallion time. 1979-1980."

: Captain Chin and two other U.S. soldiers pose with a trophy and a certificate; Karen Chin (on right) and other soldiers pose with a trophy and certficate awarded for company safety. They stand in front of a M915 truck in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

: Captain Chin leading the 89th Transportation Company in a Pass and Review; Karen Chin salutes. Another soldier carries the 89th Transportation Company guidon. in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

: Captain Chin shakes hands with another U.S. soldier; Captain Chin in a receiving line

: Captain Karen Chin at the Transportation Corps Military Ball; Caption on back: "Karen Chin 1979 Transportation Corps Military Ball Heidelberg, Germany

: Captain Karen Chin watches another soldier write on a board; In Kaiserslautern, Germany.

: Exterior of the 89th Transportation Company Roadmasters building.; Sign reads: "89th Transportation Company Roadmasters." The 89th Transportation Company insignia on left and 53rd Transportation Battalion Unit insignia on right. Kaiserslautern, Germany cira 1979.

: First Lieutenant Karen Chin; Karen Chin wearing fatigues and helmet with canteen and rifle.

: Formal portrait of Captain Karen Chin; Captain Karen Chin. She is wearing a Army Marksmanship Qualification Badge and Transportation Corps collar insignia.

: Graduation exercises; Graduation program for WAC officer orientation.

: Karen Chin (on right) with SP4 Loyd at Loyd's reenslistment; Flag on right says "Company of the year '79." in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

: Karen Chin and fellow WACS at a "dining in"; Karen Chin wearing her mess dress uniform. Caption: "20 March 80- 53rd Trans Dining in Receiving Line - Cocktails and Dinner- and Fun!"

: Karen Chin giving up command of the 53rd Transportation Batallion; Caption on back: "giving up command in 1980 yep, I'm the littlest one."

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Karen L. Chin Oral History

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