Materials are arranged in the order created during the interview process with the first two files containing earlier dated items used to prepare for the interview. The second file also contains administrative materials created before, during and after the interview.
Accession No. PA.2000.0036: Walter R. Jones, 2000 April
[identification of item], Walter R. Jones Oral History, SPEC.PA.56.0047, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program, Ohio State University
Contains audiocassettes and a VHS videocassette.
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Processed by: Devon Boerman, 2019 December; Finding aid written by: Devon Boerman, 2019 December
Walter R. Jones (1919-) joined the United States Naval Construction Battalion, also known as the Seabees, in 1943 during World War II as a Equipment Operator. Jones also served in the Korean War. In 1956, Jones successfully applied to serve as an Equipment Operator for Operation Deep Freeze II where he was responsible for the maintenance and operation of all of the heavy equipment, including the Low Ground Pressure D8 Caterpillars (LGPD8). During Operation Deep Freeze II, Jones made two traverses across Antarctica with the LGPD8s from Little America to Byrd Station with the supplies needed to construct the new base. Jones wintered over in Antarctica and stayed on the continent until the end of 1957. In 1963, Jones returned to Antarctica where he served as McMurdo Station's ham radio operator and made 1500 ham patches during the year. During that expedition, Jones received an unique rank from the United States Navy related to his specific duties in Antarctica, Equipment Operator, Radioman, First Class (EORM-1). He retired from the Navy in 1968.
The Walter R. Jones Oral History, dated circa 1980s-2001, contains audiocassettes, administrative information, and a transcript of the interview between Jones and Brian Shoemaker of the American Polar Society that took place on April 19, 2000 regarding Jones' experiences as an Equipment Operator and ham radio operator in Antarctica. The collection also contains photocopies of a diary that Jones wrote while on Operation Deep Freeze II and a video recording about Jones. This interview was a part of a series of polar oral histories sponsored by American Polar Society and Ohio State University's Byrd Polar Research Center Archival Program, with funding from the National Science Foundation. Major topics found in this oral history include comments from Jones regarding his experiences and views about Operation Deep Freeze II, the role of ham radio operator, and the challenges and personal interactions of living in Antarctica. Jones also discusses his experiences in operating heavy equipment, including Low Ground Pressure D8 Caterpillar tractors, also referred to as Cats, in Antarctica and his traverses from Little America to McMurdo.