Oral history of John Brunskill
Clemson University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives A video recording of an in-person interview conducted by Jeff Fulton with Corporal John Brunskill on September 29, 2013. Born on September 14, 1971, Brunskill joined the United States Army Reserves in 2008. He was assigned as a combat engineer with the 323rd Engineer Company and deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 during Operation Enduring Freedom.
Brunskill talks about the rigors of basic training at an older age and his role in route clearance missions. As lead truck gunner, he was responsible for convoy security and threat identification. He provides an account of Operation Strong Eagle in which his unit faced an intense ambush.
2013-09-29
Oral history of Robert Blackburn
Clemson University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives A video recording of an in-person interview conducted by Daniel Mack with Staff Sergeant Robert Blackburn on August 27, 2012, in Clemson, SC. Born on March 30, 1979, Blackburn enlisted in the United States Army after 9/11. He was trained as an airborne infantryman, later completing the Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP), and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division.
Blackburn talks about his combat experience in Operation Iraqi Freedom, fighting against Saddam Hussein's forces and securing the cities of Mosul and Kirkuk. He describes the shift in warfare as roadside bombs and insurgent tactics became more sophisticated. He speaks on his service in Operation Enduring Freedom, leading joint military operations from Bagram and navigating the harsh terrain and logistical challenges of combat in the Hindu Kush mountains.
Oral history of Kelby Hagerluck
Clemson University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives A video recording of an interview conducted by Daniel Redmond with Lieutenant Colonel Kelby Hagerluck on March 28, 2024. Born on September 9, 1980, Hagerluck joined the United States Air Force and was commissioned in 2003.
Hagerluck was trained as a C-17 Globemaster pilot, initially stationed at Charleston Air Force Base before later becoming an instructor at Altus Air Force Base. Over a 20 year career, he flew global airlift missions, transporting a wide range of things. He talks about missions taking him to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa and recalls airdropping supplies into mountains, presidential support missions, and transporting fallen service members home.
2024-03-28
Oral history of Bob Robbins
Clemson University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives A video recording of an in-person interview conducted by Caleb Hawkins with Sergeant Bob Robbins on November 25, 2013. Born on July 2, 1986, Robbins enlisted in the United States Army Reserves in 2006.
In 2010, Robbins deployed to Afghanistan as part of a route clearance unit, arriving first in Kandahar before moving to Jalalabad. His unit conducted sweeps for explosives and direct interactions with local villagers. After relocating to the Kandahar Province, his mission became more intense, with his team regularly uncovering IEDs. In 2011, while responding to an IED strike, Robbins' vehicle was hit by an IED, injuring his foot and leading to his evacuation from Afghanistan. Robbins was medically discharged and returned to Clemson to continue his education.
2013-11-25
Oral history of Joseph Snyder
Clemson University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives A video recording of an in-person interview conducted by Jeff Fulton with Specialist Joseph Snyder on September 29, 2013. Born on February 10, 1985, Snyder enlisted in the United States Army Reserves with the 323rd Engineer Company.
In 2010, Snyder deployed to Afghanistan as part of a route clearance unit, responsible for detecting and neutralizing IEDs. He describes the intensity of Operation Strong Eagle, during which his unit was ambushed and encountered heavy fire. He served as the lead truck driver and recounts the psychological challenge of navigating IED-laden roads, often witnessing explosions that hit the vehicles behind him while his own truck remained intact. Returning home, Snyder had a difficult time readjusting to civilian life and reenlisted in 2013, wanting to commit to a 20-year career in the Army.
2013-09-29
Oral history of Miles Nuckolls
Clemson University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives A video recording of a virtual interview conducted by Carter Walsh with Staff Sergeant Miles Nuckolls in 2024. Born August 11, 1989, Nuckolls enlisted in the United States Army in 2008.
After completing basic and medical training at Fort Sam Houston, he attended Airborne School at Fort Benning, where he was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Italy. In November 2009, he deployed to Afghanistan, where he operated as a platoon medic in the Paktika Province. He recalls many night operations and long-range reconnaissance missions and notes that his unit did not suffer any fatalities during the deployment. Following Afghanistan, Nuckolls was reassigned to Fort Bragg, where he worked with an engineer unit, a transition he found frustrating due to its slower operational tempo. In 2014, he returned to Italy, where he participated in North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) training missions across 24 countries, working alongside allied forces to improve combat readiness. Leaving the Army in 2017, he soon after began pursuing a history degree at Clemson University.
2024
Oral history of Jason Bradley
Clemson University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives A video recording of an in-person interview conducted by Jeff Fulton with Captain Jason Bradley on November 20, 2013. Born on January 10, 1977, Bradley enlisted in the United States Army Aviation branch in 1994. He trained as an AH-64 Apache crew chief and was first stationed at Katterbach, Germany. He then moved to Camp Comanche in Bosnia and describes missions for Operation Joint Guard. After six years of active duty, he left the military in 2000 to pursue an engineering career with General Electric while completing his education.
In 2008, motivated by 9/11 and a desire to contribute as a leader, Bradley re-entered the Army as a direct-commissioned officer in the Engineer Corps. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2010, where he led a route clearance platoon tasked with detecting and neutralizing IEDs. He describes the intensity of Operation Strong Eagle, in which his unit faced an intense ambush.
2013-11-20