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Catalog number VIS 508.013
This interview is conducted by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Atlanta Branch. In this interview, Cornell Pearson recalls his experiences serving in the United States Navy from 1982-1987. He describes his family and why he chose to enlist in the Navy. He received his basic training in Orlando, Florida and was subsequently trained in Pensacola, Florida as a cryptographer. His grandfather served in World War I and his father and most of his uncles served in World War II. He describes many of the places he visited and worked while serving, including the Pacific, Canada, Europe, and Africa. He comments on the food, language, and culture of many foreign ports and compares serving on an aircraft carrier with serving on a submarine. He describes the life lessons he learned from his military service and reflects on the contributions African Americans have made through military service. He describes his post-military education and careers.