Smokejumpers

Abstract Larry Anderson discusses his long career as a smokejumper from 1954 to 1979. He discusses the many changes in smokejumping with regards to training and gear, as well as the U.S. Forest Service in general, mostly influenced by technology. Anderson describes the daily activities of smokejumpers when not fighting fires, as well as what it was like to work on a fire. He compares his time as a smokejumper to his time in the 101st Airborne and describes the differences between fighting fires in...

Abstract Robert Derry talks about working as a smokejumper in 1943 and 1946. He also discusses his brothers Frank, Chet, and Virgil, who were all smokejumpers and were involved with the early development of the program. He recalls supervising the conscientious objectors in 1943 at age 17, and returning to the program as a war veteran in 1946. Derry talks about his disillusionment with the U.S. Forest Service, which caused him to leave the smokejumper program, and his later career as a professional...

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Robert Martin discusses the one season he worked as a smokejumper in 1941. He talks about the training at the Nine Mile Ranger Station in Montana, the equipment, and the equipment modifications he helped make. Martin also describes some of the leaders in the smokejumper program at that time, including Frank Derry and Glen Smith.

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Roger Wolfertz describes his experiences smokejumping in Cave Junction, Oregon, in 1948 and 1949. He talks about the social life on the base, injuries on both training and fire jumps, and fighting fires.

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Ronald Lund talks about training and jumping in Alaska. He also discusses changes to equipment, in administration, and in attitudes from when he started in 1964 to 1984. Lund recalls the driving force behind those changes were several accidents involving smokejumpers.

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Dr. Roy Wenger describes his experiences as director of the Mennonite Central Committee’s Civilian Public Service (CPS) Camp 103 at Seeley Lake and Nine Mile, Montana. He talks about logistical problems in the camp, including keeping the base supplied. Wenger also discusses the relationship between the conscientious objectors and Forest Service personnel and local communities.

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Sherrill King talks about her smokejumper training experiences at the Redmond, Oregon smokejumper base and her experiences as a rookie jumper which included initiations. She also discusses the politics of being a female smokejumper, her interactions with male smokejumpers, and the different expectations for women.

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Steven Reynaud talks about his career as a smokejumper at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base in Winthrop, Washington, and the base in La Grande, Oregon, from 1965 to 1984. He discusses the smokejumper equipment and how it has changed over the years. Reynaud also comments on the two seasons he spent jumping in the eastern United States, and contrasts it to the western part of the country.

Abstract Virgil Derry discusses his early involvement with parachuting and testing equipment later used by smokejumpers. He describes the experimental jumps he made with his brother, Frank Derry, in 1939 for Eagle Parachute Company to determine the feasibility of dropping smokejumpers on fires. Derry talks about how he and his brother developed equipment and techniques that were later adopted by the early smokejumper program during these jumps. He also recalls his previous experience parachuting at...

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Watson “Java” Bradley talks about being the first Navajo smokejumper based out of Missoula, Montana, from 1974 to 1977. Bradley describes his training, particularly the physically challenging aspects of it. He speaks of the pride he felt in being a smokejumper and the camaraderie on the Missoula base where his race was never an issue. He talks about fighting fires throughout the Northwest, New Mexico, and Alaska. Bradley also discusses Navajo culture and how it related to his work.