Tarpley, Dick 1988-04-22

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Journalist Dick Tarpley discusses his military tour overseas as an Army cryptologist during World War II.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Dick Tarpley

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: April 22, 1988

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Beth Tarpley

Length: 40 minutes


Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Background, Education, Newspaper job, Edinburg, Texas, Sports editor, Wichita Falls, University of Texas (Austin), Induction into Army, Military training, Cryptoanalysis, Camp Crowder, Missouri, Top secret, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, Assistant to McGeorge Bundy, Decoding techniques, Promotion to Warrant Officer, Overseas duty, Training, Algiers, Cryptography, Simple codes, First Armored Corps, Became 7th Army, Signal Corps, Invasion of Sicily, General Patton, Personality, Language, Poetic talent, Transfer to London, General Patch, Demeanor, Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, Invasion of Southern France (1944), Landing at St. Tropez, Reception by French people, Tarpley’s combat experience, Invitation to Scotland at war’s end, Celebration of Royal Signal Corps, Experiences in Paris, Return state side, Qualifications for return, Train across Europe, Charge over black troops, Crossing the Atlantic, Processing out, Return to Wichita Falls.

Tape 1, Side 2: Return tour of Western Europe, Heidelberg, Germany.

Range Dates: 1920-1983

Bulk Dates: 1940-1944


Access Information

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