Kenneth Joseph Colvin oral history interview, 1990 July 11

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Summary

Title:
Kenneth Joseph Colvin oral history interview
Dates:
1990 July 11
Creators:
Colvin, Kenneth Joseph, Ayres, Gene, and Eismann, Katherine
Abstract:
This collection comprises one videotape with accompanying transcript of an oral history interview with Kenneth Joseph Colvin conducted by the Holocaust Oral History Project on July 11, 1990.
Extent:
0.2 Linear feet comprising one videotape and accompanying transcript of 53 pages
Language:
Preferred citation:

Kenneth Joseph Colvin oral history interview - OHP.2281, Tauber Holocaust Library – JFCS Holocaust Center, San Francisco, California

Background

Scope and content:

This collection comprises one videotape with accompanying transcript of an oral history interview with Kenneth Joseph Colvin. The interview was conducted by Gene Ayers on behalf of the Holocaust Oral History Project on July 11, 1990. Mr. Colvin was a liberator of concentration camps.

The interview describes Mr. Colvin's childhood and life in San Francisco, his experience with anti-Semitism, his service in the Army, where he was assigned to 3rd Army, 515th Medical Clearing Company. He describes his experiences in labor, displaced persons and concentration camps, including Hemar, Oberhausen, and Hohenfels in Germany and Ebensee, Altmunster, and Ranshofen in Austria, and discusses the emotional impact of the terrible conditions he witnessed.

Biographical / historical:

Kenneth Joseph Colvin was born in San Francisco in 1924. As a result of his experiences with anti-Semitism, Mr. Colvin changed his last name from Cohn to Colvin. Drafted into the United States Army in 1943, Mr. Colvin served with the 3rd Army, 515th Medical Clearing Company, where he worked in emergency medical treatment centers with ex-concentration camp prisoners. Mr. Colvin was part of the liberation forces for 8 camps in Germany and Austria.

He has written a book about his experiences for his grandchildren.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Judith Janec
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2011-09-06T14:50-0700

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no restrictions to access for this collection.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions to use for this collection.

Preferred citation:

Kenneth Joseph Colvin oral history interview - OHP.2281, Tauber Holocaust Library – JFCS Holocaust Center, San Francisco, California

Location of this collection:
JFCS Holocaust Center
2245 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94115, US
Contact:
(415) 449-3717
HolocaustCenter@jfcs.org
Website