Kenneth Joseph Colvin oral history interview OHP.2281
Finding aid prepared by Judith Janec
Tauber Holocaust Library
JFCS Holocaust Center
2245 Post Street
San Francisco, CA, 94115
415-449-3717
tauberholocaustlibrary@jfcs.org
Title: Kenneth Joseph Colvin oral history interview
Identifier/Call Number: OHP.2281
Contributing Institution:
Tauber Holocaust Library
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.2 Linear feet
comprising one videotape and accompanying transcript of 53 pages
Date: 1990 July 11
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.
Creator:
Colvin, Kenneth Joseph
Creator:
Ayres, Gene
Creator:
Eismann, Katherine
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.
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.
Existence and Location of Copies note
Master copies of the oral history interview are located at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, D.C.
Kenneth Joseph Colvin oral history interview - OHP.2281, Tauber Holocaust Library – JFCS Holocaust Center, San Francisco,
California
There are no restrictions to use for this collection.
Conditions Governing Access note
There are no restrictions to access for this collection.
Related Archival Materials note
See also Kenneth Colvin papers - 1988.1149. Papers include Official Report of US Army liberation of Stalag VI, Hemer, Germany
with photograph.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ebensee (Concentration camp).
Ex-concentration camp inmates -- Medical care -- Austria
Ex-concentration camp inmates -- Medical care -- Germany
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives
Jewish soldiers -- United States
World War, 1939-1945 -- Concentration camps -- Liberation