Al Kelley Interview

People

Interviewee: Alvis "Al" Kelley
Interviewee: Mary Lou Kelley
Interviewer: David Jungman

Date

March 26, 2015

Places

Paynes Creek, Floyd, Virginia

Material/Medium

Various oral history recording media and resources

Specifications

• 63:19 min. mp3 audio
• 22-page transcript
• m4v interview video
• candid photos
• period photos
• catalog record
• student short films: “Al & MaryLou-2015-LittleThings,” “AlKelley-2015-BoyOfPaynesCreek;”
• WWII DVD Front Porch to Front Lines”

Description

Seaman Second Class Alvis Kelley volunteered for the U.S. Navy during WWII, serving from April, 1945 until May, 1946. His duties in Guam included guarding Harmon Air Force Base, keeping ships ready for action, and driving LCVP transports between ship and shore. Kelley recalls Navy sea travel, contacts with Guamanian natives, mail call, and friendship bonds formed with fellow sailors. Kelley relates memories of the family farm in the Payne’s Creek community, including time at the Kelley School, working with work horses, taking cabbage to market, learning about Pearl Harbor, as well as other family members’ service in the war. He also speaks of his postwar years with the Roanoke City Fire Department and courtship of his second wife Mary Lou. 

Keywords

U.S.S. Audrain, U.S.S. Cygnus, seaman, D6 USNR American Area, Victory World War II, Asiatic-Pacific Area, fireman, Ships Commander Service Force, Pacific Fleet, fireman, horse, Kelley School, spring, homemade candy, cabbage, Great Depression, subsistence farmers, Browser [dog], Army, Model-A Ford truck, Pearl Harbor, bo’swain’s mate, Japanese, Geisha, LCVP [Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel], Navy Corpsman, Seven Pines, market, Revolutionary War, Civil War

Bio Sketch

Alvis Kelley (1927-2017) grew up in the Payne’s Creek area of Floyd County. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, age 21, and spent a year in the Pacific as a guard at the Harmon [Air] Field on Guam to keep watch and ready ships for action.  Mr. Kelley was a Roanoke City fireman for thirty-three years, attaining the rank of Captain and a nickname of “Roadie.” His wife, Mary Lou, helps recount the details

Notes

The WWII-era interview series was directed by the Floyd Story Center at the Old Church Gallery, where the complete archives are held. The project was guided by a collaborative community-university-public school partnership with Radford University Sociology and Anthropology professor Dr. Melinda Bollar Wagner. Mr. Kelley’s WWII-era interview was conducted by members of the Roots with Wings project at Floyd County High School. The nine-year WWII series, 2007-2015, was compiled into a DVD set and biographical booklet with thirty-eight student films. Generations will be enriched by the recordings of all who shared their memories. Thank you all.