Stories of Service
The Navy Memorial’s Stories of Service program collects digital video oral histories of Sea Service veterans throughout the year. A group of dedicated volunteers interviews and records the personal accounts of shipmates from all eras.
If you would like to share your experiences from your service in the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Merchant Marines, we would appreciate the opportunity to meet you and record your contribution to our nation’s history.
If you would like to volunteer to conduct interviews yourself, we encourage you to read the Join Us section and then contact us.
How it Works
If you would like to be interviewed, please contact us to schedule an appointment. Most of the interviews take place at the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. and at select military reunions around the country. We do not have the resources to travel for an individual interview.
The interview lasts 30-60 minutes. We are looking to capture the highlights of your service – rather than a complete biographical sketch.
After your interview, your story will be edited (the finished product will be 5-10 minutes in length) and archived on one of our web sites. This ensures the stories are available on demand in perpetuity. For this reason, we do not provide DVD copies of the interview. There is no charge for this service. Links to some of our stories are listed below.
If you would like some interview tips, visit the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project (click here).
Contact Us
Email Matt Fash (Coordinator, Navy Memorial Stories of Service program) at mfash@navymemorial.org if you would like to:
- Share your Navy experiences with an interviewer
- Conduct interviews with Navy veterans in your community
- Receive more information on the U.S. Navy Memorial Stories of Service program
Additional Resources
Interview Tips (Library of Congress)
Joint Release Form
1-A Veteran Form
2-A Volunteer Form
The U.S. Navy Memorial Stories of Service program is sponsored by the United States Navy Memorial Foundation.
Stories of Service
See all of the videos on the Navy Memorial's Channel on YouTube