John Gilmer Oral History Interview

October 25, 2002
Oral History #OH0214
Portions of this collection are digitized (1 item)
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Creator(s)
Albright, Alex; Dembo, Jonathan, 1948-; Gilmer, John
Physical description
0.005 Cubic Feet, 1 audiocassette, 1.5 hours, no transcription
Preferred Citation
John Gilmer Oral History Interview (#OH0214), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Repository
ECU Manuscript Collection
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Oral history interview with John Gilmer (1925-2014) where he discusses his recollections from the time period 1942-1945 while serving in the United States Navy B-1 Band. See also U.S. Navy B-1 Band Group Interviews OH #213.1-213.4; Interview with Simeon O. Holloway, OH #215; and Interview with Abe Thurman OH #216.

Biographical/historical information

John Samuel Gilmer was born March 14, 1925 in Greensboro, N.C. He was the only child of John H. and Anna Smith Gilmer. Gilmer attended Dudley High School in Greensboro and graduated early to enlist in the United States Navy during World War II.

Gilmer was assigned to the United States Navy B-1 Band, the first all-African American Navy Band. Gilmer played clarinet in the band and was known by his nickname "Gus" to his fellow bandmates. Following the war, he attended North Carolina A&T University. He majored in music. Later, Gilmer joined the United States Army and served during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was a member of the 555 Paratroopers Unit. After 21 years of service, Gilmer retired from the Army. Post-retirement, Gilmer worked for the United States Postal Service and was the restaurant manager at the Trailway Bus Line.

Gilmer was an involved member of St. Benedict the Moor Church in Columbus, Georgia, and he sang in the choir, was a member of the Men's Club, and was on the Finance Team. Gilmer was also a Modern Freemason.

Gilmer was married to Uretha Williams Gilmer and had four daughters, Brenda, Jeanetta, Venatia, and LaFini. He died January 1, 2014 and is buried at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery in Alabama.

Administrative information
Processing information

Encoded by Nanette Hardison, October 27, 2008

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

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Key terms
Personal Names
Gilmer, John
Corporate Names
United States Navy B-1 Band
United States. Navy--African American troops--Interviews
Topical
African American musicians--Interviews
World War, 1939-1945