Title: Powell P. Vail, Jr., oral history interview, January 23, 1998

Identifier: OH0161   (https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/11241)

Description: Captain Vail, a native of Mississippi, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy as a part of the Class of 1941. In this interview, Captain Vail comments on his background and early education, pre-war assignment to the USS WEST VIRGINIA, his service during World War II, and his duties in the post-war period until his retirement in 1971. For World War II, he relates his experiences in the USS FANNING, the USS QUICK off North Africa and Sicily, and the USS HAWLEY, USS O'BRIEN, and the USS NEALLY in the Pacific. Ships served aboard after 1945 include the HMS BROADSWORD, USS KROUS, USS FISKE, and the USS GRAND CANYON. Interviewer: Dr. Fred D. Ragan.