University of Montana

Abstract Virgil Derry discusses his early involvement with parachuting and testing equipment later used by smokejumpers. He describes the experimental jumps he made with his brother, Frank Derry, in 1939 for Eagle Parachute Company to determine the feasibility of dropping smokejumpers on fires. Derry talks about how he and his brother developed equipment and techniques that were later adopted by the early smokejumper program during these jumps. He also recalls his previous experience parachuting at...

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Watson “Java” Bradley talks about being the first Navajo smokejumper based out of Missoula, Montana, from 1974 to 1977. Bradley describes his training, particularly the physically challenging aspects of it. He speaks of the pride he felt in being a smokejumper and the camaraderie on the Missoula base where his race was never an issue. He talks about fighting fires throughout the Northwest, New Mexico, and Alaska. Bradley also discusses Navajo culture and how it related to his work.

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Wayne Webb speaks about his 30 years working as a smokejumper at McCall, Idaho, from 1946 until 1975. In particular, he emphasizes his job in equipment design, making parachutes and jump suits. Webb also discusses the 40-year age limit and what it was like to resume jumping after it was lifted.

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Wendy Kamm discusses being one of the first three women smokejumpers at the Missoula, Montana base in 1982. She describes the training and the injuries she sustained, and compares fighting fires in Alaska to Montana. Kamm talks about the psychological and emotional harassment by male smokejumpers that she endured, as well as strength she felt it took to be a female smokejumper.

Abstract Willa Craig summarizes her background and explains how she started working in the women's health care field in Missoula, Montana, first at Planned Parenthood as a birth control counselor and then at Blue Mountain Clinic. Craig explains her stance as a pro choice advocate and discusses her work as the director of Blue Mountain Clinic during turbulent times of difficulties in locating and retaining physicians who performed abortions, anti-choice protesters, the fire-bombing of the clinic, and...

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William Yensen relates anecdotes of smokejumping from 1953 to 1984 at McCall, Idaho. He talks about his training and the duties of a rigger, and he describes several fire jumps in detail, including various injuries he and others sustained.

Abstract William Bolen describes being one of the first smokejumpers in Montana in 1940. He talks about being chosen from the Kootenai National Forest, where he was working as a smoke chaser, and coming to Seeley Lake with seven other men to start the smokejumper program. Bolen describes the training he received by instructors Chet Derry and Glenn Smith, as well as the three jumps he made before deciding not to be a smokejumper. He discusses the equipment that was used for that program, including...

Abstract Wilmer Carlsen discusses joining the smokejumpers under the Civilian Public Service program (CPS) in 1943 because he was a conscientious objector during World War Two. He describes his experiences as a smokejumper, including the fires he worked, and his relationships with regular Forest Service employees, as well as other religiously-affiliated conscientious objectors. Carlsen recalls his training, as well as the duties to which he was assigned in the off-season, including cooking and...

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University of Denver (DU) Pioneers men's basketball player Bob Grinstead (31) jumps into the air to tip the ball into the basket as two University of Montana players try to block during a game in the Field House Arena in Denver, Colorado.

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University of Denver (DU) Pioneers men's basketball player Jerry Cole (10) jumps into the air and releases the ball next to the hoop for a lay up as an opposing University of Montana player gives chase in a game in the Field House Arena in Denver, Colorado.