Oral History Interview with Ray Fuller

Partial Transcript: Interviewer: Okay, today's date is February 14, it's Valentine's Day, and I did buy flowers, 1996.

Segment Synopsis: In this segment, the interviewer introduces us to the narrator, Ray Fuller. Fuller, begins by describing what he was doing leading up to World War I.

Partial Transcript: Interviewer: Was it after the Poncho Villa thing and you wanted to enlist?

Segment Synopsis: In this segment, Fuller explains why he joined the National Guard. He comments on some of the conditions National Guardsmen experienced in Texas during that time.

Partial Transcript: Interviewer: So you came back in the winter of '17.

Segment Synopsis: Fuller discusses his memories of his feelings towards the war before the United States became involved.

Partial Transcript: Interviewer: And he did.

Segment Synopsis: Fuller remembers the training he underwent at Camp Douglas and Camp Macarthur before being deployed in Europe.

Partial Transcript: Interviewer: Now, was it at Waco that you became the 32nd Division?

Segment Synopsis: Fuller describes how various companies were re-organized, ultimately resulting in the creation of the 32nd Division.

Partial Transcript: Interviewer: So you went to Europe from there.

Segment Synopsis: Fuller describes the conditions on the ships used to transport troops to Europe. He also discusses some of the naval action he witnessed while crossing the Atlantic.

Partial Transcript: Interviewer: So, where'd you land? Was it England or France?

Segment Synopsis: Fuller explains how he and his brothers landed in France, and why they were split up. He also describes the trip to the front in Alsace-Lorraine.

Partial Transcript: Interviewer: Across France.

Segment Synopsis: Fuller describes the time he spent in the trenches at Alsace-Lorraine, which he describes as a "quiet-zone." He recounts his first experience being under fire.

Partial Transcript: Interviewer: Was it at this point that you realized, jeez, I'm in the middle of a war? Or did you sort of take it in stride?

Segment Synopsis: Fuller describes the kind of notice he received from his superior officers about the rate of mortality. He also speaks about the morale of some of the French and German soldiers he encountered.

Partial Transcript: Interviewer: So after you left Alsace-Lorraine, you went farther north and took part in an offensive in July and August, is that right?

Segment Synopsis: In this segment, Fuller discusses some of the situations he and his unit experienced under fire. He recalls being shot, and the experience of travelling for medical treatment.

Partial Transcript: Fuller: So I was out again and in the meantime, my first, my younger brother had joined us but right away he was sent on a detail and picked up I think it was two men from each company along there for I don't know just how many it was, and the detail back of the lines picking up horses to bring up, buying horses for the government.

Segment Synopsis: Fuller describes some of the work his brother was doing for the military up to this point. He also shares an anecdote of how he was trained on French chauchats.

Partial Transcript: Interviewer: And you went to war enthusiastic, sort of--

Segment Synopsis: Fuller describes when he returned from the hospital to the front, and moving the front to Verdun.

Partial Transcript: Fuller: And there, I wouldn't want to put this on tape, the guy that, oh, there's some things that no use in, I don't like to put it on tape, some things.

Segment Synopsis: Fuller discusses when he lost his brother in combat. He also discusses his time in the burial detail.

Partial Transcript: Interviewer: So when you first heard of the Armistice, do you recall where you were and do you recall your reaction and those around you?

Segment Synopsis: Fuller discusses the feelings of celebration felt on both sides of the conflict when the Armistice was signed.

Partial Transcript: Interviewer: So, after the Armistice, what happened to you then?

Segment Synopsis: In this segment, Fuller explains his time stationed in Germany during the Army of Occupation.

Partial Transcript: Interviewer: I've got a couple questions about the post-war period.

Segment Synopsis: In this segment, Fuller discusses some of the medical impacts of the war that his fellow soldiers experienced, such as effects of gassing and shell shock.

Partial Transcript: Interview: I've just got one last area of questioning and that involves veterans organizations.

Segment Synopsis: Fuller briefly mentions having joined the American Legion in 1919. He begins to speak about his life after the war, but the interview ends abruptly.