Robert Wayne Osburn Oral History
Object NameRecording, Audio
Transcript
Narrator
Robert Wayne Osburn
Association
USS Intrepid (CV/CVA/CVS-11)
DateFebruary 10, 2021
PeriodCold War
MediumWAV, PDF
ClassificationsCommunication Artifacts
Credit LineCollection of the Intrepid Museum. Gift of Robert Wayne Osburn and Family. OHP.214
Object numberOHP.214
DescriptionRobert Wayne Osburn served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVA-11) as a photographer’s mate third class (PH3) from 1957 to 1961. The Intrepid Museum recorded his oral history interview on February 10, 2021.See transcript for complete interview. Below is a summary:
Osburn began his interview by discussing his family and childhood. He then briefly recalled boot camp and stated that he was assigned to photography, before explaining what he learned in photo school.
As the interview continued, Osburn recalled his time on Intrepid, beginning with the first time he saw the ship. He then discussed Intrepid’s photo lab. Osburn noted the compartment’s layout, recalled the photographer’s mates’ jobs, explained how to operate a photo enlarger, and discussed the procedures for processing and developing photos. He then recounted photographing flight operations and provided an overview of the K-20 camera, explaining its useful features.
Osburn was then shown some of the photographs he had donated to the Museum. While viewing these photos, he recalled what was happening as the photos were being taken. During this part of the interview, Osburn discussed photos depicting a catapult accident that resulted in a pilot having to eject, an aircraft fire that occurred on the flight deck, and a collision between the oiler USS Canisteo and Intrepid.
After recalling the events captured by these photos, Osburn discussed aerial photography. He noted taking photographs from a helicopter, as well as the different photoreconnaissance planes that flew from Intrepid. Osburn also explained how the photographer’s mates developed and printed the film from these planes. He then recounted some unique photos that were taken, including a photograph of a supply ship’s captain, which was taken while Intrepid was being resupplied, and photographs of a bullfight, which were taken while on liberty. He also noted that the bullfight photos are in an album that he donated to the Museum.
Osburn then discussed a variety of cameras and the types of film they used. He also recalled a humorous story about flash bulbs being set off when they were near the ship’s radar. As Osburn continued, he provided additional information on aircraft cameras and described two aircraft accidents. He discussed cruise book photography and noted how they filed and stored their photos. He was also asked about one of his photos, which appeared on the cover of Naval Aviation News.
The interview then shifted to lighter topics. Osburn discussed cumshaw, photographing crew members through a porthole surrounded by Christmas lights, swim call, and visiting ports of call. He also noted some jobs he did not enjoy, as well as a mishap that occurred aboard a liberty launch when he was going ashore to photograph a change of command ceremony. This incident then prompted Osburn to provide some memories of Captain Outlaw.
As the interview came to an end, Osburn discussed his career in photography after the Navy, briefly noting his job at a studio, before explaining, in detail, his subsequent jobs as a civilian photographer for the Army at Fort Monroe and Fort Eustis and for the Navy at a naval weapons station. Osburn then stated what he hopes visitors will learn when they visit the Museum, before he provided some additional memories from his time in the Navy.
Extent: 2 media files, 32 page transcript
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