Timothy Lee Neufeld Oral History
Object NameRecording, Video
Transcript
Narrator
Timothy L. Neufeld
Association
USS Intrepid (CV/CVA/CVS-11)
DateMay 20, 2022
PeriodCold War
MediumMTS, PDF
ClassificationsCommunication Artifacts
Credit LineCollection of the Intrepid Museum. Gift of Timothy Lee Neufeld. OHP.226
Object numberOHP.226
DescriptionTimothy Lee Neufeld served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVS-11) as a lieutenant junior grade from 1970 to 1972. The Intrepid Museum recorded his oral history interview on May 20, 2022.See transcript for complete interview. Below is a summary:
Tim Neufeld began his interview with a description of his childhood in Los Angeles, California, and New York City and his path into the Navy after college, attending Officer Candidate School and Naval Supply Corps School. He said he had to become a supply officer because he has color vision deficiency or color blindness. He explained moments of culture shock he had living in the South, observing (as a white Northerner) lingering segregation and prejudice in Georgia. He also detailed his coursework at NSCS.
Next, Neufeld described his arrival and experience on Intrepid. Neufeld explained that he chose to berth with a Black junior officer, Ron Young, because other white officers refused to share space with him. He recalled his work with the crew, including chief petty officers. Many of the career petty officers in his division were Filipino. He explained the disbursement process for pay on the ship and informal barter systems (cumshaw) crew members used to get an early paycheck or other favors. Neufeld also described his work running the retail stores aboard ship as part of the S-3 Division. He details how he stocked the store, and how his practices differed from previous officers.
The interview then returned to race relations and socializing on the ship. Neufeld explains that after the departure of his original roommate, a second Black officer, Scotty, replaced him. He described segregated socializing spaces on the fantail. Later, he recalled working for Commander Powell, another Black officer.
Next, Neufeld returned to the work of the supply department. He described the barber shop, the ship’s cobbler, stocking decisions and storing inventory. He recalled a time when he had to lend toilet paper to a destroyer. He discussed his transition into the S-1 Division, which deals with stores and repair parts. His role included working as the nuclear weapons supply officer.
Towards the end of the interview, Neufeld covered a range of subjects, including mail, the environmental impact of the ship, differences between Intrepid and modern aircraft carriers, photos from Intrepid, storing alcohol on the ship, a botched dental procedure and his life and career after the Navy. He also discussed religious services aboard the ship, including how he was one of very few Jewish crew members.
Extent: 8 video files, 37 page transcript
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