Alisha Ham

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We’re pleased to host a presentation by Alisha Hamel on her new book,
When Duty Called: An Oral History of Oregon’s World War II Veterans

Thursday, December 12, 2024
5:30 p.m.
Free and open to the public

When Duty Called: An Oral History of Oregon’s World War II Veterans is a series of engaging personal stories from Oregon World War II veterans who participated in some of the most well-known engagements of the war. These stories range from Pearl Harbor to the Bataan Death March to D-Day to the last bombing raid over Japan by a Hollywood star. Death, hardship, romance and humor are common themes. Ultimately these veterans wanted their stories remembered not for themselves, but for their buddies who did not make it home and for their families to understand the role they played in World War II.

These veterans sat down with the author to tell their World War II stories in a series of video and oral history interviews. In the interest of making this book an attractive product to the general reader, the interviews are edited and organized into chapters that read like short stories.

Alisha Hamel has worked in military history for over 20 years. She holds a master’s degree in military history with a specialization in World War II with her thesis on Australian-American relations during this pivotal period. She co-authored the book Oregon Military History, a comprehensive exploration of Oregon’s military heritage, and penned several insightful magazine articles. She has completed several short history films, bringing historical events to life for a broader audience including a meticulously crafted, highly acclaimed documentary centered around the 41st Infantry Division during World War II, Jungleers in Battle. Through this project, she conducted numerous oral history interviews, capturing the poignant narratives of veterans who entrusted her with their memories. As a fellow veteran, having served during Desert Storm, Hamel shares a unique bond with these brave individuals.