• Home
  • Archives
    • USMA Leaders Through History
    • The Vietnam War
    • Combatting Terrorism
    • Soldier to Citizen: Life After the Service
    • Honor And Integrity
    • Brent Scowcroft Series in Military History
    • Iraq and Afghanistan War Archive
  • Interviews
  • About
    • About the Center
    • Center News
    • Our Supporters
    • Our Leadership
    • Contact Us
The West Point Center for Oral History
  • Home
  • Archives
    • USMA Leaders Through History
    • The Vietnam War
    • Combatting Terrorism
    • Soldier to Citizen: Life After the Service
    • Honor And Integrity
    • Brent Scowcroft Series in Military History
    • Iraq and Afghanistan War Archive
  • Interviews
  • About
    • About the Center
    • Center News
    • Our Supporters
    • Our Leadership
    • Contact Us

From Airships To Jet Fighters: A WWII Veteran Talks About The Early Cold War

John Fahey

Description

In this interview, CDR John Fahey discusses joining the Navy to provide for his mother and siblings. Despite severe motion sickness, he completed pilot training and received an assignment to fly airships. CDR Fahey describes flying dirigibles to search for U-boats off the Atlantic Seaboard during WWII. After the war, he continued to fly the airships and conducted the first landing of one on an aircraft carrier. While serving with the Military Liaison Mission, he witnessed the construction of the Berlin Wall, and offers his views about how he and his fellow officers perceived. Later in his career, he served aboard one of the naval ships that responded to the Cuban Missile Crisis. He reflects on taking risks in reporting his insights into the crisis and providing recommendations to senior leaders, against the wishes of his naval superiors.

Video Details Interview Date:Ben Griffin
Biographical Details Name:John Fahey
Branch:US Navy
Unit:United States Military Liaison Mission
Institution:Tufts College
Service Start:1942
Service End:1963
Additional Resources
The West Point Center for Oral History Logo

About
Contact

How You Can Help

The West Point Center for Oral History is a privately funded organization that relies on the generosity of donors. When you click on the link below, you will be taken to the West Point Association of Graduates website and instructions on how to give to the Center. We appreciate your generosity! Support The Center

Stay Informed

Be the first to know! Sign up now to get updates and email alerts when new interviews are released. Join the West Point Center for Oral History's Pipeline Alert.

"*" indicates required fields

© 2026 · West Point Center for Oral History   |   West Point Department of History   |   U.S. Military Academy   |   U.S. Army