[Annotator's Note: Carmen Scoppa is in a hospital and voices can be heard in the background throughout the interview.] Scoppa was born in April 1926 in Brockport, New York. He was the oldest of three siblings, including a younger brother and sister. His father was a mechanic at a local canning company and taught Scoppa all about machinery. The Great Depression [Annotator's Note: The Great Depression, a global economic depression that lasted from 1929 through 1945] had little impact on him as he was always well dressed, well fed, and well cared for. He was aware of rising military tensions around the world. His father made it a point to educate him and his brother about how it may come to affect their lives. His father never particularly spoke about Japan nor Germany while discussing world events. The family focused on being proud Americans. After the attack on Pearl Harbor [Annotator's Note: the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on 7 December 1941], Scoppa knew the world was in great danger. He wanted to get in and do his duty to his country. As the war raged, Scoppa focused on the news from both fronts so that he would be ready when he was called up for service. He did not differentiate between either enemy. They were both equally disliked. At 18, when he was drafted, Scoppa knew he was ready for anything. He and some friends went to Rochester [Annotator's Note: Rochester, New York] to be inducted. His family did not like the idea of him going overseas.

[Annotator's Note: Carmen Scoppa is in a hospital and voices can be heard in the background throughout the interview.] Scoppa boarded a train to Fort Sill, Oklahoma [Annotator's Note: in Lawton, Oklahoma] where he began basic training and field artillery training. He quickly learned how much different life in the military was from his home life. He appreciated his time in training and is proud of his accomplishments. He was promoted to sergeant. His knowledge of typing and facility with numbers helped him land a job in the Headquarters Battery, 209th Field Artillery Battalion. On the journey to Europe, Scoppa played cards below deck most of the time. He regrets not seeing the sights as the ship sailed out of New York Harbor [Annotator's Note: New York, New York]. The crossing was easy, weather was nice, and he was well fed throughout.

[Annotator's Note: Carmen Scoppa is in a hospital and voices can be heard in the background throughout the interview.] Upon arriving in France, Scoppa felt cocky as he had a few men beneath him to command. The area was secure, and the men began a build up of supplies for their journey towards the frontlines in Germany. Scoppa oversaw driving a Jeep with a towed 155mm gun [Annotator's Note: M1 155mm howitzer, towed howitzer, nicknamed Long Tom] behind it and other heavy equipment. The driving took place at night under total darkness. One day, Scoppa went up in a plane with an Air Corps pilot to observe the destruction on the ground below. When he landed, he was disciplined and feared he would lose his rank as sergeant. The war ended before Scoppa ever got into Germany. He was sent to London [Annotator's Note: London, England] before boarding a ship for the United States. He was given choice to either be discharged or go to Japan. Scoppa knew the war was going to be over soon, so he was discharged in May 1946. Something bad happened and Scoppa lost his sergeant rank before he was discharged. He took advantage of the G.I. bill to attend a local college in Brockport, New York. He became a sixth grade teacher and later a school principal.

[Annotator's Note: Carmen Scoppa is in a hospital and voices can be heard in the background throughout the interview.] Scoppa's major takeaways from his time in the Army were the concepts of following orders and knowing what to do. By doing so, he says he was protecting himself and others. He fought in World War 2 because he was drafted, trained, and it was his duty to his countrymen and his fellow servicemen. Scoppa's war experiences made him grow up. He believes that his service gave him positions later in life. Scoppa is sorry but believes that more and more Americans do not appreciate the country and do not know anything about World War 2. World War 2 was one of the greatest experiences he had in his lifetime. He went to The National WWII Museum [Annotator's Note: in New Orleans, Louisiana] and felt like he was back there. He believes it is absolutely necessary to have institutions like The National WWII Museum.