Oral History Interview, Robert Townsend (1129)

Abstract

In April 2011 interview with Alex Carson, Robert Townsend covered his long career in the U.S. Air Force and his role in the Vietnam War and the Cold War. Townsend spoke on the following topics: Madison Vietnam War Protests, the Vietnam War, and military intelligence, deception, and counter-deception throughout the Cold War era. Townsend detailed his role as an Air Force officer in the Vietnam War and his opinions on why the United States was fighting it. Townsend also discussed his vast experience with Soviet deception and counter-deception while serving as deputy chief, Air Force Intelligence Agency, counter-deception directorate in the CIA. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the Badger Veterans project under the UW-Madison Archives & Records Management oral history collection, and for use in an undergraduate research paper.