Harold "Hal" Chorney grew up in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and graduated from Brown University in 1961. He trained as a pilot with the Air Force in Waco, Texas, and became a transport navigator for the Military Airlift Transport Squadron, often carrying cargo and troops to Vietnam. The hardest parts of his service were losing service friends who were shot down and the horrific sights while he flew air evacuations. He remembers he “flew many soldiers over to Vietnam in one piece and flew them back in body bags or coffins … or as multiple amputees...Some of our passengers from Cam Rahn Bay, with head injuries, died as we would climb to altitude. They would slump over in their wheelchairs as if they were sleeping. Some of the injured wanted to kill themselves because they did not want the people back home to see them the way they were.”
After active duty Hal moved with his young family to Rhode Island, where he taught 9th grade math at Woonsocket Junior High School from 1967 to 1976. He also joined the reserves and flew with them in summers and on school vacations. Because he had flown 6,000 hours, he became a flight examiner in the reserves. The war never left him. “It took me years to find out that I felt guilty for bringing troops over in one piece and back in body bags. My teaching of young guys who were entering the service only exacerbated the guilt.” He talks about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Over time, Hal became an expert in financial services. For over 50 years he has assisted banks, insurance companies, attorneys and other financial professionals in the appraisal and disposition of gold and silver, rare coins, rare postage stamps, jewelry and other collectibles. He has also assisted individuals and financial professionals by drawing up portfolios to include tangible assets and at times in acting as their agent in the acquisition of these tangible assets.
His articles have been published in
This collection contains the 2011 oral history interview of Harold F. Chorney (Class of 1961) by Professor Elizabeth Taylor and supplementary biographical materials. The materials are arranged into three series:
Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Harold F. Chorney (Class of 1961) oral history and papers relating to Vietnam War, AMS.1U.C12, Brown University Library.
Gift of Harold F. Chorney in 2012.
Part of the Brown University Vietnam Vets Oral History Project.
Conducted by Prof. Elizabeth Taylor in the John Hay Library on April 1, 2011
Edited by Hal Chorney, July 2011
Interview with Harold Chorney (edited transcription), April 1, 2011
Interview with Harold Chorney (edited transcription), April 1, 2011
Interview with Harold Chorney (edited transcription), April 1, 2011
Years At Brown Questions, April 1, 2011
Years At Brown Questions, April 1, 2011
Years At Brown Questions, April 1, 2011
Oral History Interview Notes, April 1, 2011
Oral History Interview Notes, April 1, 2011
Oral History Interview Notes, April 1, 2011
Harold Chorney Interview Notes and Pilot's Questionaire Pt 2
Harold Chorney Interview Notes and Pilot's Questionaire Pt 2
Harold Chorney Interview Notes and Pilot's Questionaire Pt 2
Harold Chorney brief Questionnaire
Harold Chorney brief Questionnaire
Harold Chorney brief Questionnaire
Interview with Harold Chorney (audio recording CD-Rom /MP3s) , April 1, 2011
Interview with Harold Chorney (audio recording CD-Rom /MP3s) , April 1, 2011
Interview with Harold Chorney (audio recording CD-Rom /MP3s) , April 1, 2011
Photograph Descriptions
Photograph Descriptions
Photograph Descriptions
Hal Chorney's description reads: "One is from getting my rank pinned on by my ex-wife at Brown back in 1992 [sic - probably 1962]. Felix Czech also got pinned on the same day. Felx and I were both in AFROTC together. I was a witness for his U.S. naturalization. The French government was trying to draft Felix into the army to go to Algeria in the early 60's. In the 70's I ran across Felix in France--had not seen him in years. He was stationed at Everoux AFB outside of Paris, and I had flown on a MATS mission into Chateau Reux AFB outside of Deoles France."
Scanned photograph of Hal Chorney getting his rank pinned on by his ex-wife., 1962
Scanned photograph of Hal Chorney getting his rank pinned on by his ex-wife., 1962
Scanned photograph of Hal Chorney getting his rank pinned on by his ex-wife., 1962
Hal Chorney's description reads: "Another picture is from summer cmap at Lochborne AFB in Ohio when I flew in an F4-C."
Scanned photograph of Hal Chorney at summer camp at Lochborne AFB in Ohio.
Scanned photograph of Hal Chorney at summer camp at Lochborne AFB in Ohio.
Scanned photograph of Hal Chorney at summer camp at Lochborne AFB in Ohio.
Hal Chorney's description reads: "Another picture is of my flight class in Waco Texas in fron of a T-29." Photograph is subtitled "Lochborn AFB"
Scanned photograph of Hal and others at Lochborne AFB in Ohio or Waco.
Scanned photograph of Hal and others at Lochborne AFB in Ohio or Waco.
Scanned photograph of Hal and others at Lochborne AFB in Ohio or Waco.
Hal Chorney's description reads: "The third picture is only a few years old. I have my flight jacket with squadon [sic] patches on."
Scanned photograph of Hal Chorney, retired, wearing his flight jacket with squadron patches in front of a C-124 aircraft.
Scanned photograph of Hal Chorney, retired, wearing his flight jacket with squadron patches in front of a C-124 aircraft.
Scanned photograph of Hal Chorney, retired, wearing his flight jacket with squadron patches in front of a C-124 aircraft.
Hal's description reads: "I found this photo of the 1958 Brown Commencement. I was carrying the R.I. Flag, Felix Czech was carrying the U.S. Flag. Cannot remember the names of the NROTC guys with the rifles.
Scanned photograph of 1958 Brown Commencement., 1958
Scanned photograph of 1958 Brown Commencement., 1958
Scanned photograph of 1958 Brown Commencement., 1958
Scanned photograph of 1958 Brown Commencement description, 1958
Scanned photograph of 1958 Brown Commencement description, 1958
Scanned photograph of 1958 Brown Commencement description, 1958
Interview published in The Register, official publication of the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants (IARFC). Details Chorney's role as "one of the early founders of the financial planning profession," his criticism of federal regulatory agencies, and advice for those entering the financial planning profession. The article includes several reference to George Orwell's 1984. It does not refer to Chorney's service in Vietnam nor to his time at Brown.
The Register, February 2010. pp.3-5. Retrieved at: http://www.nc4ba.org/Interview.pdf
"Register Interview--Hal Chorney: twenty-five years after 1984." The Register, February 2010. pp.3-5. Retrieve at: http://www.nc4ba.org/Interview.pdf, February 2010
"Register Interview--Hal Chorney: twenty-five years after 1984." The Register, February 2010. pp.3-5. Retrieve at: http://www.nc4ba.org/Interview.pdf, February 2010
"Register Interview--Hal Chorney: twenty-five years after 1984." The Register, February 2010. pp.3-5. Retrieve at: http://www.nc4ba.org/Interview.pdf, February 2010
How you can stay out of prison - presentation by Harold F. Chorney, May 2006
How you can stay out of prison - presentation by Harold F. Chorney, May 2006
How you can stay out of prison - presentation by Harold F. Chorney, May 2006