Thomas Martin and Helen Martin
Recorded
May 24, 2018
Archived
May 24, 2018
47:46 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
chi002564
Description
Thomas Martin (75) speaks with his wife Helen Martin (73) about their experiences in Tehran before and during the Iranian Revolution, his escape, and his perspective on the hostage crisis including reasons for the taking of the U.S. Embassy in Iran on November 4, 1978.Subject Log / Time Code
Thomas explains his Fulbright-Hays Scholar position at the University of Tehran 1977-1979.
Thomas discusses his introduction to the Shah.
Thomas remembers meetings at U.S. Embassy.
Thomas remembers traveling to Tabriz in East Azerbaijan and staying with Mike Metrinko, head of the U.S. Consulate, who would later become a hostage.
Thomas discusses consultant work with Northrop Aviation
Thomas remembers a meeting with Lt/Gen Jahanbani at his luxurious complex outside Tehran.
Thomas remembers Shah’s troops killing students at the University of Tehran on November 5, 1978.
Thomas remembers how Iranians would hurl insults at him on the street, but when they found out he was a professor trying to improve their country, they would apologize.
Thomas remembers the day the Shah left the country and the jubilation of the people in the streets.
Thomas states that the taking of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on November 4, 1979, was related to the one-year anniversary of the Shah’s troops killing students at the University of Tehran – the untold story of the embassy takeover.
Helen remembers trying to call Thomas after she was evacuated. Thomas’s phone was being monitored and she was disconnected.
Helen feels grateful for the friends they met in Tehran and remembers when one came to stay with them after he left Iran.
Helen remembers the international school where she worked and how it had the Empress of Iran as a patron.
Helen and Thomas recall some of their favorite cultural experiences while in Iran, particularly Nowruz or the first day of Spring.
Helen describes travel in Afghanistan.
Participants
- Thomas Martin
- Helen Martin