Gregory Gagarin introduces his family background. He narrates how his father and mother and their families escaped Russia after the 1917 Revolution.
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Early Life and Immigration
Gregory Gagarin recalls his early childhood in Paris, France after being born in Wiesbaden, Germany. He recounts how he immigrated to the United States in 1934.
Early Schooling and Education
Gregory Gagarin describes the diverse education he received while attending different schools in Europe and later in the United States.
Childhood Traveling and Independence
Gregory Gagarin recounts his traveling experiences as a young boy. He tells stories of his travels and reflects on the independence developed from those experiences.
Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church
Gregory Gagarin introduces how the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church was established in Long Island, U.S. He explains the close ties between his family and the church.
Electrical Engineering Training at M.I.T.
Gregory Gagarin recounts his experiences as an electrical engineering student and a member of ROTC at M.I.T at the beginning of World War II.
Application of Electrical Training During World War II
Gregory Gagarin describes his naval training experiences and his first military order to work with the shakedown crews in Charleston, SC.
Project Zebra: Lend-Lease Aircraft to the Soviet Union in World War II
Gregory Gagarin received a new order to working on Project Zebra, a top secret Lend-Lease program in 1943-1944. He recounts how he utilized his electronics expertise in the new position.
Project Zebra: Relationships with Russian Officers in World War II
Gregory Gagarin describes his friendships with the military officers from the Soviet Union while working with them onProject Zebra.
Meeting Ann Elizabeth Graves and the End of WWII
Gregory Gagarin narrates an incident toward the end of World War II when his father asked him to come to Vermont for a horse show. This event allowed him to meet his future wife Ann Graves.
Postwar Business Career
Coming out of the army, Gregory Gagarin established a family and started an entrepreneurial career. He describes his experiences working for different companies and eventually founding his own.
Experiences During the Cold War
During the Cold War, Gregory Gagarin met with two people from the Soviet Union asking to do business, and in the process interacted with the FBI, CIA and KGB.
Connections with the Russian Cultural Center
Gregory Gagarin describes his involvement with the Russian Cultural Center in Washington, DC and his ties with the Russian community.