Interviewer(s): E. Bernier. Houma, LA

Affiliation: University of Arizona

I had heard about Loyd Olin since arriving in Louisiana because Corine Paulk is good friends with his wife, Sue. Sue is part Houma and Loyd is part Choctaw. Several connections have been made to Loyd both through his wife being related to F.J. Matherne (he's her uncle) and Loyd himself being the cousin of Barbara Davis in New Iberia. I had heard both from Barbara and Corine that Loyd was extremely sensitive about his time in the Vietnam War. He apparently suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. When I first called Sue and Loyd it was to inquire about setting up an interview with Loyd. Loyd said he was not the right age (too young) but Sue suggested her uncle F.J. After several interviews I decided that Loyd was the perfect age and I wanted to get his perspective about the oil field. Ms. Corine decided to go with me to their house and visit with Sue while Loyd and I talked. They live in a huge white house that Loyd built. There were two cars in the drive way one being under a car cover as well as an R.V. Corine told me that Loyd was rebuilding the car and that they used to R.V. to follow powwows around the country. We were welcomed into their very comfortable home. Loyd and I went back to his office where he was sitting in front of a computer doing work. I knew he was retired and wondered what work he was doing.

Loyd Olin is part Choctaw, born in 1943. After going to Nicholls State University for two years, he joined the military, serving in Vietnam 1963-64. In 1968, someone he knew helped get him a job with Texaco at the Lake Barre Field. He preferred to work offshore, he liked the 7 days off. He was a compressor operator. In 1971, he was one of the first mechanics to work offshore for Texaco. He also felt his Choctaw ancestry didn't have that much effect on his oil field work.