National Museum of the Pacific War Oral History Collection - 117 Matching Results

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Oral History Interview with Floyd Thorne, August 14, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Floyd Thorn. He discusses his childhood and family and what led him to start flying planes for the US Navy. He describes his experiences in the Pacific Theatre of World War Two, including witnessing the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and fighting in the battle of Midway.
Date: August 14, 2000
Creator: Thorne, Floyd & Alexander, William J.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with David Braden, September 30, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with David Braden from Dallas, Texas. He discusses his time in the Airforce during WW2. Mr. Braden start with his time training to be a navigator before his first mission in Tokyo, Japan. David Braen describes dropping messages over Japanese cities urging Japanese people to plead for their leaders to surrender and to evacuate before the U.S. burns the cities to the ground. After the Japanese government surrendered and the war was… more
Date: September 30, 2000
Creator: Braden, David
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with George Medcalf, December 27, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Geroge Medcalf from Greensville, South Carolina. He discusses his experience in training in Camp Mcoy in Wisconsin and meeting his wife there. He also discusses his time in the Second Infantry Division with the 38th Regiment, Company C, preparing for the Normandy Invasion. Mr. Medcalf also relays how he had to take over command of his Company during the invasion when he was injured by flying shrapnel and sent back to England… more
Date: December 27, 2000
Creator: Medcalf, George
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with John Lacouture, October 9, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Lacouture. Lacouture graduated from the Naval Academy in 1940 and was aboard the USS Blue at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. He was still aboard when the Blue sank off Guadalcanal in August, 1942. Lacouture then went to flight school, earning his wings in May 1943. He then served as the executive officer of Fighter Squadron 5 (VF-5) aboard the USS Franklin (CV-13). After the war, he remained in the Navy and continue… more
Date: October 9, 2000
Creator: Lacouture, John
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Bunichi Ohtsuka, November 8, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bunichi Ohtsuka. Ohtsuka describes growing up in wartime Japan. He discusses seeing bombing raids and the resulting damage. Ohtsuka also describes the military training he received in school. He joined the Imperial Japanese Navy in March 1945. Ohtsuka details his training in the Navy and how a nearby unit training for suicide boat operations was completely wiped out in a bombing raid. He briefly mentions his thoughts on the … more
Date: November 8, 2000
Creator: Ohtsuka, Bunichi
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with John Matthews, October 26, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Lyle Tennis. Tennis joined the Naval Reserve while attending college. He graduated in March of 1944, and then completed Officer Training School at Plattsburg, New York in June of 1944. Tennis served in the Navy aboard the USS LSM(R)-190. He provides detail of his travels through the Panama Canal and across the Pacific. He and his crew participated in the invasion of Okinawa, and Tennis describes his experiences, including launchi… more
Date: October 26, 2000
Creator: Matthews, John
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with David Rucker, July 16, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Rucker. Rucker already was a pilot, having been through the Civilian Pilot Training while he attended college. In October 1942 he was called to active duty in the Army Air Forces for flight training. He wound up in B-17 bombers. He earned his wings in July, 1943. H went overseas to England and began flying combat missions over Germany in May, 1944. He flew 31 combat missions in 61 days. He describes several missions and dis… more
Date: July 16, 2000
Creator: Rucker, David
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Frank Muoio, April 11, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Muoio. Muoio joined the Navy in early 1942 and went aboard the USS Thomas Jefferson (APA-30) after training in Rhode Island. His first trip was to Brisbane delivering materiel. From there, he went to the invasions of North Africa, Sicily and Italy. Muoio shares several anecdotes about his experiences aboard the Thomas Jefferson. He went ashore during the invasion of Salerno. He was also involved in the Normandy invasion as … more
Date: April 11, 2000
Creator: Muoio, Frank
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with B. C. Peters, January 1, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with B C Peters. Peters joined the Navy in September of 1942. He served with the 31st Seabee Battalion. From 1942 to 1943 he worked in Bermuda, building a refueling station as well as working with a survey crew. He worked on surveys for the construction of a submarine dock at St. Georges and a military highway near Hamilton. He was transferred to Camp Endicott, Rhode Island, where he was trained as Crew Chief of an 81mm mortar squad a… more
Date: January 1, 2000
Creator: Peters, B. C.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Robert Woolson, June 13, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Woolson. Woolson joined the Army Air Forces in February of 1942. He provides details of his flight training. Beginning in August of 1943 he served as a B-24 co-pilot. He went overseas in October of 1943. He traveled to Iceland, Scotland, Morocco, Italy, France and Austria. He joined the 513th Squadron, 376th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force. Woolson completed 35 combat missions during World War II, including 2 missions on D-Day.… more
Date: June 13, 2000
Creator: Woolson, Robert
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Edward Warren, May 15, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Warren. Warren was born in 1925 and graduated from high school in 1943. After being drafted in July 1943, he was sent to Camp Wheeler near Macon, Georgia for basic training. Upon completion of basic, he went to Glasgow, Scotland and arrived there 25 January 1944. He then went to Plymouth, England where he was assigned to the 29th Infantry Division, 116th Infantry Regiment which began intensive training in preparation … more
Date: May 15, 2000
Creator: Warren, Edward
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Ramon Villa, June 7, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ramon Villa. Villa joined the Army in April of 1941. He served with the 200th Coast Artillery. In September, he deployed to the Philippines, and was assigned at Clark Field. After the Japanese landed on Luzon, Villa helped defend Bataan and Corregidor, surrendering to the Japanese in April of 1942. He was captured and held a prisoner of war at Camp O’Donnell, Cabanatuan Camp #3, Las Piñas Camp #4, and in Japan. In 1944, he surviv… more
Date: June 7, 2000
Creator: Villa, Ramon
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Joe Van Dyke, June 16, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joe Van Dyke. Van Dyke was drafted into the Army Air Forces in March 1943. Upon completion of basic training at Sheppard Field, he was assigned to the nearby aircraft mechanic school. He then attended gunnery school and became a top turret gunner on a B-24, also doubling as assistant engineer. In August 1944 his crew joined the 466th Bombardment Group, 787th Bombardment Squadron in England. While stationed there, Van Dyke su… more
Date: June 16, 2000
Creator: Van Dyke, Joe
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Frank Ryan, November 21, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Ryan. Ryan joined the Navy in June 1944 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the SS Santa Monica, a Merchant Marine ship, as part of the gunnery crew. His ship brought troops and supplies to the Caroline Islands, the Marshall Islands, Saipan, and Okinawa. Until a close encounter with kamikazes at Okinawa, Ryan’s service was uneventful. He recalls seeing beautiful tropical fish i… more
Date: November 21, 2000
Creator: Ryan, Frank
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Isidore Ozuna, October 24, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Isidore Ozuna. Ozuna joined the Navy in July of 1943. He served with the deck force aboard the USS Colorado (BB-45). His battle station was with the gun crews. He participated in the pre-invasion shelling and fire support of Tarawa, Kwajalein, Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Leyte, Lingayen Gulf and Okinawa. He returned to the US after the war ended and received his discharge in December of 1945.
Date: October 24, 2000
Creator: Ozuna, Isidore
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Warren Newberry, August 3, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Warren Newberry. Newberry joined the Army Air Forces in December 1942 and received basic training at Camp Wolters. Upon completion of his training, he was shipped to England, where he served in the 26th Mobile Reclamation and Repair Squadron under the 8th Air Force. His team assembled hundreds of Waco CG-4A combat gliders per day in preparation for D-Day. His unit also was noted for constructing housing with empty glider cra… more
Date: August 3, 2000
Creator: Newberry, Warren
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Benjamin Molina, August 8, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Benjamin Molina. Molina joined the Army in 1937 and received basic training at Fort Sam Houston. He was assigned to a machinegun company in the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was discharged in February 1940 and volunteered again in February 1942. He joined the Army Air Forces and became a guard and small arms instructor at Foster Field with the 934th Guard Squadron. He left the base in 1945 as a tech serge… more
Date: August 8, 2000
Creator: Molina, Benjamin
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Orby Ledbetter, June 9, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Orby Ledbetter. Ledbetter joined the Texas Army National Guard in 1937 as a soldier in the Texas 36th Infantry Division, 142nd Infantry Regiment. He provides details of serving in the Texas Guard and remaining with the 36th ID throughout the war. He describes his experiences completing basic training through numerous camps and traveling overseas aboard the SS Argentina. Beginning in April of 1943 Orby served in the North African … more
Date: June 9, 2000
Creator: Ledbetter, Orby
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Raymond Kurner, July 19, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Raymond Kurner. Kurner joined the Army Air Forces in September of 1942. He served as a B-24 copilot with the 15th Air Force, 47th Bomb Wing, 98th Bomb Group. He deployed in December of 1943 to Casablanca. In January of 1944, they transferred to the 47th Bomb Wing headquarters in Manduria, Italy. Kurner participated in the Italian Campaign, flying 41 bombing missions over Italy, Germany, Romania and Hungary.
Date: July 19, 2000
Creator: Kurner, Raymond
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Leonard Kovar, October 20, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Leonard Kovar. Kovar joined the Marine Corps in October 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion he was assigned to guard the Santa Ana Naval Lighter-Than-Air Station. He was then sent to New Caledonia, and he enjoyed his time in Nouméa. In New Guinea he joined L Company, 7th Marine Regiment, where he served as a bazooka-loader. His first landing was at Cape Gloucester, where he lived in a wet foxhole a… more
Date: October 20, 2000
Creator: Kovar, Leonard
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Charles Kidder, June 8, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Kidder. Kidder joined the Army Air Forces in March 1943 and received basic training on a golf course in Miami Beach while staying at a hotel. Upon completion, he was assigned to LaGuardia Field, where he was a quartermaster supply clerk. While there he lived at the Greystone and Alamac hotels, the Garden Bay Manor apartment complex, and a mansion at One Park Avenue. The post was very relaxed, and roll call was rarely… more
Date: June 8, 2000
Creator: Kidder, Charles
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Sidney Key, June 6, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Sidney Key. Key joined the Marine Corps in July of 1942. He completed Officer Candidate School and LVT School. Key was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion. In May of 1943, he deployed and participated in in the assaults on Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian. He operated the landing vehicles and provided combat support in operations ashore. Key was discharged in late 1945.
Date: June 6, 2000
Creator: Key, Sidney
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Edward Hyak, April 17, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Hyak. Hyak joined the Army Air Corps in August 1940 and received clerical training at Fort Logan. He received glider pilot training in Roswell. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 477th Bomb Group, where he served as a technical clerk assisting the first sergeant. In November 1942 he went to England, where he kept maintenance records and ran troubleshooting for the bomb group as an engineer clerk specialist. He re… more
Date: April 17, 2000
Creator: Hyak, Edward
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Robert Hobbs, June 21, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Hobbs. Hobbs joined the Army in the spring of 1943. He served with the 35th Infantry Division, and deployed to England in May of 1944. His job was to drive a machine gun Jeep. Hobbs participated in the invasion of Normandy, the Battle of Saint-Lô and the Battle of the Bulge. He returned to the US and was discharged in August of 1945.
Date: June 21, 2000
Creator: Hobbs, Robert
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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