National Museum of the Pacific War Oral History Collection - 3,919 Matching Results

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Oral History Interview with Edmund Thomassen, May 4, 1993

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edmund Thomassen. Thomassen entered the Merchant Marine Academy in October, 1941 and completed his education in April, 1943. When Thomassen was assigned to the USS Sheridan (APA-51), Eddie Albert was one of his shipmates. He went to New Zealand and embarked Marines ahead of the Tarawa invasion and discusses the practice landings. At Tarawa, he delivered Marines to the shore in a small landing craft. He also delivered Marines to R… more
Date: May 4, 1993
Creator: Thomassen, Edmund
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Agadito Silva

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Agaito Silva. Silva was inducted into the US Army in January 1941. Trained in anti-aircraft guns at Fort Bliss, Texas he was assigned to the 200th Coast Artillery. Several months later the unit was shipped to Fort Stotsenberg, Luzon, Philippines. He describes the Japanese attack on 8 December 1941 and the serious shortages of food and medical supplies that developed. He tells of retreating to Corregidor and of being wounded … more
Date: June 12, 2003
Creator: Silva, Agadito
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with David Ellis, September 21, 2001

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with David Ellis. Ellis was born on 8 March 1918 in Big Spring, Texas and enlisted in the Army in 1936. He went to Officer Candidate School, where he was trained in intelligence. His first duty station was in Hawaii, where he was assigned to the Navy’s Central Pacific Command by mistake. Next he was sent to Okinawa as a platoon leader in the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. On Okinawa, Ellis was wounded and evacuate… more
Date: September 21, 2001
Creator: Ellis, David
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Philip Cochran, October 21, 1975

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Philip Cochran. Cochran joined the Army Air Corps in 1936 as an aviation cadet. He flew fighters off the British aircraft carrier HMS Archer (D78) against targets in North Africa. Later in the war, he was transferred to Burma to help plan the air portion of the invasion with the First Air Commando Task Force. He was back in Europe making similar plans when the war ended.
Date: October 21, 1975
Creator: Cochran, Philip G
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Rufus Johnson, March 27, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Rufus Johnson. He begins the interview with a summary of his life. Rufus Winfield Johnson was born in Montgomery County, Maryland in 1911. He was in the ROTC at Howard University. He earned his undergraduate degree in 1934 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Reserves. In 1939 he received his LLB degree from the Howard University School of Law. He shares stories from his time working in the White House as lif… more
Date: March 27, 2005
Creator: Johnson, Rufus
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Anthony Geer

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Anthony Geer. Geer was drafted into the Navy in 1943. He completed boot camp in San Diego, then served as a yeoman. He received additional training in aircraft recognition. He traveled to the Philippines aboard the USS Tazewell (APA-209), and worked on Samar Island until the atomic bombs were dropped, then transferred to Manila until the surrender of Japan. He traveled back to the U.S. aboard the USS Menard (APA-201). Geer was ho… more
Date: December 14, 2015
Creator: Geer, Anthony
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Alan Fouts, December 6, 2001

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alan Fouts. Fouts joined the Navy in 1939 and trained in San Diego. Upon completion of basic training, Fouts joined the USS Argonne (AG-31). Later, he was stationed at the submarine base at Pearl Harbor when the war started. He recalls witnessing the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. He managed to get guns operational on the USS Widgeon (AM-22) before it got underway during the attack. Between the attacks, Fouts went alongside the US… more
Date: December 6, 2001
Creator: Fouts, Alan
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with A. J. Dunn, July 13, 2011

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with A J Dunn. Dunn joined the Navy in 1940 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Oglala (CM-4) at Pearl Harbor. On the morning of 7 December 1941, he was returning from liberty when the attack began. Unable to find his ship, he jumped aboard the USS Mugford (DD-389) just as it was getting underway. After seven days of patrols, he returned to the harbor and was transferred to the US… more
Date: July 13, 2011
Creator: Dunn, A. J.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Alan Pilot, August 10, 2010

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alan Pilot. Pilot joined the Army in January 1943 and received basic training at Camp Howze. He received further training in Louisiana for the European Theater and then in California for the Pacific Theater. In January he left for Camp Old Gold at La Havre, where he served as a combat medic, supporting Companies E, G, and H of the 343rd Infantry, 86th Division. His unit relieved the 8th Division and fought in Cologne, where … more
Date: August 10, 2010
Creator: Pilot, Alan
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Alan Hildebrandt, November 12, 2009

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alan Hildebrandt. Hildebrandt enlisted in the Army Air Forces in July of 1942. He describes the planes he flew during training, including the PT-19, the BT-13 and the UC-78. Hildebrandt was commissioned and received his pilot rating in November of 1943. Upon graduation he trained on the B-26 at Laughlin Field. Hildebrandt served as a pilot in the 95th Bomb Squadron, 17th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force. They first traveled to Morocco,… more
Date: November 12, 2009
Creator: Hildebrandt, Alan
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Albert Lawrence Wile, January 31, 2015

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Lawrence Wile. Wile joined the Army in 1943. He completed Cook School, and worked as a cook at Fort Meade and Fort Eustis. In late 1944, he traveled to Cherbourg, France and Belgium, working with the 1591st Labor Supervision Company. He assisted with coordinating German companies in cleaning up after the war, rebuilding roads and picking up artillery shells. Wile continued in the Army after the war, completing 30 years of … more
Date: January 31, 2015
Creator: Wile, Albert Lawrence
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Albert Jeffers, December 28, 2011

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Jeffers. Jeffers joined the Navy in 1943 and received basic training in Illinois. He received diesel engine maintenance and repair training at submarine school in Connecticut. Upon completion, he was assigned to the engine room aboard the USS Threadfin (SS-410) as a fireman, first class. He participated in the tracking operation that led to the sinking of the Japanese battleship Yamato. He was transferred to the USS M… more
Date: December 28, 2011
Creator: Jeffers, Albert
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Albert Finley, April 11, 2006

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Finley. Finley joined the Marine Corps around December of 1943. He provides vivid details of his boot camp experiences. He served with Headquarters Company, 4th Marines, as a radar mechanic on Corsairs, repairing radio and radar gear. Beginning in September of 1944 they traveled to Guam, Kwajalein, Pearl Harbor and Majuro in the Marshall Islands. Finley shares a number of anecdotal stories, including working with POWs. He … more
Date: April 11, 2006
Creator: Finley, Albert
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Al Quackenbush, October 10, 1999

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Al Quackenbush. Quackenbush joined the Navy in 1931. He served as a First Class Ships Cook on the USS Tangier (AV-8). He is a plank owner of the Tangier and provides details of starting up the crew when it was first commissioned. His battle station was the .50 caliber gun on the forward mount. He discusses the training on the ship and activities prior to and on 7 December 1941. On the day of the attack, Quackenbush helped pull sa… more
Date: October 10, 1999
Creator: Quackenbush, Al
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Alan Tanaguchi, March 18, 1995

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alan Tanaguchi. Tanaguchi was a Japanese-American internee at the Gila River Camp in Arizona during World War II. At 19 years old, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Tanaguchi became a part of the internment program of the War Relocation Authority. He provides detail of life growing up in Stockton, California before December 7, 1941 and after, and experiences of bigotry and racism among his peers. He provides detail of his father … more
Date: March 18, 1995
Creator: Tanaguchi, Alan
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Al Kiracofe, March 6, 2006

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al Kiracofe. Kiracofe joined the Navy in 1942 and received yeoman training at Great Lakes. Upon completion, he was assigned to CASU-22 at Quonset Point, helping to prepare squadrons for overseas deployment. He was then assigned to Carrier Air Group 41, which was just beginning to use radar for night flying. One of his duties as yeoman was to send letters of regret to the parents of soldiers who were killed in action. The exp… more
Date: March 6, 2006
Creator: Kiracofe, Al
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Albert Barton, November 6, 2010

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Barton. Barton joined the Navy and was trained as a radioman. He became a crewman on an Avenger torpedo bomber in October 1943. Barton flew off of the USS Mission Bay (CVE-59) and the USS Tripoli (CVE-64) and performed anti-submarine patrols in the North Atlantic. He describes how depth charges were dropped, the armament of the plane, and how they were trained to skip-bomb. Barton was then sent to the Pacific where he… more
Date: November 6, 2010
Creator: Barton, Albert
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Lee Soucy

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Lee Soucy. Soucy joined the Navy in December of 1937. He completed Hospital Corps School, and served as Pharmacist’s Mate aboard the USS Utah (BB-31). He was on board when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. After the attack and sinking of the Utah, Soucy worked as an RN and head of the medical laboratory at the Pearl Harbor Hospital. He remained at the hospital through April of 1945. He then completed Malaria Control School with… more
Date: September 28, 2002
Creator: Soucy, Lee
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Lee Soucy, December 7, 2004

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lee Soucy. Soucy joined the Navy in December 1937. Soucy went to the Hospital Corps School in 1938 and became a medical laboratory technologist, and was with the Fleet Marines. He went to a medical field service school with an emphasis studying poison gas. He went to the naval hospital in San Diego. He was with the Marines for 8 months in San Diego, they conquered San Clemente Island with the 5th Regiment. Later he was on US… more
Date: December 7, 2004
Creator: Soucy, Lee
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Adrian Miller, August 3, 2001

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Adrian Miller. Miller was born in Winamac, Indiana 16 November 1924 and graduated from high school in 1942. He entered the Army in March, 1944 and took his basic training at Ft. Blanding, Florida. He volunteered for the paratroopers at Fort Benning, Georgia and describes the six weeks of rigorous training, which included jumps. In November, he joined the 101st Army Airborne and was assigned to the 505th Parachute Infantry, C… more
Date: August 3, 2001
Creator: Miller, Adrian
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with A. K. Sheffield, May 20, 2016

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with A K Sheffield. Sheffield joined the Navy in late 1943. He completed Armed Guard School in San Diego. He served with the Navy Armed Guard aboard a transport ship, and traveled to the Philippine Islands. In May of 1944, Sheffield was aboard the SS Henry Bergh when it ran aground on the Farallon Islands, and shares details of those events. He traveled through the Pacific Islands, to Japan and throughout the Atlantic. Sheffield does … more
Date: May 20, 2016
Creator: Sheffield, A. K.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with B. J. Pumphrey

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with B.J. Pumphrey. Pumphrey joined the Navy in June of 1942. He served for a short time as crewman on a PBY flying anti-submarine missions. Pumphrey was then sent to the USS Midway (CVE-63) where he served as a phone talker on the bridge. He describes the superstitions of the crew when the name of the ship was changed to the St. Lo. Pumphrey describes Taffy 3 coming under attack and seeing the Japanese shells land near the ship.… more
Date: August 12, 2010
Creator: Pumphrey, B. J.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Joel D. Alderson, April 10, 2007

Description: Transcript of an oral interview with Joel Alderson and his wife Nila. He discusses going to boot camp in Texas, shipping off to France in early 1945 and working as an engineer, constructing bridges and demolishing German fortifications for the Army as it made it's way through Germany, blowing up Hilter's bunker in Salzburg, Austria and using bulldozers to cover piles of dead Jews the Germans left in the open (likely at Dachau). He ancedotes about meeting Eisenhower, carrying fuel up to Patton's… more
Date: April 10, 2007
Creator: Alderson, Joel D.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Russell Milliken, June 27, 2005

Description: Transcript of an oral interview with Russell Milliken. He discusses being in the 82nd Airborne, parachuting into Normandy just after D-Day, being treated for frozen feet during the Battle of the Bulge and meeting a doctor he knew from home, serving on General Eisenhower's honor guard in Frankfurt, and coming home through New York and having to stay there for a Victory Parade before being allowed to go back to Texas.
Date: June 27, 2005
Creator: Milliken, Russell
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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