National Museum of the Pacific War Oral History Collection - 253 Matching Results

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Oral History Interview with Robert D. Haines, May 15, 2002

Description: Interview with Robert D. Haines, an American prisoner of war during World War II. He discusses the attack on Clark Field in the Philippines on December 8, 1941, as well as his experiences on the Bataan Death March. He also tells of his time spent as a prisoner of war under the Japanese at Camp O'Donnell, Cabanatuan and Bilibid prison in Manila. He encountered his brother, who was a civilian internee, at Bilibid. From there, he rode on a hell ship for 39 days to a POW camp in Formosa (Taiwan). W… more
Date: May 15, 2002
Duration: 1 hour 7 minutes 21 seconds
Creator: Graham, Eddie & Haines, Robert D.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Lewis R. Hopkins, January 15, 2004

Description: Interview with Lewis R. Hopkins, a pilot during World War II. He describes growing up on a farm in Georgia, going to college at Berry, and working for Sears, Roebuck, and the Royal Typewriter Company before joining the U. S. Navy. He tells an anecdote about joining the navy so he could go to New York to see the World's Fair, since he had heard the Atlanta Reserve would be making a trip to the Fair. He began flight training in Florida in December 1940, finished the next September, then drove cro… more
Date: January 15, 2004
Duration: 1 hour 38 minutes 25 seconds
Creator: Cox, Floyd & Hopkins, Lewis R.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Mary Steele Leon, April 15, 1997

Description: Interview with Mary Steele Leon, a secretary for the U. S. Navy during and after World War II. She joined the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) and was trained as a secretary. Her first assignment was in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) during World War II. The CNO at the time was Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King. After the war, she served as personal secretary for Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz while he was CNO. She was discharged in 1946.
Date: April 15, 1997
Duration: 31 minutes 04 seconds
Creator: Alexander, Bill & Leon, Mary Steele
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with James Phinney, July 15, 2010

Description: Interview with James (Jim) Phinney, an aircraft electrician for the U. S. Navy during Wold War II. He discusses joining the Navy, going through boot camp and becoming an aircraft electrician. He was assigned to the USS Lexington but abandoned ship after it was hit by a torpedo. He was rescued and was then sent to San Diego to be reassigned to the USS Enterprise. He mentions being at Guadalcanal and later aboard a sub-chaser. The crew crossed the Equator and consequently participated in an initi… more
Date: July 15, 2010
Duration: 2 hours 38 minutes 49 seconds
Creator: Cox, Floyd; Phinney, James & O'Konski, Susan
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Richard Bennett, November 15, 2001

Description: Interview with Richard (Dick) Bennett, a pilot during World War II. He discusses his enlistment in the Army Air Corps, basic training and flight school. He then went to a base in South Carolina to learn to fly B-25s. At Fort Myers, Florida he flew B-26 bombers and trained to fly them off of aircraft carriers so they could drop torpedos on the Japanese fleet during naval battles. He traveled across the Pacific to Brisbane only to be told that they didn't have B-26s for the crews; the colonel the… more
Date: November 15, 2001
Duration: 1 hour 17 minutes 09 seconds
Creator: Cox, Floyd & Bennett, Richard
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Martin L. Clayton, September 15, 2003

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Martin L. Clayton. Clayton was born in Marshall, Texas 23 September 1920. Joining the US Marine Corps 26 February 1942 he completed boot camp in six weeks. After undergoing intensified combat training he was placed in the 17th replacement outfit, at San Diego, Clayton was then shipped to Melbourne, Australia. He was assigned to 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Having spent twenty-five months in combat he describes c… more
Date: September 15, 2003
Duration: 1 hour 39 minutes 15 seconds
Creator: Calyton, Martin L.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Trudy Harris, November 15, 2001

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Trudy Varrs Harris. Harris was born in Buffalo, New York in 1926. She attended Hockaday Private School and graduated in 1941. She joined the American Women’s Voluntary Service during the summer as a 15 year old driver whose job was to pick up military officers in a command car at various locations and take them to defense plants and various offices. During this time her sister worked in a hospital and her mother rolled banda… more
Date: November 15, 2001
Duration: 34 minutes 28 seconds
Creator: Harris, Trudy
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Forest Rees, November 15, 2001

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Forest Rees. Rees was born in Beeville, Texas, 23 May 1926 and was accepted into the Navy’s V-12 Program on 1 July 1943 and enrolled at Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi. Following two semesters, he was sent to basic training at Great Lakes, Illinois and upon graduation, was enrolled in aviation machinist’s school. He was next transferred to the engine overhaul and testing section at Naval Air Station, Corpus Chris… more
Date: November 15, 2001
Duration: 18 minutes 46 seconds
Creator: Rees, Forest
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Leslie Brandes, March 15, 2002

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Mr. Leslie Brandes. Brandes served in the Corps of Cadets and graduated from Texas A&M in 1941 with a commission in the infantry, though he did not begin active duty until June of 1942. He was assigned to the 8th Air Force as a second lieutenant. He traveled to Scotland aboard the Queen Mary. He completed flight training school as a Flight Control Officer in September of 1943, and was stationed in England with the 91st Bombardmen… more
Date: March 15, 2002
Duration: 48 minutes 51 seconds
Creator: Brandes, Leslie
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with William Hewson, March 15, 2002

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Hewson. Hewson joined the Navy in April of 1943. He went to Alameda Naval Air Station and formed Composite Squadron 68 (VC-68), comprised of 12 TBMs and 16 Wildcats. He worked as a storekeeper striker. Beginning in spring of 1944 Hewson served as Storekeeper 2nd Class aboard the USS Fanshaw Bay (CVE-70). He oversaw all aviation mechanical supplies. They traveled to Pearl Harbor and Saipan. They participated in the Battle … more
Date: March 15, 2002
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes 25 seconds
Creator: Hewson, William
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Bruce Heard, April 15, 2002

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bruce Heard. Heard worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1937 to 1939 as a baker and he build houses and benches at a national park. He joined the Army in April of 1944, and served as a Tech Sergeant with the 1260th Combat Engineers Battalion, Headquarters Company. He provides details of his training. He traveled to France in late 1944. His battalion was attached to the 3rd, 7th and 15th Armies at different times. They … more
Date: April 15, 2002
Duration: 52 minutes 44 seconds
Creator: Heard, Bruce
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Bill Brenner, May 15, 2002

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bill Brenner. Brenner joined the Army Air Corps in 1940. He completed medical training at Harris Health Hospital in San Francisco. He was assigned to Hamilton Army Field overseeing sick call, surgical procedures and inspecting quarters. He completed training to work as a flight surgeon. He joined the 34th Pursuit Squadron as a flight surgeon. They traveled to the Philippines in November of 1941, and participated in the Battle of … more
Date: May 15, 2002
Duration: 1 hour 2 minutes 32 seconds
Creator: Brenner, Bill
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Weldon Hamilton, May 15, 2002

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Weldon Hamilton. Hamilton was born 21 July 1921. He joined the US Army Air Corps in 1940. After completing basic training at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri he attended cook and baker school. After graduation, he was assigned to the 34th Pursuit Squadron and was sent to the Philippines. After arriving at Manila, the unit was sent to De Carmen Field on 29 November 1941. On 8 December 1941 the Japanese launched the surprise attac… more
Date: May 15, 2002
Duration: 1 hour 23 minutes 55 seconds
Creator: Hamilton, Weldon
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Robert Brown, May 15, 2002

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Brown. Brown quit high school and joined the Army Air Corps in October, 1940. He was assigned as a medic to the 34th Pursuit Squadron and shipped to the Philippines in November, 1941. Brown describes the Japanese invasion of the Philippines and the destruction of Clark Field outside Manila. He goes on to describe the fighting on Bataan during the early months of 1942. The 34th Pursuit Squadron lost most of its equipme… more
Date: May 15, 2002
Duration: 1 hour 58 minutes 55 seconds
Creator: Brown, Robert
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Albert Taylor, May 15, 2002

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Taylor. Taylor was born in Salesville, Texas on 23 March 1923 into a family of ten boys and six girls. He had only one term of formal schooling and then worked as an itinerate laborer from the age of four. Enlisting in the US Army in 1941 he was sent to Fort McDowell, California. Several months later he boarded the USAT Republic for Manila, Philippines where he joined the 31st Infantry Regiment. He discusses the Japan… more
Date: May 15, 2002
Duration: 1 hour 27 minutes 11 seconds
Creator: Taylor, Albert
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Carlos Montoya, May 15, 2002

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Carlos Montoya. Montoya joined the National Guard in 1938. He was assigned as a Battery Clerk for Troop A, cavalry. In January of 1941 he traded his horse for anti-aircraft, joining the 200th Coast Artillery, continuing to serve as a Battery Clerk corporal. They were transferred to the Philippines in August of 1941, providing air defense for Clark Field while based at Fort Stotsenburg. After the 8 December 1941 attack made upon C… more
Date: May 15, 2002
Duration: 1 hour 19 minutes 19 seconds
Creator: Montoya, Carlos
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Robert D. Haines, May 15, 2002

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert D. Haines. He discusses the attack on Clark Field in the Philippines on 8 December 1941 as well as his experiences on the Bataan Death March. He also tells of his time spent as a prisoner of war under the Japanese at Camp O'Donnell, Cabanatuan and Bilibid prison in Manila. He encountered his brother, who was a civilian internee, at Bilibid. From there, he rode on a hell ship for 39 days to a POW camp at Formosa. When … more
Date: May 15, 2002
Duration: 1 hour 7 minutes 10 seconds
Creator: Haines, Robert D.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Orby Ledbetter, May 15, 2001

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 Infantry Division 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… more
Date: May 15, 2001
Duration: 1 hour 18 minutes 47 seconds
Creator: Ledbetter, Orby
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Gabriel Chapa, October 15, 2002

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gabriel Chapa. Chapa was born in Alice, Texas on 7 August 1925. Upon being drafted into the US Navy in 1944, he was sent to San Diego for boot training. Soon after finishing the training he was assigned to USS LCI-470. He participated in the invasions of Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa. He describes being in a typhoon and of the decision being made to beach the ship to prevent it from sinking during the storm. The ship returned t… more
Date: October 15, 2002
Duration: 1 hour 38 minutes 42 seconds
Creator: Chapa, Gabriel
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Henry Kopkey, July 15, 2002

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Henry Kopkey. Kopkey joined the Army Air Forces in January 1942. Later in September, he was shipped overseas to England where he served as an ordnanceman in the 366th Bomb Squadron.
Date: July 15, 2002
Duration: 52 minutes 24 seconds
Creator: Kopkey, Henry
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with John Olson, March 15, 1998

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Olson. Olson joined the Army as an Infantry officer in June 1940 after graduating from West Point. He was assigned to the Philippines, at Fort McKinley, with the 57th Infantry Regiment. Olson was among those who surrendered to the Japanese and endured the Bataan Death March. At the prisoner-of-war camp, the Japanese assigned administrative duties to Olson. When prisoners were moved to another camp, Olson stayed behind a… more
Date: March 15, 1998
Duration: 2 hours 12 minutes 16 seconds
Creator: Olson, Colonel
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Roy Jacobs, May 15, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Roy Jacobs. Jacobs joined the Navy in March of 1942. In 1943 he was transferred to Hawaii, serving on the staff of Commander Gilbert Wren. He served there until the end of the war. Jacobs’ job was working with operations on all new missions and selecting all officer personnel that fit the demands of those operations. He provides some details of his work with Port Director, Captain Hyman Rickover with the atomic submarine force. H… more
Date: May 15, 2008
Duration: 1 hour 32 minutes 11 seconds
Creator: Jacobs, Roy
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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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
Duration: 1 hour 17 minutes 24 seconds
Creator: Warren, Edward
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Robert de Jong, April 15, 2007

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert de Jong. De Jong was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1922 and enlisted in the Navy in 1942. After boot training at the Great Lakes Naval Station, Illinois he was sent to school in Boston for training as a yeoman. Upon completion of the training he was assigned to the executive officer aboard the USS Lexington (CV-16). Soon after he went aboard, it proceeded to Pearl Harbor via the Panama Canal. His battle station was as a … more
Date: April 15, 2007
Duration: 1 hour 34 minutes 39 seconds
Creator: de Jong, Robert
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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