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Oral History Interview with A. J. Dunn, July 13, 2011
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 USS New Orleans (CA-32). While on convoy duty to Brisbane, the ship received a warm welcome from Australian citizens. But one evening, the ship was nearly subject to friendly fire when a cruiser from New Zealand mistook the New Orleans for a Japanese ship. Dunn was transferred to the USS Indiana (BB-58) with Task Force 58, bombarding islands in the Gilberts and Marshalls. As a gunner’s mate, his duties included testing small arms ammunition in a surveillance oven to see whether it had expired. He was transferred to the USS Botetourt (APA-136), operating out of the Philippines until the end of the war. He sailed past the USS Missouri (BB-63) during the signing of the surrender and then brought troops from Korea back to the States. Dunn then returned home and was discharged.
Oral History Interview with A. J. Durham, October 12, 2013
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with A J Durham. Durham joined the Navy in February of 1943. He served with Composite Squadron 55 (VC-55). After basic training, Durham worked at the Naval Air Station in Astoria, Oregon and unloaded ammunition ships. He later served with the Ordnance Department, synchronizing 30 caliber machine guns aboard TBMs. Durham transferred to Composite Squadron 4 (VC-4), and completed Torpedo School, and served as a Torpedo man and an Aviation Ordnance Mate aboard a TBF Avenger. In April of 1944, he began serving aboard USS White Plains (CVE-66) and recalls his experiences aboard the carrier during invasions of the Mariana and Palau Islands, and through the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Durham remained aboard during Operation MAGIC CARPET, returning troops back to the US. He continued his service in the Reserves, receiving his discharge in the early 1950s.
Oral History Interview with A. K. Sheffield, May 20, 2016
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 not speak of participating in any battles or combat. He returned home aboard USS Iowa (BB-61) after the war ended in late 1945.
Oral History Interview with A. N. Wiseman, March 29, 2011
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al Wiseman. Wiseman joined the Navy in 1942 and was assigned to the USS Greene (AVD-13). He served as a deck seaman and stood lookout while on watch. Wiseman discusses traveling as an escort to Brazil and then travelling to the Mediterranean. He describes taking part in the invasion of Southern France. The Greene was then sent to the Pacific and performed escort duty near Okinawa. He describes seeing several Japanese air attacks on ships that were nearby. Wiseman traveled to Japan at the end of the war to pick up POWs. He also visited Nagasaki. Wiseman describes how his ship was critically damaged when it ran aground during a typhoon in October of 1945. He served on two more ships working in engineering before getting out of the Navy in 1948.
Oral History Interview with A. R. Evans
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral monologue by A R Evans. Evans was the coastwatcher on Kolombangara who facilitated the rescue of the PT-109 crew, led by John F. Kennedy. One of his scouts noticed a fire on the water at night and saw an unidentified object floating the next day. Evans, having been informed that PT-109 was missing, instructed his scouts to search for crewmen. Two natives encountered the crew, who for want of a common language carved a message on a coconut to be delivered to Evans. Evans met Kennedy that afternoon and dispatched a message coordinating his safe return. When Evans visited the White House in 1961, he found a framed copy of the dispatch and the carved coconut in the Oval Office.
Oral History Interview with A. W. McCasker
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with A. W. McCasker. McCasker joined the Royal Australian Navy and at the end of 1942 was stationed on Guadalcanal. He took a small party behind enemy lines to Lord Howe Island on a reconnaissance mission, accompanied by two American soldiers and a Javanese guide. There he was greeted by a Polynesian king who held a formal ceremony declaring war on the Japanese. McCasker brought along a radio that could reach several hundred miles; however, moving its heavy battery chargers required the labor of 12 natives. For nine months they moved from island to island, observing aircraft, reporting to headquarters at Guadalcanal. At one point they found two islanders who had drifted over 700 miles off course in a canoe. When enemy forces landed in August 1943 and McCasker was evacuated by PBY, he brought with him the two displaced islanders, who were eventually flown back to their homeland.
Oral History Interview with Aaron Mendoza, September 7, 2012
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Aaron Mendoza. Mendoza joined the Navy in 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. He attended torpedo school and was assigned to an aircraft torpedo lab at Kaneohe Naval Air Station. There he filled warheads with air so the torpedo could be retrieved after test fires. Torpedoes that passed quality control would then be filled with explosive warheads and loaded into underground silos. After 14 months, his unit was dispersed. Mendoza was in Great Lakes awaiting further orders when the war ended. He was discharged in December 1945 and worked as a civilian employee at Kelly Air Force Base, retiring with a GS-12 ranking. He then worked as a salesman for Control Data, selling supercomputers to the likes of NASA and Texaco. He emphasizes the importance of staying active in retirement, and at the age of 88 he ranked number one nationally in Wii bowling.
Oral History Interview with Abner Aust, March 19, 2013
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Abner Aust. Aust joined the Army Air Forces in September 1941 and completed flight school in April 1943. He was assigned to Venice, Florida, as an instructor, often receiving extra runway duty on account of his mischievous acrobatics. In October 1944, he joined the 506th Fighter Group, 457th Fighter Squadron, as flight commander. Upon familiarizing himself with the P-51, he flew his first missions out of Tinian, moving next to Iwo Jima. While escorting B-29s, he sometimes broke away to lead his group of eight fighters to strafe opportunistically. He is credited with five victories, the last of which occurred on 10 August 1945, distinguishing him as the last fighter ace of World War II. Aust then served in the Air Force and participated in the Vietnam War. Just before his retirement, he worked at Bolling Air Force Base to develop the F-15. After all of his experience in fighters, his favorite plane is the P-40N.
Oral History Interview with Adolph Krchnak, May 23, 2015
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Adolph Krchnak. Krchnak joined the Army in December of 1944. He completed parachute school. In late 1944, early 1945 he was stationed in the Philippines with the 11th Airborne Division. They served in a traditional infantry role in the Philippines. His division participated in the Liberation of Manila in the spring of 1945. In August of 1945 they traveled into southern Japan as part of the occupation force. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
Oral History Interview with Al Adkins, May 25, 2012
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Al Adkins. Adkins joined the Marine Corps in the fall of 1942. He served with the 6th Marine Division, 22nd Marine Regiment. They participated in the Battle of Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands. On Guadalcanal, they formed the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, participating in the Battle of Guam until they disbanded in September of 1944. Continuing on with the 22nd Marines, Adkins served in the Battle of Okinawa. He returned to the US and received his discharge in September of 1945.
Oral History Interview with Al D'Agostino, April 19, 2012
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al D’Agostino. D’Agostino joined the Merchant Marine in 1945 and received training in Brooklyn. Upon completion, he was assigned to the SS Monterey where he worked as a butcher. His first trip to the Pacific was transporting European troops, who were unhappy about the looming invasion of Japan. The war ended while the Monterey was in transit, and the soldiers returning home were a much happier bunch. Even more joyful was the reunion of families when the Monterey picked up war brides and their babies from all over the Pacific and brought them back to the States. He transferred to a Liberty ship that brought German war criminals back to the States from South America, although he believes that the majority of the passengers were actually concentration camp survivors. D’Agostino was discharged but was drafted again during the Korean War and served as a radio relay operator atop a mountain in dangerous and harsh winter conditions. When he was discharged a second time, he applied his kitchen experience and attended Cornell’s hotel school. D’Agostino became the director of food service for Trans World Airlines. Before retiring, he moved to American Airlines, overseeing 6,000 people in 40 kitchens worldwide.
Oral History Interview with Al Stremel, July 30, 2011
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Al Stremel. Stremel joined the Navy in October of 1940. Beginning in December, he served in the fire room aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6). In April of 1942, they escorted USS Hornet (CV-8) on the Doolittle Raid. From June through November, they participated in the battles at Midway, the Eastern Solomons, Santa Cruz and Guadalcanal. In January of 1944, Stremel was sent to Oil Burning School in Philadelphia. He was transferred to USS Swanson (DD-443). Stremel was honorably discharged in December of 1946.
Oral History Interview with Alan Pilot, August 10, 2010
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 he was stationed at the top of the cathedral while it was being shelled. In the Ruhr Pocket a defective shell landed 10 feet away from him. He recalls seeing 100,000 Germans surrender there. He describes the Bavarian people as friendly as he passed through Austria on VE Day. He was then sent to the Pacific as part of Operation Coronet. VJ Day came while he was still crossing the Pacific. He spent the last five months of his service in the Philippines at a quiet outpost while the rest of his unit prepared the Philippines for independence. Pilot returned home and was discharged in January 1946.
Oral History Interview with Albert Barton, November 6, 2010
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 flew off of the USS Anzio (CVE-57) for the remainder of the war. He describes an incident where his plane had a failed landing and ended upside-down in the water. Barton had to break some glass in the cockpit to escape. He flew ground support missions over Okinawa. Barton discusses how the radio and radar functioned on his plane. He was discharged several months after the surrender.
Oral History Interview with Albert Brown, March 2, 2010
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Brown. Brown joined the Navy and served as a Radarman with amphibious forces at Guadalcanal for one year. In 1942, Brown worked aboard submarines as a specialist in surface attacks using radar. Admiral Chester Nimitz appointed him the officer in charge to create the Pacific Fleet Radar School for Senior Officers, and to instruct them in radar techniques. Brown completed this work through late 1945. He continued his service after the war ended.
Oral History Interview with Albert Jackson, March 13, 2014
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Jackson. Jackson was born in 1924. At age 16, he joined the US Navy and underwent boot training at the Naval Training Center in Chicago. Upon graduation, he was assigned to USS Texas (BB-35) as a member of Gun Fire Control. Later, he was transferred to an LST.
Oral History Interview with Albert Jeffers, December 28, 2011
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 Menhaden (SS-377) and was the first to welcome Admiral Nimitz during a change of command ceremony. Jeffers was discharged in 1946 and went on to earn a degree in mechanical engineering as well as a law degree.
Oral History Interview with Albert Jenkins, October 10, 2017
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Jenkins. Jenkins joined the Army in early 1942 and was mistakenly sent to Australia before he completed basic training. Once there, he was attached to the 35th Fighter Group as an armorer. Jenkins shares several anecdotes about his time in the service in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. Jenkins returned to the US and became an instructor before the war ended. He was discharged in January 1945.
Oral History Interview with Albert Lawrence Wile, January 31, 2015
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 service in the military.
Oral History Interview with Albert Machaud, June 17, 2016
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Machaud. Machaud joined the Army Air Forces on 27 June 1946. He served as a control tower operator with the 128th Army Airways Communication System Squadron. He traveled throughout the Pacific, including Johnston Island, Wake Island, Kwajalein, Okinawa and into Tokyo by January of 1947, directing aircraft on new airstrips that had hastily been built during the war. He speaks of his experiences during his 2 years in occupied Japan. Machaud was discharged on 26 June 1949.
Oral History Interview with Albert Marley, June 13, 2011
Transcript of an oral interview with Albert Marley. When Marley finished high school in 1943, he volunteered for service in the Navy. After training and gunnery school, Marley was assigned to a gun crew on a vessel that transported men and material to England from the East Coast. After the invasion at Normandy, Marley's ship delivered men and supplies to France. He even steamed through the Mediterranean Sea delivering supplies to Egypt and India. In all, he served aboard five ships and made runs as far as China, where his ship encountered Japanese submarines and planes. When the war ended, Marley was discharged and used the G.I. Bill to attend Purdue University.
Oral History Interview with Albert Sanders, June 22, 2012
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Sanders. Sanders joined the Army Air Forces in October 1942 and earned his wings in April 1944. After learning to fly B-24s, he arrived in England with his crew as part of the 458th Bomb Group. From there he made raids over Germany, twice making emergency landings in Belgium after being shot up. He transitioned into being a lead crew pilot, heading up a tight formation of 36 bombers. Sanders had flown 18 missions by the time the war ended. He and his crew flew home, stopping for fuel and wine in the Azores. He was also transporting 20 soldiers who were so eager to land that they crowded the front of the plane, shifting the load and causing an extremely rough and dangerous landing. That was the last time Sanders ever piloted an aircraft.
Oral History Interview with Albert Skiles, May 1, 2010
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Skiles. Skiles joined the Army in March 1943. He was sent to the Pacific as a replacement. Skiles eventually joined the 96th Infantry Division and landed at Leyte. He served as a switchboard operator and company clerk with a headquarters company. He was later sent to Okinawa and landed in one of the first waves of the invasion. He was wounded by a mortar shell and evacuated to Hawaii. During his time on Okinawa he witnesses a kamikaze attack on the USS Morrison (DD-560). He also was near Yontan Airfield when it was attacked by Japanese commandos and witnessed the aftermath.
Oral History Interview with Albert Stone, August 1, 2017
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Stone. Stone joined the Navy in April 1945. He completed boot camp at Great Lakes. From there he went to Gulfport, Mississippi for basic electronic training. In September 1945 he was shipped to Corpus Christi, Texas to train on naval aviation electronics and radar equipment. In June 1946 he was assigned to Operation CROSSROADS at Bikini Atoll in the South Pacific. His rank was AETM-3C, Aviation Electronics Technician Mate 3C. He was assigned to the USS Avery Island (AG-76), though was farmed out to a destroyer escort to fix and test all of their radio-controlled boats. He was discharged October 1946. He received a real estate license and a radio-telephone license and earned his pilot’s license with his G.I. Bill. He finished up at Duke University in 1950 with an electrical engineering degree. He worked for Savannah River Plant for DuPont Construction. He also worked on the Boemark Missile System, the Apollo program, the moon shots, and the Saturn V program.
Oral History Interview with Albert Wakeman, April 26, 2012
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Wakeman. Wakeman joined the Navy in 1944. The son of a machinist who fashioned guns for the Navy during WWI, Wakeman advanced to diesel school upon completion of basic training. He was assigned to PT-175 with Squadron 11 at Emirau, New Guinea, as a machinist's mate. At Morotai, as Wakeman manned his battle station against a Japanese barge, an officer rushed over to help him load the 40mm and was immediately shot in the forehead and killed. Wakeman later sustained third degree burns during an accidental explosion while lighting a fire on the beach in an effort to launder his clothes. The end of his service was uneventful and pleasant; in the Philippines, he attended church and enjoyed Sunday dinner with the locals. Wakeman returned home and was discharged, earning two master's degrees on the GI Bill to become a professor of English and Greek.
Oral History Interview with Albert White, July 6, 2013
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert White. White finished high school in 1934 and shares several anecdotes about making a living during the Great Depression. During most of the war, White was working in an essential oil and gas industry job and was deferred from military service, until he was drafted into the Army in early 1945. He shipped out for occupation duty in Japan, arriving in November, 1945. WHite eventually received a hardship discharge because hi wife was going to have a surgery.
Oral History Interview with Alex Moskowitz, December 18, 2015
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alex Moskowitz. Moskowitz was drafted into the Army in January 1943. After basic training in Virginia, he was assigned to the 284th Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Company and headed overseas. He recalls experiences from the invasion of Leyte and hauling supplies and men ashore aboard DUKW vehicles and LVTs. He also went to Okinawa. When the war ended, his unit went to Kyushu. Moskowitz relates several experiences during his time in combat and during the occupation. He was discharged in January 1946.
Oral History Interview with Alfred Gluck, July 12, 2019
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alfred Gluck. Gluck joined the Merchant Marines in mid-1941. He served as a Seaman aboard a liberty ship, the SS George L. Baker (1614). In May of 1943, they traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii, transporting general supplies and merchandise for people on the island. He returned to San Francisco, and was assigned to the SS James Lick in July as Able Seaman, traveling to New Hebrides and New Caledonia, transporting military cargo. In 1944 through the end of the war, Gluck also served aboard the SS Mormacgull, traveling to New Guinea and Guadalcanal and the SS Louis Sullivan (2781). He continued his service after the war, and received his discharge in March of 1946.
Oral History Interview with Alfred Keeler, September 18, 2018
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alfred Keeler. Keeler joined the Navy in July of 1943. In November, he served as a Radio Operator with the 2nd Marine Division, during the Battle of Tarawa. In 1944, Keeler traveled aboard the USS Bushnell (AS-15) to Midway, where he continued to work as a radio operator on the island. Beginning late 1944, he served in communications with Admiral Nimitz headquarters in Hawaii. He was a passenger aboard the USS Mississippi (BB-41) during the Battle of Okinawa, and recalls his experiences. Keeler received his discharge in February of 1946.
Oral History Interview with Alfred Lehmann, May 26, 2016
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alfred Lehmann. Lehmann was drafted in the US Army in 1943. He completed 6 weeks of boot camp in Little Rock, Arkansas, then was deployed overseas as an infantryman. He served with the 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division. Lehmann served in the Philippine Islands, and shares his experiences in the Bougainville Campaign, the Battle of Luzon and freeing prisoners in Manila. Lehmann returned to the US in December of 1945 and received his discharge.
Oral History Interview with Allan D. Morrsion, August 29, 2011
Transcript of an oral interview with Allan D. Morrison. In 1942, Morrison finished high school in Bozeman, Montana before enrolling in the Civilian Pilot Training program. His eyesight disqualified him as a pilot, so the Army Air Corps sent him to McDill Field in Florida for advanced communications training in early 1943. He had never even had basic training and finally got shuffled to Chicago for radio school. Morrison developed an illness that prevented him from graduating and moving on, so he stayed in Chicago for a while before moving on to Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he finally graduated as a radio mechanic. His first assignment took him to Annette Island in southeastern Alaska. While there, he operated an SCS system, which allowed aircraft with the right equipment to make instrument landings on the field at Annette Island (in case of fog, etc.).
Oral History Interview with Allen Cates, November 23, 2016
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Allen Cates. Cates joined the Army in 1944. He completed basic training at Camp Wolters, Texas, and paratrooper training off Dog Island, Florida. In December he deployed to New Guinea and served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division. In mid-February 1945, they landed on Corregidor to liberate the island from occupying Japanese forces. From there he was assigned as a combat engineer with the 11th, working with demolition, traveling through Manila, Luzon and Okinawa. In late August, they landed at Atsugi Airfield in Japan, then traveled to Hokkaido in December where he served with the occupation through late 1946. He returned to the US and received his discharge.
Oral History Interview with Allen Havron, July 9, 2010
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Allen Havron. Havron joined the Army in January 1943. He was trained at Ft. Bliss as an anti-aircraft crewman in a unit that became the 487th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. His unit was sent to New Guinea. He describes meeting the native people and the flora and fauna that he encountered. He was then detached to the 158th Regimental Combat Team for a landing on Noemfoor Island. Havron earned a Bronze Star for his actions on Noemfoor. The 487th was sent the Philippines, where Havron spent the remainder of the war.
Oral History Interview with Allen Pang, June 19, 2015
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Allen Pang. Pang was born to Chinese rice farmers on Oahu. The students at his high school were predominantly of Japanese descent, and he served alongside them in the ROTC upon entering college at the University of Hawaii. Hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, his group volunteered for the Territorial Guard. The Japanese-American students were sent to a labor battalion, while Pang enjoyed guard duty. He laments on the unfairness of this arrangement, as the Japanese-Americans were loyal to the United States. When the Territorial Guard was dissolved, Pang entered the Army Air Forces as an aviation cadet. Upon completion of flight training, he was assigned to the 17th Bombardment Group, 432nd Bombardment Squadron, in Algeria. The unit moved to a base in Sardinia from which Pang bombed Southern Italy as a B-26 bombardier navigator. Pang details mission procedure, from briefing to debriefing, and describes the method by which a bomber would signal their fighter escort to intervene. After moving to Corsica he expanded targets across Italy and into Southern France, flying a total of 68 missions. Pang returned home and was stationed in Hawaii when the war ended. He was immediately discharged and went on to complete dental school on the G.I. Bill.
Oral History Interview with Alphior Silverio, November 15, 2012
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alphior Silverio. Silverio went into the Army in 1942 and trained at Camp Atterbury. He was assigned to the 308th Combat Engineer Battalion attached to the 83rd Infantry Division and went overseas in April, 1944. In August, Silverio went to France with the 83rd. He recalls building bridges across France until he was wounded in early December and evacuated to England. By then he had earned a battlefield commission. He was able to rejoin his unit after recovery and was finally discharged in February 1946.
Oral History Interview with Alton Frost, April 8, 2016
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alton Frost. Frost joined the Navy in September 1942 after finishing high school. He went to flight school and switched to the Marine Corps so he could fly single engine planes. He then was assigned to fly dive bombers in Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB-241). Frost joined the squadron in the Solomon Islands in time to go to the Philippines. He shares a few anecdotes of his combat flight experiences. When the war ended, Frost elected to serve in the Reserves but was not recalled for the Jorean War. He left the Reserves and resigned his commission.
Oral History Interview with Alvin Lebsack, March 23, 2018
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvin Lebsack. Lebsack joined the Army Air Corps in November of 1940. He trained in aircraft mechanics, and served with the 58th Bomb Wing as a B-29 Crew Chief and Flight Chief. They participated in the China Burma India Theater, and were stationed at a base in India. Lebsack completed bombing missions over Japan in 1944. He returned to the US and received his discharge in late 1945.
Oral History Interview with Alvin Leos, October 27, 2010
Transcript of an oral interview with Alvin Leos. Leos quit school in the seventh grade to work on a dairy farm to help the family earn money during the Great Depression. He entered the Army in 1940 and was stationed at Galveston, Texas in a coast artillery unit when war was declared in December, 1941. Before long, his unit was assigned to coastal defense on New Hebrides. In 1944, he was sent back to the US where he trained recruits at Tyler, Texas. He then volunteered for a combat assignment and was attached to the First Cavalry Division prior to the invasion of the Philippines. Leos then describes patrols and enemy encounters on Luzon. When the war ended, Leos had enough points to go home. He eventually got assigned to the Second Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas. Then, Leos discusses the time spent occupying Germany in the early 1950s. Leos moves back to discussing event that occurred while he was serving in the Philippines during WWII. He finishes by discussing visiting the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.
Oral History Interview with Alvin W. Hall, March 13, 2014
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvin W Hall. Hall graduated from the Naval Academy in June of 1942. He was commissioned as ensign and assigned to the USS Texas (BB-35). Hall participated in convoy duty and the North African invasion. He then served aboard the USS Quincy (CA-71) as senior officer of turret 2, participating in the battles of Normandy and Cherbourg, and the invasion of Southern France. Hall then returned to the US to complete flight training and photographic school. He was later stationed as a B-24 pilot on Guam and Hawaii. Hall continued his service after the war ended, retiring from the Navy as a commander in 1962.
Oral History Interview with Alvino Mendoza, April 25, 2017
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvino Mendoza. Mendoza was born in Round Rock, Texas on 1 March 1926, and briefly tells of his life before entering the US Navy. After completing boot training at Camp Wallace, Texas he was assigned as a seaman aboard USS St. George (AV-16). His battle station was loader on an anti-aircraft gun. Mendoza describes his experiences during the Battle of Okinawa in which the St. George, as well as USS Curtiss (AV-4), were hit by kamikazes. He tells of being in several typhoons and describes an incident in which he fell into the sea. He served in the occupation of Japan. Mendoza returned to the US and received his discharge in February of 1946.
Oral History Interview with Alvino Mendoza, May 27, 2010
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvino Mendoza. Mendoza joined the Navy in 1944. He trained to be a member of the amphibious forces at Camp Wallace in Galveston, Texas. Mendoza traveled through the Pacific aboard the USS St. George (AV-16). He participated in the Battle of Okinawa in March through June of 1945, where his ship was hit by a kamikaze. Once the war ended, Mendoza was sent to Japan with occupation forces. While there, he came into contact with a Japanese family who insisted he was Japanese. He shares his experiences as a Mexican-American in the war. He was discharged in 1946.
Oral History Interview with Amos McGinnis, April 22, 2014
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Amos McGinnis. McGinnis was working in a factory when he was drafted into the Army in December, 1942. He trained as a combat engineer and went to England before heading out for Normandy five days after D-Day. McGinnis shares several anecdotes about his experiences building bridges across Europe. He was in Germany when the war ended and was discharged in December, 1945.
Oral History Interview with Andrew Bardagjy, July 25, 2015
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Andrew Bardagjy. Bardagjy joined the Army in 1943. He served as a mortarman with the 103rd Infantry Division, 411th Infantry Regiment. He deployed to France in September of 1944. They battled through France, capturing St. Dié, and into Germany by December. Bardagjy was captured by the Germans and placed into a prisoner of war camp near Fallingbostel, where he remained through April of 1945. He shares details of his experiences in the camp. He returned to the US and received his discharge in December of 1945.
Oral History Interview with Angelo Gagliano, February 10, 2010
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Angelo Gagliano. Gagliano joined the Navy in August 1942. He describes his experiences in basic training at Newport, Rhode Island. Gagliano was assigned to an air service unit and then transferred to the USS Langley (CVL-27). He became an aviation storekeeper and also served as an ammunition handler on a 40mm gun. Gagliano describes a time when he was a passenger on a TBF that catapulted off of the ship and how he blacked-out. He also discusses shipboard life and his duties. Gagliano describes seeing USS Princeton (CVL-23), USS Franklin (CV-13), and USS Lexington (CV-16) all take serious damage in battle. He also discusses what it was like to go through a typhoon and how several destroyers were lost. He was transferred to shore duty in New York and then Alameda where he signed off on returning aviators who were returning their gear. Gagliano left the Navy in March 1946.
Oral History Interview with Anna Gatti, March 10, 2015
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Anna Gatti, nee Cocchi. Gatti graduated from Boston University as a French major in 1942. While volunteering at a settlement house, she met her future husband, Corry, who was a student at Harvard. In 1942, Corry was drafted into the Army. In 1943, Gatti joined the Navy’s Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). She completed Meteorology School in New Jersey and served as Aerographer, Third Class on a base in California. By late 1943, she completed Midshipman’s School in Massachusetts, then went on to Officer Candidate School. Gatti was then assigned to the Office of Censorship in Miami, censoring national and international cables and radio messages, through mid-1945. From September, 1945 to January, 1946, she was assigned to the Gulf Sea Frontier as an Operations Officer, plotting ship and plane movements in the Gulf. Gatti finished her war service in March of 1946, as a Lieutenant j.g.
Oral History Interview with Annabel Ring, July 6, 2010
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Annabel Ring. Ring was in college on 7 December 1941, completed one semester and then went to work in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She went into the Navy on 6 May 1943 as a WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) and took boot camp in the Bronx, New York for six weeks. The Navy took over a women’s college there and they stayed in apartments across the street. From there, Ring went to medical school at Great Lakes, Illinois. She had classes and then would work in the ward with the patients. Ring then went to Patuxent River, Maryland where she worked in a hospital on different wards. After two years there, she was sent to dentist school in Quantico, Virginia. Ring was there when the war ended and was discharged in October 1945 as a hospital second class petty officer.
Oral History Interview with Anthony F. Cooper, January 10, 2012
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Anthony F. Cooper. In January, 1941, Cooper was drafted into the Army. Cooper trained as an ammunition specialist. As such, he was trained to set up ammunition supply points in combat zones. After training, Cooper was assigned to the 54th Ordnance Ammunition Company. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Cooper was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. From there, Cooper's unit went overseas t oEngland to prepare for the invasion of North Africa. Cooper describes being involved in the Battle of Kasserine Pass in Tunisia and having to retreat. At one point while Cooper was in Italy, he was captured by the Germans. He was liberated a few days later. Cooper also speaks about destroying ammunition after the war. After the war in Europe ended, Cooper returned to the US and was discharged. He re-enlisted in 1948 and saw service in the war in Korea. He also tested parachutes at Fort Bragg, Norh Carolina with the 101st Airborne Division. Also, Cooper met Elvis Presley while the Third Armored Division was stationed in Germany. While testing parachutes, Cooper also met General William Westmoreland.
Oral History Interview with Anthony Geer
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 honorably discharged in late 1945.
Oral History Interview with Anthony Giglio, July 23, 2013
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Anthony Giglio. Giglio joined the navy in September, 1942 and trained in Virginia. He was assigned to USS LST-454 just prior to commissioning and served as a gunner’s mate. He stayed aboard for 49 months and made 13 invasions. Giglio relates several experiences he had while aboard. He returned to the US after the war and was discharged in December, 1945.
Oral History Interview with Anthony Wayne Arrington, March 14, 2014
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Anthony Arrington. Arrington joined the Navy in June 1942 and received basic training in Norfolk. He was assigned to the USS Texas (BB-35), serving as a waiter during trips to Casablanca and the British Isles. While he was onshore being treated for a shoulder injury, the Texas moved on to another port. Arrington was subsequently given landing craft training and reassigned to the USS Sims (APD-50). He was present for the entire Battle of Okinawa, operating a landing craft as a taxi for military personnel. A few weeks after the bombing of Hiroshima, he transported a group of scientists to the blast site, which was completely flattened, save for two partially damaged concrete structures. Arrington returned home and was discharged in January 1946.
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