Oral History Interview with William Lockey, September 24, 2007

Oral History Interview with William Lockey, September 24, 2007

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Track One 0:55:52

Description

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William A. Lockey. Lockey was born on 16 June 1920 in Weches, Texas and joined the Navy on 19 July 1941. He was aboard the USS New Orleans (CA-32) at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 when a Japanese aircraft fired on the ship, just missing his head but wounding him slightly. The New Orleans was moored about 300 yards from the USS Arizona (BB-39) and he watched that ship sink. The New Orleans crew hoisted the ammunition, aimed and fired the 5-inch anti-aircraft guns manually. He was … continued below

Physical Description

1 sound recording (55 min., 52 sec.)

Creation Information

Lockey, William September 24, 2007.

Context

This audio recording is part of the collection entitled: National Museum of the Pacific War Oral History Collection and was provided by the National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation to The Portal to Texas History, a digital repository hosted by the UNT Libraries. More information about this recording can be viewed below.

Interviewee

Lockey, William

Interviewers

Publisher

National Museum of the Pacific War
Place of Publication: Fredericksburg, Texas

Audiences

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Provided By

National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Established in 1967, the Museum honors the 8 million Americans who served in WWII in the Pacific Theater by sharing their stories with the world. Located in Fredericksburg in the restored Nimitz "Steamboat" Hotel, the Museum partners with the Texas Historical Commission to preserve the historical resources of the era.

Description

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William A. Lockey. Lockey was born on 16 June 1920 in Weches, Texas and joined the Navy on 19 July 1941. He was aboard the USS New Orleans (CA-32) at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 when a Japanese aircraft fired on the ship, just missing his head but wounding him slightly. The New Orleans was moored about 300 yards from the USS Arizona (BB-39) and he watched that ship sink. The New Orleans crew hoisted the ammunition, aimed and fired the 5-inch anti-aircraft guns manually. He was manning one gun mount and remembers the ship shot down several Japanese aircraft. He heard the ship’s Chaplain, Howell Forgy, encouraging crew members to praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition. The New Orleans joined the Yorktown (CV-5) and the Lexington (CV-2) task forces in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Brodie watched the Lexington sink. He next recalls events in the Solomon Islands during the Battle of Tassafaronga in late November 1942, when the New Orleans’ bow was blown off by a Japanese torpedo. Following temporary repairs in Australia, the ship returned to the States by sailing stern first the entire voyage. Following permanent repairs at Puget Sound Navy Yard, Lockey describes action at Wake Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He recalls action in the Philippine Sea where he observed several kamikaze attacks, including one that heavily damaged USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24). He watched the attack by a Japanese bomber that damaged USS Franklin (CV-13). He was transferred to San Diego Naval Base and left active duty in 1947.

Physical Description

1 sound recording (55 min., 52 sec.)

Subjects

Keywords

Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms

Library of Congress Subject Headings

World War, 1939-1945

University of North Texas Libraries Browse Structure

Language

English

Item Type

Sound

Identifier

Unique identifying numbers for this recording in the Portal or other systems.

Accession or Local Control No: OH02066
Archival Resource Key: ark:/67531/metapth1609097

Relationships

Oral History Interview with William Lockey, September 24, 2007, [transcript] ark:/67531/metapth1605287

Collections

This recording is part of the following collections of related materials.

National Museum of the Pacific War Oral History Collection

This oral history collection depicts an instrumental era in American history. In these transcripts of interviews with World War II veterans are personal experiences with the war, from the Doolittle Raid and D-Day to the Battle for Bataan.

National Museum of the Pacific War Digital Archive

The Digital Archive presents digitized collections from the Center for Pacific War Studies collections at the National Museum of the Pacific War. Collections and material are continuously being added and represent only a small portion of the archives' physical holdings.

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