Oral History Interview with Marvin T. Alexander, April 4, 2011

Listen Online transcript

Jump to Track:

  1. Track One 1:06:55

Description

Transcript of an oral interview with Marvin T. Alexander. Alexander grew up in Louisiana and entered the Navy in early 1941. Upon completion of basic training at San Diego, Alexander was assigned as an engine mechanic to Patrol Squadron 12 (VP-12), which flew PBY airplanes at Coronado Naval Air Station. His unit was sent to Pearl Harbor in October, 1941. Alexander describes what he witnessed at Ford Island on 7 December 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Alexander was also present on Midway during the Battle of Midway. Eventually, VP-12 headed for the Solomon Islands where they conducted search … continued below

Physical Description

1 sound recording (1 hr., 6 min., 55 sec.)

Creation Information

Alexander, Marvin T. April 4, 2011.

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.

Who

People and organizations associated with either the creation of this audio recording or its content.

Interviewee

Publisher

Audiences

Check out our Resources for Educators Site! We've identified this sound as a primary source within our collections. Researchers, educators, and students may find this recording useful in their work.

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.

Contact Us

What

Descriptive information to help identify this audio recording. Follow the links below to find similar items on the Portal.

Description

Transcript of an oral interview with Marvin T. Alexander. Alexander grew up in Louisiana and entered the Navy in early 1941. Upon completion of basic training at San Diego, Alexander was assigned as an engine mechanic to Patrol Squadron 12 (VP-12), which flew PBY airplanes at Coronado Naval Air Station. His unit was sent to Pearl Harbor in October, 1941. Alexander describes what he witnessed at Ford Island on 7 December 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Alexander was also present on Midway during the Battle of Midway. Eventually, VP-12 headed for the Solomon Islands where they conducted search and rescue operations. Alexander and VP-12 stayed aboard the USS Wright (AV-1), a seaplane tender. Sometime in 1943, Alexander received some home leave and returned to the US. He was still stationed in the US when the war ended.

Physical Description

1 sound recording (1 hr., 6 min., 55 sec.)

Language

Item Type

Identifier

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

Relationships

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.

Related Items

Oral History Interview with Marvin T. Alexander, April 4, 2011 (Text)

Oral History Interview with Marvin T. Alexander, April 4, 2011

Transcript of an oral interview with Marvin T. Alexander. Alexander grew up in Louisiana and entered the Navy in early 1941. Upon completion of basic training at San Diego, Alexander was assigned as an engine mechanic to Patrol Squadron 12 (VP-12), which flew PBY airplanes at Coronado Naval Air Station. His unit was sent to Pearl Harbor in October, 1941. Alexander describes what he witnessed at Ford Island on 7 December 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Alexander was also present on Midway during the Battle of Midway. Eventually, VP-12 headed for the Solomon Islands where they conducted search and rescue operations. Alexander and VP-12 stayed aboard the USS Wright (AV-1), a seaplane tender. Sometime in 1943, Alexander received some home leave and returned to the US. He was still stationed in the US when the war ended.

Relationship to this item: (Has Transcription)

Oral History Interview with Marvin T. Alexander, April 4, 2011, [transcript] ark:/67531/metapth1605945

What responsibilities do I have when using this audio recording?

When

Dates and time periods associated with this audio recording.

Creation Date

  • April 4, 2011

Added to The Portal to Texas History

  • Oct. 16, 2023, 7:17 a.m.

Usage Statistics

When was this recording last used?

Yesterday: 0
Past 30 days: 0
Total Uses: 3

Interact With This Audio Recording

Here are some suggestions for what to do next.

Alexander, Marvin T. Oral History Interview with Marvin T. Alexander, April 4, 2011, audio recording, April 4, 2011; Fredericksburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1609753/: accessed June 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation.

Back to Top of Screen