Oral History Interview with Norman Wilmeth, October 25, 2012

Oral History Interview with Norman Wilmeth, October 25, 2012

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Track One 1:00:46

Description

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Norman Wilmeth. Wilmeth signed up for the Citizens’ Military Training Camp in 1937 and obtained his pilot’s license through the Civilian Pilot Training Program in 1940. He was called into active duty in 1942 and attended Officer Training School. He was transferred to the glider program and received CG-4A training in Lubbock. Upon completion, he joined the 91st Troop Carrier Squadron, 439th Troop Carrier Group. Wilmeth transported troops to the Normandy invasion in a Horsa glider and then returned to England. For his next mission, he brought a … continued below

Physical Description

1 sound recording (1 hr., 0 min., 45 sec.)

Creation Information

Wilmeth, Norman October 25, 2012.

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

Wilmeth, Norman

Interviewers

Publisher

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

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.

Description

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Norman Wilmeth. Wilmeth signed up for the Citizens’ Military Training Camp in 1937 and obtained his pilot’s license through the Civilian Pilot Training Program in 1940. He was called into active duty in 1942 and attended Officer Training School. He was transferred to the glider program and received CG-4A training in Lubbock. Upon completion, he joined the 91st Troop Carrier Squadron, 439th Troop Carrier Group. Wilmeth transported troops to the Normandy invasion in a Horsa glider and then returned to England. For his next mission, he brought a medical unit to the invasion of Southern France. He witnessed a beautiful candlelit parade in Casablanca on the day that Paris was liberated. In October he flew troops and heavy equipment to Holland amidst antiaircraft fire, relying on Dutch families to hide him after landings. He was transferred to a special combat control team and participated in Operation Varsity, communicating with the battlefield from General Ridgway’s headquarters. After the war he accepted the surrender of German flight crews and arranged for the evacuation of wounded GIs. He returned home and joined the Texas National Guard, later becoming a nuclear weapons officer. He learned to pilot helicopters and commanded an Army aviation unit during Vietnam. Wilmeth was discharged as a full colonel.

Physical Description

1 sound recording (1 hr., 0 min., 45 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: OH03688
Archival Resource Key: ark:/67531/metapth1610106

Relationships

Oral History Interview with Norman Wilmeth, October 25, 2012, [transcript] ark:/67531/metapth1606340

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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