Oral History Interview with Aristides Phoutrides, June 3, 2015

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The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Aristides Phoutrides. Phoutrides joined the Navy in May 1943 and went to quartermaster school after boot camp. He was then assigned to USS Laffey (DD-724) in February, 1944. He recalls bombarding the shore during the Normandy invasion. In late 1944, he went to the Philippines with the Laffey. He recalls escorting carriers during the Iwo Jima invasion. He also recalls being at Okinawa on radar picket duty on 16 April and being attacked by 22 kamikazes and struck by six. They returned to Seattle for repairs and were there … continued below

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1 sound recording (1 hr., 46 min., 36 sec.)

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Phoutrides, Aristides June 3, 2015.

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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.

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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.

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Description

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Aristides Phoutrides. Phoutrides joined the Navy in May 1943 and went to quartermaster school after boot camp. He was then assigned to USS Laffey (DD-724) in February, 1944. He recalls bombarding the shore during the Normandy invasion. In late 1944, he went to the Philippines with the Laffey. He recalls escorting carriers during the Iwo Jima invasion. He also recalls being at Okinawa on radar picket duty on 16 April and being attacked by 22 kamikazes and struck by six. They returned to Seattle for repairs and were there when the war ended. Phoutrides was discharged in May 1946 but stayed in the Reserves. He was recalled during the Korean War and given a commission.

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1 sound recording (1 hr., 46 min., 36 sec.)

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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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Oral History Interview with Aristides Phoutrides, June 3, 2015 (Text)

Oral History Interview with Aristides Phoutrides, June 3, 2015

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Aristides Phoutrides. Phoutrides joined the Navy in May 1943 and went to quartermaster school after boot camp. He was then assigned to USS Laffey (DD-724) in February, 1944. He recalls bombarding the shore during the Normandy invasion. In late 1944, he went to the Philippines with the Laffey. He recalls escorting carriers during the Iwo Jima invasion. He also recalls being at Okinawa on radar picket duty on 16 April and being attacked by 22 kamikazes and struck by six. They returned to Seattle for repairs and were there when the war ended. Phoutrides was discharged in May 1946 but stayed in the Reserves. He was recalled during the Korean War and given a commission.

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Oral History Interview with Aristides Phoutrides, June 3, 2015, [transcript] ark:/67531/metapth1606862

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  • June 3, 2015

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Added to The Portal to Texas History

  • Oct. 16, 2023, 7:21 a.m.

Description Last Updated

  • March 6, 2026, 2:07 p.m.

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Phoutrides, Aristides. Oral History Interview with Aristides Phoutrides, June 3, 2015, audio recording, June 3, 2015; Fredericksburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1610509/: accessed June 7, 2026), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation.

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