Oral History Interview with Paul Morabith, February 2, 2016

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The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Paul Morabith. Morabith was working as a machinist when he was drafted in July, 1942. He could have been deferred, but went into the Army Air Forces when he was called. He trained as a mechanic on B-26s. Eventually, he switched to aerial gunnery and went to England in April, 1944. He flew 32 combat missions, starting in France prior to D-Day. Morabith recalls returning to base on two engines and the crew contemplating whether to try for Sweden or home. He provides many details about his experiences … continued below

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1 sound recording (1 hr., 27 min., 29 sec.)

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Morabith, Paul February 2, 2016.

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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. It has been viewed 17 times. 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 oral interview with Paul Morabith. Morabith was working as a machinist when he was drafted in July, 1942. He could have been deferred, but went into the Army Air Forces when he was called. He trained as a mechanic on B-26s. Eventually, he switched to aerial gunnery and went to England in April, 1944. He flew 32 combat missions, starting in France prior to D-Day. Morabith recalls returning to base on two engines and the crew contemplating whether to try for Sweden or home. He provides many details about his experiences flying combat missions as a tail gunner in a B-17 over Europe. He finished his tour in August, 1944 and returned to the US. After some rest, Morabith was scheduled to go to the Pacific and join a B-29 outfit, but the war ended. He was discharged early in September.

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1 sound recording (1 hr., 27 min., 29 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 Paul Morabith, February 2, 2016 (Text)

Oral History Interview with Paul Morabith, February 2, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Paul Morabith. Morabith was working as a machinist when he was drafted in July, 1942. He could have been deferred, but went into the Army Air Forces when he was called. He trained as a mechanic on B-26s. Eventually, he switched to aerial gunnery and went to England in April, 1944. He flew 32 combat missions, starting in France prior to D-Day. Morabith recalls returning to base on two engines and the crew contemplating whether to try for Sweden or home. He provides many details about his experiences flying combat missions as a tail gunner in a B-17 over Europe. He finished his tour in August, 1944 and returned to the US. After some rest, Morabith was scheduled to go to the Pacific and join a B-29 outfit, but the war ended. He was discharged early in September.

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Oral History Interview with Paul Morabith, February 2, 2016, [transcript] ark:/67531/metapth1606986

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  • February 2, 2016

Added to The Portal to Texas History

  • Oct. 16, 2023, 7:22 a.m.

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Total Uses: 17

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Morabith, Paul. Oral History Interview with Paul Morabith, February 2, 2016, audio recording, February 2, 2016; Fredericksburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1610634/: accessed July 10, 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.

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