National Museum of the Pacific War Oral History Collection - 192 Matching Results

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Oral History Interview with Al Jowdy, September 21, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al Jowdy. Jowdy enlisted in the Navy in July 1942 at the age of 15, with his parents’ consent. His first assignment was pulling bodies out of sunken ships in Pearl Harbor. At Guadalcanal, his ship was torpedoed. Due to the presence of enemy subs, he could not be rescued initially and spent two weeks floating in a raft. Then he joined a rescue effort to aid the USS Wasp (CV-7), only to be torpedoed again, spending another fou… more
Date: September 21, 2008
Duration: 1 hour 6 minutes 31 seconds
Creator: Jowdy, Al
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Allen Barker, April 29, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Allen Barker. Barker was born 29 July 1922 in Sairlie, Texas. He joined the Army Air Corps in August 1942. Following completion of basic training in Greenville, Texas he was assigned to the signal corps. He was shuttled around to various bases in the United States and finally boarded a troop ship, USS General A.E. Anderson for a 30 day sea trip to Bombay, India. His unit built a base about 60 miles northwest of Imphal, India… more
Date: April 29, 2008
Duration: 46 minutes 54 seconds
Creator: Barker, Allen
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Allen Golden, November 27, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Allan Golden. Golden joined the Navy in 1942 and after three weeks of boot training at San Diego, he boarded a ship bound for Noumea, New Caledonia. Upon his arrival he was assigned to the base post office. He was then sent to Fiji to serve as a LCVP driver. He participated in the invasion of Bougainville and describes the procedure of landing troops on the beaches. He returned to the United States in 1944 and was assigned a… more
Date: November 27, 2008
Duration: 1 hour 18 minutes 54 seconds
Creator: Golden, Allen
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Alvin Kendzora, June 26, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvin Kendzora. Kendzora enlisted in the Army Air Forces in April 1944 and trained at Sheppard Field in Texas. After basic training, he qualified to train as a radio operator. He departed for overseas in May 1945. He stopped at New Guinea for a month or two before heading for Leyte in the Philippines. He was attached to a headquarters squadron in the Fifth Air Force and was there when the war ended. He was tasked with hauling sup… more
Date: June 26, 2008
Duration: 1 hour 7 minutes 56 seconds
Creator: Kendzora, Alvin
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Andy Visnovsky, September 5, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Andy Visnovsky. Visnovsky enlisted in the Marine Corps and upon completion of emergency equipment school was assigned to the 111th Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF-111) as a mechanic. As a ground crewman, he served in the Pacific from September 1944 through December 1945. On Roi-Namur, Visnovsky developed coral poisoning, a condition none of the medics in his unit had ever encountered. On the way to Okinawa, he weathered a typho… more
Date: September 5, 2008
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes 29 seconds
Creator: Visnovsky, Andy
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Art Goethe, June 25, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Art Goethe. Goethe dropped out of high school after contracting tuberculosis. Upon recovery, he worked as a roofer at the Army barracks. In 1942, he enlisted in the Navy, with his parents’ permission. Despite his abbreviated education, he scored well on examinations and went on to radio school. He transferred in and out of many outfits as a radioman, working on a wooden sub-chaser, an LTA blimp, and an airship rescue unit be… more
Date: June 25, 2008
Duration: 40 minutes 27 seconds
Creator: Goethe, Art
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Arthur Herriford, December 5, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Arthur Herriford. Herriford joined the Navy in April of 1940. In July of 1940 he was assigned to the USS Detroit (CL-8). They traveled to Hilo, Hawaii. He completed Fire Control School and worked as a striker for the Fire Control gang. He later became a rangefinder Operator. He describes both of these positions, and life aboard the ship in general. The Detroit was moored at her base with the USS Raleigh (CL-7) and the USS Utah (B… more
Date: December 5, 2008
Duration: 1 hour 19 minutes 16 seconds
Creator: Herriford, Arthur
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Arthur Rees, December 6, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arthur Rees. Rees joined the Marine Corps in October 1941 and received basic training in San Diego. After training a few platoons as a drill instructor, he was transferred to Combat Engineers as a crane operator. He improved the airstrip at Guadalcanal and transferred supplies from LCTs to amphibious vehicles at Guam. He arrived at Iwo Jima just after D-Day and left for the States two weeks later. Although he was never on th… more
Date: December 6, 2008
Duration: 20 minutes 09 seconds
Creator: Rees, Arthur
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Avery Willis, December 5, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Avery Willis. Willis left the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and joined the Navy in 1935. After training, he was assigned to the engine room of the USS Nevada (BB-36) as a machinist’s mate. On the morning of 7 December, he was filling in as an engineer on the motor launch. When the initial attack passed, he assumed his station in the engine room just before the ship got underway. Thinking he might be safer on a submarine,… more
Date: December 5, 2008
Duration: 1 hour 55 minutes 58 seconds
Creator: Willis, Avery
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Bernard Campbell, December 6, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernard Campbell. Campbell joined the Navy in May 1941 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was sent to the submarine base at Pearl Harbor, where he became a barber. During the attack on 7 December, he was assigned to an officer, as his foot messenger. He recalls that American planes were shot down by friendly fire later that evening, before personnel were quickly advised on nighttime Identify Friend… more
Date: December 6, 2008
Duration: 39 minutes
Creator: Campbell, Bernard
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Bernard Comito, December 5, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernard Comito. Comito joined the Navy in September 1941 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was sent to Kaneohe Bay Naval Air Station as a seaman. During the attack on Pearl Harbor, he fired a Lewis gun, despite having only learned to shoot a carbine. After the bombing, he and a group of soldiers stood watch until the following morning, expecting to be invaded. He recalls that American planes were … more
Date: December 5, 2008
Duration: 52 minutes 45 seconds
Creator: Comito, Bernard
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Bernard Kuse, June 10, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bernard Kuse. Kuse joined the Army Air Forces in August of 1942. He served as a radio operator with the B-17 bombers in the 601st Bomb Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. They were assigned to Nuthampstead, England. Kuse flew 36 combat missions over occupied Europe from August through December of 1944. They traveled to Bastogne, Germany and Czechoslovakia. During his missions, he sustained one minor flak wound, and was an … more
Date: June 10, 2008
Duration: 1 hour 29 minutes 09 seconds
Creator: Kuse, Bernard
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Bernard Rubien, December 5, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernard Rubien. Rubien joined the Army Air Corps after his 22nd birthday and received basic training at Fort Slocum. Upon completion, he was assigned as a clerk typist to bomb squadrons at Hickam Field. He was then transferred to Hawaiian Air Command headquarters. On 7 December 1941 he received a distress signal from Wake Island via teletype. With Pearl Harbor also under attack, Rubien quickly set about burning classified do… more
Date: December 5, 2008
Duration: 37 minutes 15 seconds
Creator: Rubien, Bernard
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Bernice Loewe, January 29, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernice Loewe. Loewe was an aircraft fabric and leather worker at Scott Air Force Base between 1943 and 1953. She replaced fabric on ailerons from B-17s and B-24s. Other of her duties included repairing flight jackets, boots, and bags, and fitting helmets with cups to house receivers for the radiomen. Just before D-Day, she went out to the air strip to make a repair onsite. There she was met with a long row of idling B-17s, … more
Date: January 29, 2008
Duration: 25 minutes 39 seconds
Creator: Loewe, Bernice
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Bob Hurmence, November 17, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bob Hurmence. Hurmence joined the Navy in May of 1944. Beginning March of 1945, he served as a Radio Operator aboard the USS Iowa (BB-61). They participated in the Battle of Okinawa, and served with occupation forces in Japan after the war. Hurmence returned to the US and was discharged in 1946.
Date: November 17, 2008
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes 03 seconds
Creator: Hurmence, Bob
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Burdell Cobb, December 6, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Burdell Cobb. Cobb joined the Navy after graduating high school in 1940. Upon completion of basic training, he was assigned to USS Concord (CL-10) and then transferred to an aviation squadron on Ford Island. On 7 December 1941, Cobb was on the flight line when he heard an explosion and saw smoke rising from his hangar, prompting him to sound the fire alarm. Soon, a plane emerged from the smoke and flew towards Cobb, strafing… more
Date: December 6, 2008
Duration: 1 hour 3 minutes 40 seconds
Creator: Cobb, Burdell
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Buster Simmons, May 28, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Buster Simmons. Simmons joined the Army National Guard in September of 1940. He served as a combat medic with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division throughout the European theater. He provides some details of his basic and medical training. By 1942 Simmons had worked up to Staff Sergeant and was assigned to Camp Blanding, Florida. After 7 December 1941 their camp began receiving casualties, sending out replacement t… more
Date: May 28, 2008
Duration: 2 hours 39 minutes 28 seconds
Creator: Simmons, Buster
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with C. Everette Smith, May 29, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with C Everette Smith. Smith joined the Navy in September of 1943. He completed Hospital Corpsman School. He was assigned as a corpsman aboard LST 291. In March of 1944 they traveled to England. They participated in the Normandy landings off Omaha Beach in June of 1944. They made 26 trips to France, treating many casualties with basic First Aid in their small hospital aboard ship. Smith provides vivid details of his experiences aboard… more
Date: May 29, 2008
Duration: 1 hour 8 minutes 39 seconds
Creator: Smith, C. Everette
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Carl Woods, May 13, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carl Woods. Woods was born on a homestead in Phillips County, Montana into a family of nine children. He comments on family life during the Great Depression. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and went to boot training at Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Illinois. He was then selected to attend hospital corpsman school and describes the training and medical experience he gained before volunteering for submarine duty. After a… more
Date: May 13, 2008
Duration: 1 hour 16 minutes 40 seconds
Creator: Woods, Carl
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Carrol Davidson, April 12, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Carrol Davidson. Davidson joined the Navy in November of 1944. He served in the Armed Guard as gun captain of the twin 3-inch .50 calibers aboard the SS Howell Lykes (1940). Beginning in February of 1945 they transported troops to New Guinea. They also traveled to Australia and picked up a group of Australian Rangers and delivered them to Borneo. He provides details of his travels over the Pacific, including firing at Japanese pl… more
Date: April 12, 2008
Duration: 2 hours 16 minutes 46 seconds
Creator: Davidson, Carrol
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Charles Butterworth, April 9, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific Ware presents an oral interview with Charles Butterworth. Butterworth was born in Anderson, South Carolina. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Notre Dame. In May 1939, he quit college and joined the Army Air Corps. After attending flight engineering and gunnery schools, he was assigned as flight engineer on a B-17 piloted by Emmett “Rosie” O’Donnell. He arrived at Manila, Philippine Islands on 28 August 1941 where he was assigned … more
Date: April 9, 2008
Duration: 1 hour 31 minutes 02 seconds
Creator: Butterworth, Charles M.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Charles Ide, December 6, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Ide. Ide???s father completed the Naval ROTC program at the University of California at Berkley while Admiral Chester Nimitz was there. His father was among Nimitz???s first students. His father joined the Naval Reserve and became a Lieutenant in1940. His father was assigned as skipper of a net tender and he and his family of six headed to Pearl Harbor. They lived at the officer???s quarters. Charles provides some details… more
Date: December 6, 2008
Duration: 43 minutes 34 seconds
Creator: Ide, Charles
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Charles Misenhimer, January 18, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Misenheimer. Misenheimer served in the Army from March to October of 1944. He completed basic training and went to the 99th Division. In October of 1944 he received an appointment to the Naval Academy in Annapolis and was discharged from the Army. He provides some details of his experiences at the Navy Academy Preparatory School. In early 1945 Misenheimer was assigned to the USS Midway (CV-41), as the carrier was initiall… more
Date: January 18, 2008
Duration: 27 minutes 48 seconds
Creator: Misenhimer, Charles
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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Oral History Interview with Charles Woodruff, September 10, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Woodruff. Woodruff joined the Navy in January 1943 and received basic training at Great Lakes. He was then trained on small amphibious landing craft at Little Creek. Upon completion, he was assigned to USS LST-218 as coxswain of an LCVP and was sent to Tarawa. Once the island was secured, he carried a load of construction equipment and personnel to shore, returning with a few casualties, as there was a doctor on the … more
Date: September 10, 2008
Duration: 27 minutes 07 seconds
Creator: Woodruff, Charles
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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