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Oral History Interview with Al Flocke, October 22, 2000
Interview with Al Flocke, a radio operator during World War II. He discusses his flight training and being the radio operator on a B-24 bomber which did raids on Guam, Turk, Iwo Jima and other islands. He also relates anecdotes about food, rations, and living conditions on the islands.
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - August 22, 1944]
Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including plans to get a perm, the weather, and updates on family members.
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 22, 1944]
Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing missing church, having completed ten missions, and sympathizing with Bob's money troubles.
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - August 22, 1944]
Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing taking a test with Williams, responding to the contents of Catherine's last letter, and planning to write a letter to Dan.
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - July 22, 1944]
Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing playing bridge and rummy with other men in his squadron, writing letters to Raymond and J.D., an update that his squadron will soon be moving to another field, and plans to look for a watermelon.
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - June 22, 1944]
Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing his crewmates writing on the back of the letter he sent her previously, calling James Carter, and missing the spare time he had before his squadron started school.
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - May 22, 1944]
Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service, drinking with his friends the previous few nights, seeing a performance from Bob Hope and other stars, going on carnival rides, such as the "Big Dipper," and apologizing for being rushed when they spoke on the phone.
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - January 22, 1945]
Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing his crew having their picture taken in front of their plane, "Texas Kate," the mail service, hoping that the book "Frenchman's Creek" will be made into a film, and asking after Crockett.
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - June 22, 1944]
Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including Ina Clark divorcing Hugh to marry Ragsdale Nichols, and plans for her to go to San Antonio with May, Lorraine, and Missie.
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - September 22, 1944]
Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing what Catherine has heard of the warfront, including a letter from Jack Cope and a newspaper article about a marine who invaded Saipan. Catherine also asks that Joe tell her what he would like for Christmas.
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - December 22, 1944]
Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including plans to see Missie on Christmas afternoon, Honey passing his physical, and taking a plane ride in a Piper Cub with a former Captain in the Civil Air Patrol.
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - February 22, 1944]
Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing his leaving for Nevada, trying to find a place for her to stay if she visits, and drinking a few beers with other soldiers. A portion of text has been removed from the letter.
[Transcript of Letter from William N. Smith to Lt. Comdr. E. E. Roberts Jr. - January 22, 1944]
Handwritten letter from William Norman Smith to Lt. Comdr. E. E. Roberts, dated January 22, 1944. He writes to thank Roberts for writing to him about the death of his son Norman Smith. He enquires about getting more details of his son’s injuries and the significance of the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts in the war.
[Letter from William N. Smith to Lt. Comdr. E. E. Roberts Jr. - January 22, 1944]
Handwritten letter from William Norman Smith to Lt. Comdr. E. E. Roberts, dated January 22, 1944. He writes to thank Roberts for writing to him about the death of his son Norman Smith. He enquires about getting more details of his son’s injuries and the significance of the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts in the war.
[Transcript of Letter from Anna Satti to Lt. Comdr. Robert W. Copeland - February 22, 1945]
Handwritten letter from Anna Satti to LCDR Robert W. Copeland, dated February 22, 1945. Satti writes to thank Copeland for his letter to her family about the death of her brother, Tullio Joseph Serafini, who was killed in action during the Battle off Samar while serving on the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts. She speaks about her and Tullio’s relationship, quotes some of his letters, talks about his last visit home and the desire of his wife to have the body returned for burial.
[Letter from Anna Satti to Lt. Comdr. Robert W. Copeland - February 22, 1945]
Handwritten letter from Anna Satti to LCDR Robert W. Copeland, dated February 22, 1945. Satti writes to thank Copeland for his letter to her family about the death of her brother, Tullio Joseph Serafini, who was killed in action during the Battle off Samar while serving on the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts. She speaks about her and Tullio’s relationship, quotes some of his letters, talks about his last visit home and the desire of his wife to have the body returned for burial.
Oral History Interview with Orland J. ""Bud"" Harris, August 22, 2000
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Orland Harris. Harris went to Santa Anna, California for Aviation Cadet training in the Army Air Corps in 1942. He went to primary flying school in Visalia, California and then went to LaeMoore, California for more training. From there he went to replacement training units, flying the P-38, P-322 and P-39. Harris had take civilian pilot training for one year at college before he went into the service. He received his wings at Williams Field in Arizona 3 Nov 1943 and became an officer that day. He went to the South Pacific in a C-54, along wih about 30 other pilots, ending up in Nadzab, New Guinea with the 8th Fighter Group (part of the 5th Air Force). His P-38 missions included targets of opportunity around New Guinea, a cave on Corregidor and straffed ships on the way to Borneo, and the Philippines. Normally they flew cover missions for B-17s and B-24s but on occasion covered B-25s and A-20s. Harris was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) when he was flying out of Mindoro in the Philippines on a night mission (26 Dec 1944) attacking a Japanese task force coming down from the north to Mindoro. On one of his passes at two destroyers, he hit the superstructure on one of the destroyers and had to bail out. While in the water, he had some close calls with the Japanese destroyers he had been straffing but was rescued by a landing craft. Harris and one of his squadron mates were sent to Australia on R&R after their rescue. Harris was at Luke Field when the atomic bomb was dropped. There are two pictures (dated 1944) of Harris in the folder as well as a copy of his DFC.
Oral History Interview with Lone Star Legacy Program: Marcia Howe Bratusek and Marcile Howe Harrison, October 22, 2000
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Marcia Howe Bratusek and Marcile Howe Harrison. Twins Bratusek and Harrison grew up in San Antonio, Texas and participated in the local committee called the National Defense Recreation and Service Committee of San Antonio (similar to the USO). Born in 1932, they were nine in 1941 and 13 in 1945. They took dance lessons and their mother made them costumes. Their costumes were bought in Mexico. They took classes from Bertha Almaguer. During the war, they performed dances for military men as frequently as three nights a week. They performed at different bases and mention Dodge Field near Fort Sam Houston. They also had three brothers in the military. They had their pictures in National Geographic magazine. They also visited the military hospitals.
Oral History Interview with Ed Harrell, October 22, 2000
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ed Harrell. Harrell grew up in Kentucky and joined the Marine Corps in 1943. Once he finished training, he was assigned to the USS Indianapolis in 1944. His first encounter was in the Carolina Islands. He then went to Eniwetok Islands, Kwajalein Islands, Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. The next battle was the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot. Then the ship went on to Peleliu until the island was secured, and onto Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The ship protected other ships as well as invasion troops during the battles. At Okinawa, the ship was damaged by a kamikaze plane and went back to the United States for repairs. He discusses the kamikaze culture and his experience at a forty-millimeter gun when the kamikaze hit the USS Indianapolis. At the point, while in the United States, the ship was chosen to take the atomic bomb parts to Tinian. At San Francisco, he describes the acquiring of the atomic bomb materials without the knowledge of the Captain of the ship or the soldiers. Next, he describes the bombing of the USS Indianapolis and the aftermath. Harrell witnessed other soldiers drink salt water, hallucinate, be attacked by sharks, and die as they waited for rescuing. He survived in part by partnering with Lieutenant McKissick to avoid drinking salt water. He is picked up by pilot Adrian Marks, put on a ship, next the hospital ship USS Hollander, and then Guam. He then returned to the United States and is discharged in February 1946. He further discusses being part of a movement to exonerate Captain McVey. Finally, he mentions that he is forbidden from discussing his stories with his family of the sinking for two years.
Oral History Interview with Herman Billnitzer, October 22, 2000
Transcript of an oral interview with Herman Billnitzer. Mr Billnitzer was a Pharmacist Mate in the Navy and spent most of his time as a corpsman with the 1st Marine Division, landing on Guadalcanal in October 1942. He describes the conditions on Guadalcanal as well as the conditions of the sailors that were rescued from ships sunk in Iron Bottom Sound. Near the end of the year, the 1st Marine Division was relieved by the Army and went to Australia for about eight months. From there, they were shipped to New Guinea, Milne Bay, where they stayed for about three months. Then, they landed on New Britain. Billnitzer gives a gripping description of the front line fighting on New Britain including the counterattacks by the Japanese; very revealing of what went on there. After New Britain, he was shipped back to the base hospital at Cape Gloucester and then to Pavuvu (Russell Islands) before he came back to the States for rest and rehabilitation in 1944; after over 20 months in the South Pacific. Billnitzer was sent to the naval hospital at Corpus Christi and then to the west coast for training at San Bruno, California. He went to Sasebo, Japan for occupation duty for a couple months before being sent home for discharge. Throughout this oral history, Mr Billnitzer gives a detailed account of his life as a corpsman with the Marines in the South Pacific; very well done.
Oral History Interview with William A. Klenk, October 22, 2000
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William A. Klenk. He enlisted in the Navy in May 1942. He was accepted into the Naval Air Cadet Program and received his commission in June 1943. He talks about his qualifying carrier landings at NAS Glenview. He was assigned to U.S. Carrier Air Group 80 Dive Bomber Squadron United States. Navy. Bombing Squadron 80 (VB-80) on the USS Ticonderoga (CV-14). They joined the Third Fleet in Ulithi. He recalls various bombing locations in the South Pacific. He describes when the ship was hit by two kamikaze airplanes near Formosa. His air group was subsequently assigned to the USS Hancock (CV-19). He talks about making air strikes on Iwo Jima, Tokyo, and Okinawa. He describes making the trip back to the U.S. aboard various ships. He got out of the Navy in September 1945. After graduating from Penn State, he joined the Naval Reserve from which he retired in 1965. Kathryn Klenk remembers blackouts and rationing. She shares an anecdote about being married in bedroom slippers due to the rationing of shoes. William Klenk shares an anecdote about getting married despite the national holiday declared upon President Roosevelt’s death. He also comments on the supply lines in the Pacific Theater as well as experiencing a typhoon.
Oral History Interview with Wendell W. Fenn, October 22, 2000
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wendell W. Fenn. Born in 1922, he enlisted in the Regular Army in June 1940. He was assigned to the 1st Armored Division at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After his unit received one hundred motorcycles, he volunteered to take over the Motor Pool. He subsequently trained in the use of the cryptographic machine and was assigned to the Division Headquarters. He quickly advanced to the rank of Master Sergeant. He attended Officers’ Candidate School at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He describes social refinement training after receiving his commission. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne, 327th Glider Infantry and sent to England. He shares an anecdote about using glider boxes for living quarters. He describes his glider training as well as his additional duties as a Military Police Officer. He talks about landing in a glider in Normandy immediately prior to the D-Day invasion. He describes the capture of Sainte-Mère-Église. He shares an anecdote about flying an American flag there. He returned to England via Omaha Beach. He speaks of the grave registration unit located there. He describes participating in Operation Market Garden. In November 1944, he was evacuated to Rheims, France. He was sent to Bastogne and marched 1,100 prisoners of war from there to Leopoldsburg, Belgium. After the war he earned degrees in accounting and law with the aid of the GI Bill. He retired from the Army Reserves in 1982 with the rank of Brigadier General.
Oral History Interview with Al Flocke, October 22, 2000
Transcript of an oral interview with Al Flocke. He discusses his flight training and being the radio operator on a B-24 bomber which did raids on Guam, Turk, Iwo Jima and other islands. He also ancedotes about food, rations and living conditions on the islands.
Oral History Interview with Joseph Robeau, October 22, 2000
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jospeh Edward Robeau. While attending Texas A & M, Robeau joined the Army and was sent to Office rCandidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was commissioned in June 1944. In October, Robeau was assigned to a heavy weapons company in the 87th Infantry Division an dsailed for England. He was assigend to a 81mm mortar section and arrived in France in November 1944. He recalls the winter weather conditions during the Battle of the Bulge. In February, Robeau was wounded by German artillery. When he recovered, he was sent from the hospital in England back to Paris where he served on a courts martial board. When the war ended, Robeau returned to the US in 1946 and resumed his studies at Texas A & M.
Oral History Interview with Richard Donley, February 22, 1997
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Donley. Donley was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, 7 October 1923. After graduating from high school, he joined the Navy in 1942. He went to Fleet Torpedo School in San Diego following basic training. In September, he volunteered for PT boats and was sent to the Motor Torpedo Boat Training Center in Melville, Rhode Island. After training, he volunteered for assignment to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 15. He was assigned as a torpedoman to PT-202, which was loaded on a tanker and transported to Gibraltar. The boats were sent to Bone, Tunisia to augment the British Coastal Forces in North Africa. Their primary objective was to prevent movement of German forces by sea from North Africa to Sicily. Following the German surrender in North Africa, Donley’s squadron was engaged in screening Allied landing craft during the Sicily invasion. Later, while intercepting a convoy of eight German supply barges, Donley was wounded by shell fragments. He also describes the numerous shortcomings of the Mark VIII torpedo and his boat’s involvement in the invasion of Italy at Salerno. Donley also describes later operations out of Corsica, Elba and Naples while interdicting German F-lighters attempting to resupply Rome and Anzio. On several occasions he describes the importance of smoke screens to PT boats in evading enemy fire. He was relived in June 1944. His next assignment was as an instructor at Melville until February 1945 when he received orders to the Philippines. He was there at war’s end and returned in December 1945 and was discharged.
Oral History Interview with Alex Taylor, August 22, 2001
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alex Taylor. Taylor was born April 3, 1921 in Scott, Louisiana. He worked in the rice and cane fields during his youth before joining the Navy in 1939. He was sent to Norfolk, Virginia for boot camp and recalls being in a segregated navy. He was assigned as mess attendant on the USS Dobbin (AD-3). He recalls the attack on Pearl Harbor and his role as an ammunition handler below decks. Taylor was assigned to the USS Enterprise (CV-6) in 1942 as a mess cook 3rd class. He was later assigned as the officers cook and eventually promoted to chief cook. Taylor tells of two friends that died in battle aboard ship. He describes visiting Nagasaki after the Japanese surrender. He discusses the changes that occurred after desegregation of the Armed Forces was ordered. Mrs. Taylor tells of being a young woman traveling to Bremerton, Washington by train to be with her husband and then returning home when Alex’s ship went to sea. She tells of buying a home with the money out of an allotment check she received each month.
Oral History Interview with Ralph Moreland, October 22, 2000
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ralph Moreland. Moreland joined the Navy in March of 1944. He served aboard the USS Hope (AH-7), helping transport wounded servicemen to hospitals from the battles at Leyte and Iwo Jima. Moreland was in charge of the loading stations, hoisting a platform up and down helping to get men from shore to ship. He shares details of a kamikaze attack on their ship. Moreland also served aboard the USS Texas (BB-35) during the Battle of Okinawa.
Oral History Interview with Richard Sorenson, September 22, 2001
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Sorensen. Born in Anoka, Minnesota 28 March 1924, Sorensen joined the Marine Corps 13 December 1942. Upon completion of boot camp at San Diego, he was sent to Camp Pendleton and assigned to a machine gun squad in the 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines. He describes the equipment used in the machine gun squad, job assignments and special training they received. Sorenson went aboard the USS Wayne (APA-54) on 13 January 1944, as part of a large task force. There, he learned the objectives for when they would land on Kwajalein (1 February 1944). He recalls in detail the equipment and munitions assigned to each marine. He described the landing and his personal actions for which he received the Medal of Honor. As a result of being wounded, Sorenson was shipped to the Naval Hospital in Hawaii where he had six operations. In May 1944 he was sent to the Seattle Naval Hospital. He was awarded the Medal of Honor on 19 July 1944. After recovering, he participated in war bond drives and describes the strenuous work and long hours involved. In April, 1945 he was sent to Fargo, North Dakota as a recruiter. Following another hospital stay, he was discharged from active service 23 February 1946. Sorenson remained in the Reserves and was recalled back to active service in 1951. He left the Marine Corps in November 1955.
Oral History Interview with Robert Marshall, September 22, 2001
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Marshall. Marshall was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania July 20, 1918. He joined the Naval Reserve in 1936. In 1940 his unit was called to active duty. He entered Midshipman’s school. He tells of being hospitalized for encephalitis and hearing of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Marshall received a discharge from the service against his wishes. He was reinstated in March 1943 and assigned as an instructor to a construction battalion where he met Draper Kauffman. Marshall was then assigned to a newly formed underwater demolition team (UDT) and describes the strenuous training conditions. Upon completion of training, Marshall was assigned to UDT team #5. He tells of UDT actions on Saipan the day prior to the Allied invasion and UDT team casualties.
Oral History Interview with Fred Haynes, September 22, 2001
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Haynes. Haynes was born in Dallas 5 January 1921 and upon graduation from Southern Methodist University, he joined the Marine Corps, training at Quantico in February 1942. Upon completion, he spent two years training incoming junior officers at Quantico. His next duty assignment was as an infantry member of the 28th Regiment, 5th Marines, conducting training at Camp Pendleton and on Hawaii. Haynes’ regiment was sent to Iwo Jima in February 1945. He observed the original flag-raising on Mount Suribachi and describes the machinations that resulted in the second flag-raising. He describes the battle in great detail until it ended in late March and his regiment was sent back to Hawaii to train for the invasion of Japan. When the war ended, his division was sent to Nagasaki and Sasebo as part of the occupation force. When the 5th Marine Division went back to the States in October 1945, Haynes was transferred to the 2nd Marine Division, where he served as a member of the occupation force on Kyushu. After a few months, he returned to Washington and decided to remain in the Corps. He was assigned to intelligence at Marine Corps Headquarters. His next assignment was as an instructor in the Naval ROTC program until 1952 when he was sent to Korea as executive officer of an infantry battalion. He then describes the remainder of his career continuing through the Vietnam War. Haynes retired as a major general.
Oral History Interview with Edward Bale, September 22, 2001
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Bale. Bale was born in Dallas, Texas on 19 March 1920. He attended Texas A & M University and upon graduation received a commission in the United States Marine Corps. In 1943 he was assigned to 1st Medium Tank Battalion as commanding officer of Company C. Bale expresses criticism of the training received in tank maneuvers for it lacked liaison with infantry and artillery units, which led to difficulties during actual combat. In November 1943 the battalion was loaded onto the USS Ashland (LSD-1) and embarked on the invasion of Tarawa. He discusses the difficulties in landing the tanks, combat conditions and heavy casualties encountered at Tarawa. Following refit and training on the island of Hawaii, the unit was assigned to the 8th Marine Regiment and landed on Saipan June 1944. He describes the civilians committing suicide by jumping off the cliffs of the island. Following action in the Mariana Islands, Bale’s unit was assigned to the 1st Marine Division during the Okinawa campaign. Bale tells of the death of General Simon B. Buckner. After the surrender of Japan he was transferred to division headquarters as Provost Marshall of Nagasaki and he discusses some of the problems encountered while holding this position. Having served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, Bale retired as a full colonel from the Marine Corps.
Oral History Interview with Otha Grisham, September 22, 2001
Transcript of an oral interview with Otha Grisham. He was born in Moran, Texas and enlisted in Marine Corps Officer Candidate Program on November 3rd, 1942 while still attending Southwest Texas Teacher?s College. Upon graduation in August, 1943 he went to boot camp followed by Officer Training School. Upon graduation from OTS in June 1944, he sailed to Guadalcanal. He was assigned to the First Marine Division, 6th Amphibian Tractor Battalion, preparing for the invasion of Peleliu. Following two months of training, he was part of the fifth wave of the invasion forces on September 15, 1944, where he was leader of a platoon with nine amphibian tractors. He describes the Marine Corps experimenting with using flame throwers in an amphibious tractor. Following Peleliu, he was transferred to Saipan where he was assigned to the Second Amphibian Tractor Battalion, Second Marine Division, in training for the invasion of Okinawa. After participating in two landings at Okinawa, he returned to Saipan to train for the invasion of Japan. Following the Japanese surrender in August 1945, he returned to the States in November 1945, where he was transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve and retired in 1976.
Oral History Interview with Donald O. Dencker, September 22, 2001
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Donald O. Dencker. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 25, 1924. Upon graduation from high school in February, 1943 he joined the Army. In March 1944 after attending Army Corps of Engineers school, he was assigned to the 96th Infantry Division. He witnessed the explosion of a munition ship in Port Chicago, California. Eventually he departed Pearl Harbor embarked upon USS LST-745 sailing to Leyte Island in the Philippines. He recalls several anecdotes during the transit and landing on Leyte Island in October, 1944. He recalls gunfire support from a destroyer that was off target, resulting in six casualties from white phosphorus as well as a Japanese suicide attack on his company that resulted in 75 enemy killed. His unit was then sent to Okinawa on April 1, 1945. He remembers that his 3rd Battalion had so many casualties that it was relieved and sent to guard Kadena Airfield. He recounts the many nights of shelling at the airfield followed by assaults on Japanese positions in which he lost four company commanders and many of his fellow soldiers, including several close friends. His company had sustained over 300 casualties. In January, 1946 he returned to the States on a Merchant Marine victory ship. He remained in the Army, was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and was assigned to SCARWAF (Special Category Army with Air Force) as a Civil Engineer. Upon returning from Korea, he served a stint in the Minnesota National Guard in 1958.
Oral History Interview with Grace Carr, August 22, 2001
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Grace Carr. She graduated from the University of Illinois in 1942 and accepted a job with Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica, California, where most of the C-47s flown in World War II were made. She recalls that the factory was covered with netting which acted as camouflage from the air. She also remembers gas rationing, difficulty finding new tires and having to drive with parking lights at night to avoid disclosing the factory to enemy aircraft. She left Douglas to work at Los Angeles Shipbuilding and Drydock Corporation, as the Head of Payroll. The shipyard repaired ships damaged in the war and she recalls one Russian ship with both males and females onboard.
Oral History Interview with James Carr, August 22, 2001
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Carr. He was born in Benton County, Indiana on February 17, 1914. Upon graduation from high school in 1932 he hopped a freight train to California. He enlisted in the 38th Infantry Division, Indiana National Guard in December 1940. After Pearl Harbor he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and transferred to the 30th Infantry Division. He embarked on the troopship SS Brazil for the transit to England, during which he recounts several experiences. He remembers London, including bombings by the German Luftwaffe and V-1 flying bombs. He was placed in charge of the motor pool and joined the invasion of France six days after D-Day. He describes the ensuing confusion and his company getting separated from the Regiment. During a battle he recalls observing General Bradley arriving to discuss whether Carr's regimental commander should be court-martialed for refusing to follow an order that he considered suicidal. The commander was exonerated, but was transferred to another battalion. Eventually his regiment joined up at the Battle of the Bulge, where they remained just outside the front lines providing and maintaining vehicles used in the assault. After the battle, Carr recounts that his unit was sent to stop surrendering German soldiers from crossing a river not far from Berlin. He recalls that at the end of the war, he remained in Germany. He recalls General Patton giving an address to several thousand men, including his unit in a field. Eventually he was embarked on the USS General W. M. Black (AP-135) to return home. He recalls an anecdote in that gambling was forbidden on the ship, and nevertheless games occured all over the ship and at least one soldier became spectacularly rich. He also remembers that he left the …
Oral History Interview with Weldon Sherrard, August 22, 2001
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Weldon Sherrard. Sherrard joined the Navy in July of 1942. Beginning in December, he served as a First-Class Machinist Mate with a special construction battalion at Guadalcanal, New Zealand and Japan. With little to no access from ship to shore to unload supplies, Sherrard’s battalion was assigned the unloading of ships with the help of pontoon barges. He also worked as an oiler and crane operator. They were the first battalion created to complete this type of work. He was discharged in January of 1946.
Oral History Interview with Norman Moise, September 22, 2001
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Norman Moise. Moise was born in New Orleans in 1923. After graduating from high school he joined the Marine Corps on 10 December 1941. He trained at San Diego and received specialty training for assignment as a crewman on amphibious vehicles known as LVTs (Landing Vehicle, Tracked). As a member of the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion he observed the action from the USS President Jackson (AP-37, later APA-18) during the Battle of Savo Island on the night of 8 August 1942. The President Jackson withdrew from the area but returned to Guadalcanal three weeks later where the LVTs were unloaded, parked and the crews were sent to the front lines with machine guns. After six months in the Solomons, he was sent to New Zealand where the LVTs were converted to attack vehicles. Moise landed Marines at Tarawa and was wounded when his Amtrac was damaged. He was taken aboard the USS Harry Lee (APA-10), and then transferred to the USS Solace (AH-5), which returned to Hawaii. By December, 1943, Moise was returned to the US and spent nine months in a hospital in Oakland, but never fully recovered from the wounds to his left arm. Due to his physical limitations he was unable to return to combat. Instead, he was transferred to Camp Pendleton to train recruits in operating amphibious vehicles. He recalls that, after four months at Camp Pendleton, he was transferred to the Naval Ammunition Depot at Bremerton and was discharged on 22 March 1944.
Oral History Interview with Iliff D. Richardson, February 22, 1997
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Iliff Richardson. Richardson was commissioned in the Navy in 1940 and assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3 as the executive officer of PT-34. After the loss of his boat in April 1942, he joined a band of Filipino guerrillas. Richardson tells of setting up radio transmitters and of the unusual features of the operations and equipment used. At the request of General Douglas MacArthur he plotted the Japanese mine fields in Leyte Gulf and he gives the details on how this was accomplished. Upon returning to the Philippines, General MacArthur met with Richardson on the USS Nashville (CL-43) and he describes the discussion. After returning to the United States, he had a seven hour meeting with Admiral Ernest J. King concerning pending court martial charges against him and tells of the outcome of the meeting. Richardson joined the Industrial Incentive Division of the Navy and he comments on his travels and speeches given to industry workers. [A copy of the manuscript written by Richardson during the war describing PT boat operations in the Philippines is in the archives of The National Museum of the Pacific War and available for viewing online in the museum’s World War II Documents Collection.]
Oral History Interview with William S. O'Donnell, July 22, 2002
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William S. O'Donnell. O'Donnell was working for Montgomery Ward in Chicago when he was drafted into the Army after the war got started. His aptitude with numbers led him to be assigned as a statistician in a Machine Records Unit (MRU). He went to Europe with the 39th MRU and was attached to General Patton's Third Army. He landed in Normandy, France 7 days after D-Day. His unit provided daily punch card analysis of unit strength in Patton's 3rd Army. O'Donnell was on an assignment in Paris when Germany surrendered. When the war ended, O'Donnell retunred home to Indiana.
Oral History Interview with Bill Sheehan, March 22, 2001
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bill Sheehan. Sheehan joined the Navy in June of 1933. Beginning October of 1943, he served as Quartermaster aboard USS Porterfield (DD-682). In February of 1944, they provided shore bombardment in the Marshalls. In April, they screened escort carriers during the Marianas invasion, and participated in the Guam Campaign in August. Sheehan provides details of their invasion of Saipan in June and Okinawa in April of 1945. He returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.
Oral History Interview with Don Lamanna, November 22, 2000
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Don Lamanna. Lamanna joined the Navy in November 1942 and was transferred to hospital corps school in Alabama, where he tended to casualties of flight training. He then attended field medical school at Camp Elliot. Upon completion, he was assigned to a medical battalion in the V Amphibious Corps where he worked as an orderly in hospitals. He landed on Saipan on the eighth day of the invasion and worked at an abandoned Japanese hospital there. He recalls the staff worked 96 hours straight, triaging the wounded before they were sent aboard hospital ships. Natives were also enlisted to help at the hospital. Lamanna returned to Maui and tended to the 4th Marine Division casualties at a hospital there. Next, he went to Iwo Jima and landed four days after the invasion. There the wounded were treated in tents on the beach. After working at a hospital in Sasebo, Japan, supporting the occupation forces, Lamanna boarded the ATA 197, picking up troops from the Philippines and China. He returned to the States and worked at the naval hospital in Oakland until his discharge in 1948.
Oral History Interview with James D. Dukes, October 22, 2002
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Dukes. Born in Alabama, Dukes quit school in 1937 to join the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). In March 1941, he joined the Marine Corps, and was sent to San Diego for boot camp. Dukes was then assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines where he received mortar training. On 6 June 1942, he boarded the SS Lurline bound for Pago Pago, Samoa. During November 1942 the unit merged with the 2nd Marine Division when they landed on Guadalcanal. He was assigned to the Matanikau River and tells of subsequent actions in which some of his men were killed. Dukes was wounded and sent to the Silver Stream Hospital in New Zealand. Following surgery, he was sent to the Oak Knoll Naval Hospital. Dukes struggled with malaria. Throughout the interview, he expresses his admiration for the people of New Zealand. He returned to the US and received his discharge on 12 August 1945.
Oral History Interview with Charles Mellon, August 22, 2003
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Mellon. Mellon joined the Army in March of 1944. He was assigned to the 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division, and participated in active duty through France and into the Siegfried Line in December. They continued their combat duty into Germany, and served on occupation duty after the war ended. Mellon returned to the US and was discharged in October of 1945.
Oral History Interview with Burl Martin, February 22, 2004
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Martin Burl. Burl joined the Army in 1943. He served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. In late 1943, Burl participated in the New Guinea Campaign. In February of 1945, he served in the Battle of Corregidor. He was discharged in December of 1945.
Oral History Interview with Irving Westbrook, April 22, 2004
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Irving Westbrook. Westbrook joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in early 1940 and went to Idaho. He joined the Navy in January 1942. When he finished training, he was assigned to a degaussing unit in New Orleans as a signalman. He asked to go overseas and was then trained to be a beach master with the Marines. After getting to the Southwest Pacific, Westbrook participated in the invasion of Leyte in October 1944. He remained on Leyte until December 1945, eventually serving as harbor master as he set up a communications station. When he left he Navy, Westbrook joined the Air Force.
Oral History Interview with Harold Angel, May 22, 2004
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ruth Fowler. Fowler was teaching in Big Spring, Texas, when she went out for the Civilian Pilot Training Program in 1939. She was accepted and was trained to fly. She evetually became an instructor. She also discusses rationing.
Oral History Interview with W. T. Appleton, May 22, 2004
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with W. T. Appleton. He enlisted in the Navy at the age of sixteen in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor. He describes being transported to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on the USS Shasta (AE-6). He was transferred to the USS Smith (DD-378) where he served as a member of a 5-inch gun crew. He talks about the role of the USS Smith in protecting the aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise (CV-6). He describes the crashing of a Japanese torpedo plane into the Smith and its aftermath. While serving on the Smith, he went to New Guinea and participated in the bombardment of locations such as Port Moresby, Finschhafen, and Buna in preparation for Marine landings. He recounts an attack by Japanese Betty Bombers and the deployment of a smoke screen for cover. He also discusses the sinking of the USS Hornet (CV-8). He returned to the United States where he was assigned to the USS Hank (DD-702) and sent again to the Pacific Theater. He describes kamikaze attacks while on the USS Hank near Taiwan. He also describes being on patrol in Japan after the atomic bombs were dropped. When the war ended he was discharged and went to work in the oil fields. He shares anecdotes about meals and on the USS Smith; leave in Hawaii and Australia; the shake-down cruise of the USS Hank; finding employment after the war; and meeting his wife. The interview also includes stories about growing up during the Great Depression as well as information about his children.
Oral History Interview with Richard D. Buehrle, May 22, 2004
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard D. Buehrle. He volunteered to join the Navy in 1943 after he graduated from high school. Expecting to have a permanent duty assignment in Australia, he was, instead, called to be a destroyer replacement sailor in New Guinea on the USS Smith (DD-378). He served first as a five-inch gun shell retriever, then as a signalman on the bridge. He relates the story of his selection as a signalman. He also describes living conditions aboard the ship, his clothing, as well as the mail service. He talks about his friendship with Donald Kent. He also mentions Captain Stout. He discusses an attempt to land Marines on Arawe. He describes an attack by Japanese aircraft and kamikazes in the Philippines. He shares anecdotes about Nagasaki and the Japanese surrender. He explains his reason for not remaining in the Navy after the war.
Oral History Interview with Eugene Tietjen, May 22, 2004
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Tietjen. Born in 1920, he joined the Navy in January 1940. He was first assigned to the USS Dixie (AD-14) destroyer tender. He was transferred to the USS Smith (DD-378) in February 1942 where he served as a machine gun loader as well as a gunner. He discusses the aftermath of the explosion on the Smith during the Battle of Santa Cruz. He describes the configuration of the artillery as well as the living conditions on the Smith. He was transferred to the USS Sicily (CVE-118) in 1946. After he was discharged from the Navy in December 1948, he became a mason.
Oral History Interview with Joseph and Vivian Malmstrom, May 22, 2004
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph and Vivian Malmstrom. Joseph Malmstrom joined the Navy in 1942. He served on the deck force aboard the USS Smith (DD-378). Malmstrom recalls when a Japanese torpedo plane crashed into their ship in October of 1942. In April of 1943 they traveled to Guadalcanal to perform antisubmarine patrols. In mid-1943 he was reassigned to the USS Casablanca (CVE-55). They served as a training ship for escort carrier crews. In late 1943 Malmstrom transferred to the USS Hornet (CV-12), where he served the remainder of the war. He remained in the Navy, and later served in the Korean War. He was discharged in 1952.
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