National Museum of the Pacific War - 388 Matching Results

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Oral History Interview with Floyd R. Thomas, February 18, 2009
Interview with Floyd R. Thomas of El Paso, Texas, who is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces during World War II. In the interview, Mr. Thomas recalls memories from before the war as well as his time in the military, including his training in Oregon and Hawaii, attacks on Okinawa, and various battle scenes.
Oral History Interview with Maurice Stamps, March 18, 2009
Interview with Maurice Stamps, a serviceman in the U. S. Army during World War II. Stamps discusses growing up on a farm in Iowa, joining the army, going to Hawaii and staying at Schofield Barracks. He was assigned to the Classification/Assignment section at Fort Shafter without ever having basic training. He was later assigned to the Message Center at Ft. Shafter. He remembers his correspondence with his girlfriend Enid, whom he married upon his discharge in 1946.
Oral History Interview with Gilberto S. Trevino, February 18, 2005
Interview with Gilberto S. Trevino, a U. S. Marine during World War II. He attended Texas A&M before serving in the Marine Corps. He was in the 28th Replacement Battalion when he was assigned to the 3d Marine Division and deployed to Iwo Jima. He discusses his first impressions of landing on the island. He describes the constructed Japanese defenses on the island and the use of Japanese Nisei interpreters to convince defenders to surrender. He returned to Texas A&M where he was in the Corps of Cadets (ROTC) and accepted his commission in the Army in time to serve in Korea. He eventually earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Texas A&M and a doctorate degree in pathology from Michigan State University. He retired from service in 1976 with the rank of colonel.
Oral History Interview with Floyd R. Thomas, February 18, 2009
Interview with Floyd R. Thomas, a serviceman in the U. S. Army during World War II. He discusses his childhood and education at Peacock Military Academy. He then joined the army and spent time in Okinawa during and after the war. He recalls being a surgical technician and working with Japanese civilians after the surrender, meeting his wife, and working for saw mills as a salesman and a pilot. He remembers stealing pineapples on Hawaii and getting diarrhea, being treated for jungle rot, selling old Japanese army blankets to civilians, and shipping silk bolts and sabers back home.
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - November 18, 1944]
Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including the weather and the fact that she has been taking the bus to Gonzales because her car needs new tires. She also congratulates him on his promotion and asks if he liked the Christmas gifts she sent him, as well as letting him know about things that he should expect from others.
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 18, 1944]
Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing a picture he is sending her, drinking whiskey with his crew, and the weather.
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - September 18, 1944]
Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the weather, his birthday celebration, the mail service, and seeing the movie "The Pied Piper."
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - August 18, 1944]
Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing his chat with the Major, Captain, and Lieutenant, discussing Texas geography and golf.
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - July 18, 1944]
Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the events his trip into town on a three day pass, including sleeping by the ocean, going swimming, and having a few drinks with other men in his squadron.
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - June 18, 1944]
Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing going to 7th Air Corps gunnery school, the mail service, getting a haircut, and seeing a good baseball game.
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - March 18, 1945]
Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing his guilt at not writing her, his sympathy for Mrs. Dawe's injury, his plans to move out of Luling when he returns home, and visiting Walter.
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - February 18, 1945]
Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service, the package he received from Annie and Doug, and being glad the Catherine got the car fixed up.
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - January 18, 1945]
Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service, wishing he could play card games with Catherine and their friends, encouraging Catherine to be careful during her flying lessons, and seeing the movie "Going My Way."
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - May 18, 1944]
Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing his travel plans. Joe expects to be on a train for five days, but does not know his destination. Joe tells Catherine that he will not be able to send her letters while he is traveling. A portion of text has been removed from the letter.
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - February 18, 1945]
Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing her return from her trip to Gonzales, her pride at the number of missions he has completed, a dress she is sewing, and a visit with Walter's wife, Missie.
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - May 18, 1944]
Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including a carnival in Seguin she attended with Betsy and the fact that she overspent by $15.
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - October 18, 1944]
Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including her day cleaning the house, plans to see a movie with Evelyn, and an update on the World Series game.
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - August 18, 1944]
Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including playing golf, updates from her friends on their partners' locations in the war, and a water line breaking in front of the house.
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - July 18, 1944]
Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe reminding him to ask for a package so that she can get past the mail restriction and send him something in time for his birthday. Catherine also discusses news from home, including plans for a trip to Gonzales with Sue Merle, supper at Weston's where she saw baby Sybil, and the money she has deposited into their special account.
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - September 1944]
Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including her private celebration of Joe's birthday, visiting Charlotte at home, going dancing, and plans for dinner with Mammy.
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - December 18, 1944]
Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including going home and seeing Jessie on Saturday, giving Teddy, their dog, his worm pill, plans for Honey to take his physical on Wednesday, and James joining the Merchant Marines.
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - January 18, 1945]
Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including a late night playing games and drinking with friends, plans for lunch with Jenny, and depositing $500 in a savings account in Houston with better interest.
Oral History Interview with George McColm, March 18, 1995
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George McColm. McColm was born on a farm in Kansas in 1911. In 1928, he was selected to go to Washington, DC where he met President Herbert Hoover and his wife. Graduating from Kansas State College in Manhattan in 1935 he began studying terrain, weather and demand in crop growing. He tells of recognition and honors he received in the agricultural field. Soon after the war with Japan began, he was offered a commission in the US Navy to participate in a special classified project. At the time, he was in charge of crops at the Topaz War Relocation Center in Utah. McColm shares many of his experiences with the Japanese internees and expresses his opinion of the people he worked with. Upon being inducted, he went to Tucson, Arizona for boot training and then to Princeton University Naval School of Military Government. Upon completion of the training he was sent to the Civil Affairs staging area at the Presidio of Monterey, California. Upon his arrival he was assigned to a Top Secret staff working on the plans for the invasion and occupation of Japan. He concludes the interview with a discussion of how crops and weather were taken into consideration in these discussions.
Oral History Interview with Frank Tremaine, March 18, 1995
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Tremaine. Tremaine was born in Detroit, Michigan 30 May 1914. Following his graduation from Stanford University in 1936 he went to work for United Press. Following assignments in various cities he was transferred to Honolulu as the local bureau manager in 1940. He interviewed General Walter Short in November 1941 about the defense of Oahu in the event of attack by Japanese forces. Tremaine recalls witnessing the attack on Pearl Harbor and dictating messages for transmission to the United Press office in San Francisco telling of the Japanese attack. He remarks on the chaotic conditions in downtown Honolulu and of dud American anti-aircraft shells falling throughout the island. He also mentions police and military authorities rounding up Japanese Americans to be sent to internment camps. He eventually relocated to Admiral William H. Halsey’s headquarters at Noumea, New Caledonia, where he covered the war. He also covered the war from Admiral Nimitz’s headquarters on Guam. He was unable to report on the conflict on Saipan between Marine General Holland Smith and Army General Ralph C. Smith due to censorship restrictions. H report on the experiences of Ensign George Gay at the Battle of Midway was also censored until Admiral Nimitz reversed the censor’s decision. Tremaine also mentions reporting the death of Admiral Yamamoto. He mentions his observation of the destruction of Tokyo after the war and his attending the signing of the surrender ceremony aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63).
Oral History Interview with Laurence Norris, August 18, 2001
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Laurence Norris. Norris joined the Marine Corps in November of 1943. He trained as a raider on New Caledonia, joined the 1st Marine Division at Guadalcanal and served in the Pacific for the remainder of the war. He fought during the Battle of Peleliu, and recalls beginning with 64 men in his platoon and after eight days of fighting, there were only 13 men remaining, including himself. Norris also participated in the Battle of Okinawa. Norris served with the Honor Guard at the 2 September 1945 surrender signing. He returned to the US and was discharged in April of 1946.
Oral History Interview with Peter Bourgeois, January 18, 2002
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Peter Bourgeois. Bourgeois joined the Army in July of 1943 and served with the Medical Corps. In December of 1944 he was assigned to the 96th Infantry Division and participated in the liberation of Leyte and Okinawa. He provides details of working as a Combat Medic with L Company, and caring for wounded soldiers on the battlefield. He also served as a rifleman at Okinawa. He was discharged in January of 1946.
Oral History Interview with Clinton Jennings, March 18, 2002
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Clinton Jennings. Jennings joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937. He joined the Army in the spring of 1941. He completed training on the Island of Corregidor and served as Battery Clerk with the 59th Coast Artillery, K Battery. He describes how his unit responded to the attack on the Philippines in December of 1941, enduring bombings and raids by Japanese fighter planes. Jennings and his unit surrendered on 6 May 1942, and were taken to the 92nd Garage for sea planes, and then on to the Bilibid Prison. They traveled by French cattle cars on the railway to a prison camp called Bongabon, northeast of Cabanatuan. He remained there for several months, then moved to Cabanatuan prison camp for two and a half years, helping bury the dead, setting up a small hospital and planting a farm. Jennings shares vivid details of life in the camps, his work, their living and food accommodations, illnesses amongst the prisoners and interactions with the guards. In 1944 he was transported to Japan where he worked in a coal mine. He was rescued in September of 1945 and returned to the US.
Oral History Interview with Andy Miller, May 18, 2002
The National Museum of the Pacific Ware presents an oral interview with Andy Miller. Miller was born in Miller, South Dakota 15 March 1924. He graduated from high school in 1938 and enlisted in the US Army Air Corps 23 July 1941. He arrived at Manila, Philippine Islands on 28 August 1941 where he was assigned to the 19th Airbase Squadron stationed at Nichols Field. Starting on 9 December 1941, Nichols Field was bombed by the Japanese daily throughout the month. On 24 December Miller boarded the inter-island steamer MS McTane and went to Mariveles Harbor at Bataan. There he was given an infantry assignment in the Reserve Resistance Line as a member of a machinegun team. He recalls the lack of adequate food supplies as well as the shortage of medical supplies. He recalls taking a small boat to flee the area and of being picked up by a US Navy patrol boat and taken to Corregidor on 10 April 1941. Upon his arrival he was assigned to the 4th Marine Regiment 3rd Battalion for beach defense. He remembers on 7 May 1942 he was told to report to the 92nd Garage Area near Manila Hill. There he became a prisoner of war of the Japanese.
Oral History Interview with John Cook, May 18, 2002
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John M Cook. Cook joined the Army in September of 1940. In October of 1941, he traveled to the Philippines. He was assigned to Fort William McKinley in Manila, to receive training in field operations for the Medical Corps. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Cook was captured by the Japanese and interned from January of 1942 in Cabanatuan prison camp through his liberation in early 1945. After the war, he continued medical services in the Army and was discharged in August of 1961.
Oral History Interview with Ferdinand Rosenfeld, April 18, 2002
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ferdinand Rosenfeld. Rosenfeld joined the Army in April of 1941. He was assigned to the 601st Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, and worked as the Supply Sergeant for the gun battery. They were stationed at Fort Bliss when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred. In the fall of 1942, Rosenfeld was then transferred to the Philadelphia Navy Yard, assigned to Battery A. Their assignment was to protect the Navy Yard. In the fall of 1944, he joined the 950th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion and participated in the New Guinea Campaign. Rosenfeld returned to the US and was discharged in December of 1945.
Oral History Interview with Lester Tenney, May 18, 2002
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Lester Tenney. Tenney joined the Army National Guard and B Company, 192nd Tank Battalion in Illinois. His unit was mobilized and shipped out to the Philippines, arriving in November 1941. He was captured in April after the fall of Bataan and became a prisoner of war. He was eventually shipped to Japan and was encamped near Nagasaki. He recalls seeing the cloud from the atomic bomb attack. Tenney was liberated shortly thereafter, returned to the US and went to college.
Oral History Interview with R. Sumner, May 18, 2002
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with R. Sumner. Sumner was born in Portland, Oregon on 15 November 1921. He participated in the ROTC training program at Multnomah College in Portland and was commissioned a second lieutenant in May 1942. Soon after being commissioned he was assigned to the 31st Infantry Division, 167th Infantry. In 1944 the regiment was sent to New Guinea. Soon after arriving he was selected to be a member of the Alamo Scouts (United States Army 6th Special Reconnaissance Unit) and began training at the Alamo Scouts Training Center. He describes the duties of the unit and tells of working in New Guinea, the Admiralty Islands and the Philippines. He recalls the use of Navy PT boats in landing and extricating during various recon missions. He also was involved in reconnoitering the area prior to the raid on the Cabanatuan Prison Camp in January 1945. Sumner returned to the United States and was training for Operation Coronet when Japan surrendered. He concludes the interview by briefly telling of his career up until he retired in 1972.
Oral History Interview with Bill Barnett, May 18, 2000
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Barnett. Barnett was born in the San Joaquin Valley on 17 June 1920. Upon graduation from high school in 1937, he entered the United States Naval Academy. After graduating from the Academy in December 1941, he was assigned to the gunnery department aboard the USS Helena (CL-50) which was being repaired after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. After being repaired the ship was sent to Espiritu Santos where it operated with a task force that included other cruisers and destroyers. Barnett was involved in a battle with a Japanese naval force in which a number of ships were sunk. After undergoing repairs in Sydney, Australia, the ship participated in the battle of Guadalcanal and was sunk in Kula Gulf in July 1943. He describes the sinking of the ship and how he exited the vessel. He was picked up by the USS Radford (DD-446) while other survivors made it to the island of Vella Lavella. He and other survivors were taken to Espiritu Santos where, after three weeks, they boarded a liberty ship and returned to the United States. He was then assigned to the USS Bataan (CVL-29) and participated in the invasions of Tarawa and Kwajalein. Barnett concludes the discussion by telling of various experiences and assignments following the end of World War II and his retirement in 1964.
Oral History Interview with John Unger, January 18, 2001
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Unger. Unger was born in 1920 in Austria and immigrated to Missouri when he was a child. In 1939, he joined the Navy and trained as a hospital corpsman. After various schools and duty stations in the US, Unger volunteered to go to Wake Island in late 1941. He recalls the Japanese assault on the island and his activities prior to being captured and made a prisoner of war. The Japanese used Unger to care for their wounded and eventually shipped all American military personnel to a POW camp China. Unger served in the camp hospital combatting illnesses such as dysentery and malaria. Sometime around early 1945, Unger and his bunch were shipped to Japan. Upon being liberated, Unger developed appendicitis and was taken aboard a hospital ship that returned to California. Unger also mentions being reunited with his wife and seeing his 4-year old son for the first time.
Oral History Interview with Roy Warren, November 18, 2002
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Roy Warren. Warren was a child when his father was stationed in Pearl Harbor in 1941 as a communications officer with the Navy. He tells of life as a 4th grader attending school on Ford Island and living in Little Makalapa. Warren recalls seeing the first wave of Japanese torpedo bombers flying over his house. He describes his experiences during the attack and the days afterward. Warren details the types of souvenirs that he collected during and after the battle. He describes sailors showing up at his house in wet uniforms. Warren mentions how his family stayed in Hawaii after the attack and how his mother ended up as a civilian employee for the Navy. Later in life he joined the Army when he grew up and describes some of his career highlights.
Oral History Interview with Bob Addobate, May 18, 2001
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bob Addobate. Addobate joined the Navy in June of 1941. Beginning in August, he served as a Signalman Second-Class aboard the USS Solace (AH-5), arriving in Pearl Harbor in October. They were docked in the Harbor when the Japanese attacked. From March to August of 1942 they traveled through the Pacific to Australia, and discharged patients. From August of 1942 through May of 1943, they cared for fleet casualties and servicemen wounded in the island campaigns. From June through August, they operated as a station hospital at Noumea, New Caledonia. In April of 1945, during a typhoon, Addobate had his leg crushed by a crane, which had to be amputated. He returned to the US and was medically discharged in January of 1946.
Oral History Interview with Warren S. Adams II, September 18, 2002
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Warren S. Adams II. The day after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Adams set aside his law career and joined the Marine Corps. Adams began his Marine career as an instructor, but wished for another assignment. He ended up on Saipan and describes his experiences there.
Oral History Interview with William W. Wright, October 18, 2002
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William W. Wright. He was born in Arlington, Virginia on 15 July 1918 and joined the Marine Corps Reserve in May 1938, receiving his commission in October 1941. In February 1942 he was sent to Camp Lejeune as the Executive Officer of I Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Division. Wright recalls boarding the MS John Ericsson in San Francisco and sailing to Wellington, New Zealand where they transferred cargo to the USS McCawley (APA-4) and practiced amphibious landings. He landed in the second wave at Guadalcanal on 7 August 1942 and his battalion guarded against a Japanese landing. Wright recounts his involvement in action over the ensuing months during which he was awarded the Silver Star. On 15 December 1942 he sailed to Brisbane, Australia where his unit was bivouacked for two weeks before an infestation of mosquitoes forced them to move to Melbourne. On 30 December 1943 his company participated in the landing at Cape Gloucester. He describes his experiences on New Britain and then recalls that he was transferred back to Camp Lejeune on 30 January 1944 where he spent the next year training recruits. When the war ended, he volunteered for duty in the 3rd Amphibious Corps as Commanding Officer of a Military Police company in Tinsen, China charged with accepting the surrender of Japanese forces in that area. In June 1950 Wright was recalled to active duty as a company commander in the 1st Marine Division, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines and took part in the landing at Inchon and subsequently at Wanson. He describes his involvement at the Chosin Reservoir and then taking ill and being evacuated to a hospital in Japan before returning to the States and resigning from the Marine Corps.
Oral History Interview with Richard Williams, August 18, 2003
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Williams. Williams was born in Chicago on 21 April 1925. After quitting school in the sixth grade, he worked with the Works Progress Administration. In 1942, he joined the Navy and went to Camp Perry, Virginia for six weeks of basic training. He was then sent to Eastport, Maine for six months before taking a troop train to California where he was assigned to the 136th Construction Battalion. There he had advanced infantry training as well as training on various tractors, bull dozers and other construction equipment. The unit then sailed for Guam where they were assigned to the 3rd Marine Division. Williams describes burying the dead, both Japanese and American, by covering them with dirt pushed by the bull dozers. He also tells of being on patrol and engaging Japanese infiltrators. While on Guam the unit built a hospital as well as runways for B-29 bombers. The unit remained on Guam until the invasion of Iwo Jima at which time they were assigned to the 5th Marine Division. Williams recalls clearing the beaches of wreckage and burying the dead with bull dozers. Following the surrender of Japan, the unit went to Yokosuka as part of the occupation forces. Williams remembers taking part in the liberation of the Allied prisoners of war in the Omori POW camp and describes the condition of the men. He remained in Japan until early 1946 when he returned to the United States and was discharged.
Oral History Interview with Harry G. Hadler, November 18, 2003
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harry G. Hadler. Hadler was born in Argonia, Kansas on 14 December 1919 and was drafted into the Army Air Corps on 1 January 1942. He had received his private pilot’s license through the Civilian Pilot Training Program while at Wichita State University. After completing his basic training he was enrolled in aircraft mechanics training at Sheppard Field in Wichita Falls, Texas. Advanced training in B-25s in Los Angeles followed. He was then transferred to Westover, Massachusetts and assigned to the 13th Bombardment Group (Medium) of the First Air Force as chief of a ground crew. Their mission supported anti-submarine patrols off the East Coast. In November 1942 he was accepted into Officer Candidate School and graduated on 20 January 1943, receiving his commission as second lieutenant. Hadler attended photo intelligence school and was assigned to a headquarters wing of the 2nd Air Force at Fort Biggs in El Paso, Texas. In March 1945 he was assigned to the 39th Bomb Group (Very Heavy) located in Guam, where he prepared bomb plots from aerial photographs for B-29 bombing missions over mainland Japan and Okinawa. In October 1945 he returned to the US and was released from active duty on 9 January 1946.
Oral History Interview with Walter Varnum, March 18, 2004
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Walter Varnum. Varnum joined the Navy in May, 1943 and was trained at Farragut, Idaho. After that, he went to the University of Illinois for diesel engine training. From there, Varnum headed for Little Creek, Virginia to amphibious training as a diesel engineer. He was assigned to an LCVP that had rocket attachments on the side and describes his trip across the Atlantic aboard an LST to Scotland, arriving in March 1944. Then they went to Portsmouth to train for the Normandy invasion. In England, Varnum was transferred to a different boat that relayed messages between ships. He travelled across the English Channel to Normandy aboard her. His boat was tied up to the USS Ancon (AGC-4) and he stayed aboard the Ancon until time to perform his message traffic duties. During the invasion of Southern France Varnum was back aboard a rocket boat. His sank. He returned to the US and was assigned to UST LST-1049 at Pittsburgh. He rode it down river to the Gulf of Mexico and took it to San Diego. Once in the Pacific, Varnum went to the Mariana Islands, the Philippines and then Japan after the war ended aboard the 1049. They also repatriated Japanese nationals back to Japan from various Pacific islands. Eventually, they hauled unused military equipment from the Philippines back to the US.
Oral History Interview with Paul Austin, September 18, 2004
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Paul Austin. Austin was born in Texas and grew up on farms before joining the Texas National Guard. When his unit, the 144th Infantry Regiment, was federalized, he became a member of the 36th Infantry Division. He was training at Camp Bowie, Texas, when he received word Pearl Harbor had been attacked. His unit was detached and went to Fort Lewis, Washington, where it was spread out along the coast watching for a Japanese invasion. Austin eventually went to Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a second lieutenant. He shipped overseas in September 1942. When he arrived in Hawaii, he was attached to the 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. After more training in Australia, his unit moved to New Guinea and participated in the Hollandia invasion. After securing airfields, Austin’s unit was transported to Biak. Their next assignment took them to Leyte for the invasion. After the Leyte campaign, Austin went to Luzon and was attached to the 38th Infantry Division. In May, 1945, Austin returned to the US on leave and was discharged later in October.
Oral History Interview with Michael Bak, September 18, 2004
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Michael Bak. Bak was born in Garfield, New Jersey on 14 March 1923. He joined the US Navy Reserve in 1942 and went to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station for ten months. He then attended quartermaster school for four months. Upon graduating, he was assigned to the USS Franks (DD-554). The ship was assigned to Division 94 along with the USS Haggard (DD-555), USS Hailey (DD-556) and USS Johnston (DD-557). After training in bombardment, torpedo and depth charge launching, the division went to Pearl Harbor. Bak was involved in the invasions of Tarawa and Kwajalein, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He saw the USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) get hit by a Japanese torpedo and recalls escorting the USS Washington (BB-56), damaged in a collision with the USS Indiana (BB-58), back to Pearl Harbor. The Franks was often designated a plane guard ship, assigned to rescue downed pilots. Bak describes the procedure. During the invasion of Okinawa, the Franks collided with the USS New Jersey (BB-62). The Franks’ captain died of injuries suffered during the accident and the ship went to Bremerton, Washington for major repairs. Bak describes being in a typhoon in December 1944. After being repaired in the United States, the ship proceeded to Eniwetok. While at sea, the crew received news Japan had surrendered. The Franks was one of the first ships to arrive in Tokyo Bay after the signing of the peace treaty and Bak describes going ashore. The ship returned to the United States during the latter part of 1945 and Bak was discharged 10 January 1946.
Oral History Interview with Doy Duncan, September 18, 2004
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Doy Duncan. He begins by speaking about finishing high school in Arkansas, looking for work, joining the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), enrolling in junior college, joining the Navy and evetually taking Civilian Pilot Training before being called into the Navy. His battalion commander at Preflight School at Chapel Hill, North Carolina was Gerald R. Ford, the future president. He passed and evetually made it into dive bomber training in Glenview, Illinois where he practiced carrier landings on Lake Michigan. Before shipping out, he was switched to a fighter unit assigned to the USS Kadashan Bay (CVE-76). Duncan speaks of attacking targets on Peleliu with napalm. Next, Duncan describes his actions at the Battle off Samar. He speaks of attacking the ships of the Japanese Fleet pursuing Taffy 3. His plane was damaged and he had to make a water landing. His plane sank too fast for him to retrieve his life raft and he saw sharks beginning to circle. A torpedo bomber flew over and tossed out a life raft for him. Duncan managed managed to paddle to Samar in a few days where he fell in with Filipino guerrillas led by an American who escaped capture in 1942 when Bataan and Corregidor fell. After three weeks, he was resuced and returned to his ship in time for the invasion of Mindoro. When the Kadashan bay was struck by a kamikaze, Duncan went to the USS Marcus Island (CVE-77). Eventually, he made his way back to his ship, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and got out of the military in September 1945.
Oral History Interview with I. S. Fellner, September 18, 2004
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with I.S. Fellner. Fellner joined the Navy in January of 1942. He was trained as a dive bomber pilot and went to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal in 1943. Fellner describes an emergency landing after being hit by flak over Bougainville. He then returned to the US and joined VB-13, attached to the USS Franklin (CV-13). Fellner describes another close call after a collision during a training mission. He discusses flying a photo reconnaissance mission over Peleliu and taking part on missions in support of the landings at Leyte. Fellner participated in an attack on the Japanese fleet at Surigao Straight and describes dive bombing a Japanese ship. He details the process of arming a bomb. Fellner discusses the kamikaze attack that damaged the Franklin. He returned to the US for shore duty and left the service soon after the surrender.
Oral History Interview with Aubrey Felder, September 18, 2004
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Aubrey Felder. Felder joined the Navy in February of 1943. He completed training and served as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate aboard the USS Wolverine (IX-64), a training ship at Naval Station Great Lakes. Beginning January of 1944 Felder worked aboard the USS Kadashan Bay (CVE-76). They participated in the battles of Peleliu, Leyte Gulf, Luzon and the Battle off Samar in the Philippine Sea. Their ship was hit by a kamikaze. Felder returned to the US and was discharged in early 1946.
Oral History Interview with Donald Goldstein, September 18, 2004
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Donald Goldstein. He gives overviews of background on the battles of Pearl Harbor and Leyete Gulf.
Oral History Interview with Don McNelly, September 18, 2004
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Don Mc Nelly. McNelly was born in Brookville, Ohio on 11 November 1920. After graduating from high school he attended the General Motors Institute, studying to be an engineer. Employed in defense work, he received draft deferments until 1944. During June 1944 he joined the US Navy and received a commission, as he was a graduate engineer. He joined the USS Kyne (DE-744) at Ulithi as a deck and engineer officer. The ship’s mission was to escort convoys and perform anti-submarine duties. During December 1944 the ship was involved in Typhoon Cobra. He describes the terror of being in the typhoon, which sank three other American destroyers. Soon after the Japanese surrender, the Kyne was ordered to Tokyo Bay. McNelly went into Tokyo and saw plenty of destruction. Soon after the signing of the Peace Treaty, the Kyne returned to the United States where it was placed in the Mothball Fleet at Green Cove Springs, Florida. Mc Nelly was discharged in May 1946.
Oral History Interview with Dean Moel, September 18, 2004
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dean Moel. Moel joined the Navy in September of 1943. He became a member of the commissioning crew of USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73). Moel was a crewman on a twin 40mm and describes coming under air attack. He describes in detail the Battle off Samar. Moel details seeing his ship get hit by battleship shells and the damage that resulted. He describes abandoning ship and his time in the water. Moel recalls seeing a Japanese ship pass by with its crewman at attention in an apparent sign of respect. He describes his rescue by an LCI and medical treatment that he received on an LST. Moel was eventually reassigned to a seaplane tender and discharged in 1946.
Oral History Interview with William Roy, September 18, 2004
The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Roy. Roy joined the Navy in 1939. He joined the engineering department on the USS Arkansas (BB-33). Roy practiced amphibious landings using the battleship motor launch alongside early Higgins landing craft. He was then sent to school to become a photographer’s mate. Roy was sent to the USS Yorktown (CV-5) where he operated motion picture cameras and worked in the photo lab. He mentions taking part in photo-reconnaissance missions over the Marshall and Gilbert islands. Roy describes his time on the bridge during the Battle of Coral Sea. He discusses how the captain maneuvered the ship to avoid incoming torpedoes. Roy details how the Yorktown was damaged and evacuated during the Battle of Midway. He describes how he was able to save three tins of film during the ordeal. Roy was then assigned as an instructor at the Naval School of Photography in Pensacola. He was then commissioned as an officer and went on to serve in intelligence and in the reserves.
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