62 Matching Results

Search Results

Advanced search parameters have been applied.
transcript

Oral History Interview with John W. Finn, December 5, 2001

Description: Transcript of an oral interview with John W. Finn. Finn grew up in California and joined the Navy in 1926. He went through training. By 1941, he has been made Chief Petty Officer and is in the BP-14 squadron. This squadron arrived in Kaneohe Bay on the USS Enterprise in May 1941. Finn has become the Chief Ordnance and Bombsight man. He describes the Japanese bombing Kaneohe Bay just before Pearl Harbor. He took a gun outside and is exposed to Japanese strafing while he fires at the airplanes. H… more
Date: December 5, 2001
Duration: 1 hour 31 minutes 48 seconds
Creator: Finn, John W.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Raymond A. Dembinski, January 5, 2011

Description: Transcript of an oral interview with Raymond A. Dembinski. Dembinski begins by recalling some experiences from his childhood growing up during the Great Depression. He joined the Naval Reserve in 1935 and went on active duty in September, 1941 when he was assigned to the USS Sacramento (PG-19). He describes his role in the attack on Pearl Harbor, then mentions how he was transferred to the USS Bogue (CVE-9) and spent two years on convoy escort duty in the North Atlantic. In 1944, Dembinski was … more
Date: January 5, 2011
Duration: 1 hour 44 minutes 16 seconds
Creator: Dembinski, Raymond A.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Joedy Adams, December 5, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joedy Adams. The daughter of Naval aviator Joseph Cronin, 12-year-old Adams lived on Kaneohe Naval Air Station in 1941. On 7 December 1941, the drone of Japanese planes shook her family home. When her father left and reported to base, Adams and her mother fled to Honolulu. Their Japanese maid had gone missing earlier that morning; she was later found to be a spy. While Adams was en route to Honolulu, she saw a Japanese plane… more
Date: December 5, 2008
Duration: 42 minutes 55 seconds
Creator: Adams, Joedy
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Brunk, December 5, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Brunk. In November 1940, 17-year-old Brunk joined the Navy. Upon finishing hospital corps school, he was assigned to the USS Curtiss (AV-4), a seaplane tender at Pearl Harbor. While on liberty ashore on the morning of 7 December, he received orders to report to his station. As he passed Battleship Row, he gaped at the extensive damage to other ships and soon found the Curtiss listing. He climbed aboard and fulfilled h… more
Date: December 5, 2008
Duration: 1 hour 14 minutes 24 seconds
Creator: Brunk, Robert
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

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
transcript

Oral History Interview with William Crawmer, December 5, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Crawmer. Crawmer joined the Marine Corps in 1939. He was assigned to the 4th Defense Battalion, trained as a .50 and .30 caliber machine gunner. In September of 1941, they transferred to the Navy Yard at Pearl Harbor. Crawmer was stationed on the island when the Japanese attacked. Shortly after the attack, he was transferred to Johnston Island. In mid-1944, he joined an aviation group in New Hebrides, repairing military a… more
Date: December 5, 2008
Duration: 1 hour 19 minutes 01 second
Creator: Crawmer, William
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Hilliard Elliott, December 5, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hilliard Elliott. Elliott joined the Navy in March 1940 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Lexington (CV-2) at Pearl Harbor as part of the landing crew. On 7 December 1941 he fought fires in a seaplane hangar and manned a gun late into the night in anticipation of a Japanese invasion. He recalls that American planes were shot down by friendly fire later that evening, before … more
Date: December 5, 2008
Duration: 53 minutes 30 seconds
Creator: Elliott, Hilliard
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Joe Fritcher, December 5, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joe Fritcher. Fritcher joined the Navy in 1940 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS California (BB-44) where he operated the catapult, launching seaplanes. Although he survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, his family received notice that both he and his brother were killed in action; his family held a memorial service, and Fritcher later married one of the musicians who perform… more
Date: December 5, 2008
Duration: 28 minutes 41 seconds
Creator: Fritcher, Joe
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

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
transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Hodenson, December 5, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Hodenson. Hodenson joined the Navy around May of 1940. He completed Fire Control School. He served aboard the USS Whitney (AD-4) as Fire Controlman. Their job was to tend destroyers, either at sea, in port or in dry dock within Pearl Harbor. He was in Pearl Harbor during the attack in December of 1941 and describes what he witnessed and his actions through that fateful day. The day after the attack, Hodenson recalls his cr… more
Date: December 5, 2008
Duration: 31 minutes 17 seconds
Creator: Hodenson, Robert
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Lloyd Pearson, December 5, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lloyd Pearson. Pearson joined the Navy in 1940 after five months in the Civilian Conservation Corps and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS West Virginia (BB-48) as a seaman. He was aboard ship during the attack on Pearl Harbor and swam to Ford Island after the West Virginia was torpedoed. Afterward, he was assigned to Fleet Machine Gun School, where he learned to operate a 20-mi… more
Date: December 5, 2008
Duration: 22 minutes 36 seconds
Creator: Pearson, Lloyd
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Gerry Porter, December 5, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gerry Porter. Porter enlisted in the Navy in November of 1940. He completed Machinist School and was assigned to the USS West Virginia (BB-48), main engines M Division. He describes this job and the engine rooms he worked in. Porter talks some on the 3 weeks leading up to 7 December 1941, and the military being instructed to be on alert. The West Virginia was stationed in Pearl Harbor on the day of the attack. Porter discusses th… more
Date: December 5, 2008
Duration: 48 minutes 05 seconds
Creator: Porter, Gerry
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with William Koehl, December 5, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Koehl. Following high school and after a brief stint working in a blacksmith shop, Koehl joined the Army Air Corps in 1940 and was assigned to the 31st Bombardment Squadron. In November 1941, he was put on guard duty in Honolulu and quickly made sergeant of the guard. On the attack of December 7th, Koehl dragged a wounded man to the hospital and spent the rest of the day on guard with a Thompson submachine gun. In Fe… more
Date: December 5, 2008
Duration: 53 minutes 05 seconds
Creator: Koehl, WIlliam
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with William H. Mullins, December 5, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William H Mullins. Mullins joined the Navy in July 1939 and received basic training in San Diego. Following in the footsteps of his father, a World War I Navy man, he attended machinist’s mate school. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Tangier (AV-8) at Pearl Harbor. On 7 December 1941, Mullins was on duty in the engine room, monitoring lubrication of large bearings at the recently damaged propeller shaft. He receiv… more
Date: December 5, 2008
Duration: 49 minutes 34 seconds
Creator: Mullins, William H.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with George A. Richard, December 5, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George A Richard. Richard joined the Navy during the Depression. Upon boarding the USS Tennessee (BB-43), he was delighted to have free room and board. A second class seaman, he was assigned to the range-finder in the fire control division, later transferring topside and working his way up to boatswain’s mate. After surviving the attack on Pearl Harbor, he helped to recover bodies the following day. In the Philippines, Richa… more
Date: December 5, 2008
Duration: 1 hour 2 minutes 49 seconds
Creator: Richard, George A
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with William St. John, December 5, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William St.John. St. John graduated from high school in 1939 and joined the Navy. He was assigned to the USS West Virginia (BB-48) in the gunnery division. His duties also included handling plane catapult charges. In December 1940, St. John received radio communication training in Hawaii. He was then assigned to the brand new Kaneohe Bay Naval Air Station, maintaining radio equipment. On the morning of December 7, he was wor… more
Date: December 5, 2008
Duration: 58 minutes 37 seconds
Creator: St. John, William
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Paul Wallace, December 5, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Paul Wallace in memory of his father Paul Eugene Wallace. Wallace joined the Marines in 1927, graduated from Annapolis in 1933 and completed Marine Corps Officer Training in 1934. He was assigned to the USS Maryland (BB-46). Following that he was a China Marine and served with the 4th Marines in Shanghai. He later served aboard the USS Augusta (CA-31) with the Marine detachment. He completed Chemical Warfare School and was transf… more
Date: December 5, 2008
Duration: 36 minutes 57 seconds
Creator: Wallace, Paul
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

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
transcript

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
transcript

Oral History Interview with Glenn Reynolds, December 5, 2009

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glenn Reynolds. Reynolds left high school to join the Navy in 1939. In March 1940 he was assigned to USS Maryland (BB-46). Anchored at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked, Reynolds was writing a letter to his girlfriend when the war began. He manned his battle station, despite being barefoot, and then helped fight fires on a nearby fuel tanker. He later transferred to USS Halawa (AOG-12) as a gunner’s mate. In August 194… more
Date: December 5, 2009
Duration: 1 hour 16 minutes 09 seconds
Creator: Reynolds, Glenn
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Herbert Elfring, December 5, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Herbert Elfring. Elfring was with the California National Guard, 251st Coast Artillery Regiment (Anti-Aircraft), when it was federalized in September 1940. He was sent to Honolulu and trained with a searchlight battery. Elfring became leader of the radar squad, directing antiaircraft searchlights. On 7 December 1941 he was in his office when a string of bullets struck the ground 15 feet from where he stood. His radar equipme… more
Date: December 5, 2008
Duration: 28 minutes 48 seconds
Creator: Elfring, Herbert
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Johnnie Singleton, January 5, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Johnnie Singleton. Singleton entered the Navy at 16 in June 1941 and trained at Corpus Christi. Singleton is African American and served as a mess attendant in a segregated Navy. He went aboard the USS Maryland (BB-46) at Pearl Harbor in September 1941. On December 7, 1941, Singleton was in the officers' galley when the Japanese struck. He went to his battle station in an ammunition handling room below deck. Next, Singleton … more
Date: January 5, 2005
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes 54 seconds
Creator: Singleton, Johnnie
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Glenn Reynolds, December 5, 2009

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glenn Reynolds. Reynolds left high school to join the Navy in 1939. In March 1940 he was assigned to USS Maryland (BB-46). Anchored at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked, Reynolds was writing a letter to his girlfriend when the war began. He manned his battle station, despite being barefoot, and then helped fight fires on a nearby fuel tanker. He later transferred to USS Halawa (AOG-12) as a gunner’s mate. In August 194… more
Date: December 5, 2009
Creator: Reynolds, Glenn
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
Back to Top of Screen