National Museum of the Pacific War Oral History Collection - 46 Matching Results

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Oral History Interview with Bud Nardecchia, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bud Nardecchia. After turning 18 years old in 1943, he voluntarily joined the Marine Corps and was sent to boot camp in San Diego, California. He was sent to Guam in 1944. He discusses sailing to Iwo Jima, going ashore on an LST (Landing Ship, Tank), and his experiences on the island. After returning to Guam, he was sent to northern China where he spent nine months. He includes an anecdote about experiencing a typhoon while … more
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Nardecchia, Bud
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Carey Randall, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Major General Carey Randall. Randall was born in Gloster, Mississippi, 15 November 1912. Entering Louisiana State University In 1930 he participated in ROTC and in 1935 accepted a commission in the United States Marine Corps. Upon acceptance, he was sent to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for additional training. Afterwards, he was assigned to the shipyard at Bremerton, Washington as platoon leader in one of the guardhouses. In 1… more
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Randall, Carey
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Charles Cavanaugh, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh managed to enlist in the Marine Corps when he was 15 years old by getting a stranger to sign the parental release documents. After training, he was in Australia demonstrating the Marines Corps' new tale of organization when it was discovered he was only 15 years old. He was returned to the US, but some friendly Marines arranged for him to get a new birthdate and new serial number, thus allowing him to… more
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Cavanaugh, Charles
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Charles Watson, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Watson. Watson joined the Marine Corps in 1943, and went to San Diego for boot camp training, then to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, then to Camp Pendleton. He trained as an engineer. From Pendleton he was shipped to Eniwetok, then to Guam. He landed on Iwo Jima on the second day of the battle, and remained for thirty days. He recalls the flares coming in over him and how deafening the 105s could be. He went to Sasebo, J… more
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Watson, Charles
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Chester Ahr, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Chester Ahr. Ahr joined the Marine Corps in December, 1941. He trained in San Diego and shipped overseas in October, 1942 to Guadalcanal where he was attached to a base services unit, which assisted the Seabees and Army engineers in construction projects. He also was in the invasion of Guam, where he was wounded and evacuated. Once he returned to his unit, Ahr got very sick and missed the invasion of Iwo Jima. Shortly afterw… more
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Ahr, Chester
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Clyde Johnson, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clyde Johnson. Johnson joined the Navy in January, 1944 and went to San Diego for boot camp. From there, he went to the University of Kansas to electrician's school. He finally joined the USS Chester (CA-27) at Ulithi 31 October 1944 as an electrician's mate. Soon after, the Chester went to Iwo Jima to bombard the island prior to the invasion. Right as the invasion began, Chester collided with another ship and lost a screw. … more
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Johnson, Clyde
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Curtis McGowen, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Curtis McGowen. McGowen enlisted in the Marine Corps in January, 1944. When finished with basic training, McGowen went to field telephone school. McGowen landed in the fifth wave at Iwo Jima and set up communications between shore and ships. He spotted for naval gunfire with his communications team. When the battle ended, he headed back to Hawaii and was there when the war ended. He then went to Guam to set up telephone communica… more
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: McGowen, Curtis
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Evan Roberts, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Evan Aron Roberts. Roberts was born in November 1933, and joined the Marine Corps Reserve at the Naval Air Station in Dallas in 1951. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, and was stationed at South Camp Fuji, near Gotemba, Japan. In early 1953, he was deployed to Iwo Jima to clean up unexploded ordinances and other hazards on the island around Mount Suribachi, and participate in training maneuve… more
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Roberts, Evan
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Floyd R. Thomas, February 18, 2009

Description: Transcript of an oral interview with Floyd Thomas. He begins by discussing his childhood and attending Peacock Military Academy, then joining the Army and his experiences on Okinawa during and after the war. He discusses being a surgical technician and working with Japanese civilians after the surrender. He also talks about meeting his wife after the war, working for saw mills as a salesman and a pilot. He ancedotes about stealing pineapples on Hawaii and getting diarrhea, being treated for jun… more
Date: February 18, 2009
Creator: Thomas, Floyd R.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Floyd R. Thomas, February 18, 2009

Description: 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.
Date: February 18, 2009
Creator: Misenhimer, Richard & Thomas, Floyd R.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Gene F. Dauer, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gene F. Dauer. Dauer joined the Marine Corps and trained at San Diego. While on leave after training, he missed returning in time to join his original unit and shipped out later to Hawaii. Eventually, he landed at Iwo Jima on D+4 four days after the initial assault. His duty on Iwo Jima included driving ambulances and working in the field hospital ward. He was on Hilo when the war ended and describes a tsunami on that island… more
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Dauer, Gene F.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with George Alden, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Alden. Alden had just finished Marine Corps boot training in San Diego when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He began clerking in the recruit depot office in San Diego shortly after the war started because he could type. In 1944, Alden was assigned to Company A, 27th Marines at Camp Pendleton. He was in the first wave to land on Iwo Jima. He was wounded and evacuated to USS Pinkney (APH-2), which, when it was full … more
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Alden, George
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with George L. Craig, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George L. Craig. In 1943, when he was 18, he signed up for service in the Marine Corps in Richmond, Virginia. He had basic training at Parris island, South Carolina. After that, Craig went to Quantico, Virginia to Field Artillery School where he trained as a surveyor. Then, he had more training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, before heading to Camp Pendleton, California where he joined the Fifth Marine Division. From there,… more
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Craig, George L.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Gilberto S. Trevino, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gilberto S. Trevino. He attended Texas A&M before serving in the Marine Corps. He was in the 28th Replacement Battalion when assigned to the 3d Marine Division and deployed to Iwo Jima. He discusses his first impressions of landing on the island: the sights and smells. He describes the constructed Japanese defenses on the island and the use of Japanese Nisei interpreters to convince defenders to surrender. He returned to Tex… more
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Trevino, Gilberto
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Harley Wright, February 18, 2016

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harley Wright. Wright volunteered for service in the Army Air Forces in January 1942. He trained in Wichita Falls as an aircraft mechanic and then served as an instructor after aircraft engine specialist school. Eventually, Wright was assigned to Lowry Field in Denver where he became the base aircraft inspector. He spent the rest of the war there and recalls several experiences. He was discharged in December, 1945. After the… more
Date: February 18, 2016
Creator: Wright, Harley
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Herbert Brewer, February 18, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Herbert Brewer. Brewer joined the Marines on 1 July 1942. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Marines began accepting African-Americans for training. Due to concerns of racial problems the Marines built a training camp, Montford Point, in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where Brewer trained. He was assigned to the 51st Defense Battalion, fire control section, working with 91mm antiaircraft guns. In 1943 his battalion was … more
Date: February 18, 2008
Creator: Brewer, Herbert
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Hershel Woodrow 'Woody' Williams, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hershel Woodrow ""Woody"" Williams. Williams quit high school I nWest Virginia to join the Civilian Conservation Corps, which assigned him to Montana. He was there when Pearl harbor was attack and resigned from the CCC to joint the Marine Corps. The Marine recruiter told him he was too short, so Williams headed back to West Virginia. When the Marine Corps lifted the height requirement, he enlisted in May, 1943. After boot ca… more
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Williams, Hershel Woodrow 'Woody'
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Homer G. Ellis, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Homer G. Ellis. When he finished high school, he enlisted in the Navy and went on active duty in 1944. When he finished training he reported aboard the USS Arkansas (BB-33). Ellis served as a seaman and worked as a powder handler on a gun crew aboard ship. He was present for the invasion of Iwo Jima. He witnessed the flag flying over Mt. Suribachi. From Iwo Jima, the Arckansas also participated in softening up Okinawa. Ellis… more
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Ellis, Homer G.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with J. B. Magers, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with J B Magers. Magers joined the Navy in 1943 and, after training, got assigned to USS Sanborn (APA-193). Once they arrived at Iwo Jima, they spent nine days unloading. Magers served on an LCVP and made several trips to the beach delivering supplies and removing wounded. When the war ended, the Sanborn transported soldiers and marines to various places all over the Pacific.
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Magers, J. B.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with James Ahr, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Ahr. Ahr joined the Marine Corps at 16 years old in November, 1942. He lied about his age. After training, he went overseas and was assigned to the 9th Marine Regiment. He arrived in time for the invasion of Guam. Ahr also was at Iwo Jima and shares several impressions and anecdotes of the battle.
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Ahr, James P.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with James Starling, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Starling. Starling joined the Marine Corps in June 1942. When he went overseas, he joined the 12th Marines on Guadalcanal for more training as an artillery forward observer. He landed on Guam and describes combat there as well as on Iwo Jima. Starling was wounded and evacuated. He was in the hospital when the war ended.
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Starling, James
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with James Taylor, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Taylor. Taylor joined the Navy in 1942 and trained at Great Lakes as an electrician. He was assigned to USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95) and was aboard when the kamikazes hit her. He was assigned to a damage control unit on the flight deck and was fighting fires from the first kamikaze strike when the second kamikaze struck. He was rescued from the water by a neighbor from back home who as a crewmember of USS Edmonds (DE-406). Tay… more
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Taylor, James R.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with James W. Nelson, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James W. Nelson. After the attack o nPearl Harbor, Nelson enlisted. He was rejected for flight school on account of his age so he went to meteorology school at the University of Chicago instead. From there, he was assigned to a weather station in Laredo, Texas. Nelson was transported aboard USS LST-792 to Iwo Jima and recalls beaching, unloading troops and tanks and backing off the island. He recalls walking along the beach … more
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Nelson, James W.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Jim Humphries, February 18, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jim Humphries. He joined the Army Air Corps as a reserve cadet at 17, but was discharged a year later for less than 20/20 vision and a heart murmur. He enlisted in the Navy in Louisiana in June, 1944. He went to Basic Training at Camp Wallace, Texas. After training he boarded USS LSM-140 at San Diego and served in the Amphibious Forces as a fireman 2nd class in the engine room. Humphries continued training in Hawaii with the… more
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Humphries, Jim
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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