National Museum of the Pacific War Oral History Collection - 246 Matching Results

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Oral History Interview with A. R. Evans

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral monologue by A R Evans. Evans was the coastwatcher on Kolombangara who facilitated the rescue of the PT-109 crew, led by John F. Kennedy. One of his scouts noticed a fire on the water at night and saw an unidentified object floating the next day. Evans, having been informed that PT-109 was missing, instructed his scouts to search for crewmen. Two natives encountered the crew, who for want of a common language carved a message on a coconut … more
Date: April 8, 2014
Creator: Evans, R. A.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Al D'Agostino, April 19, 2012

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al D’Agostino. D’Agostino joined the Merchant Marine in 1945 and received training in Brooklyn. Upon completion, he was assigned to the SS Monterey where he worked as a butcher. His first trip to the Pacific was transporting European troops, who were unhappy about the looming invasion of Japan. The war ended while the Monterey was in transit, and the soldiers returning home were a much happier bunch. Even more joyful was the… more
Date: April 19, 2012
Creator: D'Agostino, Al
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Al D'Agostino, April 19, 2012

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al D’Agostino. D’Agostino joined the Merchant Marine in 1945 and received training in Brooklyn. Upon completion, he was assigned to the SS Monterey where he worked as a butcher. His first trip to the Pacific was transporting European troops, who were unhappy about the looming invasion of Japan. The war ended while the Monterey was in transit, and the soldiers returning home were a much happier bunch. Even more joyful was the… more
Date: April 19, 2012
Duration: 41 minutes 02 seconds
Creator: D'Agostino, Al
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Albert Wakeman, April 26, 2012

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Wakeman. Wakeman joined the Navy in 1944. The son of a machinist who fashioned guns for the Navy during WWI, Wakeman advanced to diesel school upon completion of basic training. He was assigned to PT-175 with Squadron 11 at Emirau, New Guinea, as a machinist's mate. At Morotai, as Wakeman manned his battle station against a Japanese barge, an officer rushed over to help him load the 40mm and was immediately shot in th… more
Date: April 26, 2012
Duration: 1 hour 28 minutes 57 seconds
Creator: Wakeman, Albert
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Albert Wakeman, April 26, 2012

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Wakeman. Wakeman joined the Navy in 1944. The son of a machinist who fashioned guns for the Navy during WWI, Wakeman advanced to diesel school upon completion of basic training. He was assigned to PT-175 with Squadron 11 at Emirau, New Guinea, as a machinist's mate. At Morotai, as Wakeman manned his battle station against a Japanese barge, an officer rushed over to help him load the 40mm and was immediately shot in th… more
Date: April 26, 2012
Creator: Wakeman, Albert
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Alton Frost, April 8, 2016

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alton Frost. Frost joined the Navy in September 1942 after finishing high school. He went to flight school and switched to the Marine Corps so he could fly single engine planes. He then was assigned to fly dive bombers in Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB-241). Frost joined the squadron in the Solomon Islands in time to go to the Philippines. He shares a few anecdotes of his combat flight experiences. When the war ended, Fr… more
Date: April 8, 2016
Duration: 1 hour 44 seconds
Creator: Frost, Alton
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Alton Frost, April 8, 2016

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alton Frost. Frost joined the Navy in September 1942 after finishing high school. He went to flight school and switched to the Marine Corps so he could fly single engine planes. He then was assigned to fly dive bombers in Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB-241). Frost joined the squadron in the Solomon Islands in time to go to the Philippines. He shares a few anecdotes of his combat flight experiences. When the war ended, Fr… more
Date: April 8, 2016
Creator: Frost, Alton
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Alvino Mendoza, April 25, 2017

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvino Mendoza. Mendoza was born in Round Rock, Texas on 1 March 1926, and briefly tells of his life before entering the US Navy. After completing boot training at Camp Wallace, Texas he was assigned as a seaman aboard USS St. George (AV-16). His battle station was loader on an anti-aircraft gun. Mendoza describes his experiences during the Battle of Okinawa in which the St. George, as well as USS Curtiss (AV-4), were hit by kami… more
Date: April 25, 2017
Duration: 2 hours 21 minutes 25 seconds
Creator: Mendoza, Alvino
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Alvino Mendoza, April 25, 2017

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvino Mendoza. Mendoza was born in Round Rock, Texas on 1 March 1926, and briefly tells of his life before entering the US Navy. After completing boot training at Camp Wallace, Texas he was assigned as a seaman aboard USS St. George (AV-16). His battle station was loader on an anti-aircraft gun. Mendoza describes his experiences during the Battle of Okinawa in which the St. George, as well as USS Curtiss (AV-4), were hit by kami… more
Date: April 25, 2017
Creator: Mendoza, Alvino
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Amos McGinnis, April 22, 2014

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Amos McGinnis. McGinnis was working in a factory when he was drafted into the Army in December, 1942. He trained as a combat engineer and went to England before heading out for Normandy five days after D-Day. McGinnis shares several anecdotes about his experiences building bridges across Europe. He was in Germany when the war ended and was discharged in December, 1945.
Date: April 22, 2014
Duration: 1 hour 26 minutes 59 seconds
Creator: McGinnis, Amos
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Amos McGinnis, April 22, 2014

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Amos McGinnis. McGinnis was working in a factory when he was drafted into the Army in December, 1942. He trained as a combat engineer and went to England before heading out for Normandy five days after D-Day. McGinnis shares several anecdotes about his experiences building bridges across Europe. He was in Germany when the war ended and was discharged in December, 1945.
Date: April 22, 2014
Creator: McGinnis, Amos
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Audrey Sigrist, April 15, 2011

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Audrey Sigrist. Sigrist joined the Coast Guard in June 1944. She attended boot camp in Palm Beach, Florida and radio school in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Sigrist describes her training and daily life as a SPAR. She was stationed in Port Angeles, Washington and discusses he duties as a radioman receiving calls for ship pilots. Sigrist describes celebrating the end of the war and her departure from the service in November 1945. more
Date: April 15, 2011
Duration: 45 minutes 57 seconds
Creator: Sigrist, Audrey
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Audrey Sigrist, April 15, 2011

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Audrey Sigrist. Sigrist joined the Coast Guard in June 1944. She attended boot camp in Palm Beach, Florida and radio school in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Sigrist describes her training and daily life as a SPAR. She was stationed in Port Angeles, Washington and discusses he duties as a radioman receiving calls for ship pilots. Sigrist describes celebrating the end of the war and her departure from the service in November 1945. more
Date: April 15, 2011
Creator: Sigrist, Audrey
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Ben Schurmeier, April 10, 2018

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ben Schurmeier. Schurmeier joined the Navy in early 1942. He served as a B-24 pilot with Photographic Squadron 1 (VD-1). Beginning in the spring of 1944 they traveled to their base at the Naval Air Station on Guam. They completed patrol and photo reconnaissance missions around the Pacific Islands, including Truk, Okinawa, Iwo Jima and Japan. Finley was discharged around October of 1945.
Date: April 10, 2018
Duration: 1 hour 23 minutes 56 seconds
Creator: Schurmeier, Ben
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Ben Schurmeier, April 10, 2018

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ben Schurmeier. Schurmeier joined the Navy in early 1942. He served as a B-24 pilot with Photographic Squadron 1 (VD-1). Beginning in the spring of 1944 they traveled to their base at the Naval Air Station on Guam. They completed patrol and photo reconnaissance missions around the Pacific Islands, including Truk, Okinawa, Iwo Jima and Japan. Finley was discharged around October of 1945.
Date: April 10, 2018
Creator: Schurmeier, Ben
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Ben Wagner, April 26, 2010

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ben Wagner. Wagner joined the Navy in 1944. He worked in the engine room on the USS Howard F. Clark (DE-533), and was onboard when the Clark accidentally rammed the USS Saratoga during a training mission. Wagner had several members of his boot camp company assigned to the USS Mount Hood (AE-11). He discusses how they were assigned and what he was able to learn about the loss of the ship. Wagner witnessed the Ommaney Bay (CVE… more
Date: April 26, 2010
Duration: 1 hour 18 minutes 56 seconds
Creator: Wagner, Ben
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Ben Wagner, April 26, 2010

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ben Wagner. Wagner joined the Navy in 1944. He worked in the engine room on the USS Howard F. Clark (DE-533), and was onboard when the Clark accidentally rammed the USS Saratoga during a training mission. Wagner had several members of his boot camp company assigned to the USS Mount Hood (AE-11). He discusses how they were assigned and what he was able to learn about the loss of the ship. Wagner witnessed the Ommaney Bay (CVE… more
Date: April 26, 2010
Creator: Wagner, Ben
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Bill Dean, April 10, 2015

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Dean. Dean was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma on 7 September 1924 and graduated from high school in 1942. Upon being drafted in 1943, he was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for thirteen weeks of basic training. While there he was selected to attend the Army Specialized Training Program at Colorado State College at Fort Collins. Soon after he entered the program, it was discontinued and he joined the 80th Infantry Divisio… more
Date: April 10, 2015
Duration: 1 hour 47 minutes 35 seconds
Creator: Dean, Bill
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Bill Dean, April 10, 2015

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Dean. Dean was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma on 7 September 1924 and graduated from high school in 1942. Upon being drafted in 1943, he was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for thirteen weeks of basic training. While there he was selected to attend the Army Specialized Training Program at Colorado State College at Fort Collins. Soon after he entered the program, it was discontinued and he joined the 80th Infantry Divisio… more
Date: April 10, 2015
Creator: Dean, Bill
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Bill Smith, April 11, 2013

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents and interview Bill Smith. Smith went into the Army in February 1942. After basic training, Smith was shipped to Australia with the 440th Signal Construction Battalion and they built telephone lines. From there, he went to Port Moresby, still building communications infrastructure. When the invasion of the Philippines occurred, Smith went to Luzon and continued with the 440th. He also went to Okinawa with them. When the war ended, Smith went home a… more
Date: April 11, 2013
Duration: 59 minutes 32 seconds
Creator: Smith, Bill
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Bill Smith, April 11, 2013

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents and interview Bill Smith. Smith went into the Army in February 1942. After basic training, Smith was shipped to Australia with the 440th Signal Construction Battalion and they built telephone lines. From there, he went to Port Moresby, still building communications infrastructure. When the invasion of the Philippines occurred, Smith went to Luzon and continued with the 440th. He also went to Okinawa with them. When the war ended, Smith went home a… more
Date: April 11, 2013
Creator: Smith, Bill
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Billy Wayne Sherrill, April 22, 2015

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Billy Sherrill. Sherrill was born in Houston, Texas in 1926 and joined the US Marine Corps on 26 December 1941. After undergoing boot training at San Diego, he was assigned to the 1st Marine Defense Battalion stationed on Palmyra Atoll for sixteen months. In 1943 he returned to the United States where he underwent six months of advanced training. Sherrill was then sent to Bougainville where he joined the 9th Marines, 3rd Mar… more
Date: April 22, 2015
Duration: 58 minutes 49 seconds
Creator: Sherrill, Billy Wayne
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Billy Wayne Sherrill, April 22, 2015

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Billy Sherrill. Sherrill was born in Houston, Texas in 1926 and joined the US Marine Corps on 26 December 1941. After undergoing boot training at San Diego, he was assigned to the 1st Marine Defense Battalion stationed on Palmyra Atoll for sixteen months. In 1943 he returned to the United States where he underwent six months of advanced training. Sherrill was then sent to Bougainville where he joined the 9th Marines, 3rd Mar… more
Date: April 22, 2015
Creator: Sherrill, Billy Wayne
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Bob Osborne, April 8, 2017

Description: The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Bob Osborne. Osborne joined the Navy in 1943. He was assigned aboard USS Chester (CA-27). Osborne shares several anecdotes of his time aboard the ship. He also describes the collision between the Chester and another ship off Iwo Jima. When the war ended, Osborne elected to take his discharge.
Date: April 8, 2017
Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes 12 seconds
Creator: Osborne, Bob
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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