National Museum of the Pacific War Oral History Collection - 263 Matching Results

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Oral History Interview with John R. Ahlgren, June 1, 2011

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John R. Ahlgren. In 1942, Ahlgren, a Navy communications officer, was assigned to Admiral Chester Nimitz's staff at Pearl Harbor. From 1946 to 1947 he was stationed in Russia and worked as a translator and attaché to the US Embassy in Moscow. Ahlgren left the service soon after his time in Moscow.
Date: June 1, 2011
Creator: Ahlgren, John R.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Kenneth Alberding, June 2, 2004

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Kenneth Alberding. Alberding joined the Army Air Forces in January of 1943. He completed navigation training, and also worked in the photo lab printing publicity photos of cadets. He completed radio school in April of 1944 in Traux Field, Madison, Wisconsin. He worked in the Headquarters unit, 456th Squadron, as a radio mechanic on B-29s. He remained in the US throughout the war and was discharged in January of 1946.
Date: June 2, 2004
Creator: Alberding, Kenneth
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Albert Albritton, June 15, 2004

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Albritton. Albritton joined the Navy in 1937. He served aboard the USS Dobbin (AD-3). They were present during the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. At the time of the attack the Dobbin was moored northeast of Ford Island. After the attack, they picked up survivors and took the wounded to shore. Albritton participated in the Korean War and was discharged in 1957.
Date: June 15, 2004
Creator: Albritton, Albert
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Jack O. Arnold, June 1, 2005

Description: Transcript of an oral interview with Jack O. Arnold. Arnold was born in El Paso, Texas on 27 June, 1923. He enlisted in the Army in May 1942 while in his second year at the Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy. After basic training at Camp Maxey, Texas, he joined the 14th Armored Division. Circa 1944-1945, he joined the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. He participated in the battle for the recapture of Corregidor. He discusses the Japanese defensive network of tunnels on the island. He was a… more
Date: June 1, 2005
Creator: Arnold, Jack O.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with James Arquette, June 23, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Arquette. Arquette joined the Navy in February of 1942. He completed flight training, and was assigned to a fighter squadron. Beginning November of 1942, he served as a pilot aboard USS Lexington (CV-16). He participated in raids on Wake Island and the Gilbert Islands. He later transferred to USS Randolph (CV-15), participating in the Okinawa invasion. He returned to the US and was discharged in October of 1945. Arquette co… more
Date: June 23, 2000
Creator: Arquette, James
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Irma Ashenbrenner, June 29, 2015

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Irma L. Ashenbrenner. Ashenbrenner was born 26 September 1923 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She joined the WAVES in 1943. She attended boot camp at the U.S. Naval Training Center (WR) at Hunter College in the Bronx, New York. While at boot camp she attended radio classes. Following that she was sent for six months for more advanced instruction at the Navy Radio Training School at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. There she … more
Date: June 29, 2015
Creator: Ashenbrenner, Irma
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Morton Averack, June 30, 2011

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Morton Averack. Averack joined the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) at the age of 16, having been recruited from his high school, the School of Aviation in New York, where he had already acquired drafting skills. He and a Japanese-American teenager worked together to map the city of Mukden. The last map of the city had been made in 1933, and the OSS was tasked with updating it as part of its efforts to know the whereabouts… more
Date: June 30, 2011
Creator: Averack, Morton
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with William Bakel, June 26, 2015

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Bakel. Bakel had earned a degree in aeronautical engineering in early 1941 and was working at Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego when he was called up for active duty in the Army Air Corps. In May, 1942, he was commissioned as an engineering officer and assigned to several bomb groups before going overseas in early 1944. He was attached to the 308th Airdrome Squadron in New Guinea with the responsibility of opening n… more
Date: June 26, 2015
Creator: Bakel, William P
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Dale Ball, June 4, 2013

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Dale Ball. Ball joined the Navy around 1942. In 1943, he began serving as a Storekeeper aboard USS LST-1005 in the Pacific Theater. They traveled to Hawaii, the Caroline Islands, Eniwetok and Leyte Gulf, Philippines. He recalls a typhoon he experienced in 1945. He served with occupation troops in Japan after the war ended. Ball returned to the US, and continued his service in the Navy.
Date: June 4, 2013
Creator: Ball, Dale
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Jesse Barker, June 3, 2006

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jesse T. Barker. Barker joined the Navy and entered the V-5 Naval Aviation Program in April 1941. Completing his training at Pensacola in September, he received his wings and commission. Upon arriving in San Diego, he was assigned to the USS Saratoga (CV-3) and traveled to Pearl Harbor. After additional training, he was assigned to the USS Enterprise (CV-5) and participated in the invasion of Guadalcanal. A group of twelve p… more
Date: June 3, 2006
Creator: Barker, Jesse T.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with James Battifarano, June 14, 2013

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Battifarano. Battifarano enlisted in the Navy during his senior year of high school in 1943. He served for 2 years as Signalman 3rd Class aboard the USS Guitarro (SS-363). They traveled to the Panama Canal operating with a destroyer and to the South Pacific. They made 4 successful war patrols, have 15 Japanese flags on their battle flag, laid 25 mines and recorded a 95-day war patrol. He discusses life aboard a submarine an… more
Date: June 14, 2013
Creator: Battifarano, James
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Elwyn Becker, June 3, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Elwyn Becker discussing his childhood and education and how he came to join the Navy. He describes the training process for becoming an Aviation Radioman and his experiences in the Pacific Theatre during World War Two.
Date: June 3, 2005
Creator: Becker, Elwyn; Tombaugh, John B. & Meter, Peg Van
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Presentation by Captain Forrest Biard: "Breaking the Japanese Codes and Decisive Results Pre-Pearl Harbor Through Midway"

Description: Transcript of a presentation by Forrest Biard. Biard grew up in Texas and attended the Naval Academy, graduating in 1934. Biard learned Japanese in Japan from 1939 to 1941. The training was rigorous. He describes interactions with the local women. Biard also traveled in Japan. He describes how sentiment gradually changed in Japan after the Japanese Army invaded China. He also describes how more and more Germans started traveling to Japan. Biard relates that the U.S. was warned that Japan would … more
Date: June 14, 2000
Creator: Biard, Forrest
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Henry Bicknell, June 6, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Henry Bicknell. Bicknell was drafted by the Army in December of 1942. He served with the 5th Armored Division and was sent to Europe where he drove an ammunition truck for the tanks. He provides details of his training and describes the light tanks they used. In February of 1944 they traveled to England and were attached to Patton’s 3rd Army. They landed on Utah Beach in July of 1944, and traveled through France and the southern … more
Date: June 6, 2008
Creator: Bicknell, Henry
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Frank H. Bigelow, June 13, 2002

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank H. Bigelow where he discusses his childhood, family, education and life during the great depression. He describes his recruitment into the Navy and his experiences in the Pacific Theatre during World War Two.
Date: June 13, 2002
Creator: Bigelow, Frank H. & Alexander, William J.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with John Binkley, June 16, 2004

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Binkley. Binkley joined the Navy Seabees in July of 1943. He served as a Seaman 2nd Class. He served with the 581st Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU). They were commissioned at Port Hueneme, California in January of 1944 with personnel from the 123rd Battalion. They shipped out 13 March and traveled to Pearl Harbor. Their unit took over all maintenance and minor construction of the Naval Ammunition Depot. Binkle… more
Date: June 16, 2004
Creator: Binkley, John
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Gregorio Borja, June 21, 1997

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gregorio Borja. Borja lived a tranquil life under American governance in Sumay until the Japanese invaded. Borja’s family home was seized and occupied for over a year. Natives' travel was restricted and Borja was treated harshly in school. His father and brother were forced into labor, and his brother along with several of his family and friends were killed in the Fena Massacre. Other relatives of Borja were taken to Japan a… more
Date: June 21, 1997
Creator: Borja, Gregorio
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Albert Bouley, June 27, 2001

Description: Transcript of an oral interview with Albert Bouley. He discusses joining the Marines just after Pearl Harbor, being in the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Division, the battle of Guadalcanal, getting malaria and dysentery, the battle of Cape Gloucester, using Pavuvu as a base, the battle of Peleliu, shipping back to the States, doing guard duty at the Brooklyn Naval Yard, becoming an instructor in a heavy weapons school before then end of the war. He joined the Air Force 2 1/2 years later to be able … more
Date: June 27, 2001
Creator: Bouley, Albert
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with William Brewer, June 16, 2003

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Brewer. Brewer joined the Navy in April of 1943. He completed Gunnery School and Radio School. In mid-1944, Brewer was assigned to Patrol Squadron 47 (VP-47) and later deployed to Hawaii. Beginning in spring of 1945, he served as an Aviation Radioman-Gunner aboard USS Bataan (CVL-29). The task force conducted a series of raids to support the invasion of Okinawa. They participated in the Battle of the East China Sea, and c… more
Date: June 16, 2003
Creator: Brewer, William
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Bill Brown, June 26, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Brown. Brown was studying at the University of Texas at El Paso whe nhe joined the Army Air Force in 1942. Brown discusses his flight training, which occurred throughout Texas. With training cmplete, Brown was sent to Hawaii where he continued training with the 45th Fighter Squadron, 7th Air Force. Soon his unit was shipped to Iwo Jima where they flew bomber escort for bombing missions over the home islands of Japan. Br… more
Date: June 26, 2000
Creator: Brown, Bill
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with LeRoy Brunner, June 16, 2016

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with LeRoy Brunner. Brunner joined the Army Air Forces in September, 1945 and trained in San Antonio. He attended officer candidate school where he received a commission before going to radar school and being assigned to a meteorology school in Illinois. He served at a weather station in Alaska prior to the outbreak of the Korean War. Brunner discusses his long career in the Air Force.
Date: June 16, 2016
Creator: Brunner, LeRoy
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Homer Buck & Dub Ramsel, June 21, 2003

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Homer Buck and Dub Ramsel. Buck joined the Marine Corps in October of 1942, and served as a B-25 pilot. He was assigned as a replacement on Mindanao, Philippines. He completed patrol missions, searching for Japanese PT boats. Buck was discharged in early 1946. Ramsel was called to active duty in September of 1942. He received his wings and commission in August of 1943, and served as a Corsair pilot. In early 1944, Ramsel served w… more
Date: June 21, 2003
Creator: Buck, Homer & Dub Ramsel
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Travis Budlong, June 6, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Travis Budlong. Budlong was born in Gainesville, Texas on 9 September 1922. After high school he entered Gainesville Junior College and earned an associate’s degree in one and a half years. Since his dad would not let him join the Royal Canadian Air Force Budlong took advantage of the CPT (civilian pilot training) program during his time at college and entered the Army Air Corps on 9 May 1942. After 1000 hours of instructing… more
Date: June 6, 2005
Creator: Budlong, Travis
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with John Burks, June 27, 2006

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Burks. Burks was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on 17 January 1923. After graduating from high school in 1940, he attended the University of Oklahoma until October 1942, at which time he joined the US Army Air Forces. He began a pilot training program, but the Army terminated it. In August 1943, he underwent basic training at Sheppard Field, Texas for twelve weeks. In November, he went to gunnery school at Laredo Air Field in … more
Date: June 27, 2006
Creator: Burks, John
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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