National Museum of the Pacific War Oral History Collection - 157 Matching Results

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Oral History Interview with James Atkinson, March 23, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James E. Atkinson. Atkinson was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas in 1921. His younger brother was killed in Europe during the war. Atkinson attended Vanderbilt University with a football scholarship in 1940. In 1942 he joined the Navy Reserves and entered the V-12 Navy College Training Program. Soon afterwards, he entered Midshipman’s school at Notre Dame. Upon graduating 20 June 1944, he was commissioned an ensign. He then ente… more

Date: March 23, 2006

Creator: Atkinson, James

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Donald Austin, September 17, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Donald Austin. Austin joined the Navy and was commissioned as an ensign before being assigned to the USS Pope (DD-225 in the Philippines. He was there when the war started. Austin was aboard the Pope when she was attacked and sunk. He was rescued by a Japanese destroyer and made a prisoner of war. He was held on Java and then Makassar. He was around when Richard Antrim intervened during a beating of a POW (Antrim was awarded the … more

Date: September 17, 2006

Creator: Austin, Donald

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Arlos L. Awalt, July 6, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arlos L. ""Curly"" Awalt. Curly was drafted into the Army shortly after he finished high school in August, 1944. After basic training, Curly describes getting overseas to Europe. He was shipped to England then sent to France before being assigned to a unit. Once he was in France, he was attached to a heavy mortar section in H Company, 2nd Battalion, 424th Regiment, 106th Infantry Division. Curly arrived as a replacement in t… more

Date: July 6, 2006

Creator: Awalt, Arlos L. (Curly)

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Jesse Barker, June 3, 2006

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 Robert Benzinger, October 30, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Benzinger. Benzinger joined the Navy in June of 1944. He completed Radio School. He was stationed as a Radio Technician at the Navy Pier in Chicago and worked with all Navy communications equipment. He graduated from Navy Pier just as the war ended and continued on with his service. He worked in a receiving station on Leyte Gulf in the Philippine from September of 1945 through May of 1946. He was discharged in June of 1946. more

Date: October 30, 2006

Creator: Benzinger, Robert

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Melville Best, September 4, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Melvin Best. Best was born 10 February 1921 in Paducah, Texas. He received his private pilot’s license while enrolled at Texas Tech University. He joined the Army Air Corps on 13 January 1942 and reported to Kelly Field in San Antonio for training. He received his primary flight training at several locations, and then he transferred to Columbia, South Carolina for B-25 training. Upon graduating in October 1942, he was assign… more

Date: September 4, 2006

Creator: Best, Melville

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Vicente Blaz, November 17, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Vicente Blaz. Blaz was a child during the Japanese occupation of his native Guam. He describes how he and his family lived under constant fear. Blaz discusses how he was forced to join a labor battalion as a young teenager. He talks about how he dug caves and cleared jungle for an airstrip. Blaz describes the hardships endured including lack of food and proper clothing. He discusses the return of the US military and the rapi… more

Date: November 17, 2006

Creator: Blaz, Vicente

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Robert Bloedorn, December 13, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Bloedorn. Bloedorn joined the Marine Corps in June of 1944. He traveled to Guam and served with the 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. He participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima from February through April of 1945. He was discharged in July of 1946.

Date: December 13, 2006

Creator: Bloedorn, Robert

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Barrington Bluetell, July 1, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Barrington Buetell. Buetell grew up in Georgia and was drafted when he turned 18 in 1944. He trained in Georgia before being shipped to Europe in early 1945. He was attached to a headquarters company and recalls liberating a concentration camp at Mulhausen, Austria. When th ewar ended, Buetell rotated back to tUS where he enrolled in college. While there, he completed the Air Force ROTC course and was commissioned just prior… more

Date: July 1, 2006

Creator: Bluetell, Barrington

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Charles Boardman, January 6, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Boardman. Boardman joined the Navy in December of 1941. He served aboard the USS Henderson (AP-1). His rank was Seaman Second Class. He flew in a Grumman TBF Avenger, and describes the plane in some detail. He was discharged in October of 1947.

Date: January 6, 2006

Creator: Boardman, Charles

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Andrew Bofinger, March 10, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Andrew Bofinger. Bofinger joined the Naval Reserves in October of 1941, and was called to active duty on 15 December 1941. He served as Boatswain’s Mate Second Class, and worked on the offshore patrol in sailing vessels searching for Japanese subs. In June of 1943 he received a direct commission as ensign, and was assigned as Skipper aboard the minesweeper, YMS-93. In early 1944 they traveled to Hawaii, then the Marshall Islands … more

Date: March 10, 2006

Creator: Bofinger, Andrew

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Anita Borchers, September 26, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Anita Borchers. Borchers speaks on behalf of her late husband, Eddie Borchers, in regards to his military involvement in World War II. Beginning in 1941, Eddie worked in Civil Service at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, as a Logistic Command Officer. He completed schooling in automatic pilot work, which he worked in during the war. Anita shares pictures of Eddie at Kelly Field in November of 1945, and describes the airplanes … more

Date: September 26, 2006

Creator: Borchers, Anita

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Howard Brooks, September 16, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Brooks. Brooks joined the Navy in September 1939. He was assigned to the USS Houston (CA-30) and became an electrician’s mate. Brooks describes several Japanese air attacks including one that killed most of his damage-control party. He describes the battles of the Java Sea and Sunda Strait. Brooks discusses abandoning ship and seeing her sink. He describes his capture, seeing the Lost Battalion arrive at the prison ca… more

Date: September 16, 2006

Creator: Brooks, Howard

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Bernie Broussard, September 7, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernie Broussard. Broussard initially served in the Merchant Marine and describes his only mission where he had a close call with a submarine and how it led to his decision to leave. He joined the Navy in December 1942 and was trained as a bombardier. Broussard served on PBYs for the remainder of the war. He describes an emergency landing on the way to Hawaii and the delivery missions they performed while operating out of Ka… more

Date: September 7, 2006

Creator: Broussard, Bernie

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Frederick Brown, November 10, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frederick Brown. Brown was born 7 January 1921. In 1942, he was drafted into the US Army and underwent basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was then sent to San Luis Obispo, California for advanced training. Upon completion of the training, his division was sent to New Guinea. He was assigned to the 6th Infantry Division, 1st Infantry Regiment, G Company as a platoon scout and point man. He also recalls a kamika… more

Date: November 10, 2006

Creator: Brown, Frederick

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Thomas Burke, February 20, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas Burke. Burke was born in Kendall, Kentucky 26 March 1917. After graduating from Monroe High School in Rochester, New York in 1935 he attended Union College, Schenectady, New York majoring in electrical engineering. He graduated in 1939. On 1 December 1941 he entered the US Navy at New London, Connecticut. He entered Submarine Officer’s School at New London with three months training on the submarine USS O-6. Upon grad… more

Date: February 20, 2006

Creator: Burke, Thomas A.

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with John Burks, June 27, 2006

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

Oral History Interview with Robert Burley, December 19, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Burley. Burley joined the Army Air Forces in October of 1942. He completed armament school, and was assigned to the 1025th Training Squadron. Burley worked at the gunnery range, ensuring each gun remained operable for training. He was sent to a B-29 gunnery school at Lowry Field in Colorado, and was later stationed at the Red Cross Office in Biloxi, Mississippi performing routine maintenance on armament for an emergency re… more

Date: December 19, 2006

Creator: Burley, Robert

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Tina Burnham, January 1, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Tina Burnham. Burnham was born in Sulpher Springs, Texas and graduated from high school in 1940. She attended a trade school in Texarkana, Texas to become a riveter. She was then employed at Spartan Aircraft Industries in Tulsa, Oklahoma as a riveter. On this job she manufactured wings on Grumman Wildcat aircraft. In January 1944 she joined the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve (SPARS) and went to Palm Beach, Florida for six weeks… more

Date: January 1, 2006

Creator: Burnham, Tina

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Eugene Cain, April 20, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Cain. Cain joined the Indiana national Guard and earned a commission. Cain speaks of following General MacArthur into the Philippines in 1944. Cain was an armored artillery battery commander. He describes the surrender of several hundred Japanese toorps. Apparently, after the war, Cain got into some trouble with a Filipino woman and was transferred out o fthe Philippines to Seoul, Korea, where he ran the officer's clu… more

Date: April 20, 2006

Creator: Cain, Eugene

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Bob Campaign, June 2, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bob Campaign. Campaign joined the Navy in March 1943 and attended the University of Iowa for pre-flight training. He describes a training device consisting of a mock cockpit that would be flipped over and lowered into a swimming pool, giving pilots a chance to practice releasing their harnesses while hanging upside down, submerged in water. He finished his training at Corpus Christi and Fort Lauderdale, transitioning into co… more

Date: June 2, 2006

Creator: Campaign, Bob

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with David Campbell, November 11, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Campbell. Campbell joined the Navy in the fall of 1942. He completed Naval Supply Corps School. Beginning July of 1943, he served as Supply Officer aboard the USS Coral Sea (CVE-57). They launched strikes on Makin Island in November, and bombed airfields at Kwajalein. Throughout 1944 and early 1945 they traveled to the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, the Marianas and Iwo Jima providing aircraft in support of forces. He shares … more

Date: November 11, 2006

Creator: Campbell, David

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Donald Campbell, August 8, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Donald L. Campbell. Campbell joined the Navy in August 1943, at the age of eighteen. He completed gunnery school in Gulf Port, Mississippi and served as an Armed Guard aboard Merchant Marine ships. In February 1944, he was transported to Fremantle, Australia. Campbell shares his experiences getting initiated upon crossing the equator, and transporting supplies of ammunition, bombs, planes and Army trucks to Calcutta, India. He no… more

Date: August 8, 2006

Creator: Campbell, Donald L

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with John Cannon, July 7, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Cannon. Cannon served as coxswain of an LCM at Buckner Bay during the initial assault on Okinawa, delivering food and supplies to the beach. LCMs were able to navigate the coral, no matter the tide, so Cannon worked around the clock, laying smoke screens at night and dodging flak and kamikazes during the day. After the war ended, Cannon stayed another six months, delivering cargo from one ship to another. He returned ho… more

Date: July 7, 2006

Creator: Cannon, John

Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

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