National Museum of the Pacific War - 67 Matching Results

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Oral History Interview with John G. Solis, March 31, 2009

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John G. Solis of Irving, Texas. He discusses enlisting in the U.S. Navy on September 17, 1942, and was sent to the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas for bootcamp. In bootcamp Mr. Solis talks about learning to shoot rifles by shooting clay pigeons and presentations held to teach how to identify enemy aircraft. While learning to fly, Mr. Solis was assigned to Bombing Squadron 1. In 1944 Mr. Solis ended up with the Tor… more
Date: March 31, 2009
Creator: Solis, John G.

Oral History Interview with Elaine Osborn, January 31, 2019

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Elaine Osborn. Osborn was born in 1932 in Freeman, South Dakota and had just turned 9 years old when World War II began. She shares memories of civilian life during the war, and living in a Mennonite Community during the Great Depression. She had 5 uncles and 2 cousins in the service. Osborn recalls community building between farmers to help feed and care for one another. Additionally, she notes that her Japanese American college… more
Date: January 31, 2019
Creator: Osborn, Elaine

Oral History Interview with Charles Davidson, July 31, 2018

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Davidson. Davidson joined the Navy in the spring of 1943. He served as Seaman 1st Class. He completed the equivalent of a master’s degree in electrical engineering. He worked in a field engineering group at a Naval research lab in Washington. He was later sent to the Banana River Naval Air Station in Florida, running tests on carrier-controlled approach. He volunteered for the invasion of Japan in 1945, though after the b… more
Date: July 31, 2018
Creator: Davidson, Charles

Oral History Interview with Cletus Ernster, March 31, 2016

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Cletus Ernster. Ernster went to Conrad Flying School in Winona, Minnesota in 1939. He joined the Army Air Forces in 1942 and was commissioned as a service pilot. He was assigned to Wilmington, Delaware to deliver planes throughout the United States and overseas. He discusses the various planes that he flew and the locations he delivered planes to. He was assigned to Chanyi, China in September of 1944, where he spent the rema… more
Date: March 31, 2016
Creator: Ernster, Cletus

Oral History Interview with William Berger, July 31, 2015

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Berger. Berger joined the Army in July of 1942. He served with the Service Company of the 377th Infantry Regiment, 95th Infantry Division, completing administrative work and ensuring the regiment had adequate supplies. He then served as Warrant Officer Junior Grade, working with ammunitions supplies. Berger later joined the 543rd Field Artillery Battalion, and traveled to Hawaii, conducting routine training. He later trav… more
Date: July 31, 2015
Creator: Berger, William

Oral History Interview with Rudy Moreau, July 31, 2015

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Rudy Moreau. Moreau was born in 1924 in Port Arthur, Texas. In January 1943 he was drafted into the Army and sent to Fort Knox, Kentucky for basic training in infantry and armor. Following a 2 month hospitalization for a ruptured appendix, he was shipped overseas, sailing from Boston to Glasgow, Scotland. In the UK, he was stationed in Frome, England until being assigned to the armor replacement stream. Moreau sailed from En… more
Date: July 31, 2015
Creator: Moreau, Rudy

Oral History Interview with Albert Lawrence Wile, January 31, 2015

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Lawrence Wile. Wile joined the Army in 1943. He completed Cook School, and worked as a cook at Fort Meade and Fort Eustis. In late 1944, he traveled to Cherbourg, France and Belgium, working with the 1591st Labor Supervision Company. He assisted with coordinating German companies in cleaning up after the war, rebuilding roads and picking up artillery shells. Wile continued in the Army after the war, completing 30 years of … more
Date: January 31, 2015
Creator: Wile, Albert Lawrence

Oral History Interview with James Bradford, October 31, 2014

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jim Bradford. Bradford was born in Marshall, Texas in 1920 and graduated from high school in 1937. Entering the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program he was sent to Tulare, California where he began flight training at the Rankin Aeronautical Academy. Upon graduation as a second lieutenant, he was assigned to Roswell, New Mexico as an instructor pilot at the Roswell Army Air Field. Following two years as an instructor Bradfor… more
Date: October 31, 2014
Creator: Bradford, James

Oral History Interview with Richard Burnett, July 31, 2014

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Burnett. Burnett joined the Army Air Corps in October, 1942 and learned to fly in Texas. He earned his wings and a commission in March, 1944 and was assigned to the 310th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group flying a P-47 once he got overseas to the Philippines. From there, Burnett flew combat missions against ground targets. He flew missions alongside the 201st Fighter Squadron out of Mexico. His unit moved to Okina… more
Date: July 31, 2014
Creator: Burnett, Richard

Oral History Interview with Fred Lee, July 31, 2013

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Fred Lee. Lee was born in Portland, Oregon in Chinatown in 1924. His mother and father moved from China to Oregon in 1918, when his father was hired to work on the railroad from Oregon to California. Lee shares his family history, his experiences growing up in segregated schools and his Japanese friends going to holding camps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. In March of 1943, Lee joined the Army Reserves. He completed training … more
Date: July 31, 2013
Creator: Lee, Fred

Oral History Interview with Erwin Wilhite, August 31, 2012

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Erwin Wilhite. Wilhite earned his wings in February of 1942. He then conducted anti-submarine patrols off the coast of Louisiana. Later, he served with the 376th Bombardment Group, piloting B-24s out of North Africa and Italy. He describes in vivid detail his first flight to Africa, landing in Khartoum in July of 1942. From there they traveled to Lydda, Palestine where they joined the Halverson Provisional (HALPRO) detachment. He… more
Date: August 31, 2012
Creator: Wilhite, Erwin

Oral History Interview with Peter Terpstra, December 31, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Peter Terpstra. Terpstra joined the Navy in February of 1944. He served in the Pacific aboard the USS Ara (AK-136). They traveled to Pearl Harbor with Seabees and Marines on board. They stopped at a staging area at Eniwetok where they collected all the ships heading out to invade Guam. Terpstra provides detail of the ship and equipment and weapons aboard. They went to Guam and he provides detail of some of the battle. He discusse… more
Date: December 31, 2005
Creator: Terpstra, Peter

Oral History Interview with Carl Yerian, August 31, 2012

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Carl Yerian. Yerian joined the Army Air Forces in August of 1942. He completed training as a pilot and received his wings in November of 1943. Yerian served as a B-24 pilot with the 376th Bombardment Group. He completed 51 combat missions over Italy, Austria, southern France and Germany. Yerian continued his service after the war ended, and participated in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He completed 32 years of service.
Date: August 31, 2012
Creator: Yerian, Carl

Oral History Interview with Wendell Wilkins, August 31, 2012

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Wendell Wilkins. Wilkins joined the Army Air Forces around 1942. He completed radial engine and gunnery schools, and served as an aerial engineer. In 1943, Wilkins deployed to Italy. He completed 50 combat missions over Munich, North Italy, along Brenner Pass, Austria and Romania.
Date: August 31, 2012
Creator: Wilkins, Wendell

Oral History Interview with David Vartanian, August 31, 2012

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Vartanian. Vartanian was born 21 August 1924. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces in December 1942. He served as a B-24 bombardier/navigator, and shares details of his training. He traveled to Marseilles, France in early 1945. He speaks of witnessing animosity between American black troops and American white officers in Marseilles. He traveled to a replacement depot in Naples, Italy, then onto Bari. Vartanian flew all his mi… more
Date: August 31, 2012
Creator: Vartanian, David

Oral History Interview with Holley Midgley, August 31, 2012

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Holley Midgley. Midgley was born in June 1918. He was drafted into the US Army Air Corps in 1940, and completed the Aviation Cadet Program. Midgley served as a second lieutenant bombardier with the 376th Heavy Bombardment Group. His B-24 Liberator bomber was shot down over Bari, Italy on 16 July 1943. He was confined in a German prisoner-of-war camp in Chieti, Italy for twenty-two months, until liberated by General George Patton’… more
Date: August 31, 2012
Creator: Midgley, Holley

Oral History Interview with Richard Miller, August 31, 2012

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Miller. Miller joined the Army Air Forces in December of 1941, after the war began. He worked in airplane maintenance, and served in Trinidad from early 1942 through mid-1943. He served as a flight engineer on B-24s. In December of 1943, Miller deployed to Naples, Italy and was assigned to the 376th Bombardment Group. He completed support and interdiction missions in Austria, Germany, Italy and Croatia.
Date: August 31, 2012
Creator: Miller, Richard

Oral History Interview with Robert McClean, August 31, 2012

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert McClean. McClean joined the Army Air Forces around 1941. He completed gunnery school and training in airplane mechanics. Beginning May of 1944, he served as a flight engineer with the 376th Bombardment Group. McClean completed 36 support and interdiction missions in Austria, Germany, Italy and Croatia.
Date: August 31, 2012
Creator: McClean, Robert

Oral History Interview with Richard Dzwigalski, August 31, 2012

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Dzwigalski. Dzwigalski was born in River Rouge, Michigan on 25 February 1925. He was drafted into the US Army Air Forces in 1943. He graduated from Armament School at Lowry Field in Denver, Colorado, Gunnery School in Harlingen, Texas, and was assigned to a B-24 crew. The crew was assigned to the 512th Bomb Squadron, 376th Heavy Bombardment Group in Bari, Italy during late summer 1944. He served as a ball turret gunner un… more
Date: August 31, 2012
Creator: Dzwigalski, Richard

Oral History Interview with Martin Goldfarb, August 31, 2012

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Martin Goldfarb. Goldfarb joined the Army Air Forces in December 1942 and learned to fly at Xavier University. Although he had experienced anti-Semitism during basic training at Fort Pickett, he was impressed with the respectful tone amongst the airmen, including their fair treatment of the Tuskegee Airmen, who saved Goldfarb’s life during a mission over Vienna. Flying with the 376th Bombardment Group (H) as a navigator, Gol… more
Date: August 31, 2012
Creator: Goldfarb, Martin

Oral History Interview with Frank Kuehn, August 31, 2012

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Kuehn. Kuehn joined the Army Air Forces in 1942 and joined the 376th Bomb Group (H), 515th Bomber Squadron, based in San Pancrazio, Italy. Although he was an aviation mechanic, on 24 February 1944 he flew a mission as a substitute flight engineer. He was shot down over Austria, bailed out, and landed atop a snowy mountain near the border of Yugoslavia. He was picked up by Tito’s Partisans and spent four months hiking t… more
Date: August 31, 2012
Creator: Kuehn, Frank

Oral History Interview with Donald Buck, August 31, 2012

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Donald Buck. Buck joined the Army Air Forces in 1942 and was assigned to a B-24 crew as a nose turret gunner. He flew his first mission with the 376th Bomb Group, 514th Bomb Squadron, in the fall of 1944 while stationed in San Pancrazio. On 7 February 1945 his plane was hit hard over Vienna after bombing an oil refinery. The pilot made a crash landing in a corn field in Yugoslavia, where Tito’s Partisans looked after them fo… more
Date: August 31, 2012
Creator: Buck, Donald

Oral History Interview with Stanley Bysiewicz, August 31, 2012

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Stanley Bysiewicz. Bysiewicz joined the Army Air Forces and attended gunnery school and bombardier school in Texas. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 15th Air Force as a replacement bombardier. He flew 50 missions out of San Pancrazio, Italy, disabling oil transportation between Romania and Munich, and damaging oil facilities in Romania. He also occasionally targeted military hardware facilities in Germany and ports in… more
Date: August 31, 2012
Creator: Bysiewicz, Stanley

Oral History Interview with Wendell Tombaugh, December 31, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Wendell C. Tombaugh. Tombaugh joined the Navy in November of 1944. He was trained in radar and provides some detail of his training experiences. He served aboard the USS Perkins (DD-877). His rank was Seaman First Class, and he shares stories of life aboard the destroyer. He was discharged in February of 1946.
Date: December 31, 2005
Creator: Tombaugh, Wendell
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