National Museum of the Pacific War - 4,001 Matching Results

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Oral History Interview with Robert Herrick, October 4, 1996

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Herrick. Herrick entered the Naval Academy in 1944 and was graduated in 1944. He first reported aboard the USS Mississippi (BB-41) in time to participate in the Battle of Surigao Strait and support the invasion of Luzon. He was still aboard for the invasion of Okinawa and witnessed the kamikaze attacks on the Mississippi. Herrick remained in the Navy after the war, retiring in 1964.

Date: October 4, 1996

Creator: Herrick, Robert

Oral History Interview with Bernard Hollander, June 18, 1997

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an interview with Bernard Hollander. Hollander was commissioned in the Naval Reserve in May 1942. His first assignment was aboard the USS SC-1065 before he switched ships to command the USS SC-1066 and headed for the Western Pacific. There, he was involved in the invasions of the Marshall Islands and the Mariana Islands before being assigned to the USS Medea (AKA-31) as navigator. He participated in the invasion of Okinawa and transported troops a… more

Date: June 18, 1997

Creator: Hollander, Bernard

Oral History Interview with J. L. Summers, August 21, 1995

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with J.L. Summers. While attending college, Summers entered the Army in November, 1940 when his unit, the headquarters battery in the 131st Field Artillery, was mobilized. Prior to that, Summers had been in the National Guard. En route to the Philippines, Summers' unit was redirected to Australia after the Japanese attack. From there, they went to Java. In March, 1942, Summers became a prisoner of war and wound up at Bicycle Camp… more

Date: August 21, 1995

Creator: Summers, J. L.

Oral History Interview with Travis Smith, February 12, 2015

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Travis Smith. Smith joined the Army Air Forces in September 1942. He qualified as a pilot trainee and began training in San Antonio. In May, 1944, he graduated and received his commission. Smith went overseas to the Philippines, arriving in March, 1945. Later, he moved to Okinawa and flew bomber escort for bombing missions to China and Japan. He flew over 50 combat missions before the war ended and then went to japan on occu… more

Date: February 12, 2015

Creator: Smith, Travis

Oral History Interview with John Fitch, March 19, 1995

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an interview with John Fitch. Fitch begins with a summary of the naval career of his father, Admiral Aubrey Fitch. Fitch joined the Navy in early 1942. He was assigned to the USS Wasp (CV-7) just before it sank, then to the USS Hornet (CV-8) just before it sank. He was finally assigned to CASU-3 and sent to Guadalcanal. He reflects on what it was like for him in the service while having a high-ranking father. In April, 1943, Fitch transferred aboa… more

Date: March 19, 1995

Creator: Fitch, John

Oral History Interview with Earl Stevens, September 28, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Earl Stevens. Stevens served aboard the USS New Mexico (BB 40) as an electrician beginning October of 1942. He was a gun electrician and took care of the firing mechanisms and the telephones. He provides his experience of joining the Navy with his dad and three brothers. He describes life aboard the New Mexico. He recalls traveling to Australia for liberty. Stevens describes the explosion of the USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) and the r… more

Date: September 28, 2001

Creator: Stevens, Earl

Oral History Interview with Eugene Walker, September 28, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Eugene Walker. Walker served in the Navy aboard the USS New Mexico (BB-40) beginning Christmas Day 1937. He was aboard serving as a radioman. He describes the radios aboard the ship, working in the powder rooms in the turrets and Navy life in general. He gives details of a typical day as a radioman, including training, practicing Morse code and standing watch. Walker describes changes that took place in 1940, when they traveled f… more

Date: September 28, 2001

Creator: Walker, Eugene

Oral History Interview with Frederick Long, July 1, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frederick Long. Long joined the Navy in September of 1942. He was trained in airplane engine maintenance and worked on SNJs, SNCs and PBYs. He talks about life aboard the USS Lexington (CV-16). He provides the dates and locations when he was aboard the Lexington during combat, and he describes an incident when the carrier was hit during the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

Date: July 1, 2005

Creator: Long, Frederick

Oral History Interview with Scott West, May 17, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Scott West. West joined the Navy in 1935. He was assigned to the USS Lexington (CV-2) for four years. In September of 1942 he served aboard the USS Copahee (CVE-12). He describes the planes aboard and the process of getting all the aviation equipment aboard the carrier. They traveled to New Caledonia to deliver planes, as well as to Munda, in the Solomon Islands. He completed catapult and arresting gear school at the Naval Air St… more

Date: May 17, 2005

Creator: West, Scott

Oral History Interview with Bill Merley, July 7, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bill Merley. Merley joined the Merchant Marine in March of 1945. He enlisted as a cook and describes his training and his work. He describes his kitchen supplies of food. In May of 1945 they traveled aboard the USS Cape Johnson (AP-172) to the Mariana Islands. They traveled to Manila to unload supplies and then transported troops. He was discharged around December of 1945.

Date: July 7, 2005

Creator: Merley, Bill

Oral History Interview with Noel Gayler, February 15, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Admiral Noel Gayler. Gayler graduated from the Naval Academy in 1935. In 1940 he completed flight training. His first carrier assignment was aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3). He served as a fighter pilot flying an F4F-3 (Grumman Wildcat). He was transferred to the USS Lexington (CV-2), where in January of 1942 Gayler received the first of 3 Navy Crosses in aerial combat. He received his second Navy Cross escorting torpedo planes in… more

Date: February 15, 2002

Creator: Gayler, Noel

Oral History Interview with James Dewitt, March 19, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Dewitt. Dewitt joined the Navy and served as a Chief Yeoman. He served aboard the ammunition ship, USS Nitro (AE-2). They traveled to all ports along the east coast and in the Caribbean. From there he boarded the USS Medusa (AR-1). He then transferred a year and half later to the supply ship, USS Antares (AKS-3), where he was stationed in Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. He recalls when a Japanese two-man submarine was sunk… more

Date: March 19, 2005

Creator: Dewitt, James

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

Oral History Interview with Roy Davenport, February 1, 1979

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents a monologue with Rear Admiral Roy Davenport. Davenport describes in detail his experiences as the executive office on the 4th war patrol of USS Silversides (SS-236). He describes coming under a depth charge attack and witnessing an emergency appendectomy. Davenport also details an incident where a torpedo became stuck during an attack on Japanese ships. He was then given command of USS Haddock (SS-231) and details sinking several ships near Truk. … more

Date: February 1, 1979

Creator: Davenport, Roy

Oral History Interview with Lewis Walker, March 18, 1995

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Lewis Walker. Walker was commissioned in January of 1942 from the Midshipman School at Northwestern University in Chicago. He served a total of 4 years with the Small Ship Navy. He describes how these small ships, including submarine chasers and patrol craft served the war effort. In the Pacific, Walker commanded the USS SC-1272, and he describes its function, equipment and participation in the war. They traveled to Iwo Jima, Ley… more

Date: March 18, 1995

Creator: Walker, Lewis

Oral History Interview with Marmaduke Bayne, July 16, 1998

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Marmaduke Bayne. Bayne received his commission in the Navy Reserve after finishing university in 1942. His first assignment was aboard the USS YP-429 before going aboard USS YP-61 as the executive officer. Then, he went for submarine training before going aboard the USS Becuna (SS-319) and making three war patrols in the Pacific with her. Toward the end of the war, he served aboard the USS Bergall (SS-320). After the war, Bayne a… more

Date: July 16, 1998

Creator: Bayne, Marmaduke

Oral History Interview with Wallace Dowd, July 25, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Wallace Dowd. Dowd begins with anecdotes about his father, a Navy officer in the Construction Corps. Dowd was in the ROTC unit at the University of Washington when the war started. He received his commission in the Supply Corps and was assigned aboard the USS Alden (DD-211) for a year. His next duty station was in Savannah and he comments about the segregated South. Afterwards, he went to Philadelphia where the USS Antietam (CV-3… more

Date: July 25, 2001

Creator: Dowd, Wallace

Oral History Interview with Elijah Collins, December 6, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Elijah Collins. Collins joined the Navy in early 1941 and trained in San Diego. He was then assigned to the USS Blue (DD-387). Collins suffered from seasickness in the beginning. He was aboard the Blue at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. Also, he was aboard when the Blue was sunk off Guadalcanal. After thirteen months ashore in Australia, Collins joined the USS McCord (DD-534) before going to torpedo school. From there, h… more

Date: December 6, 2001

Creator: Collins, Elijah

Oral History Interview with George Gowen, May 3, 1993

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Gowen. Gowen joined the Merchant Marine in 1934. He trained aboard the USS Annapolis (PG-10) for two years. He graduated from the training program in 1937 as an engineer, then worked aboard a ship delivering oil as third assistant engineer. From 1940 to 1942 he continued working in his same role on the USS Santee (CVE-29). From there he went to Bath, Maine to work as an assistant engineering officer aboard USS Chevalier (D… more

Date: May 3, 1993

Creator: Gowen, George

Oral History Interview with Charles Grojean, October 17, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Gojean. Grojean was born in Charleston, Missouri in 1923. From an early age he wanted to attend the United States Naval Academy. He was accepted after attending the Virginia Military Institute for a year. He discusses the differences between the teaching methods at VMI and the Naval Academy. He recalls the summer cruises aboard the USS Arkansas (BB-33) in 1943 and the USS New York (BB-34) in 1944. After graduation, h… more

Date: October 17, 2002

Creator: Grojean, Charles D.

Oral History Interview with John Schley, June 22, 1999

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Schley. Schley enlisted in the Naval Reserve in August of 1940. He was assigned to 5 destroys and served as skipper on 3 of these. He was commissioned in March of 1941 and sent to the USS Rhind (DD-404), serving as assistant engineer. He describes their supporting the British war effort. They traveled to Bermuda maintaining a destroyer tender, providing convoy escort, carrier screening and anti-submarine warfare services. Th… more

Date: June 22, 1999

Creator: Schley, John

Oral History Interview with Wallace Short, May 4, 1984

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Wallace Short. Short entered the Naval Academy in 1920 and upon graduating, went aboard the USS Texas (BB-35). Later, Short joined the Civil Engineer Corps and worked with the Naval Construction Battalions during WWII. He recalls several anecdotes about their work on Manus Island and Okinawa. He describes the destruction caused by typhoons at Okinawa. Short covers several aspects of his career in naval construction after World Wa… more

Date: May 4, 1984

Creator: Short, Wallace

Oral History Interview with Franklin Beardsley, September 7, 1990

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Beardsley. Beardsley provides two interviews, one in 1990 and the other in 1998. Both focus on his career in the Navy. Beardsley joined the Navy in 1941 and earned a commission in January 1942. He served aboard the USS Big Horn (AO-45) for a while before commanding USS PC-1140 in 1944. After further anti-submarine warfare training, Beardsley commanded USS PCE(R)-858. He was on his way to the invasion of Japan when the war e… more

Date: September 7, 1990

Creator: Beardsley, Franklin

Oral History Interview with Albert Eshelman, February 25, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Eshelman. Eshelman was inducted into the Army in February of 1942. He served in the 553rd Air Force Base Unit. In December of 1943 he went to Liverpool, England. His job there was refueling the planes, using two 4,000-gallon trailers and a tanker engine. He also traveled to Metfield while in England, assisting with the closing of a base. He describes this experience, including a near miss from an enemy shell. He was sent t… more

Date: February 25, 2005

Creator: Eshelman, Albert