The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with August Hodde. Hodde joined the Navy in July 1943. He completed gunnery school, and served as a 40mm gun instructor through early 1944. Around November, Hodde served as a gunner’s mate aboard USS Hugh W Hadley (DD-774). At battle stations, he was gun captain on the portside twin 40mm. Beginning February of 1945, the Hadley escorted HMS Ranee (D03). Hodde describes their role during the Battle of Okinawa in April, helping protect against submarines and aircraft as the Japanese made final attempts to stop the invasion. He provides details of their 11 May attack by the Japanese, receiving bomb hits and downing numerous kamikazes. Hodde remained aboard as the torn Hadley was towed back to the US. He continued his service after the war, receiving his discharge in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ivan Brown. Brown joined the Army in 1942. He joined the 3rd Chemical Mortar Battalion. His job was working with the 4.2-inch mortar and poison gas. In April of 1943, they deployed to Oran, North Africa. They participated in the allied invasions of Sicily, Italy and southern France, and the Battle of the Ardennes. Brown was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Ross. Ross joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1939, and joined the Navy in August of 1942. In September he was sent to Bremerton, Washington and helped with refurbishing the USS Nevada (BB-36). In May of 1943 they participated in the capture of Attu in the Aleutian Islands. In April of 1944 they escorted convoys to the United Kingdom, and provided fire support during the Normandy invasion. They supported landings during the Battles of Marseilles, Iwo Jima and Okinawa, where the Nevada came under severe kamikaze attacks. Ross was discharged in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Schneider. Schneider was born in Akron, Ohio on 4 October 1924. After being drafted in 1943, he had basic training at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Upon completing basic, he was assigned to 273rd Regimental Headquarters Company, 69th Infantry Division as a scout. After a while, he was sent to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey where he boarded the Highland Brigade. During July 1944 he landed on Omaha Beach as a replacement and was initially assigned to 3rd Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division. On July 24 and 25 the division was accidentally bombed by US aircraft resulting in 683 casualties. Among them was US General Lesley McNair. Schneider worked with the French underground during the Battle of Mortain during August 1944. He recalls entering into Belgium, Holland and Germany and describes being in the Battle of the Bulge and recounts how his battalion found the casualties of the Malmedy Massacre. In February 1945, he was assigned as the jeep driver for the assistant battalion commander. He hit a land mine, which wounded him and killed the other riders. Schneider returned to the United States aboard the RMS Queen …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Melvin Troutman. Troutman provides some details of his family???s experiences through the Great Depression. Troutman joined the Navy in June of 1943. He provides some details of his training. He served as a Seaman aboard LCT-943. Troutman vividly describes the LCT, its weaponry and crew members. In January of 1944 they traveled to Brisbane, Australia. From there they traveled to New Guinea, making more than 10 landings. Troutman???s job was to operate the ramp during each landing. In the fall of 1944 they participated in the invasions of Leyte in the Philippines. Troutman received 3 Battle Stars, one for Asia Pacific and two for Philippine Liberation. He was discharged in March of 1946.