The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gordon Hurd. Hurd joined the Army in January of 1944. He was assigned to the 124th Cavalry Regiment as a second lieutenant in the China India Burma campaign. They deployed to India in August of 1944, and operated as dismounted cavalry alongside Chinese troops. He participated in battles with the Japanese to recapture sections of the Burma Road, and helped train Chinese troops to take over after the Japanese surrendered. Hurd was discharged in September of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Scholes. Scholes joined the U.S. Navy’s V-12 program in 1943, graduating with the rank of ensign from the Midshipman's School at Northwestern University in Chicago. Scholes trained in ordnance at the Washington Naval Gun Factory and Jacksonville Naval Air Station. He was assigned to the Aviation Construction Ordinance Repair Navy unit, ACORN-52, in Guam. The unit occupied the Japanese Naval Base at Truk Atoll, in the Pacific. They built an airstrip and repaired an airplane base once belonging to the Japanese. He served in the Navy for three years and was discharged in June of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with P T Allison. Allison joined the Army in June 1942 and received basic training in Virginia, having spent three years in the Civilian Conservation Corps prior to enlisting. He was assigned to the 1470th Engineer Maintenance Company, where he procured parts for a group of mobile machine shops and welding shops. He arrived in France during the Battle of the Bulge, where his unit repaired tractors, chain saws, and anything else that was brought in. After V-E Day, he returned to the States and was preparing for deployment to the South Pacific when the atomic bombs were dropped. Allison was discharged and returned home; he and his wife spent the next 17 years as campground hosts for the National Park Service at Yellowstone.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hilliard Elliott. Elliott joined the Navy in March 1940 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Lexington (CV-2) at Pearl Harbor as part of the landing crew. On 7 December 1941 he fought fires in a seaplane hangar and manned a gun late into the night in anticipation of a Japanese invasion. He recalls that American planes were shot down by friendly fire later that evening, before personnel were quickly advised on nighttime Identify Friend or Foe (IFF). Elliott was back aboard the Lexington when it sank at the Battle of the Coral Sea. He was later transferred to the USS Sangamon (CVE-26). After participating in Operation Torch, he was sent to Advanced Aviation School in Chicago. Elliott then served as leading chief at a training base in San Diego until his discharge in March 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wallace Ashwood. Ashwood joined the Navy in 1943 and boarded the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) as a seaman. In the Bering Sea, Ashwood stood watch in freezing winds. But later, at Makin Island, it was so hot that sailors around him collapsed from heat exhaustion. Ashwood often worked as an ammunition handler but happened to be working in the food storage locker on the day that a 200-pound can of gunpowder exploded, killing several members of the gun crew. He was then reassigned to the turret as a replacement, becoming a third-class gunner’s mate. Near Saipan and Tinian, he survived the Pennsylvania colliding with loaded ammunition ship USS Talbot (APD-7). After shooting down a record number of planes in the Philippines, he returned to San Francisco, where the ship was modernized in preparation for bombardment of Japan. When the war abruptly ended, Ashwood was discharged in Wallace, Texas.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arthur Rees. Rees joined the Marine Corps in October 1941 and received basic training in San Diego. After training a few platoons as a drill instructor, he was transferred to Combat Engineers as a crane operator. He improved the airstrip at Guadalcanal and transferred supplies from LCTs to amphibious vehicles at Guam. He arrived at Iwo Jima just after D-Day and left for the States two weeks later. Although he was never on the frontlines, he was at the tail end of invasions and often operated under enemy shelling. Rees returned home and was discharged in October 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jim Tuttle. Tuttle joined the Army in October of 1940. He served as an infantry Sergeant with Company G, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. He participated in the New Guinea Campaign and the Philippines Campaign. He was discharged in August of 1945.

Interview with Paul Jackson, a U. S. Marine during World War II. He discusses his time in boot camp at Camp Pendleton and his combat experiences in the Battle of Iwo Jima.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James G Rabalais. Rabalais joined the Army in 1943 and volunteered for parachute school. He joined the 188th Parachute Regiment in the Philippines, training on bazookas and flamethrowers while there. He was assigned to patrol jungle areas and never encountered any enemies. In preparation for the invasion of Japan, he made test jumps out of modified B-24 bomb bays; normally, he would jump from C-46 Commandos and C-54 Skymasters. After the surrender, he was instructed to scale a mountain in Japan with the goal of contacting people on the other side, but the snow was too deep. Rabalais returned home and was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lloyd Pearson. Pearson joined the Navy in 1940 after five months in the Civilian Conservation Corps and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS West Virginia (BB-48) as a seaman. He was aboard ship during the attack on Pearl Harbor and swam to Ford Island after the West Virginia was torpedoed. Afterward, he was assigned to Fleet Machine Gun School, where he learned to operate a 20-millimeter Oerlikon machine gun. He was transferred to an ammunition depot in New Zealand and returned to the States a year later for Deep Sea Diving School. He went aboard the USS ATR-52 as a gunner’s mate, providing support to other ships at Iwo Jima. The ship was in Leyte for repairs when the war ended. Pearson was discharged after a short stint aboard the USS Alabama (BB-60).

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Paul Jackson. He begins by discussing his time in boot camp at Camp Pendelton. The majority of the interview is about his time fighting at Iwo Jima.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Eleanor Schneider. Schneider was born in November of 1932 in New Braunfels, Texas. She grew up in a German-American community, and speaks on some of the difficulties she faced on the homefront during World War II. She speaks about her family history, education and the impact of war on her town. She recalls her family being questioned by the FBI regarding communications they had with relatives in Germany. Schneider speaks of other families of Lebanese, Mexican and Czech descent living in New Braunfels and how discrimination played a role in her community.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Woodruff. Woodruff joined the Navy in January 1943 and received basic training at Great Lakes. He was then trained on small amphibious landing craft at Little Creek. Upon completion, he was assigned to USS LST-218 as coxswain of an LCVP and was sent to Tarawa. Once the island was secured, he carried a load of construction equipment and personnel to shore, returning with a few casualties, as there was a doctor on the LST. Their next assignment was to bring Marines and amphibious tanks from Pearl Harbor to the Marshall and Mariana Islands. At Saipan, heavy surf capsized many tanks in the initial assault wave. Woodruff evacuated casualties to the LST, which by that time carried half a dozen doctors and two dozen corpsmen. Woodruff was later transferred to Italy, where he joined 27 LCVP crews supporting the 10th Mountain Division. He did not see combat in Europe and was discharged when the war ended. He did not see combat in Europe and was discharged when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Herbert Elfring. Elfring was with the California National Guard, 251st Coast Artillery Regiment (Anti-Aircraft), when it was federalized in September 1940. He was sent to Honolulu and trained with a searchlight battery. Elfring became leader of the radar squad, directing antiaircraft searchlights. On 7 December 1941 he was in his office when a string of bullets struck the ground 15 feet from where he stood. His radar equipment was damaged by strafing, but Elfring survived the attack. He recalls that American planes were shot down by friendly fire later that evening, before personnel were quickly advised on nighttime Identify Friend or Foe (IFF). He was transferred to Fiji in June 1942 and was selected for OCS. He became Radar Officer and Transportation Officer for the 37th Infantry Division at Bougainville. During ground combat, Elfring directed searchlights at the clouds, illuminating the front lines. At the Invasion of Lingayen Gulf, Elfring set up radar operations at Clark Field. He carried a wounded man out of battle who died soon after. Elfring was on leave in the States when the war ended and he was discharged. He went on to …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert LeClerq. LeClerq’s brother, John, served in the Navy in World War II and also died serving his country. Robert was eight years younger than John and recalls his brother’s time serving in the war. John was commissioned in Chicago around 1941. In April of 1944 he was assigned to the USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413). He and his family attended the commissioning of the ship in Houston, Texas. He was an Ensign and served aboard the ship as an Assistant Gunnery Officer. Their ship was sent to Pearl Harbor to escort supply ships and later participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October of 1944. After being hit by three 14-inch shells from an enemy ship, the Samuel B. Roberts sank, claiming the lives of 90 sailors including John LeClerq. John’s parents were sent a letter by an officer from the Roberts describing in detail the fateful battle. Robert provides some additional details of his brother’s life and service in the military and the books written about the Roberts years after the event.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard L Hamil. Hamil joined the Navy in 1942 and received basic training in Newport. He studied diesel engines in Virginia, although it was strictly book-learning as there were no engines available to practice on. Upon completion, he was assigned to the engine room of USS LST-447, his battle station at a 40-millimeter gun, as a loader. His ship carried supplies and Marines throughout the Pacific, often coming under attack. They were struck by a kamikaze at Okinawa, which caused an explosion and killed half a dozen of their crew. When Hamil abandoned ship, kamikazes nearly hit the ship that rescued him. Hamil was sent home on 6 April 1945 and discharged in October.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Misenheimer. Misenheimer served in the Army from March to October of 1944. He completed basic training and went to the 99th Division. In October of 1944 he received an appointment to the Naval Academy in Annapolis and was discharged from the Army. He provides some details of his experiences at the Navy Academy Preparatory School. In early 1945 Misenheimer was assigned to the USS Midway (CV-41), as the carrier was initially being launched. He served in the gunnery division on a Quad-40mm Antiaircraft Gun. They traveled to the Atlantic and Guantanamo Bay. He provides details of life aboard the Midway. The Midway never entered into combat. Misenheimer made Seaman First Class and was discharged in June of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joseph Eggebeen. Eggebeen was born 29 November 1917 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. One of nine children and tells of family life during the Depression. Graduating from high school in 1935, he held various jobs until drafted into the US Coast Guard in 1942. After undergoing basic training at Curtis Bay, Maryland he attended diesel electrician’s school in New York City. He was assigned to the crew aboard a yacht commandeered by the Coast Guard owned by a Milwaukee businessman. The boat, stationed at Greenport, Long Island, did anti-submarine patrol at the entrance to New York Harbor. He mentions the boat’s crew compliment and armament. After serving aboard the yacht for thirteen months, he was sent to the Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut. After graduating as an ensign in 1944, he was sent to the 9th Naval District in Chicago. While there, he was ordered to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to pick up USS LST-886. The crew took the new LST through the Panama Canal to San Diego. The ship, loaded with supplies, set sail to participate in the invasion of Leyte. They were recalled and went to Guam. The …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George W Denby. Denby joined the Navy and earned his wings in December 1943 at Corpus Christi. He was assigned to the USS Enterprise (CV-6), flying a Grumman F4F Wildcat. At the Battle of the Philippine Sea he was knocked unconscious after being struck by an 18-inch shell. When he regained consciousness, he fired on his target and returned to the Enterprise. The next day, he was wounded in a dogfight with seven Zeroes. He jumped from his plane at 30,000 feet and broke his back when deploying his parachute. Zeroes continued firing on him as he hit the water, and his life jacket was full of holes. He swam for eight hours, bleeding severely and unable to move one of his legs. He was attacked by a shark but was eventually rescued and returned to the Enterprise. He finished his tour of duty with a total of 57 combat missions. While at Ulithi on R&R, he rubbed elbows with well-known fighter aces. For some time after the war, Denby was skittish while flying. But he flew combat missions in the Korean War and retired as a commander …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Mrs. Tula Augusta Hickman Shook. Born in 1929, she discusses life on a farm in Texas during the Great Depression and the war. She talks about learning of the attack on Pearl Harbor. She describes rationing, scrap metal drives, war bonds, and blackouts. She recounts how she met her husband, Leon J. Shook, as the result of corresponding with him while he was serving as a Machinist?s Mate on the USS Colorado. She shares the story of her underage elopement. She talks about leaving high school at age fifteen to travel to San Diego where her husband was stationed. After the war, the couple returned to Texas.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Simmons. Simmons joined the Navy in July 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. He received electro-hydraulics training and was assigned to the USS Davis (DD-395) as a gunner’s mate, his battle station in the lower forward handling room, sending up five-inch shells. He participated in the invasion of Normandy, providing support to troops landing on Omaha Beach. After escorting the USS Texas (BB-35) back to England and attempting a return trip with supplies, the Davis hit a mine and was sent to Scotland for repairs. Simmons returned to the States, where he was diagnosed with asthma and given a medical discharge. He claims to have not suffered any psychological impacts from witnessing drownings at Normandy, but his wife recalls that Simmons would become so nervous watching news reels that they would often leave the theater early together.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joe Fritcher. Fritcher joined the Navy in 1940 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS California (BB-44) where he operated the catapult, launching seaplanes. Although he survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, his family received notice that both he and his brother were killed in action; his family held a memorial service, and Fritcher later married one of the musicians who performed at the funeral. He recalls that American planes were shot down by friendly fire later that evening, before personnel were quickly advised on nighttime Identify Friend or Foe (IFF). Fritcher was reassigned to the USS Astoria (CA-34) and participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway. At the Battle of Savo Island, he abandoned ship and spent 10 hours in the water, awaiting rescue. Fritcher spent the remainder of the war as a gunnery instructor at Great Lakes. Afterward, he was assigned to the South Pole with Admiral Byrd. He then spent nine months in Japan on occupation duty. Fritcher returned home and was discharged in 1948.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Clarence Heidemann. Heidemann joined the Marine Corps. He was first assigned to the 4th Defense Battalion and traveled to Hawaii aboard the USS Henderson (AP-1). He was on liberty in Honolulu during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He describes what he witnessed on the day of the attack. He served on guard duty around the Navy yard and various posts after the attack. On 22 December his outfit was sent to Midway Island. They were sent back to Pearl Harbor; their unit was reorganized and Heidemann was transferred to a five-inch coast artillery unit. This group was sent to the New Hebrides for one year. His job was in fire control on the range finder. They later traveled to Guadalcanal and Vella Lavella. Heidemann spent 3 years in the South Pacific. From there he went back to the States where he completed Optical Ordnance School. Heidemann served 20 years in the Marine Corps, retiring in 1961.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Pauls. Pauls joined the Navy in January of 1941. He provides some details of his training. He served as a watertender aboard the USS Medusa (AR-1) beginning April of 1941. The Medusa was in Pearl Harbor the morning of 7 December 1941. Pauls provides vivid details leading up to, during and after the attack by the Japanese. They shot down two Japanese Aichi dive bombers, provided rescue assistance to other ships in the harbor and performed their primary role as a repair ship. In 1942 he was transferred to the USS Titania (AKA-13). Pauls served as an engineer on one of the tank lighters aboard the ship. They helped train Marines and soldiers in Chesapeake Bay. They participated in the Invasion of North Africa in late 1942. From there he went back to the U.S. and then in February of 1943 went to Guadalcanal. In October and November of 1943, they participated in Operation CHERRY BLOSSOM, the initial landing at Cape Torokina, Bougainville. Around January of 1945 Pauls was assigned to the USS Soubarissen (AO-93) and traveled to Okinawa and Leyte. In late 1945 he served aboard the …