Oral History Interview with Russell Pitzer, July 9, 2013 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Russell Pitzer, July 9, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Russell Pitzer. Pitzer was drafted into the Marine Corps in August 1944. In 1945 he traveled aboard USS Iowa (BB-61), fighting in the Battle of Okinawa and participating in the bombardment of Tokyo Bay and Japanese islands. Upon the Japanese surrender, Pitzer was assigned as a bodyguard to Admiral Chester Nimitz, and accompanied the admiral on a post-surrender tour of Japan that included Hiroshima. After the war, he returned home to West Virginia.
Date: July 9, 2013
Creator: Pitzer, Russell
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James G. Graff, January 9, 2013 transcript

Oral History Interview with James G. Graff, January 9, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James G. Graff. Born in 1925, he was inducted into the Army in 1944. Following basic training in Camp Hood, Texas, he was transferred to Co. C, 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment of the 35th Infantry Division. The Division was part of the Ardennes Campaign where he shares an anecdote about fighting alongside the 784th Tank Battalion. He describes battles on the banks of the Ruhr River or Maas, the cold weather and problems due to frostbite. He explains how his most frightening times were during the Battle of the Bulge and hardships from the weather. He was discharged from the Army following the war.
Date: January 9, 2013
Creator: Graff, James
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Russell Pitzer, July 9, 2013 transcript

Oral History Interview with Russell Pitzer, July 9, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Russell Pitzer. Pitzer was drafted into the Marine Corps in August 1944. In 1945 he traveled aboard USS Iowa (BB-61), fighting in the Battle of Okinawa and participating in the bombardment of Tokyo Bay and Japanese islands. Upon the Japanese surrender, Pitzer was assigned as a bodyguard to Admiral Chester Nimitz, and accompanied the admiral on a post-surrender tour of Japan that included Hiroshima. After the war, he returned home to West Virginia.
Date: July 9, 2013
Creator: Pitzer, Russell
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History