The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Juventino Mata. Mata was born of Mexican-American parents on a ranch in Imperial County, California. He recalls being forced to flee Mexico as a youngster due to the Cristero War conducted by the Mexican dictator Elias Calles. In the US, Mata attended a segregated school to the 8th grade at which time he quit to contribute to the family income. He tells of the family working as itinerate farm workers, picking various crops throughout California. In 1942, he was drafted into the US Army Air Forces. Upon completion of basic training, he joined the 29th Fighter Group, 55th Fighter Squadron and went to England aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth. There he became a cook for the unit. He tells of the missions of the 55th Fighter Squadron and the various types of fighter planes they flew. Mata was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Juventino Mata. Mata was born of Mexican-American parents on a ranch in Imperial County, California. He recalls being forced to flee Mexico as a youngster due to the Cristero War conducted by the Mexican dictator Elias Calles. In the US, Mata attended a segregated school to the 8th grade at which time he quit to contribute to the family income. He tells of the family working as itinerate farm workers, picking various crops throughout California. In 1942, he was drafted into the US Army Air Forces. Upon completion of basic training, he joined the 29th Fighter Group, 55th Fighter Squadron and went to England aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth. There he became a cook for the unit. He tells of the missions of the 55th Fighter Squadron and the various types of fighter planes they flew. Mata was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edward Nielsen. Nielsen joined the Army in January, 1941 and trained at Fort Knox. He was a good driver and was used to instruct other recruits in how to drive tanks. He discusses his experiences during the Louisiana Maneuvers prior to the war. When the war started, he headed for England with the 1st Armored Division be fore shipping to North Africa. Nielsen describes fighting in tanks in North Africa. Nielsen was captured by the Germans in February 1943. He was eventually evacuated through Tunis to a POW camp near Munich. He escaped with a friend only to be captured again after a few days. When the war ended, he had been liberated and was in American hands, waiting to go back to the US. When he returned, he was discharged in the fall of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edward Nielsen. Nielsen joined the Army in January, 1941 and trained at Fort Knox. He was a good driver and was used to instruct other recruits in how to drive tanks. He discusses his experiences during the Louisiana Maneuvers prior to the war. When the war started, he headed for England with the 1st Armored Division be fore shipping to North Africa. Nielsen describes fighting in tanks in North Africa. Nielsen was captured by the Germans in February 1943. He was eventually evacuated through Tunis to a POW camp near Munich. He escaped with a friend only to be captured again after a few days. When the war ended, he had been liberated and was in American hands, waiting to go back to the US. When he returned, he was discharged in the fall of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Hayes. Hayes joined the Navy in 1943. He was trained as a corpsman. Hayes spent time working at a Navy hospital in Oakland before he was sent to the Fleet Marine Force as a replacement. He joined the 1st Marine Division on Pavuvu after they returned from Cape Gloucester. Hayes mentions a USO show featuring Bob Hope that occurred during his time there. He landed on Peleliu with the fourth wave. Hayes was awarded the Bronze Star for removing wounded Marines from Bloody Nose Ridge. He was wounded and evacuated on the third day of battle. Hayes rejoined the division after he recovered and participated in the invasion of Okinawa. He describes taking Wana Ridge and the loss of two demolition men. Hayes traveled to China for occupation duty. One of his duties included manning a prophylactic station in a Chinese whorehouse frequented by servicemen. Hayes was also tasked with distributing penicillin on the voyage back to the States. He left the Navy soon after his return.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Hayes. Hayes joined the Navy in 1943. He was trained as a corpsman. Hayes spent time working at a Navy hospital in Oakland before he was sent to the Fleet Marine Force as a replacement. He joined the 1st Marine Division on Pavuvu after they returned from Cape Gloucester. Hayes mentions a USO show featuring Bob Hope that occurred during his time there. He landed on Peleliu with the fourth wave. Hayes was awarded the Bronze Star for removing wounded Marines from Bloody Nose Ridge. He was wounded and evacuated on the third day of battle. Hayes rejoined the division after he recovered and participated in the invasion of Okinawa. He describes taking Wana Ridge and the loss of two demolition men. Hayes traveled to China for occupation duty. One of his duties included manning a prophylactic station in a Chinese whorehouse frequented by servicemen. Hayes was also tasked with distributing penicillin on the voyage back to the States. He left the Navy soon after his return.