The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Louis Vilmer. Vilmer joined the Navy in April of 1943. He completed aerial gunnery school and trained as an aviation radioman. He traveled to Pearl Harbor around May of 1944 and transferred to the Naval Air Station at Barbers Point in Hawaii. From there he traveled to Majuro and Eniwetok awaiting assignment in a replacement pool. He served aboard the USS Braine (DD-630) before being assigned to the USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73). They traveled to the Palau Islands and to Leyte Gulf, supporting troop landings. He provides some details of life aboard the Gambier Bay and his work as a dive bomber. In the summer of 1945 he completed photography and radar bombing school. He traveled to Guam and finally Alaska when the war ended. Back in the United States he was assigned to a military office processing travel reimbursements. He was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Benjamin Muller. Muller was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1924. Upon joining the Army Air Corps in 1942, he was sent to radio school in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was then sent to Savannah, Georgia where he trained for one year as a member of the 92nd Airdrome Squadron. He then went to Pittsburg, California where he boarded the USAT Klipfontein bound for Lae, New Guinea. He then went to Nadzab, where he joined the 34th Bomb Group, 300th Bomb Squadron as the radio operator/gunner on a B-25. He tells of the various locations they were based and describes some of the thirty-seven missions he flew. He recalls a bombing mission over Indochina where flak from Japanese antiaircraft created a fire aboard his plane resulting in a crash landing in the sea. The pilot did not survive the crash and the co-pilot disappeared in the water wearing his life vest. Muller had been burned, the navigator had a back injury and the engineer was severely burned. On 3 April 1945, they were picked up by a Japanese patrol boat and taken to Samah, Hainan Island, China where …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Dwight Mayo. Mayo joined the Marine Corps in October of 1942. Beginning in late 1944, he served as an F4U Corsair fighter pilot, stationed aboard USS Bennington (CV-20) in the Pacific. He took part in strikes against the Japanese home islands, and in raids in support of the Okinawa campaign. Mayo completed 100 missions. He continued his service after the war ended, retiring in 1962 with the rank of major.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Jacquet. He was born in Racine, Wisconsin August 29, 1918. He joined the Army Air Corps as a flying cadet in February 1940 and was assigned to the 19th Bombardment Group. He recalls arriving at Clark Field in early November 1941. After the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, Jacquet flew B-17s conducting various missions between Luzon and Mindanao until his plane was too damaged to fly. He describes how he was then placed in command of a Filipino Reservist machine gun platoon in the village of Cagayan. Jacquet lived several weeks with the natives until he contracted malaria and was evacuated to Java in January 1942. He describes his escape from Java to Melbourne, Australia, where he was hospitalized with dengue fever. Upon discharge from the hospital, he was assigned to demonstrate the B-17 to several high-ranking Australian officers. He also recounts several bombing missions to New Guinea in the spring of 1942, including sorties to the Japanese Naval Base at Rabaul. He returned to the United States in December 1942. During the following year and a half he trained B-29 crews and was sent to Wendover, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Rudd. Rudd joined the Army Air Forces in October of 1942. He completed Radio School and served as a Radio Operator with the 83rd Troop Carrier Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group. In January of 1944, the group deployed to England. In June, during the Normandy campaign, they released gliders over Cherbourg, France and carried troops, weapons, ammunition and other supplies for the 82nd Airborne Division. In August through December, they participated in the invasion of southern France and Operation Market Garden, releasing paratroopers and gliders, and resupplied the 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne, Belgium. Rudd returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.

Transcript of an oral interview with Kevin V. Kerin. Born in Australia in 1925, he joined the Royal Australian Air Force in June, 1943. He received radio training in Ballarat, Victoria. He attended gunnery school in West Sale, Victoria. In East Sale, Victoria he was assigned to an aircraft crew and received operational training. He describes the Beaufort aircraft, the crew configuration, and the training process. In spring 1944 he became a radio operator in Number 7 Squadron and was sent to Higgins Field on the Cape York Peninsula of Australia. He participated in anti-submarine patrols over the Gulf of Carpentaria. His squadron was later moved to Tadji, New Guinea to fly low-altitude bombing and strafing missions to eliminate the remaining Japanese force hidden in the tall grass. He was discharged in early 1946. He studied law at Adelaide University as part of the Commonwealth Reconstruction Training Program (CRTS), an educational program for veterans.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Jagielski. Jagielski was born in Redding, Pennsylvania 5 April 1926. In May 1943, he joined the Navy and attended boot camp at Sampson, New York. Following graduation, he was sent to gunnery school at Price Neck, Rhode Island. He was eventually assigned as a member of the deck force on the USS Cebu (ARG-6). He was present at Manus Island when the Mount Hood (AE-11) exploded. The blast killed six sailors on the Cebu. He received his discharge soon after the surrender of Japan.

Transcript of an oral interview with Claire Krizoy. Krizoy discusses her time in the Marine Corp Women's Reserve where she did secretarial work at Cherry Point, NC and Milledgeville, GA for aviation units stations on bases in each place.

Transcript of an oral interview with Mr. Iwashita. From his Japanese Naval Academy class of 360, he was among 120 selected for flight training. Upon completion, he was chosen to be an instructor. After eight months serving as an instructor, Iwashita was assigned to combat duty with the 301st Air WIng at Yokosuka. Iwashita describes using aerial bombs to destroy attacking American bombers.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Hickey. Hickey joined the Army around mid-1944. He served with the 19th Infantry Regiment. In April of 1945, he participated in the Philippines Campaign in Davao on Mindanao, where he was wounded. Hickey served with occupation forces in Japan through mid-1946. He returned to the US and was discharged in late 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Swartz. Swartz joined the Army Air Forces in April 1945 and received basic training at Sheppard Field. He was discharged as an aviation cadet after the war ended and embarked on a civilian career in various technologies, including television, radio, and broadcast equipment. After working as a ground radio operator for American Airlines, he enlisted in the Air Force and graduated as a pilot in September 1949. He was on patrol in Korea on 25 June 1950, when he noticed the mass evacuation of Gimpo. The next day, he began flying close air support missions, with no prior combat training, ultimately flying a total of 141 missions. In 1953 he was stationed in Greenland as part of the first operational fighter squadron north of the Arctic Circle. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, he was in Germany on high alert, his F-100 equipped with a nuclear weapon and assigned a target. In Vietnam, he led the first successful missions locating and destroying surface-to-air missile (SAM) bases. Swartz returned to the States as an F-100 instructor and retired in 1968.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Hyatt. Hyatt joined the Army Air Forces in November of 1943. He served as a B-17 pilot with the 385th Bombardment Group, completing 35 bombing missions over Germany and France. Hyatt returned to the US in January of 1945. After the war ended, he transported troops from Okinawa back to the States.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Otto Lyons. Lyons joined the Army Air Forces around 1943. He served as a glider pilot and shares details of his flight training. In early 1944, he deployed to England, participating in Operation Market Garden. He completed additional missions over Paris, France, and participated with American ground troops in combat going into Germany. He returned to the US in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Leon Spencer. Spencer joined the Army Air Corps in October of 1940. He completed schooling in Aviation Medicine in 1941, working as a flight surgeon’s assistant through June of 1942. He graduated in mid-1943 from Advanced Glider Training in Lubbock, Texas and served as a Flight Officer. After surviving an aircraft accident in September, Spencer became a glider pilot instructor at Sedalia, Missouri and Blytheville, Arkansas. He continued his service after the war ended, retiring from the Air Force in 1964.

Transcript of an oral interview with Loyd Jensen. After moving to Los Angeles from Kansas, Jensen was drafted into the Army in October, 1940. While serving in California, Jenses went to glider pilot school, but the program got cut. He ended up in flight school in Marfa, Texas, earned his wings and was commissioned an officer in January, 1944. He elected to fly B-25s and began training in them. With training complete, Jensen and his crew shipped to India. He flew 67 combat missions supporting the British 14th Army in Burma. Jensen also describes his living conditions and the various Indian servants he and his fellow servicemen employed. He also describes a typical mission briefing; the time he went on R&R; the food avaialble at his base; what the crews did for entertainment. When the war ended, Jensen rotated home and trined pilots before heading for occupation duty in Japan. He was there when the Korean War started. He also mentions being part of hte Military Advisory Group in Vietnam. His job was to advise the small South Vietnamese Air Forces and he flew guys to Hong Kong for R&R on occasion.

Transcript of an oral interview with Peter Lanchak. Lanchak joined the Army in 1939 and was sent to Panama to serve in a coastal artillery battery. He enjoyed riding in airplanes and volunteered for duty as a crewman or as a gunner on the various aircraft stationed where he was. Eventually, after the war started, he was shipped to India in 1942. Once he arrived in India, Lanchak began participating in missions over Rangoon and eventually flew over the Himalaya Mountains to China. After 47 missions, Lanchack was shipped back to the US in late 1943. When he returned, he served as an aerial gunnery trainer at Colorado Springs and in Idaho.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alfonso Perez. Perez was born in Maxwell, Texas 11 September 1923. After finishing the fourth grade he went to work in the agricultural fields as a laborer. In January 1942 he joined the Navy and entered boot camp at San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Midway/USS St. Lo (CVE-63) as a plane captain with VC-65. He recalls the ship taking part in the invasion of Saipan and Tinian and going to Eniwetok for replacements and provisions. On 25 October 1944 the St. Lo was involved in the Battle off Samar when the Japanese attacked as planes from the St. Lo were being launched for submarine patrol. Perez remembers the Japanese ships being so close he could see enemy sailors on deck as they passed. He recalls seeing a kamikaze diving toward his ship and crashing approximately thirty feet from where he was. Upon receiving orders to abandon ship he went overboard and remembers being taken aboard a raft. The survivors were picked up by the USS Dennis (DE-405) and he recalls the compassion shown by the crew. After being treated for superficial wounds he …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Michael Tostik. Tostik tried to join the Navy in 1939 but was turned away. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps instead and worked for civilian contractors building materials for the military. After training with an aviation unit, he was assigned to the USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73). Tostik served as a mechanic aboard ship. He was aboard when the Gambier Bay sank off Samar and describes the day. He describes abandoning ship and being in the water for just over two days. He was rescued and transferred to an LST that got caught in a typhoon. He returned to the US via the Panama Canal and was discharged in New York.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kenneth W. Prescott. Prescott was born 9 August 1920 in Jackson, Michigan. Upon graduating from midshipman’s school at Northwestern University in December 1942, Prescott volunteered to serve with a PT boat squadron. He was sent to Melville, Rhode Island for training. When complete, went to Tulagi and was assigned as executive officer aboard PT Boat 61. Commenting on the construction of a PT boat he also discusses the armament and number of crewmen and the responsibilities of each. He reminisces about his friendship with John F. Kennedy and comments on several experiences he had with him. Recalling the PT boat tender, USS Jamestown (APG-3), he tells of the services it provided to the PT squadrons in the area. Prescott was later made executive officer of the Jamestown.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Ward. Ward joined the Navy in June of 1940. He served aboard USS President Adams (APA-19) as a Higgins Boat Coxswain. They deployed to Guadalcanal, landing Marine forces ashore. He later served in a boat pool ashore in the vicinity of Henderson Field. In September of 1942, Ward served in the Gunnery Department aboard USS Saratoga (CV-3), working as a hot shell man. Ward was aboard the Saratoga during the Guadalcanal Campaign, the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, the New Georgia Campaign, the invasion of Bougainville, the Gilbert and Marshall Islands Campaign and the Battle of Iwo Jima. In May of 1945, Ward was transferred to a repair base in San Diego for shore duty. He was discharged in October of 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with E. B. Potter. Potter was attached to the Intelligence Section of the 14th Naval District in Oahu during World War II. He graduated with an English degree from the University of Richmond in 1929. He completed an advanced degree in English at the University of Chicago, and during this time the war broke out in Europe. He applied for and received a commission in the Navy. Potter was sent to the Naval Academy as a reservist to teach college-level European and naval history. After 7 December 1941 he went to communications school. From there he went to Pearl Harbor in November of 1943. Potter worked in the Registered Publications Issuing Office (RPIO), distributing codes and ciphers to ships of the fleet. He provides a vivid description of his work. Potter became second-in-command of RPIO. He talks some of Commander Joseph Rochefort’s operation and code breaking. He discusses briefly working on the biography of Admiral Chester Nimitz, and some of Admiral Bill Halsey’s actions during the war. Potter was later assigned as executive officer to the 14th Naval District and provides stories of his experiences. In 1945 he returned to …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Walden Franzen. Franzen joined the Navy in 1937. He became a plane captain with VB-3 and served on the USS Saratoga (CV-3) and the USS Ranger (CV-4). Franzen mentions life on board ship and the difference between the two carriers. He went on to serve as a crew chief on a PBY in the Caribbean and later as a maintenance supervisor for a utility squadron that served along the East Coast. Franzen remained in the Navy after the war, and retired in 1957.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Q. Landis. Landis joined the Navy around April of 1944. He served as a quartermaster aboard USS Blue Ridge (AGC-2). They traveled to New Guinea, and he assisted the ship’s captain in undercover scouting work that other crew members completed aboard LSTs and LCTs. They also traveled to Leyte in the Philippine Islands. Around late 1944, early 1945, Landis transferred to USS Henry T. Allen (APA-15). They were located in Manila Bay when the war ended, then they traveled to Japan to assist with occupation duties. They returned to the US in December and Landis received his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bart Semerero. Semerero joined the Army Air Forces in 1943. He completed bombardier training. Beginning in April of 1944, he served aboard a B-17 with the 326th Base Unit. He was transferred to Florida to completed additional training, where he was stationed when the war ended. He continued his service after the war ended, serving with occupying forces in Germany, receiving his discharge in 1947.