The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James D. Rothermel. Rothermel was born in Burton, Texas 20 February 1918. Enlisting in the Navy in 1942, he had boot camp at Norfolk, Virginia. After spending a short time at Providence, Rhode Island, he was sent to Treasure Island, California and assigned to the 14th Naval Construction Battalion. During September 1942 he went aboard the M.S. Sommelsdijk, a converted Dutch freighter, and tells of the trip to Noumea, New Caledonia. From there the unit was sent to Guadalcanal, which had not yet been secured. The unit constructed two new airstrips on the island and Rothermel describes the other work completed. He tells of the nightly visits by a Japanese bomber, which would indiscriminately drop bombs every night, primarily for harassment. The bomber was called “Washing Machine Charlie” by all the troops on the island. He recounts the devastating affect that malaria, dengue fever and other jungle diseases had on the members of the 14th Battalion. The unit returned to Camp Parker, California, during November 1943. He recalls that during October 1944 the unit was sent to Saipan where they spent several months before being sent to Okinawa …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Lew Jinks. Jinks joined the Army in June 1943 and trained as a medic. In November, he went overseas in January 1944 and was assigned to the 147th Infantry Regiment. Jinks went to Emirau with the unit, then the Mariana Islands. He also served as a medic with the unit on Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Jinks relates several stories from his experiences overseas.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank McGuinn. McGuinn trained with the Navy as a part of the V-12 program. He was commissioned in early 1945 and joined the crew of USS Saratoga (CV-3). McGuinn describes the preparations being made for the invasion of Japan and life aboard ship. He also details an incident that he witnessed when a plane caught fire on the flight deck during training. McGuinn took part in Operation Magic Carpet and then traveled with the Saratoga for the bomb testing at Bikini Atoll. He describes seeing the two bombs go off and the effects of the test on the Saratoga.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Boone Kemp. Kemp joined the Navy in August 1942 and received training for electricians in ships’ engineering departments. He served aboard the USS Doherty (DE-14) at the Aleutian Islands, running the movies aboard ship. He wrote to Admiral Nimitz and asked to be transferred, and so began correspondence that would lead to Kemp naming his firstborn son Chester. Kemp was transferred to the USS Dyson (DD-572) and went to the Philippines, where he survived a typhoon. He recalls seeing a long canoe filled with native warriors near Mindanao. At Okinawa, he saw a kamikaze plane disintegrated by antiaircraft fire just before it would have crashed into the Dyson. During the occupation of Japan, his ship was stationed at sea to rescue troop planes that might crash. Kemp returned home and was discharged in March 1946. He joined the Reserves and was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. He claims to have witnessed Russian missiles being brought into Cuba while aboard the USS Saratoga (CVA-60). His service ended with his participation in the Vietnam War.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Curtis Whiteway. Whiteway joined the Army in December 1943 and trained at Fort Knox. He was attached to the 99th Infantry Division and landed in France in September of 1944. He recalls a friendly fire incident that reduced his company to 18 men. He also mentions liberating various concentration camps. He had a comrade die in his arms and he shares anecdotes from during the Battle of the Bulge and other combat experiences. He received three Purple Hearts. When the war ended, Whiteway went back to France. His records were misplaced and he was finally sent home and discharged in March, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Benjamin Cranefield, Jr. Cranefield joined the US Navy in 1943, and after attending boot camp in Farragut, Idaho, was sent to corpsman school in San Diego, California. Upon completion of the corpsman training he underwent amphibious training. Then he boarded the USS Hansford (APA-106). He tells of joining the 1st Battalion, 27th Regiment of the 5th Marines at Hilo, Hawaii and of landing on Saipan. He describes the combat actions taking place during the four days following the landing. He recalls being involved in action on Iwo Jima, after which time he went back aboard the Hansford. He was aboard when it delivered the Army’s 27th Infantry Division to Okinawa. He describes the operating room aboard the USS Hansford. Following the battle for Okinawa the ship sailed to Subic Bay, Philippine Islands to undergo training for the invasion of Japan. Following the surrender of Japan the ship participated in Operation Magic Carpet until the program was terminated. Soon afterwards the ship went to Norfolk, Virginia, where it was decommissioned.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Procter. Procter volunteered for the Navy in 1944. He was assigned to the gunnery division on the USS Hornet (CV-12). Procter was aboard when the Hornet was supporting at Okinawa. He describes the operation of the 5-inch gun and going through a typhoon that heavily damaged the flight deck. Procter remained aboard after the surrender and took part in Operation Magic Carpet to return servicemen to the States.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Roy Warren. Warren was a child when his father was stationed in Pearl Harbor in 1941 as a communications officer with the Navy. He tells of life as a 4th grader attending school on Ford Island and living in Little Makalapa. Warren recalls seeing the first wave of Japanese torpedo bombers flying over his house. He describes his experiences during the attack and the days afterward. Warren details the types of souvenirs that he collected during and after the battle. He describes sailors showing up at his house in wet uniforms. Warren mentions how his family stayed in Hawaii after the attack and how his mother ended up as a civilian employee for the Navy. Later in life he joined the Army when he grew up and describes some of his career highlights.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Larry Caid. Caid joined the Army in September of 1944. He served as a light machine gun specialist with the 33rd Infantry Division. He arrived in the Philippines in February of 1945, participating in the Battle of Luzon and the liberation of the islands. He served on occupation duty in Honshu, Japan after the war ended. He was discharged in 1946, though continued his service in the Reserves, retiring as a colonel in the Field Artillery in 1974.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Maxine Lauderdale Cullison. Cullison speaks of being raised in Harlingen, Texas and meeting her husband, who was training in the Army Air Corps there in 1942. She mentions two brother that served during the war: one aboard the USS Swordfish (SS-193) and one was an engineer building the Alcan Hiaghway. Then she speaks about her husband's service and all the places he was stationed.

Transcript of an oral interview with Wesley Visel. Visel joined the Army shortly after war's outbreak and was sent to Texas for training. He ended up as an LVT (Landing Vehicle, Tracked) driver and describes the operation of the amphibious vehicle. Visel describes loading up onto LSTs (Landing Ship. Tank) and invading Luzon, Philippines. He describes dropping infantrymen off, then returning to the side of a liberty ship where cargo was craned over the side into his LVT. Visel then headed back to shore to unload. He would perform this task for 12 hours straight. Visel also describes experiences on Palawan and Mindanao. Visel was still in the Philippines training for the upcoming invasion of Japan when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harold Johnson. Johnson joined the Navy in April 1941. He was assigned to the USS Oklahoma (BB-37) and survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. Johnson describes the ship getting hit and escaping from the interior. He swam through the oil-coated water to safety despite the ship almost rolling over on top of him. Johnson was then assigned to the USS Worden (DD-352) during the Battle of Midway. He was separated from this ship in Hawaii when it left while he was on liberty. Johnson was temporarily attached to the USS Whitney (AD-4) and traveled to Guadalcanal. He witnessed the first naval battle at Guadalcanal from his watch position and describes seeing silhouettes of the ships as they opened fire. Johnson eventually was returned to the Worden and was on board when it was lost after running aground in the Aleutians. He describes how he was rescued from the frigid water. Johnson was then transferred to a patrol craft, PC-462, and performed convoy duty in the Gulf of Mexico. He was then assigned to USS LST-668 and participated in the landings on Leyte and Lingayen. Johnson served as a …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank McGuinn. McGuinn trained with the Navy as a part of the V-12 program. He was commissioned in early 1945 and joined the crew of USS Saratoga (CV-3). McGuinn describes the preparations being made for the invasion of Japan and life aboard ship. He also details an incident that he witnessed when a plane caught fire on the flight deck during training. McGuinn took part in Operation Magic Carpet and then traveled with the Saratoga for the bomb testing at Bikini Atoll. He describes seeing the two bombs go off and the effects of the test on the Saratoga.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Jefferson Loyd. Loyd joined the Navy in March of 1944. He served as a 20mm gunner and Third-Class Motor Machinist aboard USS Dewey (DD-349). They escorted convoys to Eniwetok, participated in raids on Ulithi, supported troops in the Luzon, Iwo Jima and Okinawa invasions. He continued his service after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Henri Granier. Granier joined the Army in 1939 and received basic training at Fort Slocum. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 27th Infantry Regiment and sent to Schofield Barracks. He fired at Japanese planes as they left Pearl Harbor on the day of the attack. His first experience of combat was on Guadalcanal in January 1942 when he survived a banzai attack in the jungle. While on night duty in the Solomon Islands, he heard a Japanese troop carrier approaching, so he quickly disassembled and reassembled a jammed 57-millimeter recoilless rifle, successfully defending his unit. He was wounded twice in combat, once by a piece of shrapnel and once by a Japanese saber. His unit was relieved and sent to New Zealand for reorganization. While there, the war ended. Granier returned to the United States and remained in the Army, twice deploying to Korea and twice to Vietnam. At the beginning of the Iraq War, he donned dress greens and showed up at a recruiting office, requesting to reenlist. He was 89 years old at the time.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thelma Province O'Malley. Born in 1921, she joined the SPARS in 1943 or early1944. She describes her training in Palm Beach, Florida as well as her duties at the Coast Guard Recruiting Station in San Francisco, California. She also talks about sightseeing in San Francisco. The interview also includes information about her parents and siblings.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Boone Kemp. Kemp joined the Navy in August 1942 and received training for electricians in ships’ engineering departments. He served aboard the USS Doherty (DE-14) at the Aleutian Islands, running the movies aboard ship. He wrote to Admiral Nimitz and asked to be transferred, and so began correspondence that would lead to Kemp naming his firstborn son Chester. Kemp was transferred to the USS Dyson (DD-572) and went to the Philippines, where he survived a typhoon. He recalls seeing a long canoe filled with native warriors near Mindanao. At Okinawa, he saw a kamikaze plane disintegrated by antiaircraft fire just before it would have crashed into the Dyson. During the occupation of Japan, his ship was stationed at sea to rescue troop planes that might crash. Kemp returned home and was discharged in March 1946. He joined the Reserves and was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. He claims to have witnessed Russian missiles being brought into Cuba while aboard the USS Saratoga (CVA-60). His service ended with his participation in the Vietnam War.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bern Ballard. Ballard joined the Army National Guard in November 1940 at Camp Mabry. He served as a truck driver in the Austin and San Antonio area and describes how he was injured during the Louisiana Maneuvers. Ballard describes driving a truck with the 36th Infantry Division in North Africa and Italy. He details having to pick up dead soldiers near the front and drive them back to cemeteries. Ballard describes taking part in the invasion of Southern France and his transfer to the 78th Division and reassignment as an infantryman. He discusses how he was wounded by mortar fire in the Hurtgen Forest and how he was treated. Ballard describes the combat conditions, in particular the cold and lack of food. He accepted the surrender of German soldiers at the end of the war. Ballard was discharged in July 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Floyd Cox. Cox was born in Hutchinson, Kansas on 26 November 1932. Upon graduating from high school in 1950 he joined the US Air Force. He recalls, as a child, hearing a broadcast telling of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and how the war affected a youngster living in a small town during that time. He relates his experiences in participating in scrap iron and grease collections for war time purposes and purchasing War Bond Stamps. Cox alludes to the effects of government enforced rationing on various commodities during this time.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Peter Chu. Peter's son Alan Chu also participates in this interview. Peter Chu discusses the Japanese occupation in Nanking, China in 1937 when he was 10 years old.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Vern Muncy. Muncy joined the Marine Corps in early 1944 and received basic training in South Carolina and North Carolina. Muncy was assigned to the 7th Field Depot, III Amphibious Corps. After the war, he was sent to Tientsin for guard duty. During R&R on Okinawa, he was spared the worst of the typhoon. He returned home and was discharged in July 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Trudy Varrs Harris. Harris was born in Buffalo, New York in 1926. She attended Hockaday Private School and graduated in 1941. She joined the American Women’s Voluntary Service during the summer as a 15 year old driver whose job was to pick up military officers in a command car at various locations and take them to defense plants and various offices. During this time her sister worked in a hospital and her mother rolled bandages for the Red Cross. The interview was concluded with members of an audience posing questions concerning Trudy’s opinions about rationing, the surrender of Germany, the atomic bomb, etc.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Maxine Lauderdale Cullison. Cullison speaks of being raised in Harlingen, Texas and meeting her husband, who was training in the Army Air Corps there in 1942. She mentions two brother that served during the war: one aboard the USS Swordfish (SS-193) and one was an engineer building the Alcan Hiaghway. Then she speaks about her husband's service and all the places he was stationed.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Walter B. Neitsch: He was inducted at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas and received basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and later at the Army Engineer Vancouver Barracks. He speaks of working with the 340th Army Engineers Construction Battalion to construct the ALCAN (Alaska-Canadian) Highway as well as rebuilding an airport in Darwin, Australia, and repairing roads and bridges in Luzon in the Phillipines where he saw Japanese soldiers coming in to surrender at the end of the war. He also told of the death from seasickness of a fellow soldier while in transit on the US Motorship Pennant and becoming a shellback when their ship crossed the equator.