The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Howard Stearns. Stearns joined the Army in July of 1946. He served with the 1st Cavalry Division, 5th Cavalry Regiment. In December he traveled to Yokohama, Japan aboard the USS General W. M. Black (AP-135). Stearns was assigned to the 4th Replacement Depot in Japan, and worked as a non-commissioned officer, overseeing a supply room during the occupation of Japan. Stearns also transported war criminals by vehicle to the war crime trials, sat in on the trials, then escorted the criminals back to the Sugamo prison in Tokyo. He returned to the US and was discharged in November of 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Thomas Killian. Killian joined the Army in April of 1945, at the young age of 14 years old. He was assigned to the 29th Regimental Combat Team, 10th Army. He traveled to Okinawa, arriving 26 June 1945, participating in the invasion of the island. They traveled south on the island, towards Naha, and helped with cleanup, and had some direct combat with the Japanese. By August the bombs had been dropped and the war was over. Killian remained on the island until 26 August. He returned to the US and was discharged in May of 1948. In August of 1949, Killian rejoined, and by June of 1950 he was back in Okinawa. From there, he participated in the Korean War with E Company, 7th Cavalry. He was wounded and discharged in July of 1951.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Milton Lackowitz. Lackowitz joined the Navy in mid-1943. He completed Aviation Radioman’s School, and served as a TBF Avenger Radioman/Gunner aboard the USS Santee (CVE-29). He later served as a Gunner’s Mate in the Fire Control Division. They participated in the New Guinea Campaign, the Philippines Campaign, the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa. Lackowitz returned to the US after the war ended.