Oral History Interview with Juventino Mata, August 16, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with Juventino Mata, August 16, 2016

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.
Date: August 16, 2016
Creator: Mata, Juventino
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Juventino Mata, August 16, 2016 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Juventino Mata, August 16, 2016

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.
Date: August 16, 2016
Creator: Mata, Juventino
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Sheldon Graham, February 16, 2016 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Sheldon Graham, February 16, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Sheldon Graham. Graham joined the Army in mid-1944. He completed Officer Candidate School just as the war ended. Graham continued his service, joining the 6th Infantry Division, 20th Infantry Regiment, and served with occupation forces in Korea. He returned to the US and received his discharge in October of 1946. Graham remained in the reserves, retiring as a colonel in 1979.
Date: February 16, 2016
Creator: Graham, Sheldon
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Sheldon Graham, February 16, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with Sheldon Graham, February 16, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Sheldon Graham. Graham joined the Army in mid-1944. He completed Officer Candidate School just as the war ended. Graham continued his service, joining the 6th Infantry Division, 20th Infantry Regiment, and served with occupation forces in Korea. He returned to the US and received his discharge in October of 1946. Graham remained in the reserves, retiring as a colonel in 1979.
Date: February 16, 2016
Creator: Graham, Sheldon
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History