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 oral interview with Robert Steenhagen. Steenhagen was drafted into the Army in mid-1942. He was sent to the Pacific as a replacement and joined the Americal Division on Guadalcanal. Steenhagen was then sent to Bougainville. There he suffered from malaria, yellow jaundice, and jungle rot. He discusses conducting patrols and life in a fox hole. Steenhagen traveled with the Americal to the Philippines where he was wounded. He talks about his time at the hospital and going AWOL to rejoin his unit. Steenhagen fought with his unit on Cebu until the war ended. He details the combat conditions and the loss of several inexperienced lieutenants (90-day wonders). Steenhagen was part of the Occupation of Japan and left the Army soon after he returned to the States.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Steenhagen. Steenhagen was drafted into the Army in mid-1942. He was sent to the Pacific as a replacement and joined the Americal Division on Guadalcanal. Steenhagen was then sent to Bougainville. There he suffered from malaria, yellow jaundice, and jungle rot. He discusses conducting patrols and life in a fox hole. Steenhagen traveled with the Americal to the Philippines where he was wounded. He talks about his time at the hospital and going AWOL to rejoin his unit. Steenhagen fought with his unit on Cebu until the war ended. He details the combat conditions and the loss of several inexperienced lieutenants (90-day wonders). Steenhagen was part of the Occupation of Japan and left the Army soon after he returned to the States.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Dubray. Dubray joined the Navy in June, 1943 and trained in San Diego. Afterwards, he was assigned to USS San Juan (CL-54) in December. He went with the ship to the Marshall Islands and describes his experience crossing he equator. He shares several anecdotes about life aboard the cruiser and some about the surrender and going ashore in Japan.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Howard Stoneley. Stoneley joined the Navy around mid-1943. From 1943 through mid-1945, he served with the deck force aboard the USS Texas (BB-35). Stoneley shares his experiences through the Normandy Invasion, the Battle of Cherbourg, Operation Dragoon, the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa. He returned home after the war, and received his discharge around January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Dubray. Dubray joined the Navy in June, 1943 and trained in San Diego. Afterwards, he was assigned to USS San Juan (CL-54) in December. He went with the ship to the Marshall Islands and describes his experience crossing he equator. He shares several anecdotes about life aboard the cruiser and some about the surrender and going ashore in Japan.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Howard Stoneley. Stoneley joined the Navy around mid-1943. From 1943 through mid-1945, he served with the deck force aboard the USS Texas (BB-35). Stoneley shares his experiences through the Normandy Invasion, the Battle of Cherbourg, Operation Dragoon, the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa. He returned home after the war, and received his discharge around January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Lindsey. Lindsey provides background on his family’s history. He completed a Civilian Pilot Training program in Monticello, Arkansas. He began flying school in February of 1941, training in San Angelo, Barksdale and Great Falls, Montana. The US Army Air Corps accepted him in the 41G Class. He became a Ferry Pilot, working with Jimmy Doolittle’s organization in Pendleton, Oregon, practicing take-offs in B-25s to bomb Japan. He ferried planes in 1942 out of Long Beach, and then Great Falls. He participated in the China Burma India Theater in 1945 and flying The Hump. He traveled several times to Japan. Lindsey provides much detail on flying various types of aircraft and life overseas. He was discharged in December of 1945 and remained in the inactive reserves until 1959.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Angelo Gagliano. Gagliano joined the Navy in August 1942. He describes his experiences in basic training at Newport, Rhode Island. Gagliano was assigned to an air service unit and then transferred to the USS Langley (CVL-27). He became an aviation storekeeper and also served as an ammunition handler on a 40mm gun. Gagliano describes a time when he was a passenger on a TBF that catapulted off of the ship and how he blacked-out. He also discusses shipboard life and his duties. Gagliano describes seeing USS Princeton (CVL-23), USS Franklin (CV-13), and USS Lexington (CV-16) all take serious damage in battle. He also discusses what it was like to go through a typhoon and how several destroyers were lost. He was transferred to shore duty in New York and then Alameda where he signed off on returning aviators who were returning their gear. Gagliano left the Navy in March 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Lindsey. Lindsey provides background on his family’s history. He completed a Civilian Pilot Training program in Monticello, Arkansas. He began flying school in February of 1941, training in San Angelo, Barksdale and Great Falls, Montana. The US Army Air Corps accepted him in the 41G Class. He became a Ferry Pilot, working with Jimmy Doolittle’s organization in Pendleton, Oregon, practicing take-offs in B-25s to bomb Japan. He ferried planes in 1942 out of Long Beach, and then Great Falls. He participated in the China Burma India Theater in 1945 and flying The Hump. He traveled several times to Japan. Lindsey provides much detail on flying various types of aircraft and life overseas. He was discharged in December of 1945 and remained in the inactive reserves until 1959.

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.

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.