Booklet containing information on the Philippines intended for United States military personnel that went there. The booklet describes the people, geography, history and how the Philippines fell to Japan, and health and sanitation and provides maps, illustrations, and English phrases translated into Tagalog with phonetic pronunciations. Pages 15-18 are missing from the booklet.

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz, writing from China, mentions leaving Manila just as a cholera outbreak occurred. Nimitz mentions his travel plans for he interior of China. He mentions the Boxer Rebellion briefly and various news on some other classmates in the fleet. He also describes a malfunction with one of his torpedoes. Between the time Nimitz started this letter and mailed it, he took an inland trip to Peking, which he describes. He also mentions going to Korea and escorting members of the Taft Party (including Alice Roosevelt).

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bowser, Gross and Johnson. The three-way conversation begins with Frank Gross discussing his activity at the Battle of Wake Island when the garrison had to surrender to the Japanese at the outset of the war. Frank joined the Marine Corps in late 1938. He also describes a lot of his travels during the Great Depression. Johnny served as the postmaster on Wake Island. Walter was on Wake Island, too. The men share several anecdotes about their time on Wake Island during the battle and some stories of their captivity. At times, these men go into great detail about their experiences on Wake Island fighting the Japanese, being captured and interacting with the civilians.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bowser, Gross and Johnson. The three-way conversation begins with Frank Gross discussing his activity at the Battle of Wake Island when the garrison had to surrender to the Japanese at the outset of the war. Frank joined the Marine Corps in late 1938. He also describes a lot of his travels during the Great Depression. Johnny served as the postmaster on Wake Island. Walter was on Wake Island, too. The men share several anecdotes about their time on Wake Island during the battle and some stories of their captivity. At times, these men go into great detail about their experiences on Wake Island fighting the Japanese, being captured and interacting with the civilians.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz, writing from China, mentions leaving Manila just as a cholera outbreak occurred. Nimitz mentions his travel plans for he interior of China. He mentions the Boxer Rebellion briefly and various news on some other classmates in the fleet. He also describes a malfunction with one of his torpedoes. Between the time Nimitz started this letter and mailed it, he took an inland trip to Peking, which he describes. He also mentions going to Korea and escorting members of the Taft Party (including Alice Roosevelt).

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Mei Nakano. Nakano is a Japanese-American and was an internee at the Amache Internment Camp in Colorado. She was born in 1924 in Olathe, Colorado. She provides detail of her life growing up in Colorado and various prejudices she received from teachers and classmates. They moved to Los Angeles, California in 1935 where she graduated from high school. She provides detail of the discrimination she and her family received in California, particularly after 7 December 1941. As notices were going out to other Japanese-American families regarding evacuation, Nakano describes her family’s preparations for the inevitable. They were evacuated by the War Relocation Authority to the Santa Anita Racetrack and in 1942 transferred to the Amache Internment Camp in Colorado. She provides much detail of life in these camps. Nakano returned to California after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Donihi. Donihi was born in Erie, Pennsylvania. He graduated from high school in 1934. During the Depression, he worked low wage jobs and lost his leg in an automobile accident while hitchhiking to Florida. His experiences influenced him to attend law school. He passed the Bar in 1941 and went to work in Tennessee. He was exempt from the draft, but was motivated to learn to fly under the Civil Air Patrol. He joined the Coast Guard Reserve during World War II and became a Seaman First Class, ferrying submarine chasers down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico for shakedown cruises. After the war, he met Tom Clark, President Truman’s Attorney General (and later Associate Supreme Court Justice). Clark offered Donihi a job in Tokyo and introduced him to Joseph B. Keenan, who had worked in President Roosevelt’s White House. Keenan was setting up an organization named Project K, which operated out of the Justice Department. Its purpose was to prosecute Emperor Hirohito and other suspected Japanese war criminals. In Tokyo he lived with Keenan and 15 other lawyers and judges. He attended several meetings …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Martin Harris. Harris was born in Japan in 1923. He moved to the US to attend college. The war broke out and he joined the Navy. He completed Navy Language School. In April of 1944 he was transferred to the Joint Intelligence Center of Pacific Ocean Area (JICPOA) under the direction of CINCPAC. He worked as a translator of documents. In May of 1944, he was selected for the Naval Civil Affairs Unit and deployed to Saipan. He shares his experience living and working on the island. He returned to Hawaii in May of 1945, and was assigned to the Interrogation Department at Pearl Harbor. After the war ended, and Harris was discharged, he remained in the reserves.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Martin Harris. Harris was born in Japan in 1923. He moved to the US to attend college. The war broke out and he joined the Navy. He completed Navy Language School. In April of 1944 he was transferred to the Joint Intelligence Center of Pacific Ocean Area (JICPOA) under the direction of CINCPAC. He worked as a translator of documents. In May of 1944, he was selected for the Naval Civil Affairs Unit and deployed to Saipan. He shares his experience living and working on the island. He returned to Hawaii in May of 1945, and was assigned to the Interrogation Department at Pearl Harbor. After the war ended, and Harris was discharged, he remained in the reserves.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Arquette. Arquette joined the Navy in February of 1942. He completed flight training, and was assigned to a fighter squadron. Beginning November of 1942, he served as a pilot aboard USS Lexington (CV-16). He participated in raids on Wake Island and the Gilbert Islands. He later transferred to USS Randolph (CV-15), participating in the Okinawa invasion. He returned to the US and was discharged in October of 1945. Arquette continued his service and retired in 1963.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edward Nielsen. Nielsen joined the Army in January, 1941 and trained at Fort Knox. He was a good driver and was used to instruct other recruits in how to drive tanks. He discusses his experiences during the Louisiana Maneuvers prior to the war. When the war started, he headed for England with the 1st Armored Division be fore shipping to North Africa. Nielsen describes fighting in tanks in North Africa. Nielsen was captured by the Germans in February 1943. He was eventually evacuated through Tunis to a POW camp near Munich. He escaped with a friend only to be captured again after a few days. When the war ended, he had been liberated and was in American hands, waiting to go back to the US. When he returned, he was discharged in the fall of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edward Nielsen. Nielsen joined the Army in January, 1941 and trained at Fort Knox. He was a good driver and was used to instruct other recruits in how to drive tanks. He discusses his experiences during the Louisiana Maneuvers prior to the war. When the war started, he headed for England with the 1st Armored Division be fore shipping to North Africa. Nielsen describes fighting in tanks in North Africa. Nielsen was captured by the Germans in February 1943. He was eventually evacuated through Tunis to a POW camp near Munich. He escaped with a friend only to be captured again after a few days. When the war ended, he had been liberated and was in American hands, waiting to go back to the US. When he returned, he was discharged in the fall of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Larry Pangan. Pangan was born in Arayat, Pampanga in September of 1919. He moved to Manila in 1938 to attend business college. He joined the US Army Philippine Scouts in March 1941 and was assigned to the 57th Infantry Regiment. He survived the Bataan Death March and incarceration at Camp O'Donnell. Although seriously ill with malaria, dysentery, beriberi and malnutrition, Pangan was able to escape. Upon regaining his health, he joined an American-led guerrilla group in central Luzon. He continued his service after the war ended, retiring from the Army in 1961.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Larry Pangan. Pangan was born in Arayat, Pampanga in September of 1919. He moved to Manila in 1938 to attend business college. He joined the US Army Philippine Scouts in March 1941 and was assigned to the 57th Infantry Regiment. He survived the Bataan Death March and incarceration at Camp O'Donnell. Although seriously ill with malaria, dysentery, beriberi and malnutrition, Pangan was able to escape. Upon regaining his health, he joined an American-led guerrilla group in central Luzon. He continued his service after the war ended, retiring from the Army in 1961.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edith Chamberlin. Chamberlin’s mother was from Poland, her father was from England, and she was born in Shanghai, China. Her father was a cinematographer and was offered a job in the movie industry in the Philippines. She speaks of their life in the Philippines prior to the war. After the Japanese invaded the Philippines, she and her family were taken to Santo Tomas Internment Camp in Manila. They remained there from January of 1942 through their liberation in February of 1945. After the war, their family re-established their life in the Philippines.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Hall. Hall joined the marine Corps in mid-1943 and trained at San Diego. After basic training, Hall attended aviation radio school and gunnery school before being assigned to VMB-621 when they were still flying PBJ bombers. Hall eventually went to Emirau and then the Philippines. He also shares a few anecdotes about being in Australia on R and R. Hall elected to leave the service after the war and use the GI Bill to go to college.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Hall. Hall joined the marine Corps in mid-1943 and trained at San Diego. After basic training, Hall attended aviation radio school and gunnery school before being assigned to VMB-621 when they were still flying PBJ bombers. Hall eventually went to Emirau and then the Philippines. He also shares a few anecdotes about being in Australia on R and R. Hall elected to leave the service after the war and use the GI Bill to go to college.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arnold Spielberg. Spielberg was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on 6 February 1917. His mother and father migrated from the Ukraine. He joined the United States Army and based on his experience as a “Ham” radio operator and knowledge of Morse code, he was assigned to the 442nd Signal Corps. Soon afterwards, he was assigned to the United States Army Air Forces and went aboard the SS Santa Paul in May 1942 bound for Karachi, India. After a short stint in supply, Spielberg was transferred to the 490th Bombardment Group where he set up a communications center at Ondal, India. The unit then moved to Bishnapur, India where he became the communications chief. During this time he was instrumental in setting up a rhombic directional antenna to improve communication with New Delhi. He describes instances where he went directly to the manufacturer for parts that were badly needed. Following his tour in India, Spielberg was assigned to research and development at Wright Field where he stayed until he was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Tom Schicher. Schicher joined the Marine Corps in March of 1944. He served as a rifleman and mortarman, and deployed to Hawaii as a replacement. They traveled to the Russell Islands and Guadalcanal practicing maneuvers. He participated in the Battle of Okinawa. After the war ended, he was assigned to occupation duty in China. Schicher returned to the US and was discharged around 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Tom Schicher. Schicher joined the Marine Corps in March of 1944. He served as a rifleman and mortarman, and deployed to Hawaii as a replacement. They traveled to the Russell Islands and Guadalcanal practicing maneuvers. He participated in the Battle of Okinawa. After the war ended, he was assigned to occupation duty in China. Schicher returned to the US and was discharged around 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Francis Blake. Blake was born in Idaho and finished high school in Portland, Oregon. He then went to California for some college and worked in the mining industry in Arizona before joining the Marine Corps in August 1938. He trained at San Diego, then went to Sea School. Afterward, he was assigned to the USS Idaho (BB-42). He eventually became the captain's orderly and then an admiral's orderly while aboard the Idaho. Blake also served on Admiral Ernest King's flag allowance while King was Commander in Chief, US Fleet. Admiral King recommended Blake for a commission in the Marine Corps in June, 1943. When he got overseas, he was attached to the 3rd Marine Regiment prior to the invasion of Bougainville in an administrative support role. He performed similar duties on Guam during that invasion. When the 3rd MARDIV invaded Iwo Jima, Blake was an assistant to the G-1. When the war ended, he was back on Guam. He soon returned to the US and went to work discharging Marines. Blake retained his commission and stayed in the Corps. He served as marine detachment commanding officer aboard the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Art Goetz. Goetz joined the Marine Corps in 1945 and received basic training at Parris Island followed by engineer training at Camp Lejeune. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 1st Engineer Battalion, stationed in China, where he performed maintenance work at the American Legation in Peking. He arrived in January 1946 to a welcoming population who lined the streets waving American flags. While there he visited the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Whispering Wall at the Temple of Heaven. The exchange rate was so favorable to Americans that his acquaintance bought a Ming Dynasty urn for a few dollars, and Goetz purchased two cloisonné blouses for 25 cents each. In April 1947 Goetz was transferred to Guam with the 1st Marine Brigade. In 1948 he returned to China, this time stationed at Tsingtao. As the Chinese Civil War intensified, the engineers were the last to evacuate, loading their heavy equipment onto ships as shots were being fired all around the city. Goetz returned to the States in May 1949 and went on to serve in the Korean War. His last duty was as a special …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Art Goetz. Goetz joined the Marine Corps in 1945 and received basic training at Parris Island followed by engineer training at Camp Lejeune. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 1st Engineer Battalion, stationed in China, where he performed maintenance work at the American Legation in Peking. He arrived in January 1946 to a welcoming population who lined the streets waving American flags. While there he visited the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Whispering Wall at the Temple of Heaven. The exchange rate was so favorable to Americans that his acquaintance bought a Ming Dynasty urn for a few dollars, and Goetz purchased two cloisonné blouses for 25 cents each. In April 1947 Goetz was transferred to Guam with the 1st Marine Brigade. In 1948 he returned to China, this time stationed at Tsingtao. As the Chinese Civil War intensified, the engineers were the last to evacuate, loading their heavy equipment onto ships as shots were being fired all around the city. Goetz returned to the States in May 1949 and went on to serve in the Korean War. His last duty was as a special …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arthur Patcke. Patcke was born in born in Chicago, Illinois on 13 July 1927 and was drafted into the Marine Corps in September, 1945. He describes some of his experiences at boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. He was sent overseas to Tsingtao, China in the middle of 1946, and describes a typhoon that his ship experienced during the transit. He was assigned to a communications company in the 15th Marine Regiment, which was part of the Sixth Marines at the time. He provides details of his experiences in Tsingtao and recalls that he was discharged in the fall of 1946 after 50 weeks active duty.