Oral History Interview with Dwayne Jose, February 19, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Dwayne Jose, February 19, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Dwayne Kendall Jose. Jose joined the Army Air Forces in 1942. He received his wings in 1943, and served as a B-26 bomber pilot with the 17th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force. Beginning in mid-1944, he traveled to North Africa, and completed 50 missions over Italy and Germany. They participated in the Italian Campaign and the Battle of the Bulge, bombing air fields, refineries and bridges. He shares vivid details of combat. Jose returned to the U.S. and received his discharge in 1945.
Date: February 19, 2019
Creator: Jose, Dwayne
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ernest Andrus, March 29, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Ernest Andrus, March 29, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ernest Andrus. Andrus joined the Navy in June of 1942. Beginning in November, he served as a medical corpsman in the sick bay aboard USS Rochambeau (AP-63), transporting troops throughout the Pacific islands. Around January of 1944, he transferred to the sick bay aboard USS LST-124 in New Caledonia. Andrus shares his experiences through the Battle of Tinian in July. They traveled to Guadalcanal for ferry duty, and provided transportation for supplies and men throughout the islands. Andrus left USS LST-124 in mid-1945 and went ashore in New Caledonia. He transferred back to the US around August, and recalls the celebration in the streets of downtown Los Angeles when the war ended. He received his discharge in December.
Date: March 29, 2019
Creator: Andrus, Ernest
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Don Woodard, December 13, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Don Woodard, December 13, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Don Woodard, Sr. Woodard joined the Navy in March 1944. He completed Yeoman School in San Diego. Beginning in August, he served as the captain’s yeoman aboard USS Bowie (APA-137). They transported troops and cargo throughout the Philippines and to Okinawa in May of 1945. After the war ended, they delivered occupation troops to Sasebo, Japan. He returned to the US in early 1946 and received his discharge.
Date: December 13, 2019
Creator: Woodard, Don
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Dwayne Jose, February 19, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Dwayne Jose, February 19, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Dwayne Kendall Jose. Jose joined the Army Air Forces in 1942. He received his wings in 1943, and served as a B-26 bomber pilot with the 17th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force. Beginning in mid-1944, he traveled to North Africa, and completed 50 missions over Italy and Germany. They participated in the Italian Campaign and the Battle of the Bulge, bombing air fields, refineries and bridges. He shares vivid details of combat. Jose returned to the U.S. and received his discharge in 1945.
Date: February 19, 2019
Creator: Jose, Dwayne
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Russell J. Judah, June 23, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Russell J. Judah, June 23, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Russell J Judah. Judah joined the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, New York, in 1944. He graduated in August of 1945. He was immediately commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy, serving mostly in the Philippines and occupied Japan. He traveled aboard the SS Mission Loreto (1944), a type T2 tanker. Judah was discharged in March of 1946.
Date: June 23, 2019
Creator: Judah, Russell J
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Arthur Griffin, February 16, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Arthur Griffin, February 16, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Arthur Griffin. Griffin joined the Navy in late 1942. He served as an aircraft navigator in the Pacific Theater. He volunteered for the Marine Corps and became a second lieutenant. He was assigned to a 5-man squadron and a C-47 at an airfield in La Tontouta, New Caledonia. They were part of the South Pacific Combat Air Transport Command (SCAT). SCAT provided rapid transport of personnel and cargo, including munitions, food, replacement parts, and medical supplies to forward areas. From La Tontouta, they flew to the Solomon Islands, Australia, New Zealand, Espiritu Santo, Guadalcanal and Emirau Island. Griffin speaks of his work as a navigator, and overall life in the military. He returned to the US in May of 1944 and was stationed in El Centro, California. He completed 700 flight hours during his service. Griffin received his discharge in late 1945.
Date: February 16, 2019
Creator: Griffin, Arthur
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Don Woodard, December 13, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Don Woodard, December 13, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Don Woodard, Sr. Woodard joined the Navy in March 1944. He completed Yeoman School in San Diego. Beginning in August, he served as the captain’s yeoman aboard USS Bowie (APA-137). They transported troops and cargo throughout the Philippines and to Okinawa in May of 1945. After the war ended, they delivered occupation troops to Sasebo, Japan. He returned to the US in early 1946 and received his discharge.
Date: December 13, 2019
Creator: Woodard, Don
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Milford, March 30, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Milford, March 30, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Milford. Milford joined the Royal Australian Air Force around mid-1942. He served as a wireless air gunner aboard a Wellington bomber in 205 Group, 150 Squadron, participating in campaigns in North Africa in early 1943 and Italy in December. He completed 38 missions, his last in June of 1944.
Date: March 30, 2019
Creator: Milford, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ernest Andrus, March 29, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Ernest Andrus, March 29, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ernest Andrus. Andrus joined the Navy in June of 1942. Beginning in November, he served as a medical corpsman in the sick bay aboard USS Rochambeau (AP-63), transporting troops throughout the Pacific islands. Around January of 1944, he transferred to the sick bay aboard USS LST-124 in New Caledonia. Andrus shares his experiences through the Battle of Tinian in July. They traveled to Guadalcanal for ferry duty, and provided transportation for supplies and men throughout the islands. Andrus left USS LST-124 in mid-1945 and went ashore in New Caledonia. He transferred back to the US around August, and recalls the celebration in the streets of downtown Los Angeles when the war ended. He received his discharge in December.
Date: March 29, 2019
Creator: Andrus, Ernest
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Dahlstrom, June 15, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles Dahlstrom, June 15, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Dahlstrom. Dahlstrom joined the Navy around June of 1943. He served with the deck crew aboard USS Mississippi (BB-41). In November of 1943, they bombarded Makin Island, providing fire support. He talks of the mass casualties amongst the crew members during combat. Dahlstrom shares his experiences through the Battle of Surigao Strait in October of 1944, the Battle of Lingayen Gulf in January of 1945 and the kamikaze attacks during the Battle of Okinawa in mid-1945. He was aboard the Mississippi in the Tokyo Bay, during the signing of the surrender documents. They returned to the US and Dahlstrom received his discharge in late 1945.
Date: June 15, 2019
Creator: Dahlstrom, Charles
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Russell J. Judah, June 23, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Russell J. Judah, June 23, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Russell J Judah. Judah joined the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, New York, in 1944. He graduated in August of 1945. He was immediately commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy, serving mostly in the Philippines and occupied Japan. He traveled aboard the SS Mission Loreto (1944), a type T2 tanker. Judah was discharged in March of 1946.
Date: June 23, 2019
Creator: Judah, Russell J
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Vincent Wayne, June 9, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Vincent Wayne, June 9, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Vincent Wayne. Wayne joined the Army around late 1942. He served with the 98th Infantry Division. He was deployed to Hawaii. In 1944, they shipped out to Saipan and helped take over an airport with little resistance from the Japanese. After the war ended, they traveled to Honshu, Japan and were stationed at Osaka College. Wayne speaks about his time in Japan after the war and what he witnessed. Wayne and his squad were assigned to install telephone poles and phone lines for the Japanese people. He returned to the US and received his discharge in February 1946.
Date: June 9, 2019
Creator: Wayne, Vincent
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Landis, October 7, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Landis, October 7, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Q. Landis. Landis joined the Navy around April of 1944. He served as a quartermaster aboard USS Blue Ridge (AGC-2). They traveled to New Guinea, and he assisted the ship’s captain in undercover scouting work that other crew members completed aboard LSTs and LCTs. They also traveled to Leyte in the Philippine Islands. Around late 1944, early 1945, Landis transferred to USS Henry T. Allen (APA-15). They were located in Manila Bay when the war ended, then they traveled to Japan to assist with occupation duties. They returned to the US in December and Landis received his discharge.
Date: October 7, 2019
Creator: Landis, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Dahlstrom, June 15, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles Dahlstrom, June 15, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Dahlstrom. Dahlstrom joined the Navy around June of 1943. He served with the deck crew aboard USS Mississippi (BB-41). In November of 1943, they bombarded Makin Island, providing fire support. He talks of the mass casualties amongst the crew members during combat. Dahlstrom shares his experiences through the Battle of Surigao Strait in October of 1944, the Battle of Lingayen Gulf in January of 1945 and the kamikaze attacks during the Battle of Okinawa in mid-1945. He was aboard the Mississippi in the Tokyo Bay, during the signing of the surrender documents. They returned to the US and Dahlstrom received his discharge in late 1945.
Date: June 15, 2019
Creator: Dahlstrom, Charles
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Gillespie, March 14, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with James Gillespie, March 14, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Gillespie. Gillespie joined the Navy in late 1944. Beginning around mid-1945, he served on Corregidor Island, Philippines as Radarman 2nd Class. He worked guard duty and serviced a radar atop a mountain on the island. He recalls his time living and working on Corregidor, and the removal of Japanese prisoners-of-war from the island. He continued his service after the war ended, returning to the US in the spring of 1946 to receive his discharge.
Date: March 14, 2019
Creator: Gillespie, James
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Harry Borst, April 1, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Harry Borst, April 1, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harry W. Borst. Borst joined the Navy on 31 December 1942. Beginning May of 1943, he served as a signalman aboard USS Caperton (DD-650). Beginning in January of 1944, they participated in the Battle of Kwajalein, the invasions of Emirau Island and Hollandia, the battles of the Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf. They assisted with picket duty off Okinawa through June of 1945. He shares experiences of kamikaze planes attacking ships. After the war ended, he continued service on occupation duty in Tokyo. Borst returned to the US and received his discharge in February 1946.
Date: April 1, 2019
Creator: Borst, Harry
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John W. Smith, November 23, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with John W. Smith, November 23, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John W. Smith III. Jean assists with the interview. Smith was born 15 February 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He speaks about his father’s participation with the Manhattan Project. Smith’s father, John W. Smith II, was an electrician and completed contract work for the government at Huntsville Arsenal in Alabama, Oak Ridge in Tennessee and the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. Smith recalls traveling with his family each time his father was relocated for work. He was 12 years old when the war in the Pacific started, and he shares memories of life in the US as a child during wartime. He served in the Navy from 1946 through 1947, then entered the Air Force. He was assigned as a navigator with the 764th Bombardment Squadron, 461st Bombardment Wing. He served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War, retiring in 1970.
Date: November 23, 2019
Creator: Smith, John W
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Keith Selvey, May 8, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Keith Selvey, May 8, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Keith Selvey. Selvey joined the Army in June 1941. He served with the 40th Infantry Division, 185th Infantry Regiment, and was stationed in California in December 1941. They served on guard duty on outposts. In January of 1943, they relocated to Fort Lewis, Washington. In the fall, they were deployed to Hawaii, where they fortified Oahu and Selvey was promoted to sergeant. In early 1944, they participated in the New Britain campaign, and later landed on Luzon. He lost over 25 men in his platoon, due to heavy fighting on Luzon and Negros islands. By war’s end, Selvey was promoted to lieutenant with a field commission and sent to Korea. After a couple of months, he received orders to return home and was discharged in late 1945.
Date: May 8, 2019
Creator: Selvey, Keith
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Pete Vasquez, November 20, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Pete Vasquez, November 20, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Pedro Alvarez Vasquez. Vasquez was drafted into the Army around 1943 and assigned to the 87th Armored Field Artillery. In 1944, they were deployed to England. Vasquez traveled throughout France and Germany with the tanks, in charge of gasoline, ammunition, serving as an assistant driver and working the machine guns. He recalls his experiences during the Battle of the Bulge. He returned to the US in November of 1945 and received his discharge.
Date: November 20, 2019
Creator: Vasquez, Pete
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Louis Strang, March 22, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Louis Strang, March 22, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Louis Strang. Strang joined the Marines around mid-1942. He completed Radio and Radar School in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was transferred to a Marine air station on the east coast where he studied aircraft radar and transmitters. Strang was then deployed to a Marine air station at Pearl Harbor. He was assigned to Marine Air Control Squadron 4, and they traveled aboard a troop ship to Guadalcanal in February of 1945. They followed the 1st Marine Division on their Okinawa landing April 1, and provided ground to air communications support during the Battle of Okinawa through July. He describes living and working on the island, and the surrounding combat with the Japanese. Around early August, Strang describes going through a typhoon aboard a cargo ship. After the war ended, Strang and his crew were assigned with the 1st Marines to occupation duty in China. He returned to the U.S. and received his discharge in early 1946.
Date: March 22, 2019
Creator: Strang, Louis
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Callanan, May 14, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles Callanan, May 14, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Callanan. Callanan joined the Army in March of 1942. He trained in California, building airstrips, hangars, temporary bridges, Quonset huts and worked on other construction projects. Callanan served as a master sergeant with the 1876th Engineer Aviation Battalion in New Guinea and in the Philippines. He returned to the US in December of 1945.
Date: May 14, 2019
Creator: Callanan, Charles M.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Milford, March 30, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Milford, March 30, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Milford. Milford joined the Royal Australian Air Force around mid-1942. He served as a wireless air gunner aboard a Wellington bomber in 205 Group, 150 Squadron, participating in campaigns in North Africa in early 1943 and Italy in December. He completed 38 missions, his last in June of 1944.
Date: March 30, 2019
Creator: Milford, Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Vincent Wayne, June 9, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Vincent Wayne, June 9, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Vincent Wayne. Wayne joined the Army around late 1942. He served with the 98th Infantry Division. He was deployed to Hawaii. In 1944, they shipped out to Saipan and helped take over an airport with little resistance from the Japanese. After the war ended, they traveled to Honshu, Japan and were stationed at Osaka College. Wayne speaks about his time in Japan after the war and what he witnessed. Wayne and his squad were assigned to install telephone poles and phone lines for the Japanese people. He returned to the US and received his discharge in February 1946.
Date: June 9, 2019
Creator: Wayne, Vincent
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Storey, April 25, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Storey, April 25, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Murry Storey. Storey joined the Navy in 1939. He served with the deck crew aboard USS Salt Lake City (CA-25). They were with USS Enterprise (CV-6) task group west of Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. They docked in Pearl Harbor on 8 December, and Storey describes the overturned ships and casualties that he witnessed in the harbor. He discusses their involvement in the Doolittle Raid. Storey does not go into great detail about specific places he traveled or battles he fought in aboard Salt Lake City. He provides general details of his experiences serving. He returned to the US after the war ended and received his discharge in late 1945.
Date: April 25, 2019
Creator: Storey, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History