The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Billy Tune. Tune joined the Navy right after he finished high school in May 1943. He was assigned to USS President Polk (AP-103) and was aboard it when it was torpedoed. He somehow managed to get ashore at Tarawa and stayed with the Marines there for five days. Then he wound up at New Caledonia as a stevedore until he entered the hospital with asthma.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Simmons. Simmons joined the Navy in July 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. He received electro-hydraulics training and was assigned to the USS Davis (DD-395) as a gunner’s mate, his battle station in the lower forward handling room, sending up five-inch shells. He participated in the invasion of Normandy, providing support to troops landing on Omaha Beach. After escorting the USS Texas (BB-35) back to England and attempting a return trip with supplies, the Davis hit a mine and was sent to Scotland for repairs. Simmons returned to the States, where he was diagnosed with asthma and given a medical discharge. He claims to have not suffered any psychological impacts from witnessing drownings at Normandy, but his wife recalls that Simmons would become so nervous watching news reels that they would often leave the theater early together.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Brosius. Brosius joined the Army Air Forces after graduating from college and working as an agricultural supply manager. He washed out of cadet training when it was determined he was at risk for asthma. He was then sent to Harvard Business School and trained in statistical control, a new military discipline. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 19th Bombardment Group in Australia and designed his own method of surveying operations. He also received permission to travel to Sydney to arrange for the publication of a yearbook depicting his unit’s wartime experiences. In 1943 Brosius was sent to Monterey to study military government in anticipation of the occupation of Japan. At the end of 1945 however, he seized an opportunity to return home and retired as a major. Despite being invited to join an elite group of military veteran statisticians known as the Whiz Kids, who would go on to run Ford Motor Company, Brosius chose instead a career in land development and construction.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lester Meis. Meis joined the Navy in January 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. He then received hospital corpsman training and was transferred to the Medical Field Service School at Camp Pendleton. Upon completion, he was assigned to a field sanitation unit attached to the 4th Medical Battalion, 4th Marine Division. At their base in Maui he surveyed latrines, dental clinics, and food preparation areas. He participated in D-Day at Saipan, unsure of what role to perform in combat. In Garapan he was commandeered by the Marines to help open a vault at Yokohama Specie Bank; afterward, soldiers were lighting cigars with 100-yen notes. Meis was sent to Aiea Heights after developing bronchitis and was mistakenly diagnosed with asthma. He was given a medical discharge in December 1944, which extended his benefits under the GI Bill. Meis earned three college degrees before the misdiagnosis was caught.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Simmons. Simmons joined the Navy in July 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. He received electro-hydraulics training and was assigned to the USS Davis (DD-395) as a gunner’s mate, his battle station in the lower forward handling room, sending up five-inch shells. He participated in the invasion of Normandy, providing support to troops landing on Omaha Beach. After escorting the USS Texas (BB-35) back to England and attempting a return trip with supplies, the Davis hit a mine and was sent to Scotland for repairs. Simmons returned to the States, where he was diagnosed with asthma and given a medical discharge. He claims to have not suffered any psychological impacts from witnessing drownings at Normandy, but his wife recalls that Simmons would become so nervous watching news reels that they would often leave the theater early together. Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Rolland Briar. Briar joined the Navy in 1940 and received basic training at Great Lakes. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Dixie (AD-14) where he was chosen as staff for the Commander of …

Lecture presented at the UNT College of Music M322 in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Granville Coggs. Coggs joined the Army Air Forces in the fall of 1943. He trained at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and at Tyndall Field in Florida, serving as a pilot and one of the original Tuskegee Airmen. Coggs was commissioned on 16 October 1945 as a second lieutenant bombardier pilot. He served as an aerial gunner, aerial bombardier, multi-engine pilot and B-25 pilot trainee who was scheduled for the 477th Bombardment Group, though never made it to combat, as the war ended in 1945 before he finished training. Coggs was discharged in the fall of 1946.

Audio interview with Tara Linn Hunter, a musician and environmental activist from Denton, Texas, regarding her involvement in the Frack Free Denton campaign and related activism, as well as her thoughts on democracy in America and environmental issues.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Marie Castro. As a child, Castro lived in Saipan under Japanese occupation, living with rationing and blackout conditions. As a Chamorro, she received corporal punishment from her teachers, and one of her cousins was beaten to death. When Japanese Marines came to Garapan seeking comfort women, Castro hid in an attic to avoid being taken. She then moved with her family to Marpi Point, but her father was sent to a labor camp. After the United States invaded, Castro and her family hid in a cave, lacking food and water. They were discovered and sent to Camp Susupe, crowded with orphans of those who committed suicide. Initially wary of Americans, the interned were happy to find themselves treated very well. Grateful to Americans for giving their lives to save hers, Castro devoted herself to a teaching career in Kansas City.

Interview with Nell Lenard, secretary, administrative assistant, homemaker, and community organizer, who helped bring senior citizen's center, the Dietert Center to the city of Kerrville, Texas. Born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, she and her husband John Houston Lenard lived in Tomball, near Houston, before moving to Kerrville with their family. Nell raised four boys and a girl and was heavily involved in her their lives and activities.

Interview with Raymond Julius Hardee, an alumnus of Doyle High School, from Kerrville, Texas. Hardee speaks about his experience growing up as a black man while Kerrville was segregated.

Audio interview with Alana Irby, a geography major at the University of North Texas, regarding the City of Denton Fracking Referendum.

Audio interview with Alana Irby, a geography major at the University of North Texas, regarding the City of Denton Fracking Referendum.

Audio interview with Michael Hennen, president of the Denton Drilling Awareness Group, regarding the City of Denton Fracking Referendum. Mr. Hennen briefly reviews what hydraulic fracturing is, the purpose of Denton Drilling Awareness, and how he views the impacts fracking has had on the environment.

Audio interview with Rhonda Love, a psychology professor, city council member, and environmental activist from Denton, Texas. Love discusses her involvement with the Denton Drilling Advisory Group and the Frack Free Denton campaign, as well as her thoughts on applied democracy, her teaching career, and recent developments on the Denton City Council.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert M. Howe. Howe grew up in Texas and joined the Navy in 1942. During training, he married his high school sweetheart. He shipped out in July 1942 and went to Guadalcanal. He was then involved in the battle of Espiritu Santo. Next, at the battle of Guadalcanal, Howe witnessed the sinking of the USS Atlanta and the USS San Francisco. He also the USS Juneau blow up. In the Battle of Kula Gulf, the USS Helena (CL-50) was sunk. Howe was unable to get to a life raft and was in the water for six or seven hours in a life jacket before he was picked up by an American destroyer. He developed ashthma and was shipped back to the U.S. where he received a medical discharge in December 1943. He watched Japanese airplanes dive bomb an Australian cruiser. He describes playing baseball and swimming off the side of the ship.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bernard Kahn. Kahn joined the Navy in December of 1942. Beginning July of 1943, he served as Third Class Signalman aboard USS LST-118. From April through July of 1944, Kahn participated in the Hollandia and Mariana operations. He was transferred to USS LST-605. From October of 1944 through July of 1945, he participated in the Leyte, Luzon and Okinawa operations. Kahn returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with J. Lloyd Abbot. Abbot received a commission in the Navy in 1939 and served two months aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6) before being tasked to bring an old destroyer, the USS Gilmer (DD-233), out of mothballs. He stayed on it for a while before going to flight school in Pensacola. He earned his wings in November, 1941. Due to some accidents and illnesses, Abbot was disallowed to fly from carriers. He was assigned to shore-based anti-submarine patrol squadron, VS-1D-14, in December 1942. In April 1943, the squadron was divided into two and Abbot was placed in command of VS-66 on Wallis Island. At the end of 1943, his squadron inherited some SBD dive bombers and they moved to a new base on Tarawa. In March 1944. Abbot was assigned to the staff of the Chief of Naval Air Training at Pensacola. He was there when the war ended. After the war, Abbot commanded VF-41 aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42). Throughout his career, he served as the operation officer aboard carriers, worked at the Pentagon, was commander of the Antarctic mission and commander of a carrier division …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gladys Kizziar. Kizziar was training as a nurse at the beginning of the war. She became a US Army nurse after she graduated from nursing school. Kizziar was sent to the Philippines to help prepare for the invasion of Japan. She was on board a hospital ship in Tokyo Bay during the surrender ceremony. Kizziar served with the 42nd General Hospital in Yokohama helping to process POWs as they were being liberated. She tells of General MacArthur visiting the former POWs. Kizziar stayed in the Army and was eventually sent to Germany where she met her husband.

Lecture given Tuesday, February 20, 2001, 3:30 PM at Abilene Christian University: "The focus of these sessions is on helping ourselves, others and our families to become resilient as we meet adversity in our lives."

Lecture given Wednesday, February 22, 2006, 8:30 AM at Abilene Christian University: "God has a vision of what the church should be that induced people of all races and nationalities. Come learn how forgiveness, friendship and ministry can draw us into deeper fellowship with all people and thus enrich our walk with God."

Interview with Dr. Charles A. LeMaistre, beginning with the story about how he met his wife, Joyce Trapp LeMaistre. This story intermingles with his early career that lead him to his role as Chancellor at the University of Texas in Austin. Dr. LeMaistre offers insight into the effect desegregation had on the University of Texas campus and M. D. Anderson’s faculty diversity. He recounts how he was offered the presidential position at M. D. Anderson, the transition in administrative procedures, and growth of the institution. Dr. LeMaistre shares his wife’s personal fight with cancer and uses it as an example of how effective the institution’s policies and procedures. Dr. LeMaistre’s modesty in his administrative accomplishments shine a light on the high regard he had for his team and institutional family. The interview concludes with Dr. LeMaistre crediting members of the University Cancer Foundation Board of Visitors and donors.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Rancloes. Rancloes was drafted into the Marine Corps in April 1943. Upon completion of pontoon bridging school, he was sent to Camp Pendleton to train officers. His unit, the 7th Service Engineers, was typically split up to provide support where needed. Rancloes landed in the second wave on Saipan, operating heavy machinery. After the island was secured, he managed a lumberyard with an African-American crew, many of whom outranked him. Recognizing the unfairness of that arrangement, he appointed one of the crewmen as a liaison so that they would not have a white corporal giving orders. After bringing supplies to Okinawa, Rancloes stayed there in a sugarcane hut. When his unit became ill from mold toxicity, the village was condemned and burned to the ground. Rancloes suffered from respiratory problems for the rest of his life. Before returning home in 1946, Rancloes's final duty was supervising Japanese laborers in China.

Interview with Bertha Elizabeth Real Priour, a descendant of the Kerr County Real pioneer family, from Kerrville, Texas. Priour speaks of her memories growing up on a ranch on Turtle Creek, as well as her family history.