Oral History Interview with Daniel Andrews, April 13, 2010 transcript

Oral History Interview with Daniel Andrews, April 13, 2010

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Daniel Andrews. Andrews joined the United States Navy in 1941 where he became a SeaBee. Andrews was sent to Saipan to help build airfields and seaplane bases. He left Saipan in July of 1945.
Date: April 13, 2010
Creator: Andrews, Daniel
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Albert Jackson, March 13, 2014 transcript

Oral History Interview with Albert Jackson, March 13, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Jackson. Jackson was born in 1924. At age 16, he joined the US Navy and underwent boot training at the Naval Training Center in Chicago. Upon graduation, he was assigned to USS Texas (BB-35) as a member of Gun Fire Control. Later, he was transferred to an LST.
Date: March 13, 2014
Creator: Jackson, Albert
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Muriel Usselman, June 13, 2022 transcript

Oral History Interview with Muriel Usselman, June 13, 2022

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Muriel Usselman. Usselman was a child living in Hawaii when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Her father worked as an electrician and the family lived on base. She recalls what she witnessed during the attack on 7 December as well as her experiences in the following days. She returned with her family to the Mainland in 1944.
Date: June 13, 2022
Creator: Usselman, Muriel
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John Harold Ryan, September 13, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with John Harold Ryan, September 13, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Harold Ryan. Ryan joined the Army in September of 1944. He served with the 96th Infantry Division. He worked with and trained fellow servicemen on the M1 rifle. Ryan participated in the Battle of Okinawa. He was discharged in September of 1946.
Date: September 13, 2003
Creator: Ryan, John Harold
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Willford Burks, June 13, 2008 transcript

Oral History Interview with Willford Burks, June 13, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Willford Burks. Burks joined the Army around 1942. He was assigned to the 99th Infantry Division. They deployed to England in September of 1944. He participated in the Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe Campaigns. Burks returned to the US and was discharged in 1945.
Date: June 13, 2008
Creator: Burks, Willford
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Joseph Wozniak, August 13, 2013 transcript

Oral History Interview with Joseph Wozniak, August 13, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Wozniak. Wozniak joined the Navy in January 1943 after having already been in the Army (1937-1940). The Navy trained him as an electrician specializing in repairing motion picture projectors. He shipped out aboard the USS Guilford (APA-112). He also served as the chaplain’s assistant. Wozniak was discharged in January 1946. After the war, he joined the Army Reserves and served another 30 years.
Date: August 13, 2013
Creator: Wozniak, Joseph
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Bloedorn, December 13, 2006 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Bloedorn, December 13, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Bloedorn. Bloedorn joined the Marine Corps in June of 1944. He traveled to Guam and served with the 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. He participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima from February through April of 1945. He was discharged in July of 1946.
Date: December 13, 2006
Creator: Bloedorn, Robert
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Richard Paine, March 13, 2006 transcript

Oral History Interview with Richard Paine, March 13, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Paine. Paine joined the Navy Reserves soon after 7 December 1941. He served as a photographer’s mate in charge of a photo printing lab in Washington DC. Paine briefly discusses the equipment he used. He was discharged in 1944 when he contracted a serious case of tuberculosis and took several years to recover.
Date: March 13, 2006
Creator: Paine, Richard
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Edmond Drake, May 13, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Edmond Drake, May 13, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edmond Drake. Drake joined the Navy in April of 1943. Beginning early 1944, he served as Electrician’s Mate aboard USS President Adams (APA-19). They transported troops and supplies during the Battle of Guam, the invasion Luzon and the Battle of Iwo Jima. He returned to the US in April of 1945.
Date: May 13, 2004
Creator: Drake, Edmond
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with William Bishop, March 13, 2013 transcript

Oral History Interview with William Bishop, March 13, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Bishop. Bishop was born in January of 1927. He graduated from high school in 1944, at the age of 17. He provides vivid recollections of life during wartime, with bomb drills, blackouts and living in a farming community in Wellington, Kansas. After graduation, Bishop worked for the US Department of Agriculture, and later served as an Emergency Wartime Carrier Clerk with the US Post Office. When he turned 18 in January of 1945, Bishop applied to join the Army, though was classified as 4-F and sent back home where he continued working for the Post Office.
Date: March 13, 2013
Creator: Bishop, William
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Elmer Hill, February 13, 2014 transcript

Oral History Interview with Elmer Hill, February 13, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Elmer Hill. Hill was born in August 1906, one of 12 boys in his family. In his mid-30s he was working as a school principal, when he was drafted by the Navy. He served in a gunnery crew aboard the USS Saginaw Bay (CVE-82) for two years before returning home. At the time of this interview, Hill was 107 years old.
Date: February 13, 2014
Creator: Hill, Elmer
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Kenneth Doolittle, November 13, 2018 transcript

Oral History Interview with Kenneth Doolittle, November 13, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Kenneth Doolittle. Doolittle was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1930. His father was a doctor at the Queen’s Medical Center. He was an 11-year-old boy, living with his family in Hawaii when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Doolittle shares details of his experiences through that fateful day, and his life in general living on the island before, during and after the war. He graduated high school in 1948 and served in the Army with the 101st Airborne Division.
Date: November 13, 2018
Creator: Doolittle, Kenneth
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Byron K. Henry, June 13, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Byron K. Henry, June 13, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Byron K. Henry. Henry finished high school in Indiana and joined the Marine Corps in January, 1943. He had his basic training in San Diego and recalls experiences there. He also provides details about training he got once he arrived at Pearl harbor later in 1943. He also served on Midway Island as a guard. He shares two anecdotes about saving guys' lives: one from a mountin accident and another from drowning in the surf.
Date: June 13, 2002
Creator: Henry, Byron K.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Theodore E. Gruhn, March 13, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Theodore E. Gruhn, March 13, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Theodore Gruhn. Gruhn joined the Navy in September 1941 after working as a carpenter. He was en route to Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. Once at Hawaii, Gruhn did shore patrol for a year until he was assigned to the USS Farenholt (DD-491) as a carpenter's mate in December 1942. In May, 1944, Gruhn transferred to the USS Abercrombie (DE-343). When the war ended, Gruhn had enough points to be discharged in October, 1945.
Date: March 13, 2003
Creator: Gruhn, Theodore E.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Donald Rifenbery, December 13, 2013 transcript

Oral History Interview with Donald Rifenbery, December 13, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Donald Rifenbery. Rifenbery joined the Navy in November of 1943. He completed Radio School. Beginning November of 1944, he served as Radioman aboard the USS Wesson (DE-184). They traveled to Pearl Harbor, Leyte and Okinawa, supporting invasions. He recalls his experiences through a kamikaze attack on their ship. He returned to the US and received his discharge in May of 1946.
Date: December 13, 2013
Creator: Rifenbery, Donald
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with George Silvestri, March 13, 2014 transcript

Oral History Interview with George Silvestri, March 13, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Silvestri. Silvestri joined the Navy in October of 1942. From 1943 through mid-1945, he served as Second Class Cook aboard the USS Texas (BB-35). Stoneley shares his experiences through the Normandy Invasion, the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa. He returned home after the war, and received his discharge in early 1946.
Date: March 13, 2014
Creator: Silvestri, George
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Richard Hudkins, August 13, 2014 transcript

Oral History Interview with Richard Hudkins, August 13, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Hudkins. Hudkins was drafted into the Army Air Forces in late 1943. He trained as an aerial gunner and was assigned to a crew in the 508th Bomb Squadron, 351 Bomb Group before shipping out to England. From there, he flew several combat missions over Europe I nB-17 bombers. When the war ended, Hudkins returned home and elected to stay in the Reserves.
Date: August 13, 2014
Creator: Hudkins, Richard
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
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Mario Cardillo, May 13, 2015 transcript

Oral History Interview with Mario Cardillo, May 13, 2015

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Mario Cardillo. Cardillo joined the Navy in 1942. He was assigned to the USS YMS-13. Beginning late 1942 they traveled through the Mediterranean for two years. They swept mines and participated in four major landings, including Sicily and Anzio in Italy and Marseilles, France. Cardillo served as an airplane spotter. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
Date: May 13, 2015
Creator: Cardillo, Mario
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Zeb Alford, April 13, 2007 transcript

Oral History Interview with Zeb Alford, April 13, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Zeb Alford. Alford joined the Navy V-12 Program in July of 1943. He trained as an engineering officer. He entered the Naval Academy in 1944 and graduated in 1947, providing details of his schooling at the Academy. He served for two years aboard the USS Charles R. Ware (DD-865). He graduated from Submarine School in 1949. Alford retired from the Navy in September of 1973 as a captain.
Date: April 13, 2007
Creator: Alford, Zeb
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Delmar Oldenettel, April 13, 2006 transcript

Oral History Interview with Delmar Oldenettel, April 13, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Delmar Oldenettel. Oldenettel was drafted into the Army and, after training, was shipped to a replacement depot in New Caledonia. In August, 1943, he was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division at Guadalcanal. From Guadalcanal, he went to Vella Lavella for the invasion. Afterwards, he went to New Zealand for rest with the rest of the division. Oldenettel then describes combat on Luzon when his unit landed at Lingayen Gulf in January, 1945. By October, 1945, Oldenettel had earned enough points to be rotated back to the US.
Date: April 13, 2006
Creator: Oldenettel, Delmar
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Devon Moon, June 13, 2005 transcript

Oral History Interview with Devon Moon, June 13, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Devon Moon. Moon joined the Army in April 1943 and trained as a combat engineer. He joined the 247th Combat Engineer Battalion and went to England in early 1944. He landed at Omaha Beach two days after the invasion and built bridges in the area. Moon was wounded in February but was able to return to his unit. His unit travelled From France to Belgium to Germany and was near the Elbe River when the war ended. Moon returned home and was discharged in November 1945.
Date: June 13, 2005
Creator: Moon, Devon
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Jimmy Bennett, August 13, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Jimmy Bennett, August 13, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jimmy Bennett. Bennett was born in Munda, New Georgia, Western Province, Solomon Islands in May of 1922. He recalls the Japanese invading in 1942, the Americans arriving in 1943, and his family hiding in the bush. Bennet, and a number of other natives, joined the American Army’s 118th Engineer Battalion, 43rd Infantry Division. He served as a scout for the island, and led the troops on Baanga Island, through the New Georgia Campaign, and until the end of the war. Reference Alfred Bisili’s oral history, a native friend of Bennett, who participated with him during the war.
Date: August 13, 2002
Creator: Bennett, Jimmy
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Albert Marley, June 13, 2011 transcript

Oral History Interview with Albert Marley, June 13, 2011

Transcript of an oral interview with Albert Marley. When Marley finished high school in 1943, he volunteered for service in the Navy. After training and gunnery school, Marley was assigned to a gun crew on a vessel that transported men and material to England from the East Coast. After the invasion at Normandy, Marley's ship delivered men and supplies to France. He even steamed through the Mediterranean Sea delivering supplies to Egypt and India. In all, he served aboard five ships and made runs as far as China, where his ship encountered Japanese submarines and planes. When the war ended, Marley was discharged and used the G.I. Bill to attend Purdue University.
Date: June 13, 2011
Creator: Marley, Albert
System: The Portal to Texas History