The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al D’Agostino. D’Agostino joined the Merchant Marine in 1945 and received training in Brooklyn. Upon completion, he was assigned to the SS Monterey where he worked as a butcher. His first trip to the Pacific was transporting European troops, who were unhappy about the looming invasion of Japan. The war ended while the Monterey was in transit, and the soldiers returning home were a much happier bunch. Even more joyful was the reunion of families when the Monterey picked up war brides and their babies from all over the Pacific and brought them back to the States. He transferred to a Liberty ship that brought German war criminals back to the States from South America, although he believes that the majority of the passengers were actually concentration camp survivors. D’Agostino was discharged but was drafted again during the Korean War and served as a radio relay operator atop a mountain in dangerous and harsh winter conditions. When he was discharged a second time, he applied his kitchen experience and attended Cornell’s hotel school. D’Agostino became the director of food service for Trans World Airlines. Before retiring, he moved …

This report examines the political and economic situation in Venezuela and U.S.-Venezuelan relations. It is divided into three main sections -- political background, current political and economic environment, U.S. relations and policy -- and also includes introductory and outlook information.

This report, divided into three main sections, examines the political and economic situation in Venezuela and U.S.-Venezuelan relations. The first two sections describe the environment under various political leaders including President Hugo Chávez (1999-2013) and President Nicolás Maduro. The third section examines U.S. relations with Venezuela, including the imposition of sanctions on Venezuelan officials, and selected issues in U.S. relations--democracy and human rights, energy, counternarcotics, and terrorism concerns.

Abstract: The U.S. Geological Survey and the Corporación Venezolana de Guayana, Técnica Minera, C.A., conducted a cooperative mapping, exploration, and mineral resource estimation study in Venezuela from 1987 to 1992. The work was conducted in the Venezuelan Guayana Shield, an Archean to Early and Middle Proterozoic craton in southern and eastern Venezuela of almost 415,000 km2 that is mostly covered by jungle and savanna. Results obtained from this project contribute a new understanding of the geology and evolution of the Venezuelan Guayana Shield and the nature of its mineral occurrences. Personnel from Técnica Minera, C.A., were trained both in the field and in the office to conduct modern mineral exploration and geologic mapping and research programs. This five-year project was supported financially by the Corporación Venezolana de Guayana.