Resource Type

Oral History Interview with Allen Barker, April 29, 2008 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Allen Barker, April 29, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Allen Barker. Barker was born 29 July 1922 in Sairlie, Texas. He joined the Army Air Corps in August 1942. Following completion of basic training in Greenville, Texas he was assigned to the signal corps. He was shuttled around to various bases in the United States and finally boarded a troop ship, USS General A.E. Anderson for a 30 day sea trip to Bombay, India. His unit built a base about 60 miles northwest of Imphal, India. After the Japanese surrender he was involved in closing various bases in India until being shipped back to the United States and receiving his discharged in 1946.
Date: April 29, 2008
Creator: Barker, Allen
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Anton Frank Satsky, May 16, 2005 transcript

Oral History Interview with Anton Frank Satsky, May 16, 2005

Transcript of an oral interview with Anton Frank Satsky. Born in 1918, he was drafted into the Army in 1942 where he was assigned to the Second Infantry Division. He went to Armored Assistance Specialist School. He also received baking and ski training. He describes landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day plus 1 as well as advancing up Hill 192. He recounts a narrow escape while on guard duty in Notre Dame. He also describes the Battle of the Bulge in which he was wounded. When he was wounded a second time, he was sent to McCloskey General Hospital in Temple, Texas. He shares anecdotes about the obtaining food while in the field in Europe; a fellow soldier obtaining soft drinks despite German snipers; and his experience with the Red Cross. He discusses the clothing and rifles that were issued to soldiers.
Date: May 16, 2005
Creator: Satsky, Anton Frank
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Anton Frank Satsky, May 16, 2005 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Anton Frank Satsky, May 16, 2005

Transcript of an oral interview with Anton Frank Satsky. Born in 1918, he was drafted into the Army in 1942 where he was assigned to the Second Infantry Division. He went to Armored Assistance Specialist School. He also received baking and ski training. He describes landing on Omaha Beach on D-Day plus 1 as well as advancing up Hill 192. He recounts a narrow escape while on guard duty in Notre Dame. He also describes the Battle of the Bulge in which he was wounded. When he was wounded a second time, he was sent to McCloskey General Hospital in Temple, Texas. He shares anecdotes about the obtaining food while in the field in Europe; a fellow soldier obtaining soft drinks despite German snipers; and his experience with the Red Cross. He discusses the clothing and rifles that were issued to soldiers.
Date: May 16, 2005
Creator: Satsky, Anton Frank
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Arlie Ray Horn, February 19, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with Arlie Ray Horn, February 19, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arlie Ray Horn. Horn was drafted into the Army in July 1943 and trained at Camp Wolters before being shipped overseas to England where he trained with the Special Forces and was attached to the 29th Infantry Division. He landed at Omaha Beach on 6 June 1944 (D-Day). Horn was wounded three different times. After the war ended, Horn returned to the US in October, 1945.
Date: February 19, 2016
Creator: Horn, Arlie Ray
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Arlie Ray Horn, February 19, 2016 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Arlie Ray Horn, February 19, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arlie Ray Horn. Horn was drafted into the Army in July 1943 and trained at Camp Wolters before being shipped overseas to England where he trained with the Special Forces and was attached to the 29th Infantry Division. He landed at Omaha Beach on 6 June 1944 (D-Day). Horn was wounded three different times. After the war ended, Horn returned to the US in October, 1945.
Date: February 19, 2016
Creator: Horn, Arlie Ray
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Arlos L. Awalt, July 6, 2006 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Arlos L. Awalt, July 6, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arlos L. ""Curly"" Awalt. Curly was drafted into the Army shortly after he finished high school in August, 1944. After basic training, Curly describes getting overseas to Europe. He was shipped to England then sent to France before being assigned to a unit. Once he was in France, he was attached to a heavy mortar section in H Company, 2nd Battalion, 424th Regiment, 106th Infantry Division. Curly arrived as a replacement in the 10th ID during the Battle of the Bulge. Curly mentions the conditions and describes his activities. He also speaks about the death and burial of General George Patton. When the war ended, Curly worked in a displaced persons / prisoner of war camp sorting through the people and returning them to their homes. Curly finishes by speaking about awards he finally received from the Belgian government 60 years after the war ended and some of his experiences speaking as a veteran with local school children in Fredericksburg, Texas.
Date: July 6, 2006
Creator: Awalt, Arlos L. (Curly)
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Arlos L. Awalt, May 29, 2007 transcript

Oral History Interview with Arlos L. Awalt, May 29, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arlos L. Awalt. He was born in Brady, Texas, drafted into the Army, and inducted at Ft. Sam Houston, in San Antonio. After basic training at Camp Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas, he took a troop train to New York Harbor and boarded the Louis S. Pasteur to Southhampton, England where he was assigned to the 106th Infantry Division, 424 Regiment, in the 81mm mortars in H Company, a heavy weapons company. They went right into the Battle of the Bulge where he suffered frost bite and pneumonia. Later assignments included the following: the occupation army in charge of prisoner of war camps interviewing POWs and displaced persons, serving at General Eisenhower's headquarters building in a little red schoolhouse in Rheims, France (where peace was later signed), in the Grand Hotel in Bad Nauheim, Germany where General Patton was officed, and in Renea Lanay, France. He served 22 months in the Army, 19 overseas - returning as a corporal. He received the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and two medals from the Belgian government.
Date: May 29, 2007
Creator: Awalt, Arlos L. (Curly)
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Arlos L. Awalt, May 29, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Arlos L. Awalt, May 29, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arlos L. Awalt. He was born in Brady, Texas, drafted into the Army, and inducted at Ft. Sam Houston, in San Antonio. After basic training at Camp Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas, he took a troop train to New York Harbor and boarded the Louis S. Pasteur to Southhampton, England where he was assigned to the 106th Infantry Division, 424 Regiment, in the 81mm mortars in H Company, a heavy weapons company. They went right into the Battle of the Bulge where he suffered frost bite and pneumonia. Later assignments included the following: the occupation army in charge of prisoner of war camps interviewing POWs and displaced persons, serving at General Eisenhower's headquarters building in a little red schoolhouse in Rheims, France (where peace was later signed), in the Grand Hotel in Bad Nauheim, Germany where General Patton was officed, and in Renea Lanay, France. He served 22 months in the Army, 19 overseas - returning as a corporal. He received the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and two medals from the Belgian government.
Date: May 29, 2007
Creator: Awalt, Arlos L. (Curly)
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Art G. Anderson, August, 1986 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Art G. Anderson, August, 1986

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Art G. Anderson. He discusses his involvement as a Marine in the planning of and the actual landing on the Island of Iwo Jima during World War Two.
Date: August 1986
Creator: Anderson, Artthur G. & Smith, Leon R.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Bern Ballard, November 17, 2011 transcript

Oral History Interview with Bern Ballard, November 17, 2011

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bern Ballard. Ballard joined the Army National Guard in November 1940 at Camp Mabry. He served as a truck driver in the Austin and San Antonio area and describes how he was injured during the Louisiana Maneuvers. Ballard describes driving a truck with the 36th Infantry Division in North Africa and Italy. He details having to pick up dead soldiers near the front and drive them back to cemeteries. Ballard describes taking part in the invasion of Southern France and his transfer to the 78th Division and reassignment as an infantryman. He discusses how he was wounded by mortar fire in the Hurtgen Forest and how he was treated. Ballard describes the combat conditions, in particular the cold and lack of food. He accepted the surrender of German soldiers at the end of the war. Ballard was discharged in July 1945.
Date: November 17, 2011
Creator: Ballard, Bern
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Bern Ballard, November 17, 2011 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Bern Ballard, November 17, 2011

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bern Ballard. Ballard joined the Army National Guard in November 1940 at Camp Mabry. He served as a truck driver in the Austin and San Antonio area and describes how he was injured during the Louisiana Maneuvers. Ballard describes driving a truck with the 36th Infantry Division in North Africa and Italy. He details having to pick up dead soldiers near the front and drive them back to cemeteries. Ballard describes taking part in the invasion of Southern France and his transfer to the 78th Division and reassignment as an infantryman. He discusses how he was wounded by mortar fire in the Hurtgen Forest and how he was treated. Ballard describes the combat conditions, in particular the cold and lack of food. He accepted the surrender of German soldiers at the end of the war. Ballard was discharged in July 1945.
Date: November 17, 2011
Creator: Ballard, Bern
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Bill McDonald, February 26, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Bill McDonald, February 26, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bill McDonald. McDonald joined the Army in mid-1943. He served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. In late 1943, McDonald participated in the New Guinea Campaign. In February of 1945, he served in the Battle of Corregidor.
Date: February 26, 2004
Creator: McDonald, Bill
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Bill McDonald, February 26, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Bill McDonald, February 26, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bill McDonald. McDonald joined the Army in mid-1943. He served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. In late 1943, McDonald participated in the New Guinea Campaign. In February of 1945, he served in the Battle of Corregidor.
Date: February 26, 2004
Creator: McDonald, Bill
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with C. T. Cummings, July 10, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with C. T. Cummings, July 10, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with C T Cummings. Cummings joined the Navy in October of 1941. Prior to his enlistment, he had received extensive mechanical training in the Civilian Conservation Corps, working with blueprint layouts, structural steel and mechanical drawings. In January of 1942, Cummings served aboard the USS Lafayette (AP-53). The ship caught fire shortly after his arrival, and had to be scrapped. Around August, he served aboard the USS Jamestown (AGP-3), delivering the 1st Marine Division to Guadalcanal and Tulagi, and providing vital supplies to the troops through the Guadalcanal Campaign. Cummings assisted with servicing PT boats patrolling the Iron Bottom Sound. In February of 1945, they supported the invasion of the Philippines. He returned to the US and was discharged in November of 1945.
Date: July 10, 2007
Creator: Cummings, C. T.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Cecil D. Bettes, September 25, 2012 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Cecil D. Bettes, September 25, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Cecil D. Bettes. Bettes joined the Army after finishing high school in Houston, Texas, in 1943. After basic training, Bettes was shipped to Italy and assigned to E Company, 2nd, Battalion,339th Regiment, 85th Infantry Division. He describes the death in combat of a close friend. In Italy, Bettes was wounded severley and sent to the hospital. Instead of allowing himself to be shipped to France, he broke out of the hospital and returned to his unit. He also mentions breaking through the Gothic Line. Bettes also describes a sour experiences he had with the Red Cross while he was hospitalized. Bettes also describes taking a few German soldiers prisoner.
Date: September 25, 2012
Creator: Bettes, Cecil D.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Chapman, June 8, 2015 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles Chapman, June 8, 2015

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Chapman. Chapman joined the Army Air Forces in 1942. He was sent to Karachi with the 8th Medical Supply Platoon. He handled the medical supplies for the Army and drove an ambulance to and from the local airport close to their base. From there he traveled to Kunming, China. Chapman describes flying over the Hump. He worked out of a brick warehouse in China packed with medical supplies and a pharmacy. He assisted with receiving and shelving medical inventory. During his time off he served as a driver for the officers. He was discharged around October of 1945.
Date: June 8, 2015
Creator: Chapman, Charles
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Dunnam, October 17, 2014 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles Dunnam, October 17, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Dunnam. Dunnam was drafted into the Army in July, 1944 and had basic training at Camp Wolters. Upon being sent overseas, Dunnam joined the 126th Infantry Regiment on Leyte. He traveled with them to Luzon in January just after the invasion got started. In May, he was wounded by rifle fire. He returned to his unit and recalls several hundred Japanese soldiers surrendering just after the war ended. He spent some time in Japan before returning to the US and being discharged in August, 1946.
Date: October 17, 2014
Creator: Dunnam, Charles A
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Mazoch, February 5, 2016 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles Mazoch, February 5, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Mazoch. Mazoch was drafted into the Army in August, 1942 and was attached to the 127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. He joined the unit on New Guinea after the Battle of Buna. He also participated in the invasion of the Philippines. Mazoch has considerable help relating his story from his daughter.
Date: February 5, 2016
Creator: Mazoch, Charles L
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Walton transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles Walton

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Walton. Walton was drafted into the Army Air Forces. He was initially assigned to an administrative position and was then sent to the European Theater. Walton briefly describes his experiences on the frontlines including how hard it was to stay warm. He tells one particular story about being in a convoy on the autobahn at the end of the war. Walton left the service at the end of the war and eventually became a Methodist minister.
Date: unknown
Creator: Walton, Charles
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Walton (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles Walton

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Walton. Walton was drafted into the Army Air Forces. He was initially assigned to an administrative position and was then sent to the European Theater. Walton briefly describes his experiences on the frontlines including how hard it was to stay warm. He tells one particular story about being in a convoy on the autobahn at the end of the war. Walton left the service at the end of the war and eventually became a Methodist minister.
Date: unknown
Creator: Walton, Charles
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Cleatis Roach, January 6, 2005 transcript

Oral History Interview with Cleatis Roach, January 6, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Cleatis Roach. Roach joined the Army Air Forces in April, 1943 and had basic training at Sheppard Field, near Wichita Falls, Texas. After basic, he went to Texas Tech in Lubbock for preflight training. When he learned it would take a lot of time to learn to fly and then be assigned to a combat unit, Roach quit flight school and went to aerial gunnery school. After training, he was assigned to a B-17 crew and went overseas in December 1944. Once he reached England, his crew was assigned to the 452nd Bomb Group, 729th Bomb Squadron at Deopham Green, near Attleborough. He flew 17 or 18 combat missions over Germany before the war ended. He returned from Europe to train in B-29s when the Japanese surrendered. Roach was discharged in November, 1945.
Date: January 6, 2005
Creator: Roach, Cleatis
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Cleatis Roach, January 6, 2005 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Cleatis Roach, January 6, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Cleatis Roach. Roach joined the Army Air Forces in April, 1943 and had basic training at Sheppard Field, near Wichita Falls, Texas. After basic, he went to Texas Tech in Lubbock for preflight training. When he learned it would take a lot of time to learn to fly and then be assigned to a combat unit, Roach quit flight school and went to aerial gunnery school. After training, he was assigned to a B-17 crew and went overseas in December 1944. Once he reached England, his crew was assigned to the 452nd Bomb Group, 729th Bomb Squadron at Deopham Green, near Attleborough. He flew 17 or 18 combat missions over Germany before the war ended. He returned from Europe to train in B-29s when the Japanese surrendered. Roach was discharged in November, 1945.
Date: January 6, 2005
Creator: Roach, Cleatis
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Creed Coffee, November 21, 2008 transcript

Oral History Interview with Creed Coffee, November 21, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Creed Coffee. Coffee was in the Army ROTC at Texas Technological College, now Texas Tech in Lubbock, in 1941 and 1942. He was in the Corps of Engineers. He was on active duty beginning June of 1943. He completed Officers Candidate School in June of 1944 and commissioned a second lieutenant. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1327th Engineer General Service Regiment. Coffee served as a platoon leader and worked on a 200-mile section of the Ledo Road, connecting Ledo to Myitkyina in Burma. He was discharged in May of 1946. In November of 1950 he was recalled for the Korean War and served as a captain in the 183rd Engineer Combat Battalion.
Date: November 21, 2008
Creator: Coffee, Creed
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Creed Coffee, November 21, 2008 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Creed Coffee, November 21, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Creed Coffee. Coffee was in the Army ROTC at Texas Technological College, now Texas Tech in Lubbock, in 1941 and 1942. He was in the Corps of Engineers. He was on active duty beginning June of 1943. He completed Officers Candidate School in June of 1944 and commissioned a second lieutenant. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1327th Engineer General Service Regiment. Coffee served as a platoon leader and worked on a 200-mile section of the Ledo Road, connecting Ledo to Myitkyina in Burma. He was discharged in May of 1946. In November of 1950 he was recalled for the Korean War and served as a captain in the 183rd Engineer Combat Battalion.
Date: November 21, 2008
Creator: Coffee, Creed
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History