Lyrical quatrain poem that rhymes on the 2nd and 4th line of each stanza on the subject of the Battle of the Solomons from the American's perspective.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Nicholas Erdely. Erdely was born in Tolick, West Virginia. He lived in a coal mining town where everything was controlled by the mining company. He joined the Army Air Corps in September 1940 and took basic training at Chanute field, Illinois. After completing radio operator school he boarded a ship bound for Bombay, India. Upon his arrival he went to Assam, where he was assigned to the 759t9h Signal Aircraft Warning Company. He walked three days to get to a signal aircraft warning site. The site was so remote, all supplies had to be dropped by airplanes. Erdely describes the living conditions they endured. The purpose of the eleven man team at the site was to observe and report by radio any aircraft in the vicinity. After seven months the team was relieved and went to Lahore, India. Then they traveled to a remote location in the mountains of northern Burma where they stayed another seven months. The team traveled to Calcutta where they boarded C-46 to fly to Fort Meade, Maryland. Soon after arriving, in the United States, Erderly was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Nicholas Erdely. Erdely was born in Tolick, West Virginia. He lived in a coal mining town where everything was controlled by the mining company. He joined the Army Air Corps in September 1940 and took basic training at Chanute field, Illinois. After completing radio operator school he boarded a ship bound for Bombay, India. Upon his arrival he went to Assam, where he was assigned to the 759t9h Signal Aircraft Warning Company. He walked three days to get to a signal aircraft warning site. The site was so remote, all supplies had to be dropped by airplanes. Erdely describes the living conditions they endured. The purpose of the eleven man team at the site was to observe and report by radio any aircraft in the vicinity. After seven months the team was relieved and went to Lahore, India. Then they traveled to a remote location in the mountains of northern Burma where they stayed another seven months. The team traveled to Calcutta where they boarded C-46 to fly to Fort Meade, Maryland. Soon after arriving, in the United States, Erderly was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ralph Kreamer. Kreamer joined the Marine Corps and trained at San Diego. He went overseas in October, 1943 to Noumea before going to New Zealand. He then was in the assault on Tarawa. He recalls going to Camp Tarawa, then on to Saipan. Ralph’s wife, Ivy Kreamer, also contributes her recollections. She recalls various conditions at her home in England during the war and some of the rocket attacks.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Forest Hill. Hill joined the Army Air Forces in early 1943. He completed Link Trainer School in Illinois, and served as an instructor at cadet training facilities in Greenville, Brady, and San Antonio, Texas. Around late 1944, Hill was assigned to administrative duties on Mindoro Island, with an A-26 bomber group. In August of 1945, they traveled to Okinawa. He then served with occupation forces in Tokyo, Japan where he oversaw a small library and shared radio news with the troops. He returned to the US and received his discharge in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents a monologue by Irvin Strobing. Strobing joined the Army Air Corps in July of 1939. He completed Army Signal School at Fort Monmouth and worked as a radio operator. He traveled to Manila, Philippines in May of 1940 and joined the 10th Signal Service Company. He shares his experiences as an apprentice, working and general life in the Philippines. Following the surrender on Bataan, Corregidor became the focus of Japanese forces. Strobing had an operating position in one of Corregidor’s network of tunnels. He speaks on Lt. Gen. Jonathan Wainwright surrendering the Corregidor garrison to the Japanese on 6 May 1942. Strobing provides vivid recollections of his experiences through his capture and imprisonment at Bilibid and later Cabanatuan. Strobing shares details of his time in prison, the living and food accommodations, work, illness, death, interactions with the Japanese guards and their liberation from the camp. He rejoined his family in the States in late 1945.

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.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an interview with Ed Spradling. Spradling grauated from high school and went to work for North American Aviation, building B-24s in Grand Prairie, Texas. When he was old enough, he joined the Merchant Marine. After training, he joined a ship in April, 1945 in San Francisco. Spradling discusses life abord a liberty ship and some of his experiences, including a trip to Manila.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jesse Dwain Holmes. Holmes joined the Navy in 1944 and attended boot camp in San Diego. Upon completion of gunnery school, he boarded the SS John T. McMillan (1943) as an armed guard. After joining a convoy at Leyte, the crew was at general quarters every hour for air raids. Whenever the ship laid smoke screens, Holmes didn’t fire a single round, for fear of engaging in friendly fire. He returned home briefly after 10 months at sea and redeployed to Okinawa, where he fired a 3-inch gun at kamikazes. He then served on Guam as a postman to enjoy some shore duty. Holmes sailed to Wake Island after the war ended and went ashore for its surrender. After being discharged in December 1945, he was grateful to return home unscathed despite the Naval Armed Guard's heavy casualty rates.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Beardsley. Beardsley provides two interviews, one in 1990 and the other in 1998. Both focus on his career in the Navy. Beardsley joined the Navy in 1941 and earned a commission in January 1942. He served aboard the USS Big Horn (AO-45) for a while before commanding USS PC-1140 in 1944. After further anti-submarine warfare training, Beardsley commanded USS PCE(R)-858. He was on his way to the invasion of Japan when the war ended. He was discharged in 1946, but stayed in the reserves until 1964.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Tom Story. Story joined the Navy in October of 1934. Beginning September of 1936, he served as Quartermaster aboard USS Perkins (DD-377), operating out of San Diego. He was discharged in July, then re-enlisted and volunteered for submarine school. Story served aboard the USS S-45 (SS-156), completing antisubmarine warfare training. From early 1942 through early 1943, they completed war patrols in the Solomon Islands. Beginning April of 1943, Story was transferred to the USS Pargo (SS-264), completing war patrols in the East China Sea. Beginning early 1945, he served aboard the USS Chanticleer (ASR-7), completing war patrols in Port Darwin, Australia.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jack Nebelsick. Nebelsick joined the Navy in December 1942 and trained at Great Lakes. After basic training, he attended fire control school. Later in 1943, he was assigned to USS Wesson (DE-184). He was among the commissioning crew and was present for the shakedown cruise before heading for the Pacific. He discusses his role aboard ship as well as the ship's role in the fleet. Nebelsick recalls a few anecdotes from his time aboard. Nebelsick recalls the time a kamikaze struck his ship. Nebelsick was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Forest Hill. Hill joined the Army Air Forces in early 1943. He completed Link Trainer School in Illinois, and served as an instructor at cadet training facilities in Greenville, Brady, and San Antonio, Texas. Around late 1944, Hill was assigned to administrative duties on Mindoro Island, with an A-26 bomber group. In August of 1945, they traveled to Okinawa. He then served with occupation forces in Tokyo, Japan where he oversaw a small library and shared radio news with the troops. He returned to the US and received his discharge in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gabriel Robert Caggiano. Caggiano joined the Marine Corps in 1943. He completed boot camp at Parris Island in South Carolina and provides details of his training. He was assigned to Company G, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. They traveled to Pavuvu in the Solomon Islands for additional training. Over the next 2 years Caggiano participated in the Battle of Peleliu and the Battle of Okinawa as a Private First Class. He provides vivid details of his experiences throughout these battles. After getting wounded in battle he was sent back to the U.S. and honorably discharged from the service in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Head. Head volunteered to join the Navy in February, 1942. Since he already had his pilot’s license, he qualified for flight training. He earned his wings and a commission in October, 1942. He went to Kaneohe and was assigned to VP-13. He relates anecdotes about flying wounded Marines from Tarawa to hospital as well as General Holland Smith and his staff. He also bombed places like Wake Island and targets in the Marshalls. Later in 1944, they were stationed at Saipan and flew patrols. In April, 1945, VP-13 moved to Kerama Retto and flew patrols over the Sea of Japan. He returned to the US in August, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dag Larsen. Larsen volunteered to join the US Army Air Forces in October, 1942 and trained in New Jersey. He qualified to become a navigator and trained in Alabama, where he earned a commission. He flew 47 combat missions in B-24s against oil fields in Borneo, the Japanese naval base at Truk, the Philippines and other targets. Larsen returned from the Pacific in August, 1945. He stayed in the service after the war and served as a navigator for the Strategic Air Command and flew on B-29s, B-36s and B-52s.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ralph Edgar. Edgar joined the Navy in October 1943 and received basic training in Norfolk. Upon completion, he was sent to Guadalcanal, where he joined a special construction battalion that specialized in moving cargo. In the Philippines, he unloaded ships and brought supplies to the frontlines. The work was dangerous, and he encountered kamikazes. After the war, he ran a motor pool in Japan, supervising 260 Japanese drivers. One of his drivers stole three Jeeps, sold them on the black market, and was subsequently imprisoned. After two years, Edgar was sent back to the States to be treated for rheumatic fever. He received a medical discharge but soon returned to the Navy, managing motor pools again, this time as a civilian employee.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Greene. Greene dropped out of high school and joined the Navy in 1939, going to boot camp in Norfolk, Virginia. Afterwards, he went to the USS Kilty (DD-137). After a year on her, Greene was assigned to the USS Detroit (CL-8) in December 1940, remaining on her until December 1945. The Detroit changed its home port from San Diego to Pearl Harbor and was there on 7 December 1941. Greene states the Detroit was light in the water at the time of the attack, and therefore enemy torpedoes went underneath her. They rendezvoused with the USS Enterprise (CV-6) before coming back into Pearl Harbor. The Detroit escorted two ocean liners back to the States after the attack. Then, the Detroit provided escort duty to Australia and was assigned to the Aleutian Islands. They bombarded Kiska and Attu islands and one of the Japanese islands north of Honshu. At war’s end, the Detroit went into Tokyo Bay to find a safe way to get through the mined channel. Greene recalls taking the gold, silver and currency that the submarine USS Trout (SS-202) had taken from the Philippines to …

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Ivan Bishop. Bishop attended electrician school prior to joining the Army. He served in the Signal Corps in the 727th Signal Aircraft Warning Company. Bishop participated in the invasion of Leyte and Okinawa operating a radar warning system for invasion forces. Bishop shares several anecdotes about his experiences in the service during the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas Goffe. Goffe joined the Army Air Forces in February 1943 and trained as a parachute rigger. He was assigned to the 434th Troop Carrier Group and shipped to England in October. He recalls the preparations ahead of the Normandy invasion and delivering gasoline to units in the field during the Battle of the Bulge. When the war ended, Goffe returned to the US in November and was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Henry Wertz and Russell Wheeler. Both Wertz and Wheeler served in the Navy aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12). Wertz enlisted in the Navy in January of 1940 and Wheeler enlisted around 1942. Wertz served aboard the Hornet as Boatswain Mate 2nd Class and Wheeler served as Seaman 1st Class. Both men were in the 3rd Division, 40mm guns, which Wertz had charge over. Considering that Wheeler was only 15 years old when he joined, Wertz took extra care of him while aboard the Hornet. They traveled through the Panama Canal. They helped qualify fighter squadrons for the Pacific Fleet, and transported Marines to various islands. Their ship operated around Formosa, Guam, New Caledonia, Iwo Jima and the Aleutian Islands. They share various incidents aboard the ship, including kamikaze plane attacks, air raids, memorable landings and takeoffs from their carrier and life in general aboard the Hornet.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Wilbur Moerbe. Moerbe joined the Navy in February of 1943. He provides some details of his boot camp experiences. He completed fireman school, learning about the engine rooms, water pumps, running the boiler and how to fight fires. He served in the boiler room aboard the USS Highlands (APA-119) beginning November of 1944. They first traveled to Hilo, Hawaii to pick up Marines. They traveled to Eniwetok and Saipan. On 19 February 1945 they landed elements of the Fifth Marine Division at Iwo Jima, where Moerbe also served as a loader on a 20mm aboard the Highlands. He describes their nine days there, including witnessing the American flag raising. They delivered wounded men to Saipan, then headed to the Philippines to pick up Army troops whom they landed at Okinawa in April of 1945. He describes their twelve days at Okinawa and witnessing the kamikaze attacks. They went to Japan and pulled in next to the USS Missouri (BB-63) to witness the signing of the Peace Treaty. He was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Smith. Smith was drafted into the Navy in August, 1943 and went to boot camp in New York. He then trained as a radio operator. He was sent to New Guinea and worked at a station at Hollandia where he received coded messages. Then he went to the Philippines for the invasion of Luzon where he worked aboard a communications vessel. When the war ended, Smith was back at Hollandia and was discharged in April, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Brown. Brown joined the Navy in 1943. He served as an Apprentice Seaman with the deck force aboard the USS Zeilin (APA-3). From September of 1943 through the spring of 1945, he participated in landing troops at Tarawa, Kwajalein Atoll, New Guinea, the Philippines, and Iwo Jima. Brown returned to the US in April of 1945, and was discharged later in the year.