The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Agaito Silva. Silva was inducted into the US Army in January 1941. Trained in anti-aircraft guns at Fort Bliss, Texas he was assigned to the 200th Coast Artillery. Several months later the unit was shipped to Fort Stotsenberg, Luzon, Philippines. He describes the Japanese attack on 8 December 1941 and the serious shortages of food and medical supplies that developed. He tells of retreating to Corregidor and of being wounded by shell fragments. After surrendering on 6 May 1942, Silva tells how the prisoners were treated. They sent to Bilibid Prison and then to Cabanatuan. He was then taken to Japan to work in the mines and gives several anecdotes describing the inhumane treatment of the prisoners by the Japanese. He relates how after the Japanese surrender, food and medical supplies were dropped to the POW camp. Silva returned to the United States on 18 October 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Daryl Haerther. Haerther joined the Army in 1944 and was assigned to the 96th Infantry Division a few days after the beginning of the invasion of Okinawa. He was assigned to A Company, 383rd Infantry Regiment. While there, Haerther qualified as a medic and shares several anecdotes from his combat experiences. Eventaully, Haerther was wounded and evacuated to Guam. He was still in the hospital when the war ended and Haerther elected to be discharged in December 1945. Haerther indicates he continues to struggle later in life as a result of some of his combat experiences.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Frederick. Frederick quit school in November 1942 to join the Navy. He attended gunnery school before being assigned to USS Oakland (CL-95). He spent the rest of the war abaord the Oaklnad and was discharged in January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alex Grosse. Grosse finished high school and joined the Navy in 1942 and served as an ordnanceman loading munitions on planes in New Jersey and Virginia. Grosse shares several anecdotes about his experiences. He worked in a Carrier Air Service Unit (CASU) but never mentioned any number designation.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jesse Scott. He joined the Marine Corps and served as a crew chief with Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 235 (VMSB-235). When he reached Ewa on Oahu, he was working on C-47 planes giving them their 1,000 hour overhauls with Marine Air GRoup 15 (MAG-15). He shares several anecdotes about test flying aircraft all over the Pacific.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James McKinley. McKinley was in college when the war started and in spite of serious damage to his eyes earlier in life, he was able to serve in the Army as a clerk in the Ordnance branch. He was shipped to New Caledonia and assigned to the 51st Ordnance Ammunition Company, operating an ammo dump outside of Noumea. He arrived there in 1943 and went home after the war and was discharged in early 1946. He used the GI Bill to finish schooling in pharmacy and earned a master's degree before becoming a pharmacist in Houston.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Orel Douglass. Douglass finished high school in 1940 and immediately joined the Army Air Corps. He trained in San Antonio, then Colorado at the armament school. He was assigned as an armorer at a flight training school in Texas before being assigned tothe 49th Fighter Group and shipping to New Guinea in 1944. He stayed with the 49th for the remainder of the war and ended up in Japan during the occupation for a while. He shares several anecdotes about his time overseas, including an encounter he had with his brother.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Hall. Hall joined the marine Corps in mid-1943 and trained at San Diego. After basic training, Hall attended aviation radio school and gunnery school before being assigned to VMB-621 when they were still flying PBJ bombers. Hall eventually went to Emirau and then the Philippines. He also shares a few anecdotes about being in Australia on R and R. Hall elected to leave the service after the war and use the GI Bill to go to college.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harold Sussman. Sussman was at the University of Illinois when he was sent to Columbia for Midshipman's School. He finished in early 1943 and was shipped out to the Pacific where he eventually joined USS LCI(G)-461. Sussman was aboard for the invasion o fthe Mariana Islands and the invasion of Okinawa. He describes the mission of USS LCI(G)-461 and shares anecdotes of his experiences aboard. When he first came aboard, he was in charge of the galley. He eventually got off the 461 and became in charge of welfare and recreation in Honolulu.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with B J Wilson. Wilson was at basic training at Parris Island when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Wilson was soon assigned to F Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment as an assistant BAR man. He describes landing on Guadalcanal and fighting at teh Tenaru River. He eventually became the BAR man after some combat. He also recalls some anecdotes about being in Melbourne after leaving Guadalcanal. Hew also went with the FIrst Marines to New Britain, then Pavuvu. He also describes landing and fighting at Peleliu. He was wounded on Peleliu and returned to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Cary Salter. Salter learned to fly in the Civilian Pilot Training program before entering the Army Air Forces in June 1942 and entering flight training. He was commissioned in August, 1943 and went to England in September 1944 where he joined the 354th Fighter Group to fly P-51s. Salter describes missions he flew over France and Germany where he attacked various ground targets and engaged in aerial combat. Salter flew over 60 combat missions and, after the war, took a flight in a German fighter. Slater shares several anecdotes from his time overseas. He was discharged in November, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Yerger. Yerger joined the Navy when he finished college in June, 1942 and went into flight training at Grand Prairie, the Corpus Christi. He earned his wings in March 1943 and after instrument training was made an instructor at Beeville. In April, 1945, Yerger was assigned to fly cargo in PBY from Alameda to Hawaii and beyond. He recalls a few anecdotes about Majuro Island and its natives. Yerger took his discharge in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edward Duran. Duran joined the Navy in 1927. After achieving warrant officer, Duran was assigned to the USS West Virginia (BB-48) when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He was at the motor launch awaiting transport back to his ship when the Japanese attacked. When the dust cleared, Duran found himself in charge of the Japanese midget submarine Ha-19. Duran shares several anecdotes about his service during the war in the Pacific, including outfitting the USS Trout (SS-202) for a trip to Corregidor; ditching a PBY in the ocean; and being aboard the USS Marvin H. McIntyre at Okinawa. Duran retired from the Navy in 1957.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Breyer. Breyer enlisted in the Army and was attached to the 922nd Field Artillery Battalion after a brief stint in the Army Specialized Training Program (which was discontinued before he could complete the course). He was shipped to India, landing in Bombay (Mumbai) in April, 1944. From there, he went to Burma and fought the Japanese with Merrill’s Marauders. Breyer was evacuated back to India because of an infection. He managed to return to his outfit and continue fighting with them in Burma. He shares several anecdotes about his experiences jungle fighting in Burma. He also traveled to Kunming to train Chinese troops. He also comments on the nationalist and communist Chinese starting to fight after the war ended. Breyer was discharged in December, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bob McMahon. He enrolled in the Flying Cadet program while in college. After completing initial training in San Antonio, he was transferred to the 21st Pursuit Squadron at Hamilton Field in California where he trained in P-36s and P-40s. In November 1941 he embarked on the troop ship, USS Republic (AP-33) which was underway in the South Pacific on December 7. He arrived in Australia on December 21. In February, 1942 his squadron took off from Darwin to Indonesia when they encountered heavy weather and returned to the airfield, where he was attacked by Japanese fighter planes. He shot down three Japanese fighters before being wounded and forced to bail out of his damaged plane. He landed in a mangrove swamp and was rescued. McMahon watched hundreds of Japanese bombers destroy the Darwin airport and the adjacent RAAF field. The Australians evacuated Darwin and he was flown to Brisbane to recover from his wounds. After recovering, he joined the 39th Fighter Squadron operating out of New Guinea. He recalls escorting a B-26 during a flight out of Port Moresby, New Guinea on which Congressman Lyndon Johnson was embarked. …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alfred Rodriquez. Rodriguez was born in Santa Barbara, California on 9 September 1921 and joined the Navy in 1940. Upon completion of boot training at San Diego in July, he was assigned to the USS Bobolink (AM-20), based at Maui, Hawaii. He recalls the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and his ship’s efforts to keep the heavily damaged USS California (BB-44) afloat. Afterwards, the Bobolink began pulling barges with fuel, ammunition and other supplies, from Tulagi and Gavutu to Guadalcanal. Following major naval engagements the Bobolink towed severely damaged ships to various islands for repair. Among those towed were the USS Atlanta (CL-51), the USS Aaron Ward (DD-483), the USS Portland (CA-33) and the USS Minneapolis (CA-36). In 1943 he returned to the United States and was assigned to the USS Wedderburn (DD-684). While aboard, Rodriquez was involved in various battles including Okinawa. He describes being in the December 1944 typhoon during which three destroyers were sunk. He concludes the discussion by telling of his various assignments until he retired in 1960.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Baugh. Baugh joined the Merchant Marine in 1944. He shares details of his training. He served as Messman in the Steward Department aboard a T2 tanker, the SS Mobile Bay. In early 1945, they deployed to England to deliver fuel. Baugh shares details of the ship and general life aboard. He later joined the union and worked aboard a merchant ship, delivering cargo to Panama, Venezuela and Columbia. After the war ended, Baugh continued his service in the union for an additional 23 years.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Lois Burns. Burns joined the Women’s Army Corps in January of 1945. She completed training in Fort Des Moines, Iowa, and provides details of her uniform and living and working conditions. She was later transferred to Los Alamos, New Mexico, where she remained through the spring of 1946. Burns worked at the National Laboratory and at a Western Union office, as a switchboard and teletype operator. She was discharged in July of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Wesolowski. Wesolowski joined the Navy in January 1941 after 2 years of college. He began flight training immediately and finished at Pensacola with a commission in September, 1941. Just after the war started, he was assigned to the USS Wasp (CV-7). Later, he went to Pearl Harbor and rode out on the Saratoga (CV-3) to the Solomon Islands. His squadron landed on Guadalcanal and joined the Cactus Air Force. After 36 days on Guadalcanal, Wesolowski returned to the US to train other pilots. In 1944, he joined VBF-9 on the USS Lexington (CV-16) for fighter raids on Tokyo.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hulen Hammock. Born in Bentonville, Texas on 5 November 1917, Hammock graduated from William Adams High School in Alice, Texas in 1932. Upon joining the Army Air Corps in December 1941, he was sent to Shepherd Field, Wichita Falls, Texas for basic training. After basic, Hammock went to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he studied aircraft maintenance for six weeks. He was then sent to Barksdale Field, Shreveport, Louisiana where he was assigned to the 319th Bomb Group, 440th Bomb Squadron and began working on B-26A bombers. Later, he was sent to Harding Field, Baton Rouge, Louisiana for advanced training. From there he boarded RMS Queen Mary at New Jersey and recalls an incident in which the ship collided with HMS Curacoa (D41), which was cut in half. Hammock noted that the ship did not slow down or attempt to save survivors. Landing at Gurrock, Scotland he proceeded to Norwich, England. He recalls boarding RMS Mooltan on 27 October 1942 and landing at Algeria. He shares an anecdote involving himself and General Jimmy Doolittle in a B-26. He also tells of servicing a DH98 de Havilland Mosquito aircraft flown by …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Donald Feindt. Feindt joined the Navy in March of 1941. He completed aviation metalsmith schooling at a Naval armory in Detroit, Michigan. Beginning in September, Feindt worked as a motor machinist aboard USS President Adams (APA-19), participating in the Guadalcanal and Tulagi invasions and the New Georgia Campaign. In the spring of 1944, he was transferred to USS Sargent Bay (CVE-83), participating in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the war ended, he participated in the Occupation of Japan. He was discharged in late 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Norman Palmer. Palmer was born in 1922 in Tiosa, Indiana. He enlisted in the Army in January, 1942 and took basic training at Fort Robinson, Arkansas where he was assigned to the Medical Corps. From there, he went to Fort Benning, Georgia and worked ina field hospital until he took and passed the Army Air Forces cadet training tests. He reported to preflight training in San Antonio in December, 1942. Palmer earned his wings and was commissioned in August 1943 just prior to reporting for duty with the 309th Bomb Wing in South Carolina. Palmer was assigned to a B-25 crew as copilot and flew a new bomber to North Africa in December, where they were attached to the 310th Bomb Group stationed on Corsica. Palmer describes bombing missions over Italy and southern France. Palmer flew 40 missions in a B-25 as a copilot and 30 as a pilot. After 70 missions, Palmer was sent home in September, 1944. Palmer was assigned as a flight instructor at Altus, Oklahoma after he returned. When the war ended, Palmer was assigned to the Transport Command where he ferried planes. Later …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Burns. Burns joined the Navy in June of 1943. He completed the Navy V-12 Program. He was commissioned as ensign in May of 1945, and assigned to a destroyer escort. They conducted submarine patrol. He worked in numerous departments aboard the ship, and they remained along the coast of Florida. He was transferred to California for amphibious training. Burns continued his service in the Navy, receiving his discharge in 1958.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George T. Foy. Foy joined the Navy in January 1943. He trained at Great lakes for basic and took an electrician's course there, too before being assigned to the amphibious corps in Solomons, Maryland. He joined an USS LST-282 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In January, 1944, USS LST-282 steamed to Plymouth, England. Foy was aboard the 282 when it went to Normandy on 6 June 1944. It delivered amphibious vehicles and medical supplies during the landing operation and also served as a floating hospital. Foy got separated from his ship, but was able to return to it later on in England. In Southern France in August, USS LST-282 was hit by a German bomb and Foy abandoned ship and made it to shore. He returned to the US and was assigned to an auxiliary repair ship that went to the Pacific right as the war ended. He was discharged in March 1946.