Oral History Interview with Robert Medley, August 4, 2008 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Medley, August 4, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Medley. Medley joined the Army in February of 1943. He volunteered as a paratrooper, serving with the Headquarters Company, 541st Battalion, 101st Airborne Division. In September of 1943 he received the world record for the highest free fall jump at 30,000 feet. He jumped a number of times overseas at 600 feet. Medley describes his training and these experiences. In the fall of 1943 he traveled to Northern Ireland. From there his division was flown into combat, beginning with North Africa. In June of 1944 he jumped behind Utah Beach in Normandy. They traveled to England. He jumped in Southern France and Bad Hall, Austria. Medley assisted in liberating part of Dachau concentration camp. In December of 1944 he participated in the Battle of the Bulge, where he was captured ang taken to Mons, Belgium for 92 days. He escaped in April of 1945. He was discharged in May of 1946.
Date: August 4, 2008
Creator: Medley, Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Lyle Sanders, August 4, 2008 transcript

Oral History Interview with Lyle Sanders, August 4, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lyle Sanders. Sanders joined the Navy in September 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. He was trained as an engine mechanic in Iowa and upon completion was assigned to Motor Boat Torpedo Squadron 31, aboard PT-464, as a motor machinist. He patrolled the Solomon Islands, Palau, Leyte, and Okinawa. The small crew often traveled across the open ocean under their own power, burning 500 gallons of gasoline an hour at top speed. They never saw action or fired a torpedo, but at Okinawa Sanders was kept busy in the engine room as their boat constantly transported military personnel between ships. He recalls dragging two passengers aboard in a typically rough manner, only to realize once they were on deck that they were Admiral Turner and General Buckner. Sanders returned home and was discharged in December 1945.
Date: August 4, 2008
Creator: Sanders, Lyle
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Medley, August 4, 2008 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Medley, August 4, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Medley. Medley joined the Army in February of 1943. He volunteered as a paratrooper, serving with the Headquarters Company, 541st Battalion, 101st Airborne Division. In September of 1943 he received the world record for the highest free fall jump at 30,000 feet. He jumped a number of times overseas at 600 feet. Medley describes his training and these experiences. In the fall of 1943 he traveled to Northern Ireland. From there his division was flown into combat, beginning with North Africa. In June of 1944 he jumped behind Utah Beach in Normandy. They traveled to England. He jumped in Southern France and Bad Hall, Austria. Medley assisted in liberating part of Dachau concentration camp. In December of 1944 he participated in the Battle of the Bulge, where he was captured ang taken to Mons, Belgium for 92 days. He escaped in April of 1945. He was discharged in May of 1946.
Date: August 4, 2008
Creator: Medley, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Lyle Sanders, August 4, 2008 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Lyle Sanders, August 4, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lyle Sanders. Sanders joined the Navy in September 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. He was trained as an engine mechanic in Iowa and upon completion was assigned to Motor Boat Torpedo Squadron 31, aboard PT-464, as a motor machinist. He patrolled the Solomon Islands, Palau, Leyte, and Okinawa. The small crew often traveled across the open ocean under their own power, burning 500 gallons of gasoline an hour at top speed. They never saw action or fired a torpedo, but at Okinawa Sanders was kept busy in the engine room as their boat constantly transported military personnel between ships. He recalls dragging two passengers aboard in a typically rough manner, only to realize once they were on deck that they were Admiral Turner and General Buckner. Sanders returned home and was discharged in December 1945.
Date: August 4, 2008
Creator: Sanders, Lyle
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History