Interview with Garvin Kowalke, a pilot during World War II. He discusses joining the Army Air Corps, going to Air Cadet training to become a pilot, and training on various aircraft (AT-17, UC-78, P-36, P-33, T-6, BT-13, B-17, B-29) before becoming a B-29 pilot; he shipped out to Guam and flew standard and fire bombing runs over Japan. He discusses having to ditch the plane on the way back to Guam once when the engines failed, seeing another B-29 crew have to bail out over Toyko Bay and get picked up by a U.S. submarine that was in the Bay, getting pulled down to the fires when they were trying to hide in the smoke to avoid Japanese fighter planes, and getting caught in a storm by Mount Fujiyama, as well as collecting data such wind direction, speed, and temperature over Hiroshima for future bombing runs, which turned out to be for the bombers who dropped the atomic bomb. He also talks about flying over Hiroshima two days after the bombing and gauging how high the radiation levels were at different altitudes. He also talks about being in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, becoming a B-57 pilot, and adopting a …

Interview with with Norman Apelt, an airplane mechanic during World War II. He discusses his service in the US Army Air Corps as an airplane mechanic in Pampa, Texas. After the war ended, Apelt was assigned duty in occupied Japan.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Adolph Krchnak. Krchnak joined the Army in December of 1944. He completed parachute school. In late 1944, early 1945 he was stationed in the Philippines with the 11th Airborne Division. They served in a traditional infantry role in the Philippines. His division participated in the Liberation of Manila in the spring of 1945. In August of 1945 they traveled into southern Japan as part of the occupation force. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Adolph Krchnak. Krchnak joined the Army in December of 1944. He completed parachute school. In late 1944, early 1945 he was stationed in the Philippines with the 11th Airborne Division. They served in a traditional infantry role in the Philippines. His division participated in the Liberation of Manila in the spring of 1945. In August of 1945 they traveled into southern Japan as part of the occupation force. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Day. Day was born in Olney, Texas 23 September 1921 and graduated from high school in Vivian, Louisiana in 1942. Upon joining the Navy 4 June 1942, he was sent to The Great Lakes Naval Training Station for boot training. Afterwards, Day was assigned to the Amphibious Forces at Solomons, Maryland for training where he learned navigation and signal communications. Completing the course in October 1942 he went to Redwood City, California for further training. Assigned to LCT(5)-62, he describes the size, propulsion, crew compliment and purpose of the craft. Day tells of breaking the LCT into sections that were put aboard an AKA and sailing to New Caledonia arriving in December 1942. On a trip to Guadalcanal he witnessed a Japanese plane dropping a bomb on the USS De Haven (DD-469). He recalls a night trip to New Georgia when he saw St. Elmo’s fire on the railing of his ship. At Tulagi on 7 April 1943, Day personally shot down an attacking Japanese plane. He participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima and tells of being on the USS Estes (ACG-12) and describes an intense …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Day. Day was born in Olney, Texas 23 September 1921 and graduated from high school in Vivian, Louisiana in 1942. Upon joining the Navy 4 June 1942, he was sent to The Great Lakes Naval Training Station for boot training. Afterwards, Day was assigned to the Amphibious Forces at Solomons, Maryland for training where he learned navigation and signal communications. Completing the course in October 1942 he went to Redwood City, California for further training. Assigned to LCT(5)-62, he describes the size, propulsion, crew compliment and purpose of the craft. Day tells of breaking the LCT into sections that were put aboard an AKA and sailing to New Caledonia arriving in December 1942. On a trip to Guadalcanal he witnessed a Japanese plane dropping a bomb on the USS De Haven (DD-469). He recalls a night trip to New Georgia when he saw St. Elmo’s fire on the railing of his ship. At Tulagi on 7 April 1943, Day personally shot down an attacking Japanese plane. He participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima and tells of being on the USS Estes (ACG-12) and describes an intense …

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing eating supper with James, planning to send Catherine some pictures, and drinking beer with Holquin at the Snake Ranch.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service, getting an air mattress, and seeing the movie "The Hairy Ape."

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing working hard and getting sweaty in the morning, reading a book written by Ernie Pyle, and asking after Gregg Wiley and Joyce.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including her Thanksgiving plans and a request for photos of Joe.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing his squadron moving to another base, the mail service, sympathy for their dog, Teddy, who has to be tied up, the cheapness of cigarettes at the post exchange, and his hope that Catherine can one day meet his crew.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe celebrating him receiving his diploma, with a reminder to mail the diploma home. Catherine also discusses news from home, including a visit from Claire, house cleaning, going to church, and a letter from Mr. Davis.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including supper with Ed and Mary, chatting with Dan and some girls at the Kopper Kettle, an update that Danny, the baby, is walking, and plans to go home for the weekend.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe expressing sadness and concern, as she believes she has been sending his letters to the wrong address. Catherine also discusses news from home, including photos Peggy sent of her trip to Tonopah.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including receiving a letter from Holquin's wife, seeing the movie "Arsenic and Old Lace" with Marjorie, and anticipating busyness at work due to Lorraine's absence.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including visits with various people, a speech by Pinky Brown at the Kiwanis Club, and the reported news about the war.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine responding to her previous letter and discussing the reelection of President Roosevelt, whom Joe favored.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including attending Mamie Jane's wedding, going to Gonzales with Heine, and expecting Emma to visit her more since her husband has gone overseas.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service, including receiving a package of pear candy, and flying with a new soldier for the first time.

Interview with Joseph B. Brown of Abilene, Texas, who is a World War Two veteran of the United States Marine Corps. In the interview, Mr. Brown recalls memories of growing up and his time in the Marines, particularly from training, being wounded, and working campaigns in the South Pacific.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz, writing from aboard the USS Chesapeake, summarizes his experiences while on the cruise. In his log, Nimitz describes the various drills in which he participated and the movements of the ship. He mentions some folks got seasick during heavy weather, but that he did not.

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz, writing from aboard the USS Chesapeake, summarizes his experiences while on the cruise. In his log, Nimitz describes the various drills in which he participated and the movements of the ship. He mentions some folks got seasick during heavy weather, but that he did not.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz begins with a review of his grades in school. He laments having to study Latin and views it as a waste of time.

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz begins with a review of his grades in school. He laments having to study Latin and views it as a waste of time. The letter is on St. Charles Hotel (Kerrville, Texas) stationery.