Oral History Interview with Alan Pilot, August 10, 2010 transcript

Oral History Interview with Alan Pilot, August 10, 2010

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alan Pilot. Pilot joined the Army in January 1943 and received basic training at Camp Howze. He received further training in Louisiana for the European Theater and then in California for the Pacific Theater. In January he left for Camp Old Gold at La Havre, where he served as a combat medic, supporting Companies E, G, and H of the 343rd Infantry, 86th Division. His unit relieved the 8th Division and fought in Cologne, where he was stationed at the top of the cathedral while it was being shelled. In the Ruhr Pocket a defective shell landed 10 feet away from him. He recalls seeing 100,000 Germans surrender there. He describes the Bavarian people as friendly as he passed through Austria on VE Day. He was then sent to the Pacific as part of Operation Coronet. VJ Day came while he was still crossing the Pacific. He spent the last five months of his service in the Philippines at a quiet outpost while the rest of his unit prepared the Philippines for independence. Pilot returned home and was discharged in January 1946.
Date: August 10, 2010
Creator: Pilot, Alan
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alan Pilot, August 10, 2010 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Alan Pilot, August 10, 2010

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alan Pilot. Pilot joined the Army in January 1943 and received basic training at Camp Howze. He received further training in Louisiana for the European Theater and then in California for the Pacific Theater. In January he left for Camp Old Gold at La Havre, where he served as a combat medic, supporting Companies E, G, and H of the 343rd Infantry, 86th Division. His unit relieved the 8th Division and fought in Cologne, where he was stationed at the top of the cathedral while it was being shelled. In the Ruhr Pocket a defective shell landed 10 feet away from him. He recalls seeing 100,000 Germans surrender there. He describes the Bavarian people as friendly as he passed through Austria on VE Day. He was then sent to the Pacific as part of Operation Coronet. VJ Day came while he was still crossing the Pacific. He spent the last five months of his service in the Philippines at a quiet outpost while the rest of his unit prepared the Philippines for independence. Pilot returned home and was discharged in January 1946.
Date: August 10, 2010
Creator: Pilot, Alan
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Adolph Krchnak, May 23, 2015 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Adolph Krchnak, May 23, 2015

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.
Date: May 23, 2015
Creator: Krchnak, Adolph
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Adolph Krchnak, May 23, 2015 transcript

Oral History Interview with Adolph Krchnak, May 23, 2015

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.
Date: May 23, 2015
Creator: Krchnak, Adolph
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Al Stremel, July 30, 2011 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Al Stremel, July 30, 2011

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Al Stremel. Stremel joined the Navy in October of 1940. Beginning in December, he served in the fire room aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6). In April of 1942, they escorted USS Hornet (CV-8) on the Doolittle Raid. From June through November, they participated in the battles at Midway, the Eastern Solomons, Santa Cruz and Guadalcanal. In January of 1944, Stremel was sent to Oil Burning School in Philadelphia. He was transferred to USS Swanson (DD-443). Stremel was honorably discharged in December of 1946.
Date: July 30, 2011
Creator: Stremel, Al
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Al Stremel, July 30, 2011 transcript

Oral History Interview with Al Stremel, July 30, 2011

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Al Stremel. Stremel joined the Navy in October of 1940. Beginning in December, he served in the fire room aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6). In April of 1942, they escorted USS Hornet (CV-8) on the Doolittle Raid. From June through November, they participated in the battles at Midway, the Eastern Solomons, Santa Cruz and Guadalcanal. In January of 1944, Stremel was sent to Oil Burning School in Philadelphia. He was transferred to USS Swanson (DD-443). Stremel was honorably discharged in December of 1946.
Date: July 30, 2011
Creator: Stremel, Al
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Cecelia McKie to Stella Lauriat - May 13, 1943] (open access)

[Letter from Cecelia McKie to Stella Lauriat - May 13, 1943]

Copy of letter sent from Cecelia McKie to Stella Lauriat, recorded in the letter as 'Mrs. Frederick U. Lauriat', regarding Santo Tomas Internment Camp internee 'Frederick U. Lauriat'. Letter contains transcribed message broadcast to wife from internee on Radio Tokyo.
Date: May 13, 1943
Creator: McKie, Cecelia, 1903-1982
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Cecelia McKie to Elsie Backman - May 7, 1943] (open access)

[Letter from Cecelia McKie to Elsie Backman - May 7, 1943]

Copy of letter sent from Cecelia McKie to Mrs. Backman, recorded in the letter as 'Mrs. Beckman' regarding Santo Tomas Internment Camp internee Herbert Backman, recorded in the letter as 'Herbert (Hobart) Beckman (Backman) (?)'. Letter contains transcribed message broadcast to mother from internee on Radio Tokyo.
Date: May 7, 1943
Creator: McKie, Cecelia, 1903-1982
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Cecelia McKie to William H. Bonn - May 8, 1943] (open access)

[Letter from Cecelia McKie to William H. Bonn - May 8, 1943]

Copy of letter sent from Cecelia McKie to Mr. William H. Bonn regarding Santo Tomas Internment Camp internee Edward C. Bonn. Letter contains transcribed message broadcast to family from internee on Radio Tokyo.
Date: May 8, 1943
Creator: McKie, Cecelia, 1903-1982
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Cecelia McKie to P. R. Lawson - June 1, 1943] (open access)

[Letter from Cecelia McKie to P. R. Lawson - June 1, 1943]

Letter sent from Cecelia McKie to Mr. P. R. Lawson, Assistant Treasurer at Manila Electric Company, acknowledging his letter of May 25, 1943. McKie describes her shortwave radio and how she records messages. She explains while she has not heard anyone mention the Manila Electric Company, some internees do mention 'the company'. Letter includes a list of names that the Manila Electric Company may recognize: 'David W. Levitt (Levy) (?); Louis Decoito; George Howard Crosby (?); Thomas P. Condy; Ion (Ronald) (?) Leing (Lane) (?); Lymos (Amos) (Lionel) William Detver'. McKie states that it would be a good plan to send the list of Manila Electric employees to her. She mentions she keeps the letters in a scrapbook, in chronological order, so they are easy to find by date of broadcast message. She requests a map of New York City and Long Island as she hears many messages for New York, Brooklyn, The Bronx.
Date: June 1, 1943
Creator: McKie, Cecelia, 1903-1982
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Elsie Backman to Cecelia McKie - May 12, 1943] (open access)

[Letter from Elsie Backman to Cecelia McKie - May 12, 1943]

Letter sent to Cecelia McKie from Elsie Backman thanking her for the message and stating she had last heard from her son, Herbert Backman, in November 1941. Envelope addressed to Mrs. William L. McKie, Sacramento, California from Mrs. William M. Backman, c/o Letcher W. Bennett, Ridgewood, New Jersey.
Date: May 12, 1943
Creator: Elsie, Backman
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from P. R. Lawson to Cecelia McKie - May 25, 1943] (open access)

[Letter from P. R. Lawson to Cecelia McKie - May 25, 1943]

Letter sent from P. R. Lawson, Assistant Treasurer at Manila Electric Company, to Cecelia McKie. Letter states that through Mrs. Frederick T. Lauriat of Washington, New Jersey, they have learned about the short wave messages received from the Philippines Islands. He asks she advise them if she receives messages from any Manila Electric Company employees. Letter is typed on Manila Electric Company stationery. Envelope addressed to Mrs. W. L. McKie, Sacramento, California from Manila Electric Company, New York, New York.
Date: May 25, 1943
Creator: Lawson, P. R.
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Stella Lauriat to Cecelia McKie - May 24, 1943] (open access)

[Letter from Stella Lauriat to Cecelia McKie - May 24, 1943]

Letter sent from Stella Lauriat to Cecelia McKie thanking her for the message from her husband and stating she has not heard from him since December 8, 1941. She states that she and her two children went home in June 1941. She also states she is forwarding Cecelia McKie's name to their company (Manila Electric Company), which may be interested in hearing news from other interned employees. Envelope addressed to Mrs. W. L. McKie, Sacramento, California. Envelope is postmarked Washington, New Jersey. Reverse side of envelope has been removed by creator.
Date: May 24, 1943
Creator: Lauriat, Stella
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Al D'Agostino, April 19, 2012 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Al D'Agostino, April 19, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al D’Agostino. D’Agostino joined the Merchant Marine in 1945 and received training in Brooklyn. Upon completion, he was assigned to the SS Monterey where he worked as a butcher. His first trip to the Pacific was transporting European troops, who were unhappy about the looming invasion of Japan. The war ended while the Monterey was in transit, and the soldiers returning home were a much happier bunch. Even more joyful was the reunion of families when the Monterey picked up war brides and their babies from all over the Pacific and brought them back to the States. He transferred to a Liberty ship that brought German war criminals back to the States from South America, although he believes that the majority of the passengers were actually concentration camp survivors. D’Agostino was discharged but was drafted again during the Korean War and served as a radio relay operator atop a mountain in dangerous and harsh winter conditions. When he was discharged a second time, he applied his kitchen experience and attended Cornell’s hotel school. D’Agostino became the director of food service for Trans World Airlines. Before retiring, he moved …
Date: April 19, 2012
Creator: D'Agostino, Al
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Al D'Agostino, April 19, 2012 transcript

Oral History Interview with Al D'Agostino, April 19, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al D’Agostino. D’Agostino joined the Merchant Marine in 1945 and received training in Brooklyn. Upon completion, he was assigned to the SS Monterey where he worked as a butcher. His first trip to the Pacific was transporting European troops, who were unhappy about the looming invasion of Japan. The war ended while the Monterey was in transit, and the soldiers returning home were a much happier bunch. Even more joyful was the reunion of families when the Monterey picked up war brides and their babies from all over the Pacific and brought them back to the States. He transferred to a Liberty ship that brought German war criminals back to the States from South America, although he believes that the majority of the passengers were actually concentration camp survivors. D’Agostino was discharged but was drafted again during the Korean War and served as a radio relay operator atop a mountain in dangerous and harsh winter conditions. When he was discharged a second time, he applied his kitchen experience and attended Cornell’s hotel school. D’Agostino became the director of food service for Trans World Airlines. Before retiring, he moved …
Date: April 19, 2012
Creator: D'Agostino, Al
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Cecelia McKie to Mrs. William J. Howes - May 13, 1943] (open access)

[Letter from Cecelia McKie to Mrs. William J. Howes - May 13, 1943]

Copy of letter sent from Cecelia McKie to 'Mrs. William J. Howes' regarding Santo Tomas Internment Camp internee 'Alfred C. Davis'. Letter contains transcribed message broadcast to 'Grace' from internee on Radio Tokyo.
Date: May 13, 1943
Creator: McKie, Cecelia, 1903-1982
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History