Oral History Interview with Anthony F. Cooper, January 10, 2012 transcript

Oral History Interview with Anthony F. Cooper, January 10, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Anthony F. Cooper. In January, 1941, Cooper was drafted into the Army. Cooper trained as an ammunition specialist. As such, he was trained to set up ammunition supply points in combat zones. After training, Cooper was assigned to the 54th Ordnance Ammunition Company. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Cooper was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. From there, Cooper's unit went overseas t oEngland to prepare for the invasion of North Africa. Cooper describes being involved in the Battle of Kasserine Pass in Tunisia and having to retreat. At one point while Cooper was in Italy, he was captured by the Germans. He was liberated a few days later. Cooper also speaks about destroying ammunition after the war. After the war in Europe ended, Cooper returned to the US and was discharged. He re-enlisted in 1948 and saw service in the war in Korea. He also tested parachutes at Fort Bragg, Norh Carolina with the 101st Airborne Division. Also, Cooper met Elvis Presley while the Third Armored Division was stationed in Germany. While testing parachutes, Cooper also met General William Westmoreland.
Date: January 10, 2012
Creator: Cooper, Anthony F.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert C. Miessler, January 4, 2012 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert C. Miessler, January 4, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Conrad Miessler. Miessler joined the Army Air Force in February, 1943 and discusses his pilot training in the T-6 Texan. He eventually graduated up to the P-38. Once Miessler was deployed to the Pacific, he flew missions from the Philippines to targets on Formosa (Taiwan). He was attached to the 433rd Fighter Squadron, 435th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force. When the war ended, he was shipped to Korea and flew a few months before going home and enrolling in Purdue University, where he used the G.I. Bill to earn an engineering degree in 1950.
Date: January 4, 2012
Creator: Miessler, Robert C.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Arthur R. Weller, January 17, 2012 transcript

Oral History Interview with Arthur R. Weller, January 17, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arthur R. Weller. Weller begins with a brief biography and then an account of his father's actions as Commanding Officer aboard the USS Wasp (CV-18) that resulted in the award of the Navy Cross. Weller attended the University of California, Berkeley, and enrolled inthe Navy's V-12 program. His first assignment upon commissioning was at Fort Pierce, Florida teaching sailors to operate landing craft. At Fort Pierce, Weller volunteered for Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) training. In late 1944, Weller shipped out to Hawaii for more training and then boarded the USS Bates (APD-47) for a ride to Iwo Jima. He was assigned to UDT-12. Weller describes his duties and experiences at Iwo Jima. After the battle, Weller was transferred to the USS Iowa (BB-61). Aboard the Iowa, Weller served as a gunnery officer. He was aboard the Iowa in Tokyo Bay during the surrender ceremony and observed it through his gunsights. Weller also describes going ashore in Tokyo as a shore patrolman and as a tourist on liberty.
Date: January 17, 2012
Creator: Weller, Arthur R.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Joan F. Weller, January 17, 2012 transcript

Oral History Interview with Joan F. Weller, January 17, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joan F. Weller. Weller begins with an account of her father's career in the Navy and her experiences growing up and moving from station to station all over the US. During her high school years , she spent time in San Diego and Honolulu. She was present on Oahu when Pearl Harbor was attacked. She proceeds to read a speech she delivered to high school mates of hers in San Diego shortly after she was evacuated back to the US mainland. In the speech she describes her impressions of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Weller then describes her activities as a college student during the war.
Date: January 17, 2012
Creator: Weller, Joan F.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Frank Schroeder, January 27, 2012 transcript

Oral History Interview with Frank Schroeder, January 27, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Schroeder. Schroeder joined the Army Air Forces and completed gunnery school and airplane mechanics school. Around 1943, Schroeder served with the 2nd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron as a detached service with the 13th and 7th Air Forces. They traveled over Johnston Island, Eniwetok, the Philippines and Truk Lagoon.
Date: January 27, 2012
Creator: Schroeder, Frank
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Elton Porter, January 27, 2012 transcript

Oral History Interview with Elton Porter, January 27, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Elton Porter. Porter joined the Navy in late 1943. He completed Sonar School and Gunnery School, and volunteered for submarine service. Porter served as a Messman and Gunner’s Mate aboard USS Haddo (SS-255) around late 1944. He participated in their eighth and ninth war patrols, traveling through Pearl Harbor, the East China and Yellow seas. Porter received his discharge in late 1945.
Date: January 27, 2012
Creator: Porter, Elton
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James C. Trowell, January 26, 2012 transcript

Oral History Interview with James C. Trowell, January 26, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James C. ""Bill"" Trowell. Trowell begins by telling about his father-in-law, Claude W. Lester. Lester was a torpedo man in the Navy during World War I and was recalled to active duty during World War II. He reads from Lester's diary about destroyer picket duty off Okinawa. Trowell then begins with his own experiences of growing up during the Great Depression on a farm in New Mexico. Trowell finished high school at 16 in 1942 and go a deferment due to his work in agriculture. In April, 1944, he joined the Marine Corps. He speaks a bit about training in San Diego. After training, Trowell qualified for Marine Aviation school and trained as a ground crew member examinig fuselages, wings, elevators, rudders and ailerons for damage, etc. The war ended before Trowell got overseas. When he did go overseas, he went to China for occupation duty with the First Marine Air Wing. He describes some trouble the Marines had with the Chinese communists. Trowell feels certain he would have gone to Iwo Jima had he not been able to get into a Marine aviation unit.
Date: January 26, 2012
Creator: Trowell, James C.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Dan Daube, January 24, 2012 transcript

Oral History Interview with Dan Daube, January 24, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dan Daube. Daube joined the Navy in December 1942 was trained as an aviation radioman. He did so well in gunnery training that he briefly served as an instructor. He was then assigned to VPB-101 as a radioman and waist gunner. His plane was equipped with an airborne early warning and control system, and his crew flew test patrols along the Atlantic Coast until the war ended. Daube returned home and was discharged in 1946. He graduated from Penn State on the GI Bill and returned to active duty in 1949, beginning in the Army and then transferring to the Air Force. He retired in 1975 as a pilot and lieutenant colonel, having served in Korea and Vietnam.
Date: January 24, 2012
Creator: Daube, Dan
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Garvin O. Suggs, January 12, 2012 transcript

Oral History Interview with Garvin O. Suggs, January 12, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Garvin O. Suggs. Suggs was in C Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Marines, 3rd Marine Division. He joined them at the time the Marines were mopping up on Guam. On the third day of the battle, Suggs landed on Iwo Jima and was transferred to A Company where he was a squad leader in a rifle platoon. Suggs details several of his experiences fighting on Iwo Jima with many anecdotes. He also recounts a few of his experiences on Guam. In May, 1946, Suggs was discharged, but re-enlisted a few weeks later figuring he could use some more training. He made a career of the Marine Corps and served in Korea and Vietnam. He shares an anecdote about his time in Vietnam that illustrated the contrast in morale between the Vietnam War and World War II.
Date: January 12, 2012
Creator: Suggs, Garvin O.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Edward J. Saylor, January 24, 2012 transcript

Oral History Interview with Edward J. Saylor, January 24, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lieutenant Colonel Edward J. Saylor. Saylor begins with a brief description of his life on a cattle ranch in Montana during the Depression years. He worked on the ranch until 1939 when he joined the Army Air Corps. After finishing basic training, Saylor went to aircraft mechanic school. He eventually worked as a flight engineer, going wherever his airplane went. Shortly after the war started, Saylor volunteered for a mission and began training with other B-25 crews in Florida under Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle. Saylor provides details of getting aboard the USS Hornet (CV-8) in California. Saylor was flight engineer with Crew 15, second to last to take off, and his plane bombed Kobe. Crew 15 made a water landing near an island and were able to get to shore. Chinese citizens aided Saylor and his crew by hiding them in a cave while the Japanese Army searched for them. After another day, Crew 15 was taken to the Chinese mainland and met up with some other Raiders. They eventually made their way west to Chunking where they met Generalissimo and Madam Chiang Kai Shek. Saylor's wife learned …
Date: January 24, 2012
Creator: Saylor, Edward J.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Garvin O. Suggs, January 12, 2012 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Garvin O. Suggs, January 12, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Garvin O. Suggs. Suggs was in C Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Marines, 3rd Marine Division. He joined them at the time the Marines were mopping up on Guam. On the third day of the battle, Suggs landed on Iwo Jima and was transferred to A Company where he was a squad leader in a rifle platoon. Suggs details several of his experiences fighting on Iwo Jima with many anecdotes. He also recounts a few of his experiences on Guam. In May, 1946, Suggs was discharged, but re-enlisted a few weeks later figuring he could use some more training. He made a career of the Marine Corps and served in Korea and Vietnam. He shares an anecdote about his time in Vietnam that illustrated the contrast in morale between the Vietnam War and World War II.
Date: January 12, 2012
Creator: Suggs, Garvin O.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Anthony F. Cooper, January 10, 2012 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Anthony F. Cooper, January 10, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Anthony F. Cooper. In January, 1941, Cooper was drafted into the Army. Cooper trained as an ammunition specialist. As such, he was trained to set up ammunition supply points in combat zones. After training, Cooper was assigned to the 54th Ordnance Ammunition Company. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Cooper was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. From there, Cooper's unit went overseas t oEngland to prepare for the invasion of North Africa. Cooper describes being involved in the Battle of Kasserine Pass in Tunisia and having to retreat. At one point while Cooper was in Italy, he was captured by the Germans. He was liberated a few days later. Cooper also speaks about destroying ammunition after the war. After the war in Europe ended, Cooper returned to the US and was discharged. He re-enlisted in 1948 and saw service in the war in Korea. He also tested parachutes at Fort Bragg, Norh Carolina with the 101st Airborne Division. Also, Cooper met Elvis Presley while the Third Armored Division was stationed in Germany. While testing parachutes, Cooper also met General William Westmoreland.
Date: January 10, 2012
Creator: Cooper, Anthony F.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert C. Miessler, January 4, 2012 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert C. Miessler, January 4, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Conrad Miessler. Miessler joined the Army Air Force in February, 1943 and discusses his pilot training in the T-6 Texan. He eventually graduated up to the P-38. Once Miessler was deployed to the Pacific, he flew missions from the Philippines to targets on Formosa (Taiwan). He was attached to the 433rd Fighter Squadron, 435th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force. When the war ended, he was shipped to Korea and flew a few months before going home and enrolling in Purdue University, where he used the G.I. Bill to earn an engineering degree in 1950.
Date: January 4, 2012
Creator: Miessler, Robert C.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Arthur R. Weller, January 17, 2012 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Arthur R. Weller, January 17, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arthur R. Weller. Weller begins with a brief biography and then an account of his father's actions as Commanding Officer aboard the USS Wasp (CV-18) that resulted in the award of the Navy Cross. Weller attended the University of California, Berkeley, and enrolled inthe Navy's V-12 program. His first assignment upon commissioning was at Fort Pierce, Florida teaching sailors to operate landing craft. At Fort Pierce, Weller volunteered for Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) training. In late 1944, Weller shipped out to Hawaii for more training and then boarded the USS Bates (APD-47) for a ride to Iwo Jima. He was assigned to UDT-12. Weller describes his duties and experiences at Iwo Jima. After the battle, Weller was transferred to the USS Iowa (BB-61). Aboard the Iowa, Weller served as a gunnery officer. He was aboard the Iowa in Tokyo Bay during the surrender ceremony and observed it through his gunsights. Weller also describes going ashore in Tokyo as a shore patrolman and as a tourist on liberty.
Date: January 17, 2012
Creator: Weller, Arthur R.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Joan F. Weller, January 17, 2012 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Joan F. Weller, January 17, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joan F. Weller. Weller begins with an account of her father's career in the Navy and her experiences growing up and moving from station to station all over the US. During her high school years , she spent time in San Diego and Honolulu. She was present on Oahu when Pearl Harbor was attacked. She proceeds to read a speech she delivered to high school mates of hers in San Diego shortly after she was evacuated back to the US mainland. In the speech she describes her impressions of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Weller then describes her activities as a college student during the war.
Date: January 17, 2012
Creator: Weller, Joan F.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Frank Schroeder, January 27, 2012 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Frank Schroeder, January 27, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Schroeder. Schroeder joined the Army Air Forces and completed gunnery school and airplane mechanics school. Around 1943, Schroeder served with the 2nd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron as a detached service with the 13th and 7th Air Forces. They traveled over Johnston Island, Eniwetok, the Philippines and Truk Lagoon.
Date: January 27, 2012
Creator: Schroeder, Frank
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Elton Porter, January 27, 2012 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Elton Porter, January 27, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Elton Porter. Porter joined the Navy in late 1943. He completed Sonar School and Gunnery School, and volunteered for submarine service. Porter served as a Messman and Gunner’s Mate aboard USS Haddo (SS-255) around late 1944. He participated in their eighth and ninth war patrols, traveling through Pearl Harbor, the East China and Yellow seas. Porter received his discharge in late 1945.
Date: January 27, 2012
Creator: Porter, Elton
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James C. Trowell, January 26, 2012 (open access)

Oral History Interview with James C. Trowell, January 26, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James C. ""Bill"" Trowell. Trowell begins by telling about his father-in-law, Claude W. Lester. Lester was a torpedo man in the Navy during World War I and was recalled to active duty during World War II. He reads from Lester's diary about destroyer picket duty off Okinawa. Trowell then begins with his own experiences of growing up during the Great Depression on a farm in New Mexico. Trowell finished high school at 16 in 1942 and go a deferment due to his work in agriculture. In April, 1944, he joined the Marine Corps. He speaks a bit about training in San Diego. After training, Trowell qualified for Marine Aviation school and trained as a ground crew member examinig fuselages, wings, elevators, rudders and ailerons for damage, etc. The war ended before Trowell got overseas. When he did go overseas, he went to China for occupation duty with the First Marine Air Wing. He describes some trouble the Marines had with the Chinese communists. Trowell feels certain he would have gone to Iwo Jima had he not been able to get into a Marine aviation unit.
Date: January 26, 2012
Creator: Trowell, James C.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Edward J. Saylor, January 24, 2012 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Edward J. Saylor, January 24, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lieutenant Colonel Edward J. Saylor. Saylor begins with a brief description of his life on a cattle ranch in Montana during the Depression years. He worked on the ranch until 1939 when he joined the Army Air Corps. After finishing basic training, Saylor went to aircraft mechanic school. He eventually worked as a flight engineer, going wherever his airplane went. Shortly after the war started, Saylor volunteered for a mission and began training with other B-25 crews in Florida under Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle. Saylor provides details of getting aboard the USS Hornet (CV-8) in California. Saylor was flight engineer with Crew 15, second to last to take off, and his plane bombed Kobe. Crew 15 made a water landing near an island and were able to get to shore. Chinese citizens aided Saylor and his crew by hiding them in a cave while the Japanese Army searched for them. After another day, Crew 15 was taken to the Chinese mainland and met up with some other Raiders. They eventually made their way west to Chunking where they met Generalissimo and Madam Chiang Kai Shek. Saylor's wife learned …
Date: January 24, 2012
Creator: Saylor, Edward J.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Dan Daube, January 24, 2012 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Dan Daube, January 24, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dan Daube. Daube joined the Navy in December 1942 was trained as an aviation radioman. He did so well in gunnery training that he briefly served as an instructor. He was then assigned to VPB-101 as a radioman and waist gunner. His plane was equipped with an airborne early warning and control system, and his crew flew test patrols along the Atlantic Coast until the war ended. Daube returned home and was discharged in 1946. He graduated from Penn State on the GI Bill and returned to active duty in 1949, beginning in the Army and then transferring to the Air Force. He retired in 1975 as a pilot and lieutenant colonel, having served in Korea and Vietnam.
Date: January 24, 2012
Creator: Daube, Dan
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Manuel E. Quijas, January 16, 2012 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Manuel E. Quijas, January 16, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Manuel E. Quijas. Quijas grew up in the Rio Grande Valley and was drafted into the the Army in July, 1942. He describes training at Camp Wolters, Texas. At Fort Hood, Quijas was assigned to the 820th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Quijas trained as a driver for a half-track. Upon completion of training, Quijas and his unit were shipped to England where they immediately left for France in October, 1944. Eventually, his unit moved into Belgium and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Quijas describes retreating and disabling his half-track and its weapons. QUijas speaks of retraining in medium tanks and taking them across the Rhine River into Germany. When the war ended in Europe, Quijas shipped back to the US and was discharged in November, 1945. Quijas used the GI Bill to finish high school.
Date: January 16, 2012
Creator: Quijas, Manuel E.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Manuel E. Quijas, January 16, 2012 transcript

Oral History Interview with Manuel E. Quijas, January 16, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Manuel E. Quijas. He discusses his childhood growing up during the Great Depression and how he was drafted into the US Army. He describes his experiences during bootcamp and fighting in Europe and in the Battle of the Bulge during World War Two.
Date: January 16, 2012
Creator: Quijas, Manuel E. & Misenhimer, Richard
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Manuel E. Quijas, January 16, 2012 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Manuel E. Quijas, January 16, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Manuel E. Quijas. He discusses his childhood growing up during the Great Depression and how he was drafted into the US Army. He describes his experiences during bootcamp and fighting in Europe and in the Battle of the Bulge during World War Two.
Date: January 16, 2012
Creator: Quijas, Manuel E. & Misenhimer, Richard
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History