The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ernest Andrus. Andrus joined the Navy in June of 1942. Beginning in November, he served as a medical corpsman in the sick bay aboard USS Rochambeau (AP-63), transporting troops throughout the Pacific islands. Around January of 1944, he transferred to the sick bay aboard USS LST-124 in New Caledonia. Andrus shares his experiences through the Battle of Tinian in July. They traveled to Guadalcanal for ferry duty, and provided transportation for supplies and men throughout the islands. Andrus left USS LST-124 in mid-1945 and went ashore in New Caledonia. He transferred back to the US around August, and recalls the celebration in the streets of downtown Los Angeles when the war ended. He received his discharge in December.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Connelly. Connelly joined the Navy in early 1942. He served as a Radioman aboard the USS DuPage (APA-41). From January of 1944 through early 1945, they landed troops for the assaults on Kwajalein, Guam, Peleliu and the Philippines. Connelly was wounded and returned to the US, receiving a discharge in May of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Fred Glosser. Glosser was born 8 January 1924, and joined the Army in 1942. He served as a switchboard operator in the Signal Corps. He shares details of his basic training at Camp McCain, Mississippi. Glosser was assigned to the 2nd Army. He became very ill with pneumonia, and mastitis, and was transferred to several hospitals. He underwent an 8-hour mastectomy surgery at Lawson General Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1944, Glosser completed Diesel-Engine School at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. He served as Technician Fourth Grade, Company A, First Regiment, 3860th Unit ASFTC (Army Service Forces Training Center), assisting the school with military personnel record keeping. Shortly before the war ended, Glosser received an honorable medical discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Tomlin. Tomlin joined the Navy in September 1944 and received basic training in Illinois. He received aviation ordnance training in Oklahoma. While there, he contracted scarlet fever and was quarantined for six weeks. After the war, he was assigned to the USS Core (CVE-13), entrusted with keeping the ship’s log. Tomlin returned home and was discharged in July 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Anna Gatti, nee Cocchi. Gatti graduated from Boston University as a French major in 1942. While volunteering at a settlement house, she met her future husband, Corry, who was a student at Harvard. In 1942, Corry was drafted into the Army. In 1943, Gatti joined the Navy’s Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). She completed Meteorology School in New Jersey and served as Aerographer, Third Class on a base in California. By late 1943, she completed Midshipman’s School in Massachusetts, then went on to Officer Candidate School. Gatti was then assigned to the Office of Censorship in Miami, censoring national and international cables and radio messages, through mid-1945. From September, 1945 to January, 1946, she was assigned to the Gulf Sea Frontier as an Operations Officer, plotting ship and plane movements in the Gulf. Gatti finished her war service in March of 1946, as a Lieutenant j.g.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Major Franklin Stewart. Stewart joined the Army Air Corps in August of 1941. He served as a pilot in the 408th Bomb Squadron, 22nd Bomb Group. In 1943, they attacked Japanese targets on Papua New Guinea and New Britain. In 1944, he was stationed at Nadzab Airfield, attacking targets on Borneo and participating in the Philippines Campaign. Stewart continued his service after the war, retiring from the Air Force in 1983.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Troy Edward Shakles. Shakles joined the Navy in early 1943. He completed communications school, serving as a quartermaster and signalman. He speaks about the Golden Thirteen, who were the thirteen African American enlisted men who became the first African American commissioned and warrant officers in the United States Navy. On Treasure Island in California, Shakles worked in a signaling tower. He notes that segregation was still in effect at this time. He served aboard a minesweeper, and in 1945 the USS Ebert (DE-768), traveling to Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, Guam. Shakles returned to the US and received his discharge around October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Wander. Wander joined the Army and received basic training at Camp Wheeler. He went on to Officer Candidate School and was commissioned in 1942. He then worked as a platoon leader all over the United States. He went as a replacement to the Americal Division, working beside Filipinos to capture Japanese holdouts. After the war ended, he was reassigned to the Eighth Army in Yokohama as head of military police. Wander returned home and was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lloyd Bailey. Bailey was born in Kansas City, Missouri on 16 February 1922 and graduated from high school in Waco, Texas in 1940. After attending Texas A&M for one year, he enlisted in the Army. He went to Camp Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas for basic training. While there, he was recruited by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents to participate in an internal security program. Following basic entered the Corps of Engineers Officer Candidate School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. On 2 February 1943 he was commissioned a second lieutenant and assigned to the 386th Engineer Battalion, an African American unit stationed at Camp Sutton, North Carolina. In 1943, the battalion boarded the SS Louis Pasteur and sailed to Casablanca where they cleaned up the dock area to facilitate unloading cargo. He tells of the unit traveling by rail to Iran. Soon after arriving in Iran the battalion sailed to Naples, Italy. His platoon was sent to Anzio and assigned the task of removing land mines. Three of his men were lost while doing this job. He was assigned to oversee the construction of the largest Butler Building ever …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jim Roby. Roby was born in Nocona, Texas on 17 June 1927. After graduating from high school in Cunningham, Texas he signed up for the Army Specialized Training Reserve Program. Upon entering the program he was sent to Las Cruses, New Mexico for training. The program was terminated shortly thereafter and he was sent to Wichita Falls, Texas for basic training. In 1946, following basic training, he was assigned as a teletype operator with US Army Signal Corps. He was sent to Guam where he supervised the fixed communication facility with a personnel crew of fourteen. He describes the purpose and workings of the radio-teletype unit. While on Guam, it was struck by a typhoon and he describes the storm and its aftermath. War crimes trials were held on Guam during 1946 and Roby attended some of these trials. Returning to the United States in 1947 he became a commissioned officer after attending Officers Candidate School. He concludes the interview by telling of his career in the United States Air Force until his retirement in 1972.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Herb Smith. Smith was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1920. In 1940 he entered Centenary College in Shreveport and participated in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. After completing the course he joined the Navy. After receiving his wings in July 1943 he went to Melbourne, Florida where he began training in the Grumman F6F fighter plane. Upon qualifying in carrier landings on Lake Michigan, he was sent to Guadalcanal in May 1944. He flew various combat missions from there. He then went to Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides and was assigned to Carrier Aircraft Service Unit 39. After several months he was assigned to VF-80 aboard the USS Ticonderoga (CV-14). Smith, with another Hellcat, was returning from an airstrike to the Ticonderoga and encountered fifteen Japanese planes. Smith and his wingman employed the Thach Weave, resulting in them shooting down several of the enemy. In December 1944 the Ticonderoga was caught in Typhoon Cobra. During a mission over Formosa, Smith’s group commander was forced to bail out. Smith protected him from the air until he was picked by an American submarine. On 21 January 1945, while Smith was airborne, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hector Mendieta. Mendieta was born in Laredo, Texas in 1924. After graduating from high school in 1941, he attended Texas A & M University until March 1943. When he was inducted into the Army he underwent nine weeks of basic training at Camp Roberts, Texas and was then sent to Camp Abbot, Oregon. In February 1944, he was selected to attend Officers Candidate School. Upon receiving his commission on 14 June 1944 he was sent to Camp Claiborne, Louisiana where he joined the 1326th Engineer General Service Brigade. The unit, composed primarily of African American soldiers, received training in various types of construction. On 12 February 1945 the regiment left Camp Kilmer, New Jersey for France. After landing at Le Havre, the unit moved to Marville. Mendieta’s unit converted a school into a hospital. Casualties from the 3rd Army arrived before reconstruction was completed. After Germany surrendered, his unit was sent to Mondorf les Bains, Belgium to convert a hotel into a prison for high ranking German officers. He saw Hermann Goering and Karl Doenitz arrive prior to the trials in Nuremburg. Afterward, the unit boarded the USS …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Lynch. Lynch joined the Army in May of 1945. He completed basic training at Fort Hood, Texas in September. He learned how to drive Army trucks, and qualified as a marksman. In October, he was transferred to Fort Ord in California. Lynch shares details of his training, and his travels to and through California. He deployed to Nagasaki, Japan and served with the 32nd Infantry Division occupation forces. He returned to the US and received a discharge in October of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Whayland Greene. Greene joined the Army in August, 1943 and trained at Camp Fannin. When he went overseas, he went to New Guinea and joined the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. He participated in the invasions of Leyte and Luzon with his outfit and recalls a few anecdotes of his combat experiences. He was discharged in January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Paul Sebacher. Sebacher’s son David assists with the interview. Sebacher enlisted in the Navy in December of 1942. He completed boot camp in Chicago. He volunteered for submarine training in New London, Connecticut. He boarded the USS Picuda (SS-382) at Pearl Harbor in January of 1944. He served as the electrician on board. From Pearl Harbor they went to Midway Island. He made six patrols and sunk Japanese ships on every patrol. He provides detail of these patrols and sinking around 26 ships. They also traveled to Saipan. He was discharged in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Cook. Cook’s brother Sidney speaks on his behalf. Cook graduated from high school in May of 1941. He joined the Marine Corps in 1942. He went to boot camp on the east coast, and he provides some detail of his experiences. He then went on to train as an aircraft mechanic at Chanute Field, Illinois. From there he went to the Navy Pier in Chicago for additional training. Then he completed special training in electronic propellers in Norman, Oklahoma through Spartan Aviation and the University of Oklahoma. In early 1943 he went to Hawaii for survival and jungle training. He was part of a Marine air crew. They were sent to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. He assisted with ground maintenance and flying supplies and medevac. He provides some detail of his experiences on Peleliu. He provides details of attacks, and the Japanese and military life on the islands. He was discharged in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Philip and Mary Elizabeth Wales. Wales graduated from medical school in 1943. He was stationed at Ulithi and had some interaction with the island natives. When the war ended, Wales accepted his discharge and began practicing medicine in San Antonio. Mrs. Wales joined the Army Nurse Corps, graduated as a nurse and went to work in Galveston. They met after the war and married.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Justin Bible. Bible joined the Army and went to radio school in California before being assigned to the 593rd Joint Assault Signal Company (JASCO). He landed in the Philippines (Leyte and Luzon) with the unit and shares a few anecdotes. He also went to Okinawa. Bible returned to the US in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvin Lebsack. Lebsack joined the Army Air Corps in November of 1940. He trained in aircraft mechanics, and served with the 58th Bomb Wing as a B-29 Crew Chief and Flight Chief. They participated in the China Burma India Theater, and were stationed at a base in India. Lebsack completed bombing missions over Japan in 1944. He returned to the US and received his discharge in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Daniel Montgomery. Montgomery joined the Army Air Forces in late 1942 and trained to be a radio operator. After training, he joined the 371st Fighter Group, 406th Fighter Squadron in Virginia. He travelled with the unit to England in February 1944. He also went to Normandy with them after the invasion. He shares several anecdotes and recalls experiences aboard P-47 aircraft. He was discharged in December, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Thomas Morgan. Morgan joined the Marine Corps in January of 1942. He served with the 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Regiment, L Company. In August of 1942 they were assigned to Guadalcanal, where they reinforced the 1st Marine Division, and supported assaults on Tulagi Island. In June of 1944 they participated in the Battle of Saipan and in April of 1945, the Battle of Okinawa. After the war ended, Morgan and his division were sent to China to oversee the surrender of the Japanese and their return to Japan. Morgan returned to the US and was discharged in 1946. He continued serving in the Reserves and participated in the Korean War.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Oellerich. Oellerich joined the Navy in 1943 after he finished high school. After basic training, he attended quartermaster school to learn to navigate. Upon completion, he headed for Houston to join USS LSM-2. After training, they shaped course for Hawaii. After loading supplies, they headed for the Philippines to support the various invasions. He also made the invasion of Okinawa where his LSM ferried supplies from ship to shore for one month. He got ashore briefly and witnessed kamikaze attacks. Oellerich was discharged in April, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Oscar Robert Freesen. After graduating from high school, Freesen was drafted into the Army in January, 1944. He speaks about training in Georgia and Texas. In January, 1945, Freesen was sent to England and then to Belgium. Upon arriving there, Freesen was assigned to Company K, 331st Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division. He describes some of his combat experiences in Belgium. Freesen's unit eventually crossed the Rhine into Germany. Freesen describes being wounded in a German town in April, 1945 and being evacuated to a hospital in France. Freesen also speaks of connecting, decades after the war, with the daughter of a friend with whom he served in Europe. Freesen was able to verify to the daughter that her father, who was killed in Germany, knew she had been born before he died. She had spet her entire life up to that point not knowing if her father knew she had been born. After recovering in the hospital, Freesen rejoined his unit and served as a clerk until he managed to get sent home after his father became ill. He returned in November, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Roger G. Anderson. When Anderson finished high school in 1943, he entered the Army Air Forces and trained initially at Miami Beach, Florida, then at Laredo, Texas, for gunnery school. Anderson describes the training involved at gunnery school and shares a few anecdotes. In July, 1944, Anderson and crew headed overseas. they were assigned to the 19th Bomb Squadron, 22nd Bomb Group, 5th Air Force. His squadron was nicknamed the Silver Fleet. To begin with, he was stationed in New Guinea and flew aome missions there. Eventually, his unit was assigned to Tacloban, bu teh area was too muddy for an airbase, so his unt was statioend at Angaur. From there, his unit evenually moved up to Clark Field on Luzon. In August, 1945, Anderson went home on leave after completing 48 missions. He anticipated being trained in B-29s, but the war ended while he was home on furlough and he got discharged in October, 1945. He used the G.I. Bill to go to college and eventually had a career as a teacher in Illinois.