Transcript of an oral interview with Norman E. Carroll. When Carroll reached 18, he joined the Navy in December, 1942. After basic training at Great Lakes, Illinois, Carroll volunteered for submarines and went to submarine school in New London, Connecticut in June, 1943. When he finished submarine school, Carroll was assigned to the USS Guitarro (SS-363). Carroll was aboard the Guitarro for five war patrols in enemy waters. Carroll describes being attacked with depth charges, making repairs, a burial at sea of shipmate and being attacked by aircraft.

Transcript of an oral interview with James "Jim" Joyce. When Joyce finished high school, he joined the Navy in January, 1943. Soon, he was training with a naval construction battalion (Seabees), and was assigned to Banika Island in the Russell Islands in the Solomons where he served in a bakery and as a stevedore. He was attached to the 11th Construction Battalion. Eventually, Joyce headed for Okinawa and was there on D-day (1 April 1945). He escorted Japanese prisoners of war to Saipan and headed back to Okinawa where he continued performing his bakery and stevedore duties. He stayed on Okinawa until November before returning home to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dorwin F. Lamkin. Lamkin was born in Hudson, Wisconsin on 30 October 1922. He enlisted in the Navy on 30 October 1940, and attended boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois. He spent sixteen weeks at Great Lakes. His first assignment was as a Fire Controlman on the USS Nevada (BB-36). He joined the ship at Bremerton Naval Shipyard. He was transferred to the hospital division and was aboard when the Japanese attacked. Lamkin recalls the ship ran aground adjacent to a sugar cane field across from Hospital Point. After the ship was refloated, he was transferred to Hospital Corpsman School in San Diego, followed by Laboratory Technician School in Bremerton. After completing the training he was transferred to the USS San Francisco (CA-38), which was being repaired at Mare Island. Following the repairs the San Francisco headed north and operated in the Aleutian Islands over the next several months, including supporting the Allied landings at Attu and Kiska Islands. Lamkin spent two years on the San Francisco, was accepted into the Navy’s V-12 Program and attended the University of Kansas. When the war ended he was assigned as …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Greg Layman. Layman worked in a shipyard in Vancouver, Washington on escort carriers until he turned 18. After his birthday he joined the Navy and served in the Seabees with CBMU 521 spending 20 months on Tulagi improving infrastructure. Three weeks after the Japanese surrender, his unit was sent to Okinawa to build a permanent naval base. Three months later he was sent to the United States and discharged on 24 December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Everett Fulton. Fulton joined the Navy in 1936 serving as a machinist mate. He details the work and equipment used in the metal shop. Fulton was discharged in 1940 only to rejoin the Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He describes training as a dive-bomber pilot and what it was like to fly a SB-2C Helldiver. Fulton joined VB-14 on the USS Wasp (CV-18) and flew missions over the Philippine Islands. Formosa, and Iwo Jima. He goes into detail describing his mission during the Marianas Turkey Shoot and expresses his frustration with the decisions that led to so many planes having to ditch afterwards. Fulton spent the end of the war as an instructor in Florida. He remained in the reserves and was called back for Korea where he also served as an instructor.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bob Sweatt. Sweatt was inducted to the Army Air Forces in September 1942. He describes his training as a gunner. Sweatt joined the 389th Bomb Group as a waist gunner in a B-24. He describes his experiences on several missions. Sweatt was the only surviving crewmember when his plane was shot down. He describes getting wounded, escaping the plane, and parachuting to the ground. Sweatt details the three months that he was hidden by the French and Dutch Underground. He eventually escaped to England and then returned to the United States. Sweatt served as a gunnery instructor for the remainder of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ray Kuhlow. Kuhlow provides a history monologue during the 60th Anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Kuhlow served 21 years on active duty in the Navy, through World War II and the Korean War. He worked aboard the USS California (BB-44) in forward turret two, and they traveled to the Hawaiian Islands. He describes the maneuvers of the Japanese carriers and planes prior to and on the day of December 7, 1941. His ship pulled into Pearl Harbor on Saturday evening, December 6. Kuhlow explains in detail the events that unfolded that night and into the next day. He provides a description of how the Battleship Oklahoma and the Battleship Arizona were attacked. He also details his crew’s actions aboard the California in response to the Japanese attack on the island. His crew worked for months cleaning and repairing the ship, and in December of 1942 brought the ship back to the States for modernization and repairs. In February of 1943 Kuhlow went back out to the South Pacific aboard the California, participating in many engagements including the Marshalls, the Marianas, and the Philippines. He details their interaction …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Brown. Brown was drafted into the Army Air Forces in 1942. He completed airplane mechanic school in Wichita Falls, Texas at Sheppard Field. His first assignment was at Tyndall Field, Florida working on the B-26 line as an engineer and mechanic. In 1943 or 1944 Brown was assigned to the 43rd Bomb Group and sent to New Guinea and served as a flight engineer, assisting the pilot in flight, including transferring gasoline and keeping the logbook. He describes living conditions in New Guinea. After Brown was discharged from the Army Air Forces he worked for Exxon for 30 years.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Goldie Conley. Conley was born in San Saba County, Texas in 1922. She describes living conditions in the small town of Cherokee during the Depression years. She married Wilbur Conley in May 1942, one month after he was inducted into the Army Air Forces. In October 1942, Wilbur was sent overseas and she briefly discusses his various assignments. She went to work as a welder with the Bethlehem Pennsylvania Shipyards in Beaumont, Texas and describes some of the hazards of the job. She also reflects upon the loneliness of being separated from her husband for over three years and the elation felt upon his return in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Wray. Wray entered the Navy in 1942. He completed flight training in Kansas, California, and Texas. He was commissioned in August 1943 and sent to Opa-Locka, Florida to fly a Brewster Buffalo and completed various gunnery missions and field carrier landings. He joined the Composite Squadron 75 (VC-75) flying the FM2 and the F4F. His squadron was sent to Kaneohe, Hawaii and boarded the USS Ommaney Bay (CVE-79). They worked with Thomas Kincaid’s fleet, escorting troops up to Palau. They also supported troops in the Solomon Islands. He was in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, escorting troops. He was aboard the Ommaney Bay when it was struck by a kamikaze. He abandoned ship and was picked up by the USS Patterson (DD-392), then transferred to the USS New Mexico (BB-40) and was aboard during the invasion of Lingayen Gulf in January 1945. He was transported back to California in 1945. The Navy then sent him to Daytona Beach Naval Air Station as an instructor. He was discharged in 1946 and joined the Naval Reserves.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Nemec. Nemec joined the Marine Corps in December, 1942 and trained at San Diego. He arrived overseas in time to join B Company, 1st Tank Battalion in the First Marine Division when they invaded New Britain. Nemec describes going ashore and the conditions of battle at Peleliu. He also was on Okinawa and shares stories. Nemec served as maintenance man for tanks. He also relates several anecdotes from his time in China after the war on occupation duty. He returned from China in December and was discharged in July 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Huie H. Lamb, Jr. Lamb joined the Army Air Forces in February of 1943. He graduated from flight school in February of 1944, and served as a pilot with the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force. He was deployed to England. On his first mission he flew his P-51, nicknamed Etta Jeanne, and had mechanical problems causing him to ditch the plane in the North Sea. He was picked up by Air Sea Rescue from Martlesham Heath. Between a P-47 and his second P-51, Etta Jeanne II, he flew 61 combat missions over Europe, shooting down German aircraft. Lamb continued his service after the war ended, retiring in 1972.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Francis J. Sitar. Sitar joined the Navy in early 1941. He completed training in Newport, Rhode Island. In mid-1941, he served aboard USS Mizar (AF-12), and traveled with Task Force 16 to Reykjavík, Iceland. For the next year the Mizar operated in the western Atlantic from a number of East Coast ports supplying bases and ships from Iceland to the Virgin Islands. In July of 1942 they transported a parachute battalion to New Zealand, then traveled to Australian ports to support Army forces engaged in the New Guinea campaign. Around 1943, Sitar transferred to USS Gold Star (AK-12) and served as Second Class Boatswain Mate and later as Chief Warrant Officer, and traveled to Perth and New Guinea. He later served as second in command aboard a tugboat. He received an honorable discharge around January of 1945.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Volcik. Volcik grew up on a farm in Texas and was 13 when the war started. Volcik’s brothers served and urged him not to join the service too quickly as their mother needed help at home. Volcik was 17 when the war ended. After the war, he joined the Navy in February 1946 and recalls several experiences from his time in the post-war Navy aboard USS Huntington (CL-107).

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Jean Adams. Adams recalls visiting her brother in the Philippines before the war started. On the way, she visited Japan. She was evacuated back to the US before hostilities started in the Philippines. After the war started, Adams joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps and was in the Inspector General’s office in Des Moines. She recalls meeting Eleanor Roosevelt and had some interaction with Oveta Culp Hobby.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Wallace Kelm. Kelm joined the Navy in September, 1938 and trained at San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the motor launch aboard USS Lexington (CV-2). Just before the war started, Kelm transferred to USS Hornet (CV-8) and was aboard for the Doolittle Raid and the Battle of Midway. He also was aboard when Hornet went down during the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands. He was then assigned as a gunner aboard USS Princeton (CVL-23) briefly before going to USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) in late 1943. Kelm also served aboard USS Saugus (LSV-4). Kelm spent 21 years in the Navy, retiring in 1959.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kenneth ‘Mudhole’ Merrill. Merrill joined the Marine Corps and trained with Evans Carlson as a Raider. He was on Midway during the battle. In August, 1942, Merrill went with Carlson’s Raiders to raid Makin. Merrill provides several details about his role during the raid. From Makin, the Raiders rested a while before going to Guadalcanal in November, 1942, where Merrill participated in Carlson’s Long Patrol. When the patrol ended, Merrill was admitted to the hospital and returned to the US. Merrill was discharged in August, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Howard Boyd. Boyd was drafted into the Army Air Forces in December, 1942 and took basic training at Wichita Falls. From there, he went to aerial gunnery school at Harlingen. He was then assigned as a ball turret gunner on a B-17 and began training with a crew. Once he got to England, he was assigned to the 339th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group in England. He flew on 30 combat missions starting in March, 1944. Boyd shares several anecdotes from his combat missions. He returned to the US in August 1944 and became an instructor. Boyd was discharged in October.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas Despain. Despain joined the Navy and was training to be a gunner when the war ended. He was discharged a month later. When the war ended, Despain entered into a career in law enforcement.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Crawford. Crawford’s daughter Pam Dell assists with the interview. Crawford joined the Army in 1937. He completed basic training in California and Hawaii. In Hawaii he spent his first year at Schofield Barracks with the 35th Infantry Division. His first enlistment was up in 1940 and then he re-enlisted in Hawaii and went into the Coast Artillery in Honolulu at Fort DeRussy. After December 7, 1941 Crawford was a sergeant and went to Hickam Field to assess damage of the ships, airplanes and hangars. He and his daughter give a description of what he witnessed after the bombing. He later assisted with manning the telephones, intercepting radio messages from the Japanese. He then moved to the Field Artillery working in the motor pool. He was discharged in 1945 while in Hawaii, and remained there to open and operate a business. He went on to open a WWII Veteran’s Club in South Carolina for 40 years and after that he was the national commander of the American Veterans of WWII.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with W T Hardi. Hardi joined the Navy in August, 1942 and trained at San Diego. He went aboard USS Mustin (DD-413) at Noumea. He recalls watching USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) go down in the Gilberts. Hardi served on the radar watch. After promotion, Hardi joined the crew of USS Houston (CL-81). Hardi was aboard when the Houston was severely damaged by Japanese aircraft off Formosa. He was blown into the water and rescued by USS Ingersoll (DD-652). He eventually made his way back to the Houston in December 1944. Hardi opted for discharge when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dale Mann. Mann joined the Navy in August 1943. He describes becoming a member of a Navy choir company in boot camp and discusses the unique experiences that were associated with his assignment. Mann was then sent to school to become an Electrician’s Mate. He was then selected to join the V-12 program and describes his training and campus life at several schools. Mann was still in school when the war ended and was eventually discharged in June 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Wicker. Wicker joined the Navy in mid-1944. He served with the ship repair crew aboard the USS Corregidor (CVE-58). They traveled to Eniwetok, Guam, Pearl Harbor, conducting anti-submarine patrol, providing air cover and qualifying pilots in carrier operations. Wicker returned to the US and received his discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Gresko. Gresko joined the Army Air Forces in January 1944 and trained at Miami Beach. He then went to aerial gunnery school, then overseas to Tinian where he joined the 6th Bomb Group, 24th Bomb Squadron in April, 1945. He flew 11 combat missions before being sent back to the US to train as a lead crew. He was discharged in February 1946. In 2005, Gresko returned to Tinian for the 60th anniversary of the atomic bomb attack.