Oral History Interview with Ray Flores, December 8, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with Ray Flores, December 8, 2016

The National Museum of The Pacific War presents an oral history interview with Raymond Flores. Flores was born in San Antonio in 1922 and tells of times during the Depression. He worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps until December 1941 at which time he joined the Army Air Forces. After spending some time at Shephard Field, Texas he shipped out to Brisbane, Australia. Upon his arrival he was quartered at the Ascot Racecourse where he was assigned to the kitchen staff. He was then sent to Melbourne where he was assigned to the 36th Headquarter Company. After spending time in Port Moresby, New Guinea, he was sent to Finschhafen. He worked as a freight-handler there until 1944, at which time he returned to the United States. Following the Japanese Surrender, he was discharged. After the war, Flores worked for the US Postal Service, retiring in 1980.
Date: December 8, 2016
Creator: Flores, Ray
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Goldie Conley, January 8, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with Goldie Conley, January 8, 2016

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.
Date: January 8, 2016
Creator: Conley, Goldie
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Caramello Stramer, March 8, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with Caramello Stramer, March 8, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Caramello Stramer. Stramer joined the Navy in February of 1942. He completed boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois, and he completed training in New London, Connecticut to serve aboard submarines. Stramer provides details on his experiences at both training locations. He served aboard the USS Puffer (SS-268) beginning April of 1943, as the motor machinist mate. He was stationed in the aft engine room, overseeing diesel engines. They went to Brisbane, Australia for additional training and repairs. In September 1943 they made their first patrol in the Makassar Straits. He goes into great detail of torpedoing a ship, coming under attack by the Japanese and other experiences through the Strait. Stramer discusses their other patrols through the South China Sea and around Singapore. Stramer also served aboard the USS Ray (SS-271) beginning July of 1944. He was discharged in December of 1945.
Date: March 8, 2016
Creator: Stramer, Caramello
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alton Frost, April 8, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with Alton Frost, April 8, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alton Frost. Frost joined the Navy in September 1942 after finishing high school. He went to flight school and switched to the Marine Corps so he could fly single engine planes. He then was assigned to fly dive bombers in Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB-241). Frost joined the squadron in the Solomon Islands in time to go to the Philippines. He shares a few anecdotes of his combat flight experiences. When the war ended, Frost elected to serve in the Reserves but was not recalled for the Jorean War. He left the Reserves and resigned his commission.
Date: April 8, 2016
Creator: Frost, Alton
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles White, September 8, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles White, September 8, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles White. White joined the Navy in June, 1945 and went to Great Lakes for basic training. He caught his ship, the USS Pawnee (ATF-74) at Okinawa in August, 1945 and began pulling ships off the beach after a typhoon. They also tugged barges around Japan for a few weeks after the surrender, the Philippines, too. White returned to the US and was discharged in August, 1946.
Date: September 8, 2016
Creator: White, Charles
System: The Portal to Texas History