Resource Type

Oral History Interview with Alan Hildebrandt, November 12, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Alan Hildebrandt, November 12, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alan Hildebrandt. Hildebrandt enlisted in the Army Air Forces in July of 1942. He describes the planes he flew during training, including the PT-19, the BT-13 and the UC-78. Hildebrandt was commissioned and received his pilot rating in November of 1943. Upon graduation he trained on the B-26 at Laughlin Field. Hildebrandt served as a pilot in the 95th Bomb Squadron, 17th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force. They first traveled to Morocco, North Africa, then to northern Italy and Southern France. Their job was to bomb Marshaling yards, bridges and troop replacements. Hildebrandt describes some of his missions. He flew a total of 64 missions and was discharged in July of 1945.
Date: November 12, 2009
Creator: Hildebrandt, Alan
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Jeffrey Gill, November 16, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Jeffrey Gill, November 16, 2004

Interview with Jeffrey Gill, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force who served as a staff sergeant from 1995-2002 in Korea and Saudi Arabia. Gill describes his time as a hazmat technician, as well as the most and least memorable moments of his military career.
Date: June 15, 2005
Creator: McBride, Angelo & Gill, Jeffrey
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John Andrews, March 26, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with John Andrews, March 26, 2004

Interview with John Andrews, a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps from Kentwood, Louisiana. The transcript includes a list of questions regarding Andrews's training and service in World War II as a B-29 command pilot and flight instructor throughout the United States.
Date: May 17, 2005
Creator: Coy, Larisa L. & Andrews, John
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Edward Sieker, August 3, 2000 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Edward Sieker, August 3, 2000

Interview with Robert Edward Sieker, a pilot from Kerrville, Texas. Mr. Sieker discusses his grandfather's immigration from Germany. In addition to his stories from his extensive flying career, he also talks about his service in the military during World War II, his various occupations throughout the years, and his work against the screwworm infestation.
Date: August 3, 2000
Creator: Bethel, Ann; Snodgrass, Clarabelle & Sieker, Robert Edward
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James R. Hood, June 21, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with James R. Hood, June 21, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Hood of Indianapolis, Indiana. He discusses entering the U.S. Navy in September of 1942 without basic training as he was a college graduate. After being sworn in at Wabash College he was sent to Harvard Business School for Supply Corps for 4 months before being assigned to a ship in Pearl Harbor despite having no sailing training. Mr. hood was assigned to the Cummings DE643, he was supposed to be on the Samuel B. Roberts but the naval officer over him changed his mind last minute and 37 days later the Roberts sunk. While in Tulagi, Mr. Hood was involved in shooting down a Kamikaze plane, even receiving a ribbon for it after the war. He was also involved in the Battle of Okinawa and even saved two shells and years later had them signed by U.S. pilot Paul Tibbets. Mr. Hood was discharged from the Navy on February 28th, 1946, at Santa Ana, California as a Full Lieutenant. He was recalled to the Navy for the Korean War on March 2nd, 1951, and discharged for the final time on March 30th, 1953, as a Lieutenant Commander.
Date: June 21, 2007
Creator: Hood, James R.
System: The Portal to Texas History