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 Albert Barton, November 6, 2010 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Albert Barton, November 6, 2010

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Barton. Barton joined the Navy and was trained as a radioman. He became a crewman on an Avenger torpedo bomber in October 1943. Barton flew off of the USS Mission Bay (CVE-59) and the USS Tripoli (CVE-64) and performed anti-submarine patrols in the North Atlantic. He describes how depth charges were dropped, the armament of the plane, and how they were trained to skip-bomb. Barton was then sent to the Pacific where he flew off of the USS Anzio (CVE-57) for the remainder of the war. He describes an incident where his plane had a failed landing and ended upside-down in the water. Barton had to break some glass in the cockpit to escape. He flew ground support missions over Okinawa. Barton discusses how the radio and radar functioned on his plane. He was discharged several months after the surrender.
Date: November 6, 2010
Creator: Barton, Albert
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Cornelius D. Wiens, November 26, 2000 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Cornelius D. Wiens, November 26, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Cornelius D. Wiens. Wiens grew up in Montana and Kansas and was drafted into the Army in 1944. After completing training, he departed about the Sea Snipe for the Philippines. His first landing was at Leyte, where he remained fighting for three months. He describes coming to land on the small landing craft. From Leyte he went to Negros, then Masbate, and finally Mindanao. He describes the Japanese soldiers who were unwilling to surrender. After Japan's surrender he also spent time in Korea as a radio operator.
Date: November 26, 2000
Creator: Wiens, Cornelius D.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Voris C. Riley, November 1, 2005 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Voris C. Riley, November 1, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Voris C. Riley of Kingland, Texas. He discusses enlisting in the military while living in Abilene, Texas and getting sent to civil service for the Army before being offered to join the Navy. In the Navy he went through basic training in San Diego, California, then to St. Louis Electrical School and finally through firefighting training in Rhode Island. After he completed his training Mr. Riley was assigned to the U.S.S. Lake Champain, CB 39 and went on a shakedown cruise where 16 crewmen were lost for various reasons. In the Navy he was an electrician aboard the ship and dealt with setting up electricity onshore. He also dealt with Prisoners of War, being put in charge of a group of them to build a swimming pool. He was in New York City on temporary leave when the news of the wars end was released by President Truman. Mr. Voris also talks about serving in the Civilian Conservation Corps in New Mexico.
Date: November 1, 2005
Creator: Riley, Voris C.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Clinton E. Morris, November 2, 2011 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Clinton E. Morris, November 2, 2011

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clinton E. Morris. He discusses his childhood growing up during the Great Depression and what led him to joining the US Navy. He describes his experiences during bootcamp and the rest of World War Two in the Pacific Theatre.
Date: November 2, 2011
Creator: Morris, Clinton E. & Misenhimer, Richard
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Eugene Riester, November 20, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Eugene Riester, November 20, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Riester where he discusses his childhood and education and what led him to joining the Navy. He describes his experiences in the attack on Peral harbor and his service in the Pacific Theatre that followed.
Date: November 20, 2004
Creator: Riester, Eugene; Tombaugh, John & Meter, Peg Van
System: The Portal to Texas History