Resource Type

Oral History Interview with Thomas Loftin, December 14, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Thomas Loftin, December 14, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas Loftin. Loftin joined the Army Air Corps in early 1941. He had flight training at various bases all over Texas and earned his wings and commission in August, 1942. His first assignment was at New Orleans where he flew anti-submarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico with the 124th Observation Squadron. IN 1944, he became a flight instructor in Florida. In April, 1945, Loftin went overseas to England and was assigned to the 95th Bomb Group with whom he flew on one bomb mission before moving to operations. He returned home in July, 1945 and was training in B-29s when the war ended. Loftin stayed in the Reserves until 1972.
Date: December 14, 2004
Creator: Loftin, Thomas W.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Floyd Trogdon, November 14, 2013 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Floyd Trogdon, November 14, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Floyd Trogdon. Trogdon joined the Army Air Forces in October 1942 and went through the aviation cadet training program to train as a navigator. He earned his commission in December 1943 and reported t oB-24 flight crew duty the following January. He arrived in Italy in April, 1944 and began flying combat missions. Trogdon describes various missions he flew, including one over Ploesti. He flew 50 missions by October and returned to the US to attend an advanced navigation course. Trogdon also underwent pilot training. He graduated as a pilot in October, 1945. He stayed in the Air Force and worked on nuclear weapons systems.
Date: November 14, 2013
Creator: Trogdon, Floyd
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Keeffe, December 14, 2010 (open access)

Oral History Interview with James Keeffe, December 14, 2010

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Keeffe. Keeffe joined the Army Air Forces as an aviation cadet in July 1942. He describes his flight training and the planes he flew. Keeffe was then sent to England to become a co-pilot on a B-24. He discusses in detail how he was forced to bail out on his fourth mission over Germany. Keeffe managed to elude capture with the help of the Dutch underground for over four months. He was eventually captured by German counter-intelligence and sent to Stalag Luft III. Keeffe describes how he and his fellow POWs were forced to evacuate due to the Soviet advance and his eventual release and repatriation. He left the service after the war, but soon returned and retired from the Air Force in 1966.
Date: December 14, 2010
Creator: Keeffe, James
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Congressional Record - Senate - January 14, 1977] (open access)

[Congressional Record - Senate - January 14, 1977]

Photocopied text of an excerpt from the Congressional Record containing Senator Barry Goldwater's introduction of bill S. 247 to provide veterans' benefits to the WASPs. Goldwater's remarks are followed by five articles on the WASPs, their service during WWII, and their efforts to obtain veterans' status.
Date: January 14, 1977
Creator: United States. Congress. Senate.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Frank Nash, November 14, 2011 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Frank Nash, November 14, 2011

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Nash. Nash joined the Army Air Forces in the fall of 1942. He received his wings in April of 1944, and was assigned to the 433rd Troop Carrier Group, 67th Troop Carrier Squadron. Operating primarily in the Southwest Pacific, they transported in supplies and evacuated wounded personnel during numerous campaigns. Nash recalls traveling to Luzon, Okinawa and assisting with the liberation of POWs from Manila and the Bataan survivors. After the war, he served with the occupation forces in Japan. He was discharged in the spring of 1946.
Date: November 14, 2011
Creator: Nash, Frank
System: The Portal to Texas History
Transcript of Oral History Interview with Homer James "Jim" Avery, August 14, 2008 (open access)

Transcript of Oral History Interview with Homer James "Jim" Avery, August 14, 2008

Interview with Homer James "Jim" Avery, founder of James Avery Craftsman from Kerrville, Texas. Mr. Avery discusses his childhood, education, service in World War II, and starting and developing his jewelry business. The interview includes photographs of Mr. Avery, on pages 35-41.
Date: August 14, 2008
Creator: Collins, Francelle Robison; Webb, Jeanie Archer; Leonard, Julie Mosty & Avery, Homer James
System: The Portal to Texas History