The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernice Shafer. Shafer was born in Ackley, Iowa 26 December 1926. She began nurse training at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Des Moines in 1941. Upon graduating in 1944, she entered the US Army Nurse Corps and began basic training at Camp Carson, Colorado. When she completed basic, she was assigned to Leonard General Hospital, Topeka, Kansas. After a period of time, she was shipped to Camp Pendleton, California in preparation for an overseas assignment. Shafer was assigned to the 311th Hospital Unit and boarded the USS Monterey (CVL-26), bound for Manila. She tells of the primitive conditions encountered in setting up the hospital. Designated as an operating room nurse, she describes working up to forty hours straight and the various types of battle casualties that were treated. She recalls that patients were transported to the hospital by ambulance, jeep and helicopter. In February 1946, Shafer returned to the United States aboard the USS West Point (AP-23), arriving at New York City after passage through the Panama Canal.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James White. After he graduated from Purdue University in 1940, White pursued a pilot’s license, receiving his training at Purdue Airport. After working for a few months and being evaluated by the Aviation Cadet Evaluation Team, he was accepted into the program and was sworn in at Fort Des Moines, Iowa on 31 October 1941. At that time he was part of the Army Air Corps and took primary flight training in Stamford, Texas. White states that in the weeks after the Pearl Harbor attack about half the class washed out rather than continue training. They were transferred to bombardier and navigator schools. After primary he was transferred to Goodfellow Field in San Angelo, Texas for basic training. From there he went to Lubbock for more training. He received his wings and a commission in May 1942. He became an instructor. White transitioned to B-26s and was transferred to Del Rio, Texas. After less than a year, he volunteered to go overseas, shipping out in January 1944 for England. White became a maintenance officer and chief test pilot of the Fourth Echelon Depot Group that did heavy repair …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Moore. Moore entered the Army Air Force as an Aviation Cadet in March 1943. He was sent to Nashville, Tennessee for classification (pilot, navigator or bombardier training) and uniforms. Moore was selected for pilot training and was sent to Santa Ana, California for pre-flight training and Tulare, California for primary flight training. From there he went to Chico, California for basic flight training and to Stockton, California for advanced training. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in February 1944 at Stockton. Moore was selected for B-25 training (transition) and went to Mather Field. Afterwards, he was sent to Louisville, Kentucky where he was given minimal C-47 instruction. They were then flown to Morrison Field, West Palm Beach, Florida where he was issued a brand-new C-47, got a crew and received sealed orders. They were told they were going overseas but not told where...90 C-47s were going to India. They ended up in Sylhet (eastern India). It took them two weeks to get there. Moore's class had been picked out of B-25 training and thrown into C-47s because Churchill had asked Roosevelt for help; the Japanese had invaded …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas DuPree. DuPree joined the Navy in March 1941 (accepted as a naval cadet), went to Pensacola in May 1942, went to fighter school in Miami (finishing there on December 6, 1941) and then reported to the USS Wasp (CV-7) in Norfolk, Virginia. DuPree tells the story (while he was on the Wasp) of Admiral Wilcox falling off the admiral's bridge on the USS Washington during a North Atlantic gale; he was never found. After a couple of runs ferrying Spitfires from Scapa Flow to Malta, the Wasp headed for the South Pacific in early May 1942. DuPree was part of Air Group 7, Scouting Squadron 72. They were headed at flank speed towards Midway but the battle came off early so the Wasp turned around and went to San Diego. After refueling and reloading, the Wasp supported the Marine landings on Guadalcanal, August 7, 1942. DuPree gives a good description of the three torpedo hits on the Wasp by submarine I-19, the damage to the ship and his rescue after getting off the ship. After the sinking, he was eventually put on a Dutch transport that sailed …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Swaney. Swaney was born in Linton, North Dakota on 21 September 1920. He describes the hardships he faced during the Depression. After high school, he attended Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa and graduated in 1942. Upon entering the US Navy in September 1942, he went to Columbia University to Midshipman’s School. He graduated as an ensign and reported to Solomon Island, Maryland for amphibious training. There, as captain of an LCT, he and his crew of ten made practice landings. During one of the training sessions, he injured his spine, which resulted in extensive hospitalization. After spending over a year in various hospitals, he reported to the USS Nevada (BB-36) as a division officer of a five-inch gun. Swaney recalls the ship being attacked by kamikazes off Iwo Jima. He describes actions the ship was involved in during the invasion of Okinawa and recalls the ship being hit by a kamikaze. He witnessed the burial at sea of eleven shipmates. Following the end of the war, Swaney participated in preparing the Nevada for Operation Crossroads in 1946. He decided to be discharged from the Navy in …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral Interview with Paul Bonilla. Bonilla was born on 18 September 1921 in San Luis Obispo, California. He enlisted in the Navy in May, 1942 and took boot training in San Diego. He trained to be an aviation ordnanceman in San Diego and Millington, Tennessee. After training he was assigned to an SBD Dauntless dive bomber flying anti-submarine patrols from the air craft carrier USS Lexington (CV-16). He was aboard the Lexington when a Japanese attack damaged the ship’s steering mechanism, jamming the rudder and forcing the ship to sail in a circle while still under attack. He participated in attacks on Mille Island, Tarawa, Wake Island, Truk Island, Saipan, Hollandia and Guam. During an attack on Guam, his plane was damaged and crashed into the ocean. He was picked up by the submarine USS Skate (SS-305). While on board, Bonilla stood watch. He returned home in July 1944 and was assigned to flight school, from which he was discharged in 1945. Fifty years later when attending a Skate reunion he was presented with a submarine pin and was considered a member of the crew.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Cadle. Cadle joined the Army Air Forces in October, 1942 after working in a naval gun factory. He passed the exam and was accepted for pilot training. He earned his wings and commission in May, 1944. He then learned to fly B-24 bombers and was shipped to England and was assigned to the 328th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group. He describes a few missions over Europe in detail, including one in which he bailed out of a crippled bomber and was rescued by the Russians. Cadle describes his ordeal with the Russians and getting back to England. He also served in Korea as a forward air controller, spending over 2 months with the infantry.

Compiled transcription of obituaries printed in the Abilene Reporter-News during July 2007, collected by volunteers and personnel of the Abilene Public Library.

Compiled transcription of obituaries printed in the Abilene Reporter-News during April 2007, collected by volunteers and personnel of the Abilene Public Library.

Compiled transcription of obituaries printed in the Abilene Reporter-News during November and December 2007, collected by volunteers and personnel of the Abilene Public Library.

Compiled transcription of obituaries printed in the Abilene Reporter-News during March 2007, collected by volunteers and personnel of the Abilene Public Library.