Transcript of an oral interview with Eugene George. He was born in 1922 in Wichita Falls, Texas. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Texas and worked for a contractor, doing plumbing work at Sheppard Field, Texas. He enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in 1942. After receiving training at various U.S. bases, he graduated from aviation school in 1944. He was sent to an Air Force Base in Goose Bay, Labrador. He describes landing at Bluie West 1 (BW-1), an airfield in Greenland. Stationed at Royal Air Force Station Tibenham, England, his first mission was a bombing raid in a B-24 bomber over the Orly Airfield, south of Paris, France. He recounts his experiences when his plane was shot down in the Kassel Mission. He parachuted from the burning airplane. After trying to make his way to Switzerland, he gave himself up to German soldiers in order to receive treatment for his injuries. He was sent to a Durchgangslager der Luftwaffe, or Dulag Luft, for interrogation before being sent to Stalag Luft I, a German POW camp near Barth, Western Pomerania, Germany. He describes his activities in the camp. After liberation from the camp, he returned …

Transcript of an oral interview with Eugene George. He was born in 1922 in Wichita Falls, Texas. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Texas and worked for a contractor, doing plumbing work at Sheppard Field, Texas. He enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in 1942. After receiving training at various U.S. bases, he graduated from aviation school in 1944. He was sent to an Air Force Base in Goose Bay, Labrador. He describes landing at Bluie West 1 (BW-1), an airfield in Greenland. Stationed at Royal Air Force Station Tibenham, England, his first mission was a bombing raid in a B-24 bomber over the Orly Airfield, south of Paris, France. He recounts his experiences when his plane was shot down in the Kassel Mission. He parachuted from the burning airplane. After trying to make his way to Switzerland, he gave himself up to German soldiers in order to receive treatment for his injuries. He was sent to a Durchgangslager der Luftwaffe, or Dulag Luft, for interrogation before being sent to Stalag Luft I, a German POW camp near Barth, Western Pomerania, Germany. He describes his activities in the camp. After liberation from the camp, he returned …

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Alfred N. Taylor. In early 1942 Taylor was drafted into the Army Air Forces. After training and an assignment in Florida, Taylor was shipped to India. He worked at an airbase in Assam calling pilots to their aircraft for missions over the Himalaya Mountains. Taylor returned to the US and was discharged in January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Sanders. Sanders joined the Army Air Forces in October 1942 and earned his wings in April 1944. After learning to fly B-24s, he arrived in England with his crew as part of the 458th Bomb Group. From there he made raids over Germany, twice making emergency landings in Belgium after being shot up. He transitioned into being a lead crew pilot, heading up a tight formation of 36 bombers. Sanders had flown 18 missions by the time the war ended. He and his crew flew home, stopping for fuel and wine in the Azores. He was also transporting 20 soldiers who were so eager to land that they crowded the front of the plane, shifting the load and causing an extremely rough and dangerous landing. That was the last time Sanders ever piloted an aircraft.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joe Van Dyke. Van Dyke was drafted into the Army Air Forces in March 1943. Upon completion of basic training at Sheppard Field, he was assigned to the nearby aircraft mechanic school. He then attended gunnery school and became a top turret gunner on a B-24, also doubling as assistant engineer. In August 1944 his crew joined the 466th Bombardment Group, 787th Bombardment Squadron in England. While stationed there, Van Dyke survived V-1 and V-2 rocket attacks. His initial missions involved transporting fuel to France. Moving onto strategic bombing operations, he flew 32 missions, mostly over Germany. He also provided ground support over France and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. In all of his missions, he never once had to fire his gun. After Germany surrendered, Van Dyke was reassigned to B-29s and trained for the Pacific. He had accumulated enough points, however and was discharged in July 1945.

Transcript of an oral interview with Bill Kennedy. He discusses joining the Army Air Corps in 1944, training stateside before shipping to Germany in fall of 1945 with the 8th Air Force, 891 Air Engineering Squadron, as part of the occupation force in Berlin where he worked typing up enlisted men's records, returning home in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Alfred N. Taylor. In early 1942 Taylor was drafted into the Army Air Forces. After training and an assignment in Florida, Taylor was shipped to India. He worked at an airbase in Assam calling pilots to their aircraft for missions over the Himalaya Mountains. Taylor returned to the US and was discharged in January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jack Nuckols. Nuckols was drafted into the Army in September, 1944 and trained at Camp Hood. After training and transit, Nuckols landed on Okinawa on 10 April, 1945 with the 7th Infantry Division, 184th Infantry Regiment. He recalls several anecdotes from his combat experiences. After occupation duty in Korea, Nuckols returned to the US and was discharged in November 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Larry Parker. Parker was drafted into the Army Air Forces in 1943. He was trained and joined the crew of a B-17 as a co-pilot. He was a member of a specialized unit trained to carry wooden life boats slung under the bomb bay and to drop them by parachute when downed aircrews were discovered. Parker operated out of the Philippines and eventually was sent to Ie Shima. He details several lifeboat drops. His plane carried General Stillwell to Okinawa after the death of General Buckner. He describes Stillwell almost melting one of the plane’s guns due to continuous fire during this trip. Parker also witnessed the Japanese delegation that landed on Ie Shima at the end of the war. He left the service in December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred C. Hinds. Hinds joined the Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was trained as a corpsman and was sent to the 23rd Naval Construction Battalion in Hawaii. Hinds was transferred to the USS Cache (AO-67) where he eventually became the ship’s mail clerk and also stood bridge watches. He describes the refueling process and mentions when a carrier had to make an emergency separation. Hinds also discusses witnessing the flag raisings on Iwo Jima and an attack on a nearby tanker at Ulithi by a Japanese mini-sub. His ship was also a part of the surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay. He also witnessed a destroyer sink during a typhoon. Hinds was discharged soon after the surrender of Japan.

Transcript of an oral interview with Albert Bouley. He discusses joining the Marines just after Pearl Harbor, being in the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Division, the battle of Guadalcanal, getting malaria and dysentery, the battle of Cape Gloucester, using Pavuvu as a base, the battle of Peleliu, shipping back to the States, doing guard duty at the Brooklyn Naval Yard, becoming an instructor in a heavy weapons school before then end of the war. He joined the Air Force 2 1/2 years later to be able to fly and work on planes, then retiring and becoming a teacher in California before settling in Texas.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Sanders. Sanders joined the Army Air Forces in October 1942 and earned his wings in April 1944. After learning to fly B-24s, he arrived in England with his crew as part of the 458th Bomb Group. From there he made raids over Germany, twice making emergency landings in Belgium after being shot up. He transitioned into being a lead crew pilot, heading up a tight formation of 36 bombers. Sanders had flown 18 missions by the time the war ended. He and his crew flew home, stopping for fuel and wine in the Azores. He was also transporting 20 soldiers who were so eager to land that they crowded the front of the plane, shifting the load and causing an extremely rough and dangerous landing. That was the last time Sanders ever piloted an aircraft.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joe Van Dyke. Van Dyke was drafted into the Army Air Forces in March 1943. Upon completion of basic training at Sheppard Field, he was assigned to the nearby aircraft mechanic school. He then attended gunnery school and became a top turret gunner on a B-24, also doubling as assistant engineer. In August 1944 his crew joined the 466th Bombardment Group, 787th Bombardment Squadron in England. While stationed there, Van Dyke survived V-1 and V-2 rocket attacks. His initial missions involved transporting fuel to France. Moving onto strategic bombing operations, he flew 32 missions, mostly over Germany. He also provided ground support over France and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. In all of his missions, he never once had to fire his gun. After Germany surrendered, Van Dyke was reassigned to B-29s and trained for the Pacific. He had accumulated enough points, however and was discharged in July 1945.

Transcript of an oral interview with Bill Kennedy. He discusses joining the Army Air Corps in 1944, training stateside before shipping to Germany in fall of 1945 with the 8th Air Force, 891 Air Engineering Squadron, as part of the occupation force in Berlin where he worked typing up enlisted men's records, returning home in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Reed. Reed was drafted into the Army in June 1945, while he was in ninth grade. He later received his diploma in 1949. He went to Sheppard Field, Texas, Ft. McClellan, Alabama and Ft. MacArthur, California for training. In California he was a medical technician, though received no formal training. He worked in a separation center, taking blood pressure. He was in the 9th Service Command and the 6th Army. He also worked as a longshoreman in San Pedro. From there he was shipped up to Camp Beall, California where he worked the remainder of his Army career as a medic, driving an ambulance and giving shots to inductees coming into the Army. He was discharged in December 1946 and he worked for the Pure Oil Station, and then later at the Veterans Hospital in Montgomery. He used his G.I. Bill to go to business school in Montgomery, Alabama while working at the Veterans Hospital.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred C. Hinds. Hinds joined the Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was trained as a corpsman and was sent to the 23rd Naval Construction Battalion in Hawaii. Hinds was transferred to the USS Cache (AO-67) where he eventually became the ship’s mail clerk and also stood bridge watches. He describes the refueling process and mentions when a carrier had to make an emergency separation. Hinds also discusses witnessing the flag raisings on Iwo Jima and an attack on a nearby tanker at Ulithi by a Japanese mini-sub. His ship was also a part of the surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay. He also witnessed a destroyer sink during a typhoon. Hinds was discharged soon after the surrender of Japan.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Erfurth. Erfurth joined the Army Air Forces in 1943. He completed Armament and Aerial Gunnery training. He served as a B-24 Armorer with the 8th Air Force, 392nd Bombardment Group. They deployed to England and Erfurth completed 27 bombing missions over Germany and France. He received his discharge in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Neal L. Siebenbruner. Siebenbruner quit school in 1943 to join the Army Air Forces. After basic training, he attended gunnery school at Laredo, Texas and shares anecdotes from his training days. He also trained at Tonopah, Nevada and in Hawaii. Siebenbruner also shares anecdotes about some of his combat missions in the Pacific. He flew 40 combat missions and served in the 11th Bombardment Group (heavy), 431st Bombbardment Squadron, 7th Air Force. When the war ended, Siebenbruner returned home to finish high school.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvin Kendzora. Kendzora enlisted in the Army Air Forces in April 1944 and trained at Sheppard Field in Texas. After basic training, he qualified to train as a radio operator. He departed for overseas in May 1945. He stopped at New Guinea for a month or two before heading for Leyte in the Philippines. He was attached to a headquarters squadron in the Fifth Air Force and was there when the war ended. He was tasked with hauling supplies to Japan and recalls some details of his experiences in Japan. He also managed to travel some in Shanghai as well as Korea. He shares several anecdotes about his experiences overseas and was discharged in May 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Larry Parker. Parker was drafted into the Army Air Forces in 1943. He was trained and joined the crew of a B-17 as a co-pilot. He was a member of a specialized unit trained to carry wooden life boats slung under the bomb bay and to drop them by parachute when downed aircrews were discovered. Parker operated out of the Philippines and eventually was sent to Ie Shima. He details several lifeboat drops. His plane carried General Stillwell to Okinawa after the death of General Buckner. He describes Stillwell almost melting one of the plane’s guns due to continuous fire during this trip. Parker also witnessed the Japanese delegation that landed on Ie Shima at the end of the war. He left the service in December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Talmage Gilbreath. Gilbreath joined the Army in February of 1942. He was trained as a radio operator in the Signal Corps. Gilbreath was assigned to work in communications aboard merchant marine vessels. He travelled in convoys to Murmansk, England, delivered troops to North Africa and brought back German POWs. Gilbreath was then assigned to a refrigerated ship and tells of delivering food throughout the South Pacific. He stayed in the reserves after the war and eventually became a Master Sargent.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bernard Kuse. Kuse joined the Army Air Forces in August of 1942. He served as a radio operator with the B-17 bombers in the 601st Bomb Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. They were assigned to Nuthampstead, England. Kuse flew 36 combat missions over occupied Europe from August through December of 1944. They traveled to Bastogne, Germany and Czechoslovakia. During his missions, he sustained one minor flak wound, and was an eyewitness to his bomber formation receiving an attack by the latest German secret weapon, the ME-262 jet fighter. Kuse shares vivid details of his flight training and combat missions. He was honorably discharged in September of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dale Nelsen. Nelsen joined the Navy in 1940. He was trained as a corpsman and was assigned to LST-347. He took part in the invasion of Sicily and was awarded the Bronze Star for treating wounded soldiers. He was transferred to USS LST-72 and participated in landings at Italy and discusses transporting 90 wounded soldiers to Bizerte. He was part of a landing by British troops behind enemy lines in Burma. Nelsen was also a part of the landings at Normandy and describes some of his experiences. He describes an incident where he witnessed a V-1 bomb land in London and helped treat the wounded. Nelsen remained in the reserves after the war and organized many reunions for his shipmates. He also describes visiting the WWII Memorial.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harold Massey. Massey joined the Army Air Forces in January of 1942. In the summer of 1943 he worked as a B-24 flight instructor. He was transferred to Savannah, Georgia to work as a test pilot, and shares some stories of his experiences. Massey flew around 43 different models of military aircraft, which included a few civilian airplanes. He was discharged in June of 1946. He then completed an engine mechanics school, completed certification as a civilian flight instructor and worked as a mechanic at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo. He provides some details of the variations between the B-29, B-24 and B-17. Massey was recalled in August of 1948 and retired a Colonel from the US Air Force after 30 years of service.