Oral History Interview with Henry Jennings, April 12, 2016 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Henry Jennings, April 12, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Henry Jennings. Jennings joined the Army Air Forces in September, 1942 and trained at Wichita Falls. He eventually became a flight engineer on B-26 bombers. Jennings recalls several anecdotes about his time in the service.
Date: April 12, 2016
Creator: Jennings, Henry
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Henry Jennings, April 12, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with Henry Jennings, April 12, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Henry Jennings. Jennings joined the Army Air Forces in September, 1942 and trained at Wichita Falls. He eventually became a flight engineer on B-26 bombers. Jennings recalls several anecdotes about his time in the service.
Date: April 12, 2016
Creator: Jennings, Henry
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Harley Wright, February 18, 2016 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Harley Wright, February 18, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harley Wright. Wright volunteered for service in the Army Air Forces in January 1942. He trained in Wichita Falls as an aircraft mechanic and then served as an instructor after aircraft engine specialist school. Eventually, Wright was assigned to Lowry Field in Denver where he became the base aircraft inspector. He spent the rest of the war there and recalls several experiences. He was discharged in December, 1945. After the war, Wright wrote technical manuals and extension course books for Air University and other entities.
Date: February 18, 2016
Creator: Wright, Harley
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Harley Wright, February 18, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with Harley Wright, February 18, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harley Wright. Wright volunteered for service in the Army Air Forces in January 1942. He trained in Wichita Falls as an aircraft mechanic and then served as an instructor after aircraft engine specialist school. Eventually, Wright was assigned to Lowry Field in Denver where he became the base aircraft inspector. He spent the rest of the war there and recalls several experiences. He was discharged in December, 1945. After the war, Wright wrote technical manuals and extension course books for Air University and other entities.
Date: February 18, 2016
Creator: Wright, Harley
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Lowe, August 3, 2016 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Lowe, August 3, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Lowe. Lowe joined the Army Air Forces in October 1944. He completed basic training in Wichita Falls, Texas, gunnery school in Fort Myers, Florida and Clovis, New Mexico. His training consisted of simulation bombing flights over Syracuse, New York and Havana, Cuba. Lowe completed reconnaissance training in Salina, Kansas. He was later transferred to Lincoln, Nebraska where he was assigned to a bomb crew to serve as a B-29 tail gunner. For Lowe, the war ended before he could be deployed overseas or complete any combat missions. He was assigned to Fort Sheridan, Illinois, where he received his discharge in August of 1946.
Date: August 3, 2016
Creator: Lowe, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Howard Boyd, January 20, 2016 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Howard Boyd, January 20, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Howard Boyd. Boyd was drafted into the Army Air Forces in December, 1942 and took basic training at Wichita Falls. From there, he went to aerial gunnery school at Harlingen. He was then assigned as a ball turret gunner on a B-17 and began training with a crew. Once he got to England, he was assigned to the 339th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group in England. He flew on 30 combat missions starting in March, 1944. Boyd shares several anecdotes from his combat missions. He returned to the US in August 1944 and became an instructor. Boyd was discharged in October.
Date: January 20, 2016
Creator: Boyd, Howard
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Howard Boyd, January 20, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with Howard Boyd, January 20, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Howard Boyd. Boyd was drafted into the Army Air Forces in December, 1942 and took basic training at Wichita Falls. From there, he went to aerial gunnery school at Harlingen. He was then assigned as a ball turret gunner on a B-17 and began training with a crew. Once he got to England, he was assigned to the 339th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group in England. He flew on 30 combat missions starting in March, 1944. Boyd shares several anecdotes from his combat missions. He returned to the US in August 1944 and became an instructor. Boyd was discharged in October.
Date: January 20, 2016
Creator: Boyd, Howard
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Lowe, August 3, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Lowe, August 3, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Lowe. Lowe joined the Army Air Forces in October 1944. He completed basic training in Wichita Falls, Texas, gunnery school in Fort Myers, Florida and Clovis, New Mexico. His training consisted of simulation bombing flights over Syracuse, New York and Havana, Cuba. Lowe completed reconnaissance training in Salina, Kansas. He was later transferred to Lincoln, Nebraska where he was assigned to a bomb crew to serve as a B-29 tail gunner. For Lowe, the war ended before he could be deployed overseas or complete any combat missions. He was assigned to Fort Sheridan, Illinois, where he received his discharge in August of 1946.
Date: August 3, 2016
Creator: Lowe, Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with David L. Houston, May 17, 2016 (open access)

Oral History Interview with David L. Houston, May 17, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Lipscomb Houston. Houston graduated from high school around 1938. He enrolled in Pre-Med at Hardin Junior College, Wichita Falls, Texas in September of 1941. He enlisted in the US Army on 30 June 1942 and served with the 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division. His unit landed at Fedala, Morocco on 8 November 1942 for the Invasion of North Africa. In September of 1943, they invaded Italy. Houston returned to the US in mid-1944, and was assigned as a surgical assistant in the New York Point of Embarkation Station Hospital. In July of 1945, Houston graduated from Officer Candidate School in Louisiana. He was discharged in late 1945, and remained in the Army Reserve for 28 years.
Date: May 17, 2016
Creator: Houston, David L
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with David L. Houston, May 17, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with David L. Houston, May 17, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Lipscomb Houston. Houston graduated from high school around 1938. He enrolled in Pre-Med at Hardin Junior College, Wichita Falls, Texas in September of 1941. He enlisted in the US Army on 30 June 1942 and served with the 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division. His unit landed at Fedala, Morocco on 8 November 1942 for the Invasion of North Africa. In September of 1943, they invaded Italy. Houston returned to the US in mid-1944, and was assigned as a surgical assistant in the New York Point of Embarkation Station Hospital. In July of 1945, Houston graduated from Officer Candidate School in Louisiana. He was discharged in late 1945, and remained in the Army Reserve for 28 years.
Date: May 17, 2016
Creator: Houston, David L
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ray Flores, December 8, 2016 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Ray Flores, December 8, 2016

The National Museum of The Pacific War presents an oral history interview with Raymond Flores. Flores was born in San Antonio in 1922 and tells of times during the Depression. He worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps until December 1941 at which time he joined the Army Air Forces. After spending some time at Shephard Field, Texas he shipped out to Brisbane, Australia. Upon his arrival he was quartered at the Ascot Racecourse where he was assigned to the kitchen staff. He was then sent to Melbourne where he was assigned to the 36th Headquarter Company. After spending time in Port Moresby, New Guinea, he was sent to Finschhafen. He worked as a freight-handler there until 1944, at which time he returned to the United States. Following the Japanese Surrender, he was discharged. After the war, Flores worked for the US Postal Service, retiring in 1980.
Date: December 8, 2016
Creator: Flores, Ray
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John Baker, May 18, 2016 (open access)

Oral History Interview with John Baker, May 18, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Baker. Baker joined the Army Air Forces around 1942. He completed flight school and served as a bomber pilot. He was selected to serve as a B-24 pilot instructor in Courtland, Alabama. He flew B-29s. Baker was discharged in August of 1946 and remained in the Reserves.
Date: May 18, 2016
Creator: Baker, John
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ray Flores, December 8, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with Ray Flores, December 8, 2016

The National Museum of The Pacific War presents an oral history interview with Raymond Flores. Flores was born in San Antonio in 1922 and tells of times during the Depression. He worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps until December 1941 at which time he joined the Army Air Forces. After spending some time at Shephard Field, Texas he shipped out to Brisbane, Australia. Upon his arrival he was quartered at the Ascot Racecourse where he was assigned to the kitchen staff. He was then sent to Melbourne where he was assigned to the 36th Headquarter Company. After spending time in Port Moresby, New Guinea, he was sent to Finschhafen. He worked as a freight-handler there until 1944, at which time he returned to the United States. Following the Japanese Surrender, he was discharged. After the war, Flores worked for the US Postal Service, retiring in 1980.
Date: December 8, 2016
Creator: Flores, Ray
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John Baker, May 18, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with John Baker, May 18, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Baker. Baker joined the Army Air Forces around 1942. He completed flight school and served as a bomber pilot. He was selected to serve as a B-24 pilot instructor in Courtland, Alabama. He flew B-29s. Baker was discharged in August of 1946 and remained in the Reserves.
Date: May 18, 2016
Creator: Baker, John
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Baldwin, August 9, 2016 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles Baldwin, August 9, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Baldwin. Baldwin was learning to fly through the Civilian Pilot Training program when he was called to active duty in January, 1943. After basic training, he went to flight training. He graduated and was commissioned in March, 1944. Baldwin was sent to France in November, 1944 and attached to the 36th Fighter Group, 23rd Fighter Squadron and began flying combat missions in a P-47. He flew 51 combat missions before the war ended and shares several anecdotes about his experiences. Baldwin was discharged in December 1945, but stayed in the Reserves until 1982.
Date: August 9, 2016
Creator: Baldwin, Charles
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Goldie Conley, January 8, 2016 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Goldie Conley, January 8, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Goldie Conley. Conley was born in San Saba County, Texas in 1922. She describes living conditions in the small town of Cherokee during the Depression years. She married Wilbur Conley in May 1942, one month after he was inducted into the Army Air Forces. In October 1942, Wilbur was sent overseas and she briefly discusses his various assignments. She went to work as a welder with the Bethlehem Pennsylvania Shipyards in Beaumont, Texas and describes some of the hazards of the job. She also reflects upon the loneliness of being separated from her husband for over three years and the elation felt upon his return in 1945.
Date: January 8, 2016
Creator: Conley, Goldie
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Phillips, December 28, 2016 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Phillips, December 28, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Phillips. Phillips joined the Army Air Forces in December of 1942. He served as a B-24 pilot, and shares details of his flight training. Beginning December of 1944, Phillips and his crew flew over the Gulf of Mexico, identifying potential enemy U-boats. He later transferred to Hondo, Texas to train B-29 engineers, where he was stationed when the war ended. Phillips received his discharge in late 1945.
Date: December 28, 2016
Creator: Phillips, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Walter Wier, November 4, 2016 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Walter Wier, November 4, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Walter Wier. Wier joined the Navy in June, 1942 and trained at San Diego. With training complete, Wier was assigned to the Armed Guard and board the SS Day Star (1939) in San Francisco. Wier’s son provides a chronology of Wier’s first cruise in the Pacific starting in early 1943. After one voyage aboard the Day Star, he was transferred to the Young America. His third voyage was aboard the William H Moody. Wier sailed in the Pacific and the Atlantic facing Japanese and Germans. He also served aboard the Alexander Hamilton, the Joshua Tree and the Thaddeus S C Lowe. He returned to the US and was discharged in October, 1945.
Date: November 4, 2016
Creator: Wier, Walter
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Goldie Conley, January 8, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with Goldie Conley, January 8, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Goldie Conley. Conley was born in San Saba County, Texas in 1922. She describes living conditions in the small town of Cherokee during the Depression years. She married Wilbur Conley in May 1942, one month after he was inducted into the Army Air Forces. In October 1942, Wilbur was sent overseas and she briefly discusses his various assignments. She went to work as a welder with the Bethlehem Pennsylvania Shipyards in Beaumont, Texas and describes some of the hazards of the job. She also reflects upon the loneliness of being separated from her husband for over three years and the elation felt upon his return in 1945.
Date: January 8, 2016
Creator: Conley, Goldie
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Walter Wier, November 4, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with Walter Wier, November 4, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Walter Wier. Wier joined the Navy in June, 1942 and trained at San Diego. With training complete, Wier was assigned to the Armed Guard and board the SS Day Star (1939) in San Francisco. Wier’s son provides a chronology of Wier’s first cruise in the Pacific starting in early 1943. After one voyage aboard the Day Star, he was transferred to the Young America. His third voyage was aboard the William H Moody. Wier sailed in the Pacific and the Atlantic facing Japanese and Germans. He also served aboard the Alexander Hamilton, the Joshua Tree and the Thaddeus S C Lowe. He returned to the US and was discharged in October, 1945.
Date: November 4, 2016
Creator: Wier, Walter
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Phillips, December 28, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Phillips, December 28, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Phillips. Phillips joined the Army Air Forces in December of 1942. He served as a B-24 pilot, and shares details of his flight training. Beginning December of 1944, Phillips and his crew flew over the Gulf of Mexico, identifying potential enemy U-boats. He later transferred to Hondo, Texas to train B-29 engineers, where he was stationed when the war ended. Phillips received his discharge in late 1945.
Date: December 28, 2016
Creator: Phillips, Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Baldwin, August 9, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles Baldwin, August 9, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Baldwin. Baldwin was learning to fly through the Civilian Pilot Training program when he was called to active duty in January, 1943. After basic training, he went to flight training. He graduated and was commissioned in March, 1944. Baldwin was sent to France in November, 1944 and attached to the 36th Fighter Group, 23rd Fighter Squadron and began flying combat missions in a P-47. He flew 51 combat missions before the war ended and shares several anecdotes about his experiences. Baldwin was discharged in December 1945, but stayed in the Reserves until 1982.
Date: August 9, 2016
Creator: Baldwin, Charles
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History