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.

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.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Philip Homer. Homer joined the Army Air Forces in late December, 1941 and trained at Shepard Air Field in Wichita Falls, Texas. He trained as an aircraft and engine mechanic before becoming an instructor. In 1944, he became a flight engineer on a B-29 and went to Tinian in April, 1945 and joined the 40th Bomb Group. He flew about 10 combat missions over Japan before the war ended. Homer was discharged in December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Claude Cummins. Cummins joined the Army Air Corps around 1940. He completed Aircraft and Mechanics School in Wichita Falls, Texas. In early 1942, he worked as a crew chief with the Douglas Aircraft Company in Washington State, pre-flighting B-17 aircraft for air crew. Cummins was assigned to Dum Dum, India, through the end of the war. While there, he set up an overhaul facility for C47s. He continued in the Army Air Forces after the war ended, completing 30 years of service.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Philip Homer. Homer joined the Army Air Forces in late December, 1941 and trained at Shepard Air Field in Wichita Falls, Texas. He trained as an aircraft and engine mechanic before becoming an instructor. In 1944, he became a flight engineer on a B-29 and went to Tinian in April, 1945 and joined the 40th Bomb Group. He flew about 10 combat missions over Japan before the war ended. Homer was discharged in December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Brown. Brown was drafted into the Army Air Forces in 1942. He completed airplane mechanic school in Wichita Falls, Texas at Sheppard Field. His first assignment was at Tyndall Field, Florida working on the B-26 line as an engineer and mechanic. In 1943 or 1944 Brown was assigned to the 43rd Bomb Group and sent to New Guinea and served as a flight engineer, assisting the pilot in flight, including transferring gasoline and keeping the logbook. He describes living conditions in New Guinea. After Brown was discharged from the Army Air Forces he worked for Exxon for 30 years.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Claude Cummins. Cummins joined the Army Air Corps around 1940. He completed Aircraft and Mechanics School in Wichita Falls, Texas. In early 1942, he worked as a crew chief with the Douglas Aircraft Company in Washington State, pre-flighting B-17 aircraft for air crew. Cummins was assigned to Dum Dum, India, through the end of the war. While there, he set up an overhaul facility for C47s. He continued in the Army Air Forces after the war ended, completing 30 years of service.

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.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Braden. Braden was called to active duty in the Army Air Forces from his university’s ROTC program in February 1943 and went to Sheppard Field in Wichita Falls, Texas. He trained to be a navigator. In January 1945, he flew to Saipan and joined the 870th Bomb Squadron, 497th Bomb Group. He flew combat missions against the home islands of Japan and comments on the initial poor results. He also describes an incident in which they had to ditch their plane in the ocean. He also mentions the low altitude incendiary attacks on Tokyo. Braden returned to the US and was discharged in September, 1945.

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.

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.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Herbert Cavness. Cavness was born in Mason County, Texas in 1924. He quit high school in his junior year and joined the Army Air Forces in 1942. After completing basic training at Wichita Falls, Texas he was sent to Las Vegas, Nevada for training in aerial gunnery. He then went to Sioux City, Iowa for additional training and assignment to an air group. He recalls the loss of air crews during training mission. In early 1943 he boarded the RMS Aquitania and sailed to England. Arriving at Sudbury, he was assigned to the 486th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force as a waist gunner on a B-17 bomber. He vividly describes his various actions and observations during various missions. He returned to the US and received his discharge in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Herbert Cavness. Cavness was born in Mason County, Texas in 1924. He quit high school in his junior year and joined the Army Air Forces in 1942. After completing basic training at Wichita Falls, Texas he was sent to Las Vegas, Nevada for training in aerial gunnery. He then went to Sioux City, Iowa for additional training and assignment to an air group. He recalls the loss of air crews during training mission. In early 1943 he boarded the RMS Aquitania and sailed to England. Arriving at Sudbury, he was assigned to the 486th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force as a waist gunner on a B-17 bomber. He vividly describes his various actions and observations during various missions. He returned to the US and received his discharge in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clinton Henderson. Henderson joined the Army Air Force before graduating high school and received basic training in Wichita Falls, aerial gunnery training in Las Vegas, and combat crew training in Ardmore. Upon completion, he was assigned as a ball turret gunner for the 384th Bombardment Group, stationed in England. Toward the end of his 36-mission tour, his plane was hit by antiaircraft fire above Germany. His crew aborted the mission and landed safely at a British airfield. Henderson returned to the States and trained to become a B-29 gunnery instructor. The work was dangerous, as the planes flew at twice the speed bomber pilots were accustomed to. Henderson transferred to Randolph Field and finished his time in the service as a supply clerk. He was discharged in October 1945.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clinton Henderson. Henderson joined the Army Air Force before graduating high school and received basic training in Wichita Falls, aerial gunnery training in Las Vegas, and combat crew training in Ardmore. Upon completion, he was assigned as a ball turret gunner for the 384th Bombardment Group, stationed in England. Toward the end of his 36-mission tour, his plane was hit by antiaircraft fire above Germany. His crew aborted the mission and landed safely at a British airfield. Henderson returned to the States and trained to become a B-29 gunnery instructor. The work was dangerous, as the planes flew at twice the speed bomber pilots were accustomed to. Henderson transferred to Randolph Field and finished his time in the service as a supply clerk. He was discharged in October 1945.

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.

Transcript of an oral interview with Colonel Gordon Spencer. Colonel Spencer discusses his family lineage briefly before shifting to his education up through his years at Harvard. Before finishing at Harvard, Spencer joined the US Army Air Corps flight training program, but was eventually rejected. He went to communcations school instead and was commissioned in Wichita Falls, Texas in October 1941. Eventually, he was sent to England and joined the 306th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. Spencer relates several anecdotes about making bombing raids over targets in Germany and Holland; losing friends and planes in combat. He served as the radar bombadier on missions over Frankfort, Cologne, etc. He was in England when the war in Europe ended and was shipped back to the US to be transferred to the Pacific to serve as a radar bombadier aboard B-29s. The war in the Pacific ended and Spencer got out of the military. He rejoined later in 1946 and ran a small medical clinic at Hensley Field, Texas; went to weather forecasting school; was a nuclear physics instructor at Air University.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jim Roby. Roby was born in Nocona, Texas on 17 June 1927. After graduating from high school in Cunningham, Texas he signed up for the Army Specialized Training Reserve Program. Upon entering the program he was sent to Las Cruses, New Mexico for training. The program was terminated shortly thereafter and he was sent to Wichita Falls, Texas for basic training. In 1946, following basic training, he was assigned as a teletype operator with US Army Signal Corps. He was sent to Guam where he supervised the fixed communication facility with a personnel crew of fourteen. He describes the purpose and workings of the radio-teletype unit. While on Guam, it was struck by a typhoon and he describes the storm and its aftermath. War crimes trials were held on Guam during 1946 and Roby attended some of these trials. Returning to the United States in 1947 he became a commissioned officer after attending Officers Candidate School. He concludes the interview by telling of his career in the United States Air Force until his retirement in 1972.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Cleatis Roach. Roach joined the Army Air Forces in April, 1943 and had basic training at Sheppard Field, near Wichita Falls, Texas. After basic, he went to Texas Tech in Lubbock for preflight training. When he learned it would take a lot of time to learn to fly and then be assigned to a combat unit, Roach quit flight school and went to aerial gunnery school. After training, he was assigned to a B-17 crew and went overseas in December 1944. Once he reached England, his crew was assigned to the 452nd Bomb Group, 729th Bomb Squadron at Deopham Green, near Attleborough. He flew 17 or 18 combat missions over Germany before the war ended. He returned from Europe to train in B-29s when the Japanese surrendered. Roach was discharged in November, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Linton “Pete” Estes. Born in Clayton, New Mexico 19 December 1920, Estes graduated from the University of Texas. He and his brother John took Civilian Pilot Training courses together. The brothers then took advanced training and upon receiving their licenses, became instructors for Wichita Falls (Texas) Air Transport Company training pilots for the military. Through the fall of 1941 Estes taught and graduated one class of future Army pilots and one class of future Navy pilots. Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the brothers signed on to The Central Instructor School at Kelly Field, Texas and upon completing the course, were commissioned and became military flight instructors. Later, by coincidence, both were ordered to report to Anchorage, Alaska. Upon arrival the brothers were assigned as operations officers in the Aleutians. Estes was sent to Adak and his brother John to Amchitka. While on Adak, Estes flew mail and supplies to outlying islands. After a few months both were transferred back to Anchorage, from which they flew various staff members and supplies to different destinations. While the brothers were on leave, Japan surrendered and soon thereafter, both were …