Language

[Letter from William Halsey, Jr., to the Third Fleet, September 5, 1945] (open access)

[Letter from William Halsey, Jr., to the Third Fleet, September 5, 1945]

Letter from Admiral William Halsey, Jr., to the Third Fleet informing them that US currency will not be legal tender in Japan and that US forces going ashore will need to use US military Yen, available for exchange at a rate of 15 to 1, or Bank of Taiwan and Bank of Chosen notes. However, US currency is legal tender in vessels in Japanese ports.
Date: September 5, 1945
Creator: Halsey, William, Jr.
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Home Again]

Photograph of four soldiers in uniform standing around a plaque with the words "U.S. Marine Barracks Naval Station Guam" carved on the front. The soldiers are (from left to right) Colonel Merlin F. Schneider, John C. Brown, Carmen J. Catania, and Joseph J. Mannino.
Date: August 5, 1944
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Photograph
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Chester W. Nimitz to William Nimitz, April 1905] (open access)

[Letter from Chester W. Nimitz to William Nimitz, April 1905]

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz mentions finally leaving California for Hawaii on 1 April 1905 and comments on the desertion rate among the sailors. He also mentions the seas his ship is facing. He indicates the ship's position and mentions the cooks and stewards. Nimitz also mentions the weather. He shares anecdotes from aboard ship about his experiences. He also mentions going ashore at Honolulu.
Date: 1905-04-05/1905-04-08
Creator: Nimitz, Chester W. (Chester William), 1885-1966
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Chester W. Nimitz to William Nimitz, November 5, 1902] (open access)

[Letter from Chester W. Nimitz to William Nimitz, November 5, 1902]

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz answers a few questions and then relates his current standing in his classes. This letter is on US Naval Academy stationery.
Date: November 5, 1902
Creator: Nimitz, Chester W. (Chester William), 1885-1966
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Transcript of Letter from Chester W. Nimitz to William Nimitz, November 5, 1902] (open access)

[Transcript of Letter from Chester W. Nimitz to William Nimitz, November 5, 1902]

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz answers a few questions and then relates his current standing in his classes.
Date: November 5, 1902
Creator: Nimitz, Chester W. (Chester William), 1885-1966
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Transcript of Letter from Chester W. Nimitz to William Nimitz, April 1905] (open access)

[Transcript of Letter from Chester W. Nimitz to William Nimitz, April 1905]

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz mentions finally leaving California for Hawaii on 1 April 1905 and comments on the desertion rate among the sailors. He also mentions the seas his ship is facing. He indicates the ship's position and mentions the cooks and stewards. Nimitz also mentions the weather. He shares anecdotes from aboard ship about his experiences. He also mentions going ashore at Honolulu.
Date: 1905-04-05/1905-04-08
Creator: Nimitz, Chester W. (Chester William), 1885-1966
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
The Eagle, Volume 2, Number 14, Thursday, August 5, 1943 (open access)

The Eagle, Volume 2, Number 14, Thursday, August 5, 1943

Weekly newsletter published for employees of the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation Fort Worth Division containing work-related information, updates about employees, and other news.
Date: August 5, 1943
Creator: Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation
Object Type: Journal/Magazine/Newsletter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Postal Card from Eleanor Bowker to Cecelia McKie - July 5, 1943] (open access)

[Postal Card from Eleanor Bowker to Cecelia McKie - July 5, 1943]

Postcard sent from Eleanor Bowker, Somerset, England, to Mrs. W. L. McKie, Sacramento, California, thanking her for the message and stating the delay in her response was due to the fact the letter had to be forwarded to her in England.
Date: July 5, 1943
Creator: Bowker, Eleanor
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Cecelia McKie to Florence R. Cole - June 5, 1943] (open access)

[Letter from Cecelia McKie to Florence R. Cole - June 5, 1943]

Copy of letter sent from Cecelia McKie to Florence R. Cole. McKie states that she has been listening to shortwave radio messages for four months and sending letters to families of P.O.W.s. McKie estimates she has already sent over 500 letters and has filled four scrapbooks. McKie also mentions family news and talks about life in California.
Date: June 5, 1943
Creator: McKie, Cecelia, 1903-1982
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Salutes from Parade Car]

Photograph of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz saluting as his parade car travels down the parade route in Washington D.C.. Admiral Nimitz is in his formal Navy uniform, the car he is riding in is dark and has both the American flag and the Texas flag on the front. On the left side of the photo three cops on motorcycles are shown alongside the parade.
Date: October 5, 1945
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Photograph
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Salutes on Stage]

Photograph of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz saluting on stage in Washington D.C.. Admiral Nimitz stands in a salute in his dark Naval uniform with six buttons on the front, stripes on his sleeves and ribbon bars displayed above his pocket. He also sports a hat with the Navy's emblem and dark dress shoes, something is grasped in his non-saluting hand at his side. Standing to his left is an unidentified woman mostly hidden with a long black coat and black hat visible. Beside the woman stands a man in a light-colored long coat with his hand on his midsection. Behind them are several metal folding chairs.
Date: October 5, 1945
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Photograph
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Howard L. Patton, January 5, 1999 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Howard L. Patton, January 5, 1999

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard L. Patton. He discusses his childhood and education and what led him to join the US Navy. He describes his experiences during bootcamp and the rest of World War Two in the Pacific Theatre.
Date: January 5, 1999
Creator: Patton, Howard L. & Alexander, William J.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Howard B. "Jeep" Stebelton, October 5, 2012 transcript

Oral History Interview with Howard B. "Jeep" Stebelton, October 5, 2012

Transcript of an oral interview with Howard B. “Jeep” Stebelton. Born in 1922, he was drafted into the Army Air Force in January, 1943. He was trained in airplane mechanics and aerial engineering. He describes aerial gunnery training at Kingman Army Airfield, Arizona. In the summer of 1944, he was sent to England and assigned to the 91st Bombardment Group, 324th Bomb Squadron. As top turret gunner, he went on missions to bomb targets in Germany, including a railroad yard in Hamm and an engine factory in Frankfurt. He describes a mission to bomb a synthetic oil refinery in Merseburg on which the plane sustained major damage, but was able to return to the base. One mission involved aiding General Patton by bombing German pillboxes in Metz, France. He describes his typical day. He recounts an instance in which he manually cranked open the bomb bay doors. He flew eighteen of his thirty-five missions in a plane named Mih Ideal. He flew his last mission in March, 1945. He was discharged in September, 1945.
Date: October 5, 2012
Creator: Stebelton, Howard B. "Jeep"
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with B. B. Browning, November 5, 2020 transcript

Oral History Interview with B. B. Browning, November 5, 2020

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with B B Browning. Browning joined the Navy in mid-1943. Beginning mid-1944, he served as Seaman First Class, supporting Marines aboard a troop ship. He recalls his experiences through the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot in June of 1944, and going ashore on Tinian with the Marines. He vividly describes his time on the island, serving on guard duty, communicating with Japanese civilians on the island, supervising work of the remaining Japanese soldiers and serving as yeoman to the captain. He remained on Tinian after the war ended, returning to the US in mid-1946 to receive his discharge.
Date: November 5, 2020
Creator: Browning, B. B.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Benjamin Gruetter, February 5, 2020 transcript

Oral History Interview with Benjamin Gruetter, February 5, 2020

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Benjamin Gruetter. Gruetter was drafted into the Army in February 1945. He suffered appendicitis during boot camp and was held back. His last day of training was the last day of the war. He was sent to Japan for occupation duty and stayed about 13 months.
Date: February 5, 2020
Creator: Gruetter, Benjamin
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Kayhart, June 5, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles Kayhart, June 5, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Kayhart. Kayhart joined the Army in December of 1942. He completed training in radar and radio engineering. He served with the 3116th Signal Service Battalion. Kayhart’s headquarters were in Hawaii. He set up an underground radio station, installing and fine tuning all radio transmitters. He completed the same work on Iwo Jima in order to have direct communication with the Pentagon in Washington, DC, with San Francisco and with all of the Orient. Kayhart and his crew completed the installation on the island during the battle, and shares details of his experiences. He returned to the US and received his discharge in March of 1946.
Date: June 5, 2019
Creator: Kayhart, Charles
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Maynard Saugstad, April 5, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Maynard Saugstad, April 5, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Maynard Saugstad. Saugstad joined the Navy in July of 1943. He served as Storekeeper 2nd Class, and worked on bases including Pearl Harbor, Palmyra Island and Maui, where he was working when the war ended. Saugstad was in charge of several warehouses, where he distributed supplies. He was discharged in late 1945.
Date: April 5, 2019
Creator: Saugstad, Maynard
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Herbert Cavness, March 5, 2018 transcript

Oral History Interview with Herbert Cavness, March 5, 2018

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.
Date: March 5, 2018
Creator: Cavness, Herbert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John Connolly, February 5, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with John Connolly, February 5, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Connolly. Connolly joined the Navy in mid-1943. He served as a Hospital Corpsman. In mid-1944, he was assigned to St. Albans Naval Hospital in New York. In early 1945, Connolly served aboard the USS Repose (AH-16). They served as a base hospital ship in Shanghai and later Tsingtao, China, supporting the occupation forces in northern China. He received his discharge in May of 1946.
Date: February 5, 2016
Creator: Connolly, John
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with W. T. Hardi, January 5, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with W. T. Hardi, January 5, 2016

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with W T Hardi. Hardi joined the Navy in August, 1942 and trained at San Diego. He went aboard USS Mustin (DD-413) at Noumea. He recalls watching USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) go down in the Gilberts. Hardi served on the radar watch. After promotion, Hardi joined the crew of USS Houston (CL-81). Hardi was aboard when the Houston was severely damaged by Japanese aircraft off Formosa. He was blown into the water and rescued by USS Ingersoll (DD-652). He eventually made his way back to the Houston in December 1944. Hardi opted for discharge when the war ended.
Date: January 5, 2016
Creator: Hardi, W. T.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Mazoch, February 5, 2016 transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles Mazoch, February 5, 2016

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Mazoch. Mazoch was drafted into the Army in August, 1942 and was attached to the 127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. He joined the unit on New Guinea after the Battle of Buna. He also participated in the invasion of the Philippines. Mazoch has considerable help relating his story from his daughter.
Date: February 5, 2016
Creator: Mazoch, Charles L
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Nicholas Fedesma, December 5, 2015 transcript

Oral History Interview with Nicholas Fedesma, December 5, 2015

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Nicholas Fedesma. Fedesma joined the Navy when he was 17 in 1942. After training, he was assigned to Composite Squadron 21 (VC-21) and went aboard USS Marcus Island (CVE-77) in March 1944. He specialized in aviation hydraulics. Fedesma recounts several anecdotes about his experiences aboard the Marcus Island. After he left the Navy in 1848, Fedesma studied mechanical engineering in Chicago on the GI Bill.
Date: December 5, 2015
Creator: Fedesma, Nicholas
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Carlos Sanchez, November 5, 2015 transcript

Oral History Interview with Carlos Sanchez, November 5, 2015

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Carlos Anserra Sanchez. Sanchez was born 10 September 1927, graduated high school in 1943 and joined the Navy in late 1944. He completed training at Camp Pendleton and served aboard USS Sumner (AGS-5), with the black gang tending to the boilers. From September through February 1945, they conducted survey operations around Ulithi. In June, they continued surveys in Leyte Gulf, Philippines. After the war, they participated in the nuclear testing at Bikini Atoll. They returned to the US in mid-1946, and Sanchez received his discharge.
Date: November 5, 2015
Creator: Sanchez, Carlos
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ollie Music, December 5, 2015 transcript

Oral History Interview with Ollie Music, December 5, 2015

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ollie Thomas Music. Music was born 10 January 1927. He joined the Army in April of 1945. By the time he finished boot training and traveled to Fort Ord, California for assignment, the war had ended. He was then stationed at Yokohama, Japan. Music shares details of his travels and his participation during the occupation of Japan. He was assigned to Hakodate and Sapporo. He took an Army incentive to discharge in Japan and reenlist for 18 more months, with his remaining service in the US From December of 1945 through June of 1947, Music was assigned to a clerical job with Headquarters Company of the 32nd Medical Battalion at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio.
Date: December 5, 2015
Creator: Music, Ollie
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History