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Oral History Interview with John Brush, January 5, 1993 transcript

Oral History Interview with John Brush, January 5, 1993

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Brush. Brush was assigned to serve as the Chief Engineer of the Philippine Manufacturing Company in Manila, before World War II. He and his wife traveled to Manila in May of 1941 and operated the factory until the end of December. He and his wife were taken prisoner into Santo Tomas Internment Camp in January of 1942. Brush shares details of the accommodations, building structure, atmosphere, food rations, starvation, illnesses, separated living conditions of men, women and children as well as their required daily work. They were later moved to Los Baños Internment Camp. In December of 1943 his wife, along with other women from Santo Tomas, were brought to Los Baños and allowed to live together as a family. Brush provides vivid details of their rescue in February of 1945.
Date: January 5, 1993
Creator: Brush, John
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John Brush, January 5, 1993 (open access)

Oral History Interview with John Brush, January 5, 1993

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Brush. Brush was assigned to serve as the Chief Engineer of the Philippine Manufacturing Company in Manila, before World War II. He and his wife traveled to Manila in May of 1941 and operated the factory until the end of December. He and his wife were taken prisoner into Santo Tomas Internment Camp in January of 1942. Brush shares details of the accommodations, building structure, atmosphere, food rations, starvation, illnesses, separated living conditions of men, women and children as well as their required daily work. They were later moved to Los Baños Internment Camp. In December of 1943 his wife, along with other women from Santo Tomas, were brought to Los Baños and allowed to live together as a family. Brush provides vivid details of their rescue in February of 1945.
Date: January 5, 1993
Creator: Brush, John
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with E. R. Dolinar, April 5, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with E. R. Dolinar, April 5, 2003

Interview with E.R. (Ed) Dolinar, a serviceman with the U. S. Navy during World War II. He discusses going to boot camp, torpedo school and submarine school. He was on the SSN Stingray as a torpedo crewman that offloaded supplies and guerillas in the Philippines. It picked up stranded Japanese sailors and transported them to Australia. The Stingray was then decomissioned. He was then part of a crew that studied and stripped captured German submarines, and he discusses the differences between the U-boats and the US submarines. He also discusses the Bolomen, Filipino guerillas who fought the Japanese during the occupation. He also talks briefly about his experience of being hit with depth charges and gives his opinions on General MacArthur and President Truman.
Date: April 5, 2003
Creator: Bryk, Clarence & Dolinar, E. R.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Lewis Burke, February 5, 2013 transcript

Oral History Interview with Lewis Burke, February 5, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Lewis Burke. Burke enlisted in the aviation cadet corps and was called up in January 1943. Burke primarily reads a testimony that details his experiences in the Army Air Forces. He also reads details about the combat missions he flew over Europe with the 398th Bomb Group, 603rd Bomb Squadron between November 1944 and April 1945.
Date: February 5, 2013
Creator: Burke, Lewis
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Lewis Burke, February 5, 2013 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Lewis Burke, February 5, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Lewis Burke. Burke enlisted in the aviation cadet corps and was called up in January 1943. Burke primarily reads a testimony that details his experiences in the Army Air Forces. He also reads details about the combat missions he flew over Europe with the 398th Bomb Group, 603rd Bomb Squadron between November 1944 and April 1945.
Date: February 5, 2013
Creator: Burke, Lewis
Object Type: Text
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 Herbert Cavness, March 5, 2018 (open access)

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: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Chaffin, December 5, 2001 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Chaffin, December 5, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Chaffin. Chaffin was born on 30 March 1922 in Spring Valley, Texas. After graduating from high school in 1940 he worked for the National Youth Administration as an aircraft mechanic trainee. He joined the US Navy and had two weeks of boot camp at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station (NAS), Texas. Upon completing boot training he was sent to the Beeville NAS, Texas. In 1943 he was assigned to United States. Navy. Carrier Air Service Unit 1 (CASU-1) and reported to the Ford Island NAS at Pearl Harbor. During February 1944 he went aboard the USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) in time to deliver of planes to the Marshall Islands. On 2 May 1944, he went aboard the USS Essex (CV-9) as a member of the ship’s crew. He describes characteristics of the various planes he worked on aboard ship and also explains the procedures followed to determine whether a damaged plane was to be repaired or destroyed. On 25, November 1944, the Essex was struck by a kamikaze and Chaffin was severely wounded. After the ship arrived at Ulithi for repairs, he was transferred to the USS …
Date: December 5, 2001
Creator: Chaffin, Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Chaffin, December 5, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Chaffin, December 5, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Chaffin. Chaffin was born on 30 March 1922 in Spring Valley, Texas. After graduating from high school in 1940 he worked for the National Youth Administration as an aircraft mechanic trainee. He joined the US Navy and had two weeks of boot camp at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station (NAS), Texas. Upon completing boot training he was sent to the Beeville NAS, Texas. In 1943 he was assigned to United States. Navy. Carrier Air Service Unit 1 (CASU-1) and reported to the Ford Island NAS at Pearl Harbor. During February 1944 he went aboard the USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) in time to deliver of planes to the Marshall Islands. On 2 May 1944, he went aboard the USS Essex (CV-9) as a member of the ship’s crew. He describes characteristics of the various planes he worked on aboard ship and also explains the procedures followed to determine whether a damaged plane was to be repaired or destroyed. On 25, November 1944, the Essex was struck by a kamikaze and Chaffin was severely wounded. After the ship arrived at Ulithi for repairs, he was transferred to the USS …
Date: December 5, 2001
Creator: Chaffin, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Clyde Combs, September 5, 2011 transcript

Oral History Interview with Clyde Combs, September 5, 2011

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clyde Combs. Combs was attending a vocational school when Pearl Harbor was attacked. During his senior year, he worked for a company that manufactured parts for military planes. He was then drafted into the Navy in March 1943 and sent to quartermaster school. Combs then had motor torpedo boat training to study their engines, radio, radar, and gunnery. Upon completion, he was assigned to PT-515 as a quartermaster stationed in Southern England. During the invasion of Normandy, his boat’s job was to protect the western flank of landing crafts from Schnell boats and also to assist ships with the rescue and recovery of wounded and deceased. In August 1944, while patrolling the French coast, the boat was by a Schnell boat. Combs waited in London for repairs, enduring buzz bombs and blackouts. He returned to the States in March 1945 and served as an instructor until his discharge in November. Combs finished college on the GI Bill and went on to a career in engineering.
Date: September 5, 2011
Creator: Combs, Clyde
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Clyde Combs, September 5, 2011 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Clyde Combs, September 5, 2011

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clyde Combs. Combs was attending a vocational school when Pearl Harbor was attacked. During his senior year, he worked for a company that manufactured parts for military planes. He was then drafted into the Navy in March 1943 and sent to quartermaster school. Combs then had motor torpedo boat training to study their engines, radio, radar, and gunnery. Upon completion, he was assigned to PT-515 as a quartermaster stationed in Southern England. During the invasion of Normandy, his boat’s job was to protect the western flank of landing crafts from Schnell boats and also to assist ships with the rescue and recovery of wounded and deceased. In August 1944, while patrolling the French coast, the boat was by a Schnell boat. Combs waited in London for repairs, enduring buzz bombs and blackouts. He returned to the States in March 1945 and served as an instructor until his discharge in November. Combs finished college on the GI Bill and went on to a career in engineering.
Date: September 5, 2011
Creator: Combs, Clyde
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Bernard Comito, December 5, 2008 transcript

Oral History Interview with Bernard Comito, December 5, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernard Comito. Comito joined the Navy in September 1941 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was sent to Kaneohe Bay Naval Air Station as a seaman. During the attack on Pearl Harbor, he fired a Lewis gun, despite having only learned to shoot a carbine. After the bombing, he and a group of soldiers stood watch until the following morning, expecting to be invaded. He recalls that American planes were shot down by friendly fire later that evening, before personnel were quickly advised on nighttime Identify Friend or Foe (IFF). He was transferred to the USS Avocet (AVP-4), carrying out patrols and transporting supplies. He brought PBY motors into Dutch Harbor under combat conditions. When the war ended, Comito was discharged and began a long career as a school administrator. He worked at international schools for military dependents worldwide, which included a post in Japan, where he came to appreciate Japanese culture.
Date: December 5, 2008
Creator: Comito, Bernard
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Bernard Comito, December 5, 2008 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Bernard Comito, December 5, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernard Comito. Comito joined the Navy in September 1941 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was sent to Kaneohe Bay Naval Air Station as a seaman. During the attack on Pearl Harbor, he fired a Lewis gun, despite having only learned to shoot a carbine. After the bombing, he and a group of soldiers stood watch until the following morning, expecting to be invaded. He recalls that American planes were shot down by friendly fire later that evening, before personnel were quickly advised on nighttime Identify Friend or Foe (IFF). He was transferred to the USS Avocet (AVP-4), carrying out patrols and transporting supplies. He brought PBY motors into Dutch Harbor under combat conditions. When the war ended, Comito was discharged and began a long career as a school administrator. He worked at international schools for military dependents worldwide, which included a post in Japan, where he came to appreciate Japanese culture.
Date: December 5, 2008
Creator: Comito, Bernard
Object Type: Text
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 John Connolly, February 5, 2016 (open access)

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: Text
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
Oral History Interview with Robert Cooper, July 5, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Cooper, July 5, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Cooper. Cooper was drafted into the Navy in 1943. He served aboard the USS Callaghan (DD-792) as an electrician. He describes life aboard the destroyer. They participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June of 1944, and he describes his experiences through this event. They were in Task Force 39.3 and traveled throughout the Pacific. In October of 1944 they participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He describes going through a typhoon and the overall morale amongst the captain and crew. In early 1945 the Callaghan screened carrier strikes shelling Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the Tokyo area and Cooper provides some detail of these events, including rescuing seven Japanese off a sunken boat, shooting down kamikazes and picking up a Japanese officer. The officer, named Hasegawa, became a prisoner in the Hawaiian Islands and Cooper provides some detail of this officer???s experiences and their meeting at a 50-year reunion. In July of 1945, the Callaghan was struck by an enemy aircraft and sank. Cooper provides some details of this fateful event. He was discharged in January of 1946.
Date: July 5, 2009
Creator: Cooper, Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Cooper, July 5, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Cooper, July 5, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Cooper. Cooper was drafted into the Navy in 1943. He served aboard the USS Callaghan (DD-792) as an electrician. He describes life aboard the destroyer. They participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June of 1944, and he describes his experiences through this event. They were in Task Force 39.3 and traveled throughout the Pacific. In October of 1944 they participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He describes going through a typhoon and the overall morale amongst the captain and crew. In early 1945 the Callaghan screened carrier strikes shelling Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the Tokyo area and Cooper provides some detail of these events, including rescuing seven Japanese off a sunken boat, shooting down kamikazes and picking up a Japanese officer. The officer, named Hasegawa, became a prisoner in the Hawaiian Islands and Cooper provides some detail of this officer???s experiences and their meeting at a 50-year reunion. In July of 1945, the Callaghan was struck by an enemy aircraft and sank. Cooper provides some details of this fateful event. He was discharged in January of 1946.
Date: July 5, 2009
Creator: Cooper, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Leroy Cox, February 5, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Leroy Cox, February 5, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Leroy Cox. Cox was flying a crop duster in Colorado when he was drafted into the Army. He did not tell the Army he could fly and was trained as an armorer for B-17 bombers. Once someone found he could fly, he was sent to flight school. He eventually trained as a tow pilot for gliders, then as a glider pilot in South Carolina. He never was called to go overseas and was discharged in November 1945.
Date: February 5, 2004
Creator: Cox, Leroy
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with William Crawmer, December 5, 2008 transcript

Oral History Interview with William Crawmer, December 5, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Crawmer. Crawmer joined the Marine Corps in 1939. He was assigned to the 4th Defense Battalion, trained as a .50 and .30 caliber machine gunner. In September of 1941, they transferred to the Navy Yard at Pearl Harbor. Crawmer was stationed on the island when the Japanese attacked. Shortly after the attack, he was transferred to Johnston Island. In mid-1944, he joined an aviation group in New Hebrides, repairing military aircraft. He participated in the Battle of Peleliu, and remained on the island through the end of the war. He returned to the US, completing 20 years of service in the Marine Corps.
Date: December 5, 2008
Creator: Crawmer, William
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with William Crawmer, December 5, 2008 (open access)

Oral History Interview with William Crawmer, December 5, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Crawmer. Crawmer joined the Marine Corps in 1939. He was assigned to the 4th Defense Battalion, trained as a .50 and .30 caliber machine gunner. In September of 1941, they transferred to the Navy Yard at Pearl Harbor. Crawmer was stationed on the island when the Japanese attacked. Shortly after the attack, he was transferred to Johnston Island. In mid-1944, he joined an aviation group in New Hebrides, repairing military aircraft. He participated in the Battle of Peleliu, and remained on the island through the end of the war. He returned to the US, completing 20 years of service in the Marine Corps.
Date: December 5, 2008
Creator: Crawmer, William
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Hubert Douglas Crotts, October 5, 2010 transcript

Oral History Interview with Hubert Douglas Crotts, October 5, 2010

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hubert Douglas Crotts. Crotts joined the Marine Corps in July 1941. He was trained as a tanker, but realized he was claustrophobic. Crotts became a ground guide for the tanks and helped direct their fire from outside of the vehicle. He was sent to the Pacific as a part of the 2nd Marine Division. Crotts landed at Tarawa and tells of the difficulties that the tanks faced. He was awarded a Navy Cross by Admiral Nimitz. Crotts met Admiral Nimitz earlier on the island after the battle. He had a short conversation in which Nimitz asked several questions about the battle. Later, Crotts landed with his unit on Saipan where he was wounded while directing tanks. He was evacuated to a hospital and underwent several operations for his wound. Crotts left the service soon after the war ended.
Date: October 5, 2010
Creator: Crotts, Hubert Douglas
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Hubert Douglas Crotts, October 5, 2010 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Hubert Douglas Crotts, October 5, 2010

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hubert Douglas Crotts. Crotts joined the Marine Corps in July 1941. He was trained as a tanker, but realized he was claustrophobic. Crotts became a ground guide for the tanks and helped direct their fire from outside of the vehicle. He was sent to the Pacific as a part of the 2nd Marine Division. Crotts landed at Tarawa and tells of the difficulties that the tanks faced. He was awarded a Navy Cross by Admiral Nimitz. Crotts met Admiral Nimitz earlier on the island after the battle. He had a short conversation in which Nimitz asked several questions about the battle. Later, Crotts landed with his unit on Saipan where he was wounded while directing tanks. He was evacuated to a hospital and underwent several operations for his wound. Crotts left the service soon after the war ended.
Date: October 5, 2010
Creator: Crotts, Hubert Douglas
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Bianca Cunningham, May 5, 2011 transcript

Oral History Interview with Bianca Cunningham, May 5, 2011

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bianca Cunningham. Cunningham was born in Brazil to an Italian mother and a German Jew who was a sculptor and architect that had won a competition to build the Presidential Palace. Eventually Cunningham traveled with her mother to her hometown in Capri where she remained throughout the war. She witnessed life under Mussolini, the German occupation, bombing of Naples, and the American occupation. Cunningham became a hostess for the American Red Cross and met and married an American soldier after the war had ended.
Date: May 5, 2011
Creator: Cunningham, Bianca
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History