The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James O., Cotton, Knight. Knight joined the Army in July of 1943. He served as Technician Fourth-Class with the 3197th Engineer Pipeline Detachment, Combat Engineers. They were deployed to New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, operating a tank farm that pumped gasoline for military planes and vehicles. He then served on Emirau Island for 13 months, where their job was to cut the supply line of the Japanese base located 80 miles from their base. In early 1945, they traveled to Leyte to work a tank farm. where they were located when the war ended. Knight returned to the U.S. in January of 1946 and received his discharge in February.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James O., Cotton, Knight. Knight joined the Army in July of 1943. He served as Technician Fourth-Class with the 3197th Engineer Pipeline Detachment, Combat Engineers. They were deployed to New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, operating a tank farm that pumped gasoline for military planes and vehicles. He then served on Emirau Island for 13 months, where their job was to cut the supply line of the Japanese base located 80 miles from their base. In early 1945, they traveled to Leyte to work a tank farm. where they were located when the war ended. Knight returned to the U.S. in January of 1946 and received his discharge in February.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with C James Erickson. Erickson enrolled in the Army Specialized Training Program in January of 1944. He completed radio training. Erickson was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 343rd Regiment, 86th Infantry Division. They completed additional amphibious training in California. His training was complete in the fall of 1944. Soon thereafter his company was sent to Europe to participate in the Battle of the Bulge. They traveled into Germany and replaced the 82nd Airborne Division in Cologne. Erickson provides details of his combat experiences. After the war ended, he remained with the Army of Occupation in Germany, and returned home for discharge in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with C James Erickson. Erickson enrolled in the Army Specialized Training Program in January of 1944. He completed radio training. Erickson was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 343rd Regiment, 86th Infantry Division. They completed additional amphibious training in California. His training was complete in the fall of 1944. Soon thereafter his company was sent to Europe to participate in the Battle of the Bulge. They traveled into Germany and replaced the 82nd Airborne Division in Cologne. Erickson provides details of his combat experiences. After the war ended, he remained with the Army of Occupation in Germany, and returned home for discharge in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ellison Smith. Smith joined the Navy in October of 1942. While stationed in Bermuda, he served as a PBY gunner, conducting search and rescue missions. Smith continued his service after the war ended, receiving his discharge in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ellison Smith. Smith joined the Navy in October of 1942. While stationed in Bermuda, he served as a PBY gunner, conducting search and rescue missions. Smith continued his service after the war ended, receiving his discharge in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Crook. Upon enlisting into the US Navy in 1944, Crook went to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station for boot camp. Crook then attended a basic engineering course. Following this, he received training in large propulsion engines. He was on board a troop ship bound for the Philippines when the atomic bomb was dropped. Upon his arrival at Leyte, he was assigned to USS LSM-294. He recalls an incident on the high seas that resulted in the loss of several LCTs that his ship was escorting. Crook returned to the US in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Crook. Upon enlisting into the US Navy in 1944, Crook went to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station for boot camp. Crook then attended a basic engineering course. Following this, he received training in large propulsion engines. He was on board a troop ship bound for the Philippines when the atomic bomb was dropped. Upon his arrival at Leyte, he was assigned to USS LSM-294. He recalls an incident on the high seas that resulted in the loss of several LCTs that his ship was escorting. Crook returned to the US in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ben Schurmeier. Schurmeier joined the Navy in early 1942. He served as a B-24 pilot with Photographic Squadron 1 (VD-1). Beginning in the spring of 1944 they traveled to their base at the Naval Air Station on Guam. They completed patrol and photo reconnaissance missions around the Pacific Islands, including Truk, Okinawa, Iwo Jima and Japan. Finley was discharged around October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ben Schurmeier. Schurmeier joined the Navy in early 1942. He served as a B-24 pilot with Photographic Squadron 1 (VD-1). Beginning in the spring of 1944 they traveled to their base at the Naval Air Station on Guam. They completed patrol and photo reconnaissance missions around the Pacific Islands, including Truk, Okinawa, Iwo Jima and Japan. Finley was discharged around October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edward Hasty. Hasty joined the Navy in November of 1943. He completed Firefighting School, and served aboard the USS Antietam (CV-36) beginning January of 1945. They conducted training in the Hawaiian Islands through mid-August, then served with occupation forces in Tokyo, Japan. Hasty returned to the US and received his discharge in early 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edward Hasty. Hasty joined the Navy in November of 1943. He completed Firefighting School, and served aboard the USS Antietam (CV-36) beginning January of 1945. They conducted training in the Hawaiian Islands through mid-August, then served with occupation forces in Tokyo, Japan. Hasty returned to the US and received his discharge in early 1946.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an interview with Hartzell Sherrill. Sherrill joined the Navy in December of 1941 and trained in San Diego before going to communications school. He was then sent aboard the SS Hadnot (1919) with the Navy Armed Guard personnel. Sherrill delivered fuel oil to North Africa, India, Australia and other points in the Pacific. He recalls hauling ammunition to Saipan, watching the invasion of Normandy and dodging typhoons at Okinawa. He also served aboard the SS Colgate Victory (1945). He was discharged in December, 1945.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an interview with Hartzell Sherrill. Sherrill joined the Navy in December of 1941 and trained in San Diego before going to communications school. He was then sent aboard the SS Hadnot (1919) with the Navy Armed Guard personnel. Sherrill delivered fuel oil to North Africa, India, Australia and other points in the Pacific. He recalls hauling ammunition to Saipan, watching the invasion of Normandy and dodging typhoons at Okinawa. He also served aboard the SS Colgate Victory (1945). He was discharged in December, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Officer. Officer joined the Navy in May of 1944. He completed radar school in Point Loma, California. In April of 1945 he went to the New Hebrides Islands, and served aboard a transport ship as a radar operator. He then traveled to Auckland, New Zealand where he went aboard the submarine chaser USS PC-588. His crew traveled around New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, Tulagi and the Marshall Islands looking for submarines. He describes the weaponry aboard the PC-588, and his work on sonar duty. They never found a submarine. After the war was over he assisted with looking for downed men in the Pacific. He describes his initiation as a Shellback. He was discharged as Radar Man 3rd Class in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Officer. Officer joined the Navy in May of 1944. He completed radar school in Point Loma, California. In April of 1945 he went to the New Hebrides Islands, and served aboard a transport ship as a radar operator. He then traveled to Auckland, New Zealand where he went aboard the submarine chaser USS PC-588. His crew traveled around New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, Tulagi and the Marshall Islands looking for submarines. He describes the weaponry aboard the PC-588, and his work on sonar duty. They never found a submarine. After the war was over he assisted with looking for downed men in the Pacific. He describes his initiation as a Shellback. He was discharged as Radar Man 3rd Class in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Jenkins. Jenkins joined the Army in early 1942 and was mistakenly sent to Australia before he completed basic training. Once there, he was attached to the 35th Fighter Group as an armorer. Jenkins shares several anecdotes about his time in the service in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. Jenkins returned to the US and became an instructor before the war ended. He was discharged in January 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Jenkins. Jenkins joined the Army in early 1942 and was mistakenly sent to Australia before he completed basic training. Once there, he was attached to the 35th Fighter Group as an armorer. Jenkins shares several anecdotes about his time in the service in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. Jenkins returned to the US and became an instructor before the war ended. He was discharged in January 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Enrique Moncada. Moncada joined the Navy in October of 1944. He served aboard the USS Forrest (DMS-24) minesweeper beginning in December of 1944. He performed regular seaman duties and served as gunner on the 40mm gun. They traveled to Okinawa. They did patrol work, screening with small minesweepers and performed local escort missions. Their ship and crew suffered one kamikaze attack. He provides detail of their endeavors to save the ship. He was discharged in June of 1946, but reenlisted in the Navy in June of 1948 and worked up to Seaman 1st Class. In December of 1950 he served aboard the USS Gloucester (PF-22), a patrol frigate and minesweeper. They traveled to Japan, South Korea, Wonsan, Inchon and Kojo. He was then transferred to the USS Mount Baker (AE-4), an ammunition ship, in February of 1952 as a gunner’s mate. He was discharged in June of 1952.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Enrique Moncada. Moncada joined the Navy in October of 1944. He served aboard the USS Forrest (DMS-24) minesweeper beginning in December of 1944. He performed regular seaman duties and served as gunner on the 40mm gun. They traveled to Okinawa. They did patrol work, screening with small minesweepers and performed local escort missions. Their ship and crew suffered one kamikaze attack. He provides detail of their endeavors to save the ship. He was discharged in June of 1946, but reenlisted in the Navy in June of 1948 and worked up to Seaman 1st Class. In December of 1950 he served aboard the USS Gloucester (PF-22), a patrol frigate and minesweeper. They traveled to Japan, South Korea, Wonsan, Inchon and Kojo. He was then transferred to the USS Mount Baker (AE-4), an ammunition ship, in February of 1952 as a gunner’s mate. He was discharged in June of 1952.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Benjamin Nicks. Nicks enlisted in the Army Air Forces in January of 1941. He received his wings in April of 1942. Nicks was in the 120th Observation Squadron in the 130th Field Artillery Squadron. He flew border patrol missions for a year between Mexico and the United States. He was assigned to Mountain Home Air Base, Idaho to serve as a B-25 instructor until the spring of 1944. He was then transferred in May of 1944 in McCook, Nebraska as a B-29 instructor. He was in the 1st Squadron, 9th Bomb Group, 313th Wing of the 20th Air Force at McCook, Nebraska. Their outfit was sent to Kwajalein, Tinian, Iwo Jima and Japan to name a few. Nicks flew a total of 35 missions. He provides great detail of their missions. He was discharged in January of 1946 with the Distinguished Flying Cross.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Benjamin Nicks. Nicks enlisted in the Army Air Forces in January of 1941. He received his wings in April of 1942. Nicks was in the 120th Observation Squadron in the 130th Field Artillery Squadron. He flew border patrol missions for a year between Mexico and the United States. He was assigned to Mountain Home Air Base, Idaho to serve as a B-25 instructor until the spring of 1944. He was then transferred in May of 1944 in McCook, Nebraska as a B-29 instructor. He was in the 1st Squadron, 9th Bomb Group, 313th Wing of the 20th Air Force at McCook, Nebraska. Their outfit was sent to Kwajalein, Tinian, Iwo Jima and Japan to name a few. Nicks flew a total of 35 missions. He provides great detail of their missions. He was discharged in January of 1946 with the Distinguished Flying Cross.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Felix Burrus. Burrus joined the Army Air Forces in August of 1944. He completed Airplane Mechanics School, and served as a B-29 mechanic with the 5th Bomb Group, 313th Bomb Wing. In early 1945, Burrus was assigned to Clark Field in the Philippines, where he worked through the end of the war. He received his discharge in November of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Felix Burrus. Burrus joined the Army Air Forces in August of 1944. He completed Airplane Mechanics School, and served as a B-29 mechanic with the 5th Bomb Group, 313th Bomb Wing. In early 1945, Burrus was assigned to Clark Field in the Philippines, where he worked through the end of the war. He received his discharge in November of 1946.