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Oral History Interview with Chris Walker, February 11, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Chris Walker, February 11, 2003

Interview with Chris Walker, a carpenter during World War II. He discusses working as a carpenter in the Marines at Camp Pendleton and on Tinian and Saipan. He was present at Okinawa and in Nagasaki after Japan surrendered. He also tells stories about generals, his colonel, rations, and friendly fire. He describes some of the memorabilia he kept.
Date: February 11, 2003
Creator: Misenhimer, Richard & Walker, Chris
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Vernon Grim, November 11, 2005 transcript

Oral History Interview with Vernon Grim, November 11, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Vernon Grim. Grim joined the Army Air Forces in June of 1942. He volunteered as a glider pilot, and trained for one year in Pittsburgh, Kansas. He was then selected to train as an aviation cadet, and served as a B-17 pilot. In March of 1944 he deployed to England. He joined the 92nd Bombardment Group, 407th Bombardment Squadron. He completed 32 missions, including support operations for the Normandy invasion, the Battle of Saint-Lô and advancing ground troops into Germany. Grim returned to the US in October of 1944. He was assigned to Laredo, Texas to fly for the Frangible Bullet Project, and also served as a military surplus officer. Grim continued his service after the war, receiving a discharge in November of 1946.
Date: November 11, 2005
Creator: Grim, Vernon
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Bill Dingfelder, November 11, 2005 transcript

Oral History Interview with Bill Dingfelder, November 11, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bill Dingfelder. Dingfelder joined the Army Air Forces in July of 1943. He completed Armament School in early 1944, and served as an armorer-gunner aboard a B-17. He was assigned to the 15th Air Force, 97th Bomb Group, 341st Bomb Squadron. By April of 1945, Dingfelder had completed 35 missions over Italy, France, Czechoslovakia, Austria and Yugoslavia attacking oil refineries, marshalling yards and aircraft factories. He continued his service after the war, receiving his discharge in March of 1952.
Date: November 11, 2005
Creator: Dingfelder, Bill
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Joseph Meyer, July 11, 2007 transcript

Oral History Interview with Joseph Meyer, July 11, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joseph Meyer. Meyer participated in ROTC in high school. While studying at St. Louis University, he enlisted in the Army Air Forces Reserves. In February 1943, after one semester of college, he was called to active duty and began flight training, earning his wings in March 1944. He was then sent to Karachi, India, to join the 33rd Fighter Group, 59th Squadron. After an unexciting period of time, due to a lack of planes to fly, he finally went on his first mission in the mountains between India and Burma, deterring Japanese planes from attacking transports to China. Later missions involved strafing and dropping bombs or napalm on photographed targets from a P-47. During one flight, he narrowly avoided getting hit as he flew underneath a friendly plane while it released its payload. Although Meyer never engaged in air-to-air combat, he was exposed to antiaircraft fire from the ground. In December 1944, he transitioned to the P-38, as he was preparing for involvement in an invasion of China, which never materialized. Afterward, he transferred to the 58th Squadron in Burma. After the war ended, Meyer had a chance …
Date: July 11, 2007
Creator: Meyer, Joseph
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Grealish, October 11, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with James Grealish, October 11, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Grealish. Grealish joined the Navy in April of 1942. He completed Midshipman School. He served aboard the USS Waters (APD-8), transporting troops to the Solomon Islands, New Georgia, Saipan, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and rescuing survivors from the USS Helena (CL-50). He was later assigned as Commanding Officer of USS Cronin (DE-704). Grealish was discharged in 1946, though continued active duty through 1953 and service in the Reserves through his retirement in 1979, having acquired the rank of rear admiral.
Date: October 11, 2003
Creator: Grealish, James
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Richard Reedle, October 11, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Richard Reedle, October 11, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Reedle. Reedle joined the Navy in January 1942. He served as a boatswain’s mate on the USS McKean (APD-5). Reedle describes how his ship landed Marine Raiders throughout the Solomon Islands. He also discusses being critically hit by an aerial torpedo and being the last man off before it sank. Reedle then joined the crew of the USS Preston (DD-795) and became a captain of one of the five-inch guns. He describes providing gunnery support at Okinawa and screening carrier task groups. Reedle also discusses kamikaze attacks and going through a typhoon. He left the service in November 1945.
Date: October 11, 2003
Creator: Reedle, Richard
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Paul Livingston, October 11, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Paul Livingston, October 11, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Paul Livingston. Livingston joined the Navy in April of 1943. He served aboard the USS Rathburne (DD-113), a training ship for the West Coast Sound School in San Diego. Livingston helped train prospective Commanding and Executive Officers in anti-submarine warfare using sonar as a guide. In May of 1944 they were converted to a to a high-speed transport, and reclassified as (APD-25). They traveled to Hawaii to complete amphibious training with Underwater Demolition Team 10. They participated in the invasions of Peleliu, Leyte, Lingayen Gulf and Okinawa. They returned to the US and Livingston was discharged in late 1945.
Date: October 11, 2003
Creator: Livingston, Paul
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with William Meehan, October 11, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with William Meehan, October 11, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Meehan. Meehan was born in Lambertville, New Jersey. He attended midshipman’s school at Northwestern in Chicago completing the course in December 1940. He was commissioned by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. Meehan received orders to report to the USS Goldsborough (AVD-5), a seaplane tender, as the communications officer. He recounts various missions to Mexico and Iceland and describes a trip to Greenland during which the ship encountered a storm that resulted in the loss of a crewmember. He was sent to Panama in early 1942 as part of a force to protect the Canal Zone. In June 1942 the ship went to Honduras to patrol for German submarines. He witnessed two PBY patrol aircraft capturing two large boats that provided support to German submarines. In July 1943, Meehan was made captain of the Goldsborough. He recalls being part of a hunter-killer group and describes an encounter with a German submarine. In March 1944 the ship was converted to a high speed transport and designated APD-32. Moving to the Pacific, the Goldsborough participated in the invasion of Saipan. The ship also delivered an Under Water Demolition Team (UDT) to …
Date: October 11, 2003
Creator: Meehan, William
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Dwight Mayo, October 11, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Dwight Mayo, October 11, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Dwight Mayo. Mayo joined the Marine Corps in October of 1942. Beginning in late 1944, he served as an F4U Corsair fighter pilot, stationed aboard USS Bennington (CV-20) in the Pacific. He took part in strikes against the Japanese home islands, and in raids in support of the Okinawa campaign. Mayo completed 100 missions. He continued his service after the war ended, retiring in 1962 with the rank of major.
Date: October 11, 2003
Creator: Mayo, Dwight
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Curtis G. Clark, October 11, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Curtis G. Clark, October 11, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Curtis G. Clark. Born in 1918, he joined the Navy in 1937. He served on the USS Talbot throughout the war, beginning as a Radioman third class and working his way up to the rank of Warrant Officer. He provides information about the Battle of Dutch Harbor in Alaska. He discusses the conversion of four-stack destroyer ships (DD), such as the USS Talbot, into high-speed transport ships (Auxiliary Personnel Destroyer or APD) on Mare Island, California. As part of the conversion, the torpedo tubes were replaced with Welin davits and landing craft. He discusses the sinking of the USS McKean (PAD-5) near Bougainville in the Solomon Islands. He talks about landing reconnaissance forces in preparation for the Battle of the Green Islands. He also discusses transporting Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT) as well as the teams? method of operation. He describes the collision with the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) on the way to Saipan as well as the trip to San Francisco for repairs. After the repairs, the ship transported other UDT units to the Philippines. He was on the USS Talbot when it returned to the United States for …
Date: October 11, 2003
Creator: Clark, Curtis G.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Walter B. Neitsch, November 11, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Walter B. Neitsch, November 11, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Walter B. Neitsch: He was inducted at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas and received basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and later at the Army Engineer Vancouver Barracks. He speaks of working with the 340th Army Engineers Construction Battalion to construct the ALCAN (Alaska-Canadian) Highway as well as rebuilding an airport in Darwin, Australia, and repairing roads and bridges in Luzon in the Phillipines where he saw Japanese soldiers coming in to surrender at the end of the war. He also told of the death from seasickness of a fellow soldier while in transit on the US Motorship Pennant and becoming a shellback when their ship crossed the equator.
Date: November 11, 2003
Creator: Neitsch, Walter B.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James D. Rothermel, November 11, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with James D. Rothermel, November 11, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James D. Rothermel. Rothermel was born in Burton, Texas 20 February 1918. Enlisting in the Navy in 1942, he had boot camp at Norfolk, Virginia. After spending a short time at Providence, Rhode Island, he was sent to Treasure Island, California and assigned to the 14th Naval Construction Battalion. During September 1942 he went aboard the M.S. Sommelsdijk, a converted Dutch freighter, and tells of the trip to Noumea, New Caledonia. From there the unit was sent to Guadalcanal, which had not yet been secured. The unit constructed two new airstrips on the island and Rothermel describes the other work completed. He tells of the nightly visits by a Japanese bomber, which would indiscriminately drop bombs every night, primarily for harassment. The bomber was called “Washing Machine Charlie” by all the troops on the island. He recounts the devastating affect that malaria, dengue fever and other jungle diseases had on the members of the 14th Battalion. The unit returned to Camp Parker, California, during November 1943. He recalls that during October 1944 the unit was sent to Saipan where they spent several months before being sent to Okinawa …
Date: November 11, 2003
Creator: Rothermel, James D.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Hack Langstaff, July 11, 2001 transcript

Oral History Interview with Hack Langstaff, July 11, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Hack Langstaff. Langstaff joined the Naval Reserves around 1938, and went on active duty in June of 1941. After flight school, he was selected and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in June of 1942. Langtaff completed carrier training in October, flying a Grumman F3F and F4F. In 1943, he was assigned to the Russell Islands, completing missions over Rabaul and Bougainville. Beginning June of 1945, Langstaff was assigned aboard the USS Puget Sound (CVE-113), flying Corsairs. They traveled to Tokyo Bay, just as the Japanese surrendered. He was discharged in early 1946.
Date: July 11, 2001
Creator: Langstaff, Hack
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alfred Rodrigues, December 11, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Alfred Rodrigues, December 11, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alfred Rodriquez. Rodriguez was born in Santa Barbara, California on 9 September 1921 and joined the Navy in 1940. Upon completion of boot training at San Diego in July, he was assigned to the USS Bobolink (AM-20), based at Maui, Hawaii. He recalls the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and his ship’s efforts to keep the heavily damaged USS California (BB-44) afloat. Afterwards, the Bobolink began pulling barges with fuel, ammunition and other supplies, from Tulagi and Gavutu to Guadalcanal. Following major naval engagements the Bobolink towed severely damaged ships to various islands for repair. Among those towed were the USS Atlanta (CL-51), the USS Aaron Ward (DD-483), the USS Portland (CA-33) and the USS Minneapolis (CA-36). In 1943 he returned to the United States and was assigned to the USS Wedderburn (DD-684). While aboard, Rodriquez was involved in various battles including Okinawa. He describes being in the December 1944 typhoon during which three destroyers were sunk. He concludes the discussion by telling of his various assignments until he retired in 1960.
Date: December 11, 2003
Creator: Rodriguez, Alfred
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Crescencio Trevino, November 11, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Crescencio Trevino, November 11, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Crescencio Trevino. Trevino joined the Army in April 1944 and received basic training at Fort Robinson. He deployed to Metz, France, as a rifleman with the 379th Infantry Regiment, 95th Infantry Division. Locals referred to them as The Iron Men of Metz. Trevino lost half of his platoon in Metz and survived combat on the Siegfried Line, moving on to clear out German holdouts in the Ruhr Pocket. Although he had only fired a bazooka once during training, he became the bazooka man for his unit. He describes in detail the technique of using hand grenades to clear pillboxes. Trevino turned down the Purple Heart for a minor injury to his finger, worrying that his family would be troubled by the news. After the ceasefire, Trevino was placed on occupation duty, under strict orders not to fraternize with German women, although everyone was friendly. He celebrated V-E Day with former Russian POWs who provided their own vodka. Trevino returned home in June 1945 and was discharged as a staff sergeant in April 1946. After reenlisting in 1948, he served in Corpus Christi as a recruiting sergeant until 1951.
Date: November 11, 2002
Creator: Trevino, Crescencio
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alexander Vraciu, July 11, 2000 transcript

Oral History Interview with Alexander Vraciu, July 11, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alexander Vraciu. Vraciu learned to fly airplanes in college and went into the Navy to be a fighter pilot. He trained at Corpus Christi, Texas. He speaks of being assigned to a fighter squadron (VF-6) and heading overseas. Vraciu details aerial combat and dogfights with the Japanese over Wake Island, Tarawa and Kwajalein. He also speaks of flying missions as Edward ""Butch"" O'Hare's wingman. He mentions he was operating off the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9). Vraciu discusses his role in the Battle of the Philippine Seas, also known as the Marianas Turkey Shoot, and becoming a fighter ace. He continues by discussing further missions in the Philippines campaign.
Date: July 11, 2000
Creator: Vraciu, Alexander
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Clyde Harding, November 11, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Clyde Harding, November 11, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clyde Harding. Born in 1919, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1940. He describes his time in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). He was attached to the British Royal Air Force (RAF) as part of the Lend-Lease Program. He trained RAF pilots to fly B-25 Mitchell bombers. He recounts his capture and escape from German soldiers while serving in Egypt. He also trained Russian pilots to fly Bell P-39 Airacobras in Russia. In 1943 he was assigned to the 9th Tactical Air Command, 9th Air Force in England. In spring 1944, he flew aerial photography missions over the Normandy coastline. Additionally, he flew celebrities, such as Spike Jones and Joe Louis, to entertain the troops. Prior to the war?s end, he was employed as a civil servant.
Date: November 11, 2002
Creator: Harding, Clyde
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John Eberle, April 11, 2001 transcript

Oral History Interview with John Eberle, April 11, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Eberle. Born in 1921, he enlisted in the Navy in 1939. He was assigned to Torpedo Squadron VT-6 of the Enterprise Air Group. He describes events on the USS Enterprise (CV-6) while at sea during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He shares an anecdote about the remains of Admiral Kidd. He relates stories about the Battle of Midway; escorting to the USS Hornet (CV-8) in conjunction with the Doolittle Raid; the sinking of the USS Wasp (CV-7); the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and the loss of the USS Hornet; and experiencing a typhoon while on an aircraft carrier. He also shares stories about being an aircraft maintenance officer in San Diego, California. He retired from the Navy Reserve in 1976.
Date: April 11, 2001
Creator: Eberle, John
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John Hausladen, March 11, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with John Hausladen, March 11, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Hausladen. Hausladen joined the Marine Corps in 1939 after two years of college. After boot camp came sea school, after which Hausladen went aboard the USS Oklahoma (BB-37). He was aboard when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and recalls being in a 5-inch gun compartment when the ship rolled. He escaped and was rescued by a whaleboat. In April, 1942, he was sent to VMF-223 as an armory technician. He travelled with them to Guadalcanal, arriving in August, 1942. His unit returned to the US in October. He went to Bougainville briefly and was in the US training when the war ended. Hausladen was discharged in December, 1945.
Date: March 11, 2003
Creator: Hausladen, John
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Chris Walker, February 11, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Chris Walker, February 11, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Chris Walker. He discusses working as a carpenter in the Marines at Camp Pendleton and on Tinian and Saipan and being on Okinawa and in Nagasaki after Japan surrendered. He also ancedotes on Generals and his Colonel, rations, friendly fire and describes some of the memoriabilia he kept.
Date: February 11, 2003
Creator: Walker, Chris
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with George Woods, June 11, 2008 transcript

Oral History Interview with George Woods, June 11, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Woods. Woods was born in Phillips County, Montana 9 February 1921. One of nine children, he describes how the Great Depression affected his family. After graduation from high school in 1938, he worked various jobs until joining the Navy 14 December 1940. After completing boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Illinois, he entered hospital corpsman school at Norfolk, Virginia for twelve weeks. After working in the diet kitchen at the Annapolis Naval Hospital, Woods was sent to dental school. Upon graduation he became an assistant to a dental surgeon. In 1943 he was assigned to the USS Saunter (AM-295) and recalls several incidents involving attacks by kamikaze aircraft. Woods also recalls going aboard the stricken USS Franklin (CV-13) to assist with the wounded. He remembers seeing the 503rd parachuting on to Corregidor and tells how many were killed by ground fire while still in the air. He also recalls action that took place on Fort Drum and the measures taken to eliminate the enemy. While sweeping mines around Corregidor the Saunter hit a mine which blew off twenty feet of the keel, killing and injuring …
Date: June 11, 2008
Creator: Woods, George C.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Arthur E. Owen, September 11, 1996 transcript

Oral History Interview with Arthur E. Owen, September 11, 1996

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arthur Owen. Owen enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 1941. After boot camp in San Diego, he was assigned to the Marine Detachment at San Clemente Island, California. After he was there for a year, they transferred him to Camp Elliott in San Diego where he became part of the 2nd Marine Division. In Oct 1942, they sailed for New Zealand and additional training. They made several practice landings and then invaded Tarawa on November 20, 1943. Owen was a corporal in what was called Shore Party Command Group - Headquarters, 2nd Battalion, 18th Marines. The job of this Group was to establish dumps on the beaches and unload the ships. Owen states that he was probably one of the few that made the landing in Tarawa twice and never did get ashore, because he spent 13 days on the pier. At the end of this time, they went aboard the President Monroe and sailed to Hawaii. Upon arriving in Hilo, they set up a camp on the volcano which was at the Parker Ranch in Kamuela (Camp Tarawa) and at an old Japanese POW camp. While …
Date: September 11, 1996
Creator: Owen, Arthur E.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Frans W. Doelman, October 11, 2007 transcript

Oral History Interview with Frans W. Doelman, October 11, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frans Doelman. Doelman was born in Brussels, Belgium of Dutch parents but spent most of the years in Nice, France before they left Europe. His family left France after the war started and went to the Dutch East Indies where his father had worked (in the tobacco industry) previously. Doelman discusses in some detail their car trip to Lisbon, boarding a ship bound for New York, their stay in New York for a couple months, and their trip on the Dempo (Holland-American line) through the Panama Canal to Batavia in Java. After the Japanese took over the Dutch East Indies, they rounded up all the Caucasian families and first put them in a restricted area in Malang but then took them to Samarang. They ended up in a huge camp, Karang Panus. This was Doelman's home for the next year and a half and his father died there in August 1944. Then he was sent to Camp Bangkong which was for boys and old men; he was there for about a year. Bangkong was in the vicinity of Samarang. Doelman describes the conditions in the camp, their working …
Date: October 11, 2007
Creator: Doelman, Frans W.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with X. B. Cox, February 11, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with X. B. Cox, February 11, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with X B Cox. Cox joined the Army in June of 1937. He served with the 81st Airborne Antiaircraft Battalion. In June of 1944 Cox participated in the Normandy landings. In September 1944 Cox participated in Operation Market Garden, including riding a glider into Holland. Later in December 1944 through January 1945 he participated in the Siege of Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge. He provides details through each of these experiences. In 1967 he completed his 30 years of active and reserve duty.
Date: February 11, 2009
Creator: Cox, X. B.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History