The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Cox. Cox was born in Bismarck, Illinois on 3 November 1917. He joined the Army Air Corps in December 1939. Upon completing basic training he was sent to Nichols Field, Manila, Philippines, arriving there in May 1940. Soon after his arrival he was assigned to the 27th Materials Squadron and trained in an aircraft mechanics school. He was selected for a special mission to Port Moresby, New Guinea and was there when the Japanese attacked the Philippines. He was then ordered to report to Townsville, Australia. Cox recalls various experiences while working with the Australian forces. Returning to the United States in 1943 he was promoted to Warrant Officer and assigned as Aircraft Maintenance Officer at Sedalia Army Air Field, Missouri in December 1943. In March 1944, he was sent to Fulbeck, England where he joined the 303rd Troop Carrier Squadron. He describes the loading of the squadron’s planes with troops prior to the launching of Operation Overlord, 6 June 1944. He concludes the interview describing the unit’s involvement in Operation Dragoon August 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Milton Gebhard. Gebhard joined the Army Air Forces in January 1944. He was trained as an infantryman and served in Okinawa after the battle had ended. Gebhard worked as a guard for Japanese prisoners for seven months. He was discharged when he returned to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Philip Fox. Fox was drafted into the Army in 1943 where he was assigned to the 34th Evacuation Hospital. He describes the living conditions in the area outside of Manchester, England where he participated in establishing the 3rd Army, 34th Evacuation Hospital. This evacuation hospital group landed at Normandy and followed the Army through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. He discusses German casualties and prisoners of war. He shares his impressions of Munich, Germany at the close of the war. He also shares anecdotes about playing poker aboard a hospital ship; encountering Allied tanks on a French road; General Patton; working in the ear and eye clinic; and learning about the birth of his son while in Europe. He was discharged in Texas.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kelly Gibson. Gibson joined the Army Air Corps in September, 1941. He was trained as a radio repairman and serviced radios in airplanes at Turner Field, Georgia. He volunteered for overseas duty and was sent to England in 1943 and attached to the 61st Troop Carrier Group. He soon was the radio operator in a C-47 flight crew and participated in the Invasion of Normandy. As the war in Europe was winding down, Gibson was transferred to Natal, Brazil where he resumed repairing radios. When the war ended, Gibson was returned to the US where he elected to be discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Cooper. Cooper was working for the Indianapolis Fire Department when he was drafted into the Army in 1943. From there, he volunteered for the paratroopers and trained at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. He was assigned to the 517th Parachute Combat Team. Cooper describes much of his training, equipment and uniform. In May, 1944, his unit landed in Italy. He jumped with his unit into Southern France in August, 1944 and served as a scout. Cooper also mentions some about the Battle of the Bulge. He returned home and was discharged in October, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carl Braddock. Braddock was born 1 February 1919 in Big Spring, Texas. Joining the Navy during May 1942, he took boot training in San Diego. He was assigned to range finding school and describes the training he received. Upon graduation he was assigned to the USS Saufley (DD-465), which went to Guadalcanal in December, 1942. He describes the bombardment of the island. In May 1943 he was sent to several schools for additional training. Braddock was assigned to the USS Franklin (CV-13) in January 1944 and he describes various battles in which he participated. He recalls the ship being subjected to attack and damaged by kamikaze aircraft on 9 October 1944 and 30 October 1944 which resulted in many casualties. He tells of being evacuated to the USS Santa Fe (CL-60). The Franklin returned to Bremerton, Washington for repairs and he was sent to school again. While in school he was notified that the ship was hit by several bombs with over 700 killed.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Billie Campbell. Campbell was born on 10 June 1926 in Oklahoma. He joined the Navy in 1944 and served as a signalman aboard USS Calvert (APA-32) and USS Montour (APA-101). He tells of crossing the equator and undergoing the King Neptune ritual. He recalls arriving at Manus Island and observing the aftermath of the USS Mount Hood (AE-11) explosion. He describes ships being hit by Japanese planes and observing the American flag-raising on Mount Suribachi. He also tells of seeing American dead being buried in trenches near the beaches on Iwo Jima.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Marcel Bisson. Bisson joined the Marine Corps in 1944 and after training was assigned as a replacement to the 5th Marine Division just prior to invading Iwo Jima. On the twelfth day, Bisson was wounded and evacuated. After some stays in hospitals, he was medically discharged in July 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Monte Guidry. He enlisted in the Navy after high school and went to boot camp in San Diego. He qualified for radio school and was sent to Texas A&M. From there, he was assigned to the attack cargo ship, the USS Libra (AKA-12). He continues with anecdotes about being aboard ship: seasickness, radio room work, practical jokes, etc. He participated in the Luzon landing and had a brief leave in Manila in 1944. Then he went on to Iwo Jima and tells more personal stories. His ship was present in Tokyo Bay for the surrender and he had leave later in Hokkaido where he mingled with some local Japanese. He then relates a few more anecdotes about being aboard ship before concluding.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Stackpole. Stackpole joined the Navy Reserves before the start of World War II and was in the Hospital Corps. He went on active duty to Great Lakes and they put him to work in the recruit receiving line. After some additional work at the hospital there, he was sent to Alameda and put aboard the SS Matsonia which sailed for Espiritu Santo. From there they went on a coastal tramp steamer to Noumea, New Caledonia where they set up a fleet hospital, MOB 7, Mobile Hospital. It later became Fleet Hospital 107. Stackpole describes in good detail what they went through in setting-up the hospital, the excellent doctors they had, and the great leadership of their commanding officer, Captain Espaugh. They were receiving causalities from the Guadalcanal campaign. The hospital ships would stand-off Noumea, the patients unloaded onto barges, and then taken to either the Navy or Army hospitals on Noumea. Stackpole also describes in good detail the kind of work they did with the patients. Next, they started bringing in the casualties from Bougainville. He also talks about patients from the USS Gambier Bay which was …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Stackpole. Stackpole joined the Navy Reserves before the start of World War II and was in the Hospital Corps. He went on active duty to Great Lakes and they put him to work in the recruit receiving line. After some additional work at the hospital there, he was sent to Alameda and put aboard the SS Matsonia which sailed for Espiritu Santo. From there they went on a coastal tramp steamer to Noumea, New Caledonia where they set up a fleet hospital, MOB 7, Mobile Hospital. It later became Fleet Hospital 107. Stackpole describes in good detail what they went through in setting-up the hospital, the excellent doctors they had, and the great leadership of their commanding officer, Captain Espaugh. They were receiving causalities from the Guadalcanal campaign. The hospital ships would stand-off Noumea, the patients unloaded onto barges, and then taken to either the Navy or Army hospitals on Noumea. Stackpole also describes in good detail the kind of work they did with the patients. Next, they started bringing in the casualties from Bougainville. He also talks about patients from the USS Gambier Bay which was …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carl Braddock. Braddock was born 1 February 1919 in Big Spring, Texas. Joining the Navy during May 1942, he took boot training in San Diego. He was assigned to range finding school and describes the training he received. Upon graduation he was assigned to the USS Saufley (DD-465), which went to Guadalcanal in December, 1942. He describes the bombardment of the island. In May 1943 he was sent to several schools for additional training. Braddock was assigned to the USS Franklin (CV-13) in January 1944 and he describes various battles in which he participated. He recalls the ship being subjected to attack and damaged by kamikaze aircraft on 9 October 1944 and 30 October 1944 which resulted in many casualties. He tells of being evacuated to the USS Santa Fe (CL-60). The Franklin returned to Bremerton, Washington for repairs and he was sent to school again. While in school he was notified that the ship was hit by several bombs with over 700 killed.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Philip Fox. Fox was drafted into the Army in 1943 where he was assigned to the 34th Evacuation Hospital. He describes the living conditions in the area outside of Manchester, England where he participated in establishing the 3rd Army, 34th Evacuation Hospital. This evacuation hospital group landed at Normandy and followed the Army through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. He discusses German casualties and prisoners of war. He shares his impressions of Munich, Germany at the close of the war. He also shares anecdotes about playing poker aboard a hospital ship; encountering Allied tanks on a French road; General Patton; working in the ear and eye clinic; and learning about the birth of his son while in Europe. He was discharged in Texas.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kelly Gibson. Gibson joined the Army Air Corps in September, 1941. He was trained as a radio repairman and serviced radios in airplanes at Turner Field, Georgia. He volunteered for overseas duty and was sent to England in 1943 and attached to the 61st Troop Carrier Group. He soon was the radio operator in a C-47 flight crew and participated in the Invasion of Normandy. As the war in Europe was winding down, Gibson was transferred to Natal, Brazil where he resumed repairing radios. When the war ended, Gibson was returned to the US where he elected to be discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Cooper. Cooper was working for the Indianapolis Fire Department when he was drafted into the Army in 1943. From there, he volunteered for the paratroopers and trained at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. He was assigned to the 517th Parachute Combat Team. Cooper describes much of his training, equipment and uniform. In May, 1944, his unit landed in Italy. He jumped with his unit into Southern France in August, 1944 and served as a scout. Cooper also mentions some about the Battle of the Bulge. He returned home and was discharged in October, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Cox. Cox was born in Bismarck, Illinois on 3 November 1917. He joined the Army Air Corps in December 1939. Upon completing basic training he was sent to Nichols Field, Manila, Philippines, arriving there in May 1940. Soon after his arrival he was assigned to the 27th Materials Squadron and trained in an aircraft mechanics school. He was selected for a special mission to Port Moresby, New Guinea and was there when the Japanese attacked the Philippines. He was then ordered to report to Townsville, Australia. Cox recalls various experiences while working with the Australian forces. Returning to the United States in 1943 he was promoted to Warrant Officer and assigned as Aircraft Maintenance Officer at Sedalia Army Air Field, Missouri in December 1943. In March 1944, he was sent to Fulbeck, England where he joined the 303rd Troop Carrier Squadron. He describes the loading of the squadron’s planes with troops prior to the launching of Operation Overlord, 6 June 1944. He concludes the interview describing the unit’s involvement in Operation Dragoon August 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Milton Gebhard. Gebhard joined the Army Air Forces in January 1944. He was trained as an infantryman and served in Okinawa after the battle had ended. Gebhard worked as a guard for Japanese prisoners for seven months. He was discharged when he returned to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Billie Campbell. Campbell was born on 10 June 1926 in Oklahoma. He joined the Navy in 1944 and served as a signalman aboard USS Calvert (APA-32) and USS Montour (APA-101). He tells of crossing the equator and undergoing the King Neptune ritual. He recalls arriving at Manus Island and observing the aftermath of the USS Mount Hood (AE-11) explosion. He describes ships being hit by Japanese planes and observing the American flag-raising on Mount Suribachi. He also tells of seeing American dead being buried in trenches near the beaches on Iwo Jima.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Marcel Bisson. Bisson joined the Marine Corps in 1944 and after training was assigned as a replacement to the 5th Marine Division just prior to invading Iwo Jima. On the twelfth day, Bisson was wounded and evacuated. After some stays in hospitals, he was medically discharged in July 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Monte Guidry. He enlisted in the Navy after high school and went to boot camp in San Diego. He qualified for radio school and was sent to Texas A&M. From there, he was assigned to the attack cargo ship, the USS Libra (AKA-12). He continues with anecdotes about being aboard ship: seasickness, radio room work, practical jokes, etc. He participated in the Luzon landing and had a brief leave in Manila in 1944. Then he went on to Iwo Jima and tells more personal stories. His ship was present in Tokyo Bay for the surrender and he had leave later in Hokkaido where he mingled with some local Japanese. He then relates a few more anecdotes about being aboard ship before concluding.