The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Adolph Krchnak. Krchnak joined the Army in December of 1944. He completed parachute school. In late 1944, early 1945 he was stationed in the Philippines with the 11th Airborne Division. They served in a traditional infantry role in the Philippines. His division participated in the Liberation of Manila in the spring of 1945. In August of 1945 they traveled into southern Japan as part of the occupation force. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Day. Day was born in Olney, Texas 23 September 1921 and graduated from high school in Vivian, Louisiana in 1942. Upon joining the Navy 4 June 1942, he was sent to The Great Lakes Naval Training Station for boot training. Afterwards, Day was assigned to the Amphibious Forces at Solomons, Maryland for training where he learned navigation and signal communications. Completing the course in October 1942 he went to Redwood City, California for further training. Assigned to LCT(5)-62, he describes the size, propulsion, crew compliment and purpose of the craft. Day tells of breaking the LCT into sections that were put aboard an AKA and sailing to New Caledonia arriving in December 1942. On a trip to Guadalcanal he witnessed a Japanese plane dropping a bomb on the USS De Haven (DD-469). He recalls a night trip to New Georgia when he saw St. Elmo’s fire on the railing of his ship. At Tulagi on 7 April 1943, Day personally shot down an attacking Japanese plane. He participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima and tells of being on the USS Estes (ACG-12) and describes an intense …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alfonso Perez. Perez was born in Maxwell, Texas 11 September 1923. After finishing the fourth grade he went to work in the agricultural fields as a laborer. In January 1942 he joined the Navy and entered boot camp at San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Midway/USS St. Lo (CVE-63) as a plane captain with VC-65. He recalls the ship taking part in the invasion of Saipan and Tinian and going to Eniwetok for replacements and provisions. On 25 October 1944 the St. Lo was involved in the Battle off Samar when the Japanese attacked as planes from the St. Lo were being launched for submarine patrol. Perez remembers the Japanese ships being so close he could see enemy sailors on deck as they passed. He recalls seeing a kamikaze diving toward his ship and crashing approximately thirty feet from where he was. Upon receiving orders to abandon ship he went overboard and remembers being taken aboard a raft. The survivors were picked up by the USS Dennis (DE-405) and he recalls the compassion shown by the crew. After being treated for superficial wounds he …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Allen Cates. Cates joined the Army in 1944. He completed basic training at Camp Wolters, Texas, and paratrooper training off Dog Island, Florida. In December he deployed to New Guinea and served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division. In mid-February 1945, they landed on Corregidor to liberate the island from occupying Japanese forces. From there he was assigned as a combat engineer with the 11th, working with demolition, traveling through Manila, Luzon and Okinawa. In late August, they landed at Atsugi Airfield in Japan, then traveled to Hokkaido in December where he served with the occupation through late 1946. He returned to the US and received his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvin Lebsack. Lebsack joined the Army Air Corps in November of 1940. He trained in aircraft mechanics, and served with the 58th Bomb Wing as a B-29 Crew Chief and Flight Chief. They participated in the China Burma India Theater, and were stationed at a base in India. Lebsack completed bombing missions over Japan in 1944. He returned to the US and received his discharge in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvin Orsland. Orsland joined the Marine Corps in June of 1944. He went to Hawaii in November of 1944, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division. In February of 1945 they participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima, which Orsland provides details of his experiences as a rifleman through the battle. He was discharged in July of 1946 as a Corporal.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Anthony Giglio. Giglio joined the navy in September, 1942 and trained in Virginia. He was assigned to USS LST-454 just prior to commissioning and served as a gunner’s mate. He stayed aboard for 49 months and made 13 invasions. Giglio relates several experiences he had while aboard. He returned to the US after the war and was discharged in December, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Archie W. Scott. Scott joined the Marine Corps in 1942. He entered the V-12 Program, and was sent to Georgia Tech to train further as an engineer. He transferred to California, and attended Field Telephone School. He was then assigned to USS Rochambeau (AP-63), and served in communications, and on the 8-inch gun. They traveled to Pearl Harbor, where he joined the Third Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment. They participated in the Guadalcanal, Eastern New Guinea, New Britain, Peleliu and Okinawa campaigns. He shares details of his combat experiences, injuries and receiving two Purple Hearts during the battles on Peleliu and Okinawa. Beginning in April 1946, they participated in the occupation of North China. Scott returned to the US and received his discharge in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernard Link. Link joined the Marine Corps in 1943 after finishing high school. He trained in San Diego and then was shipped to Camp Tarawa on Hawaii. He boarded the USS Lubbock (APA-197) for a ride to Iwo Jima. On the third day of the battle, Link was wounded while attacking an enemy bunker. He was evacuated and placed aboard a hospital ship that soon sailed for Guam. From there, he went to a hospital at Pearl Harbor. Afterwards, he rejoined his outfit at Camp Tarawa. Link had a friend found guilty of desertion. He went with his unit to Kyushu for occupation duty in September, 1945. In May, 1946, Link was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bert Cooper. Upon graduation from high school in February 1944 he joined the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman and was assigned to the First Marine Division. In transit to the division, his ship encountered a Japanese submarine off Okinawa, which was driven off or sunk by depth charges. Upon arrival at Okinawa several days after the initial invasion he recalls an incident when hundreds of Marines were attacked by a Japanese kamikaze while disembarking down cargo nets. He recounts being picked up by ten wheeler trucks on the beach driven by African American Army soldiers. During that time he tended to the wounded and recounts several stories involving badly wounded and dying Marines. In two instances, the dying Marine despaired that no one would remember them, and Cooper emphatically stated that "I will remember you my entire life." He next recalls reenlisting to go to Korea where he served on the hospital ship USS Haven (AH-12) during the invasion of Inchon, Korea. Cooper recalls severe casualties from frostbite. By this time the service had been integrated and he recalls the heroism of the African American troops and instances …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bob Floyd. Floyd was on track to become as a ship builder, but was drafted into the Navy before graduating from high school. He was assigned to the USS Midway (CVE-63), which was renamed the USS St. Lo (CVE-63) one year later, without the sailors even knowing it. Floyd’s early voyages were to Australia and Pearl Harbor, and he recounts becoming a shellback. Upon joining a large task force at Pearl Harbor, he sailed to Saipan, Tinian and Guam. Floyd observed the Marianas Turkey Shoot, which felt to him like watching a movie. In general quarters, he was a gun captain on two 20mm guns, passing orders from the bridge to his gunners. Otherwise, he was a 40mm gunner. In the Philippines, Floyd was hit by shell fragments, earning him a Purple Heart. During the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Floyd and crew abandoned ship after a kamikaze strike. Upon being rescued, he felt fine apart from having no appetite, and he consequently lost thirty pounds. During recovery, Floyd was reassigned to an ammunition depot, where he remained until the end of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bob Goeser. Goeser joined the Marine Corps in October of 1942, and was assigned to the air arm. He completed Radio Navigation School. He served as an air crewman in the Philippines and China, completed over 50 combat missions and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Silver Star. He was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bobby Meyers. Meyers was drafted into the Navy in June of 1943. He completed boot camp in Farragut, Idaho. He was assigned to a service school in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Beginning in 1944 he worked in the engine room as a machinist mate aboard the USS Dennis (DE-405). They traveled to Pearl Harbor, and escorted carriers throughout the Pacific. They traveled to Iwo Jima, Eniwetok and participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The Dennis rescued 434 survivors from the escort carrier USS St. Lo (CVE–63), which had been sunk by a kamikaze. He shares his experience going through a typhoon. Meyers was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Hawkins. Hawkins joined the Marine Corps in June of 1943. He provides details of boot camp. He completed sea school in San Diego, learning how to live and work aboard a ship. He also completed Naval gunnery school. He was sent to Pearl Harbor in a replacement pool. He and 4 other Marines were then assigned to CINCPAC, serving with Admiral Nimitz???s Marine Detachment. He performed guard duty around the headquarters. Hawkins worked his way up to the Admiral???s office orderly and later served as his personal orderly, traveling with him around the island ensuring his safety and transporting classified information. In January 1945, Nimitz moved the headquarters of the Pacific Fleet forward from Pearl Harbor to Guam. Hawkins provides many intimate details of his work for Admiral Nimitz, including a day where he swam for recreation alongside Nimitz and Halsey. He shares stories of their time working, hiking, swimming and more in Guam. Hawkins??? last day with Admiral Nimitz was at the signing of the treaty aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63). He was discharged in March of 1946.

Transcript of an oral interview with Charles Thibeault. Thibeault was drafted and went into the Army in 1943. He took basic training in Alabama, was shipped overseas and joined the 35th Division, 134th Infantry, 1st Battalion, Company C in 1944 when they were in France. He was a squad leader then when he made Staff Sergeant he had his own platoon. He fought at the Battle of the Bulge and was wounded. He also fought in the Battle of Bastogne and at Metz. His outfit liberated one of the concentration camps (somewhere in Germany but Thibeault couldn't remember the name). Thibeault gives a fairly graphic description of the scene at the concentration camp. After liberating the camp he got his men together and said, "As of now, right now, we do not take any more prisoners. If that is the way they are going to treat people, I will do the same. I don't care. This is not war, what they did to the people. They were prisoners of war and all that is all they done, and look how skinny they are; you could see the bones." His unit also liberated a concentration camp that just contained women. Thibeault …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with David Belvin. Belvin joined the Navy in June, 1941 and trained at San Diego. After training and before the war started, he went to machinist school and then was assigned to the USS Dobbin (AD-3). He spent some time in Australia and recalls a submarine attack in Sydney Harbor. After his brother was lost at sea during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Belvin was sent back to the US for reassignment after some home leave. Belvin was discharged in July 1946 and enrolled in the University of Texas where he earned an engineering degree.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Laughery. Laughery joined the Navy in June of 1943. He served as Seaman 2nd Class aboard the USS Harrison (DD-573), assisting the 20mm gunner and working in the fireroom as a Water Tender 1st Class. They survived 11 encounters with Japanese defenses at Bougainville, Tarawa, New Guinea, Kwajalein, Guam, the Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Laughery was discharged in April of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dick Merrifield. Merrifield was born in Philadelphia in 1925 into a family of three boys and one girl. All three boys served in the military during World War II. Upon graduating from high school in 1942 he joined the Marine Corps and spent thirteen weeks at Paris Island. Upon completion of boot training he was sent to Cherry Point, North Carolina where he was assigned as a gunner/radioman with VMSB-331, flying in Dauntless SBD dive bombers. After completion of dive bomb training the squadron departed by ship to Nukufetau Atoll, arriving in mid-November 1943. From there the squadron flew support missions to various islands. Merrifield flew sixty-three missions. He recalls the feelings and sensations one has when diving at a 90 degree angle. Following the surrender of Japan, Merrifield went to Hawaii where he was assigned to Marine Air Control Squadron 2. The squadron was sent to Tsingtao, China in support of the Nationalist Army of Chiang Kai-shek. Merrifield returned to the United States in March 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dorothy Rufi. Mrs. Rufi’s maiden name is Roehning. She arrived in Washington D.C. to work at the Coast Guard headquarters in 1942. She was assigned to a secretarial pool of four women who worked for Rear Admiral Harvey F. Johnson. She mentions blackouts and an air raid drill. She returned to her home to Minnesota in 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Doyle Hoffman. Hoffman joined the Navy in February of 1943. He completed boot camp in Farragut, Idaho and provides some details of his experiences. He also completed damage control school, and was assigned to the USS St. Lo (CVE-63). Hoffman worked in the Construction and Repair Division, where they made repairs to everything outside the engine room that was aboard the ship, including plumbing and welding. In mid to late 1943 they traveled between San Diego and Pearl Harbor, hauling airplanes. They also helped qualify pilots for carrier landings. He provides some details of accommodations, armament and general life aboard the St. Lo. In June of 1944 they participated in the invasion of Saipan, where they shot down two Japanese aircraft and supported the Marines and Army. They also participated in the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot, the invasion of Guam, the invasion of the Philippines and the Battle of Leyte Gulf, where Hoffman shares vivid details of his ship under attack and sinking. In 1946 he participated in the Bikini A-bomb Tests. He was discharged in February of 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dr. Patrick H. McKay. Born in San Antonio, Texas in 1924, he discusses the hard times experienced by his family during the Depression. He joined Army ROTC in high school. After graduating, he was inducted into the Army in September 1943. He was sent on the USS West Point (AP-23) to Papua, New Guinea. He describes his experiences and training during the transit. He describes his time at Milne Bay, as a Private assigned to the 158th Regimental Combat Team, known as the" Bushmasters." He describes his unit's attack on a small island off the coast of New Guinea. His regiment's next action was at Noemfoor Island, New Guinea in July and August 1944. He recalls Tokyo Rose saying before the landing that "the blood-thirsty Bushmasters are going to meet a wall of steel.” He recalls several banzai attacks during the battle. His unit next made an assault on Lingayen Gulf in Luzon, Philippines. Their objective was the headquarters for the 17th Japanese Army unit under the command of General Tomoyuki Yamashita in Baguio. Next, his unit was sent to fight its way through the outskirts of Manila. …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Greer. Greer was born 8 March 1924 in Gary, West Virginia. In 1942 he enrolled in the ROTC at West Virginia State College. In May 1943 his class was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for sixteen weeks of artillery basic training. In August the group was sent by troop train to Camp Beale, California where they joined the newly formed, all-black 777th Field Artillery Battalion where they trained with the 4.5 millimeter howitzer. During August 1944 the unit sailed for Liverpool, England. Upon arrival they went to Normandy where they joined the 9th Army as part of III Corps. In November 1944 the battalion was involved in the Hurtgen Forest Campaign. After the surrender of Germany, the battalion was on board a ship going to the Pacific when Japan surrendered. The ship was diverted back to the United States. After Greer was discharged in December 1945, he returned to college and upon graduating, received a commission in the Field Artillery. He concludes the interview by telling of his various assignments, which included combat situations during the Korea and Vietnam wars. In 1976, Greer retired as a major …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edward Kozak. Kozak provides some details of his family’s history as professional musicians, including his experience on the piano, marimba, harp and drums. Kozak served as the head of the department in the Shreveport Symphony, and served as a music teacher at a number of schools, including Juilliard School of Music in New York. He joined the Navy in 1943. He graduated from the Washington D.C. School of Music and was assigned as a Coxswain on a Higgins boat. He served as a marimba soloist in a band that played for Admiral Chester Nimitz throughout the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edward Larson. Larson joined the Army Air Forces in January, 1943 and became a pilot and was commissioned in April, 1944. He was first assigned as an instructor. He finally went overseas to India and was stationed in the Assam Valley where he participated in transporting material over the Himalaya Mountains to China beginning in January 1945. After a few trips over the Hump, Larson was stationed in China where he flew transport missions to various bases in China. Larson describes some of the flying conditions he experienced in the Himalaya Mountains as well as his experiences during the war in China.