The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Rose Dern. Dern enlisted in the WAVES and went to Madison Wisconsin to train in communications. After training, Dern was stationed close to home at Floyd Bennett Field in New York City. She then went to a communications station on Maui. Dern was discharged when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Rose Dern. Dern enlisted in the WAVES and went to Madison Wisconsin to train in communications. After training, Dern was stationed close to home at Floyd Bennett Field in New York City. She then went to a communications station on Maui. Dern was discharged when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Elaine Osborn. Osborn was born in 1932 in Freeman, South Dakota and had just turned 9 years old when World War II began. She shares memories of civilian life during the war, and living in a Mennonite Community during the Great Depression. She had 5 uncles and 2 cousins in the service. Osborn recalls community building between farmers to help feed and care for one another. Additionally, she notes that her Japanese American college roommate was encamped in California during the war. Osborn provides vivid descriptions of the sacrifices made by the civilians to support the men and women serving their country.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Elaine Osborn. Osborn was born in 1932 in Freeman, South Dakota and had just turned 9 years old when World War II began. She shares memories of civilian life during the war, and living in a Mennonite Community during the Great Depression. She had 5 uncles and 2 cousins in the service. Osborn recalls community building between farmers to help feed and care for one another. Additionally, she notes that her Japanese American college roommate was encamped in California during the war. Osborn provides vivid descriptions of the sacrifices made by the civilians to support the men and women serving their country.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Davidson. Davidson joined the Navy in the spring of 1943. He served as Seaman 1st Class. He completed the equivalent of a master’s degree in electrical engineering. He worked in a field engineering group at a Naval research lab in Washington. He was later sent to the Banana River Naval Air Station in Florida, running tests on carrier-controlled approach. He volunteered for the invasion of Japan in 1945, though after the bombs were dropped Davidson went back to field engineering in Florida. Davidson remained in the US for the remainder of his service. After the war ended, he remained in the Naval Reserves. Davidson retired from the Reserves in 1971.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Davidson. Davidson joined the Navy in the spring of 1943. He served as Seaman 1st Class. He completed the equivalent of a master’s degree in electrical engineering. He worked in a field engineering group at a Naval research lab in Washington. He was later sent to the Banana River Naval Air Station in Florida, running tests on carrier-controlled approach. He volunteered for the invasion of Japan in 1945, though after the bombs were dropped Davidson went back to field engineering in Florida. Davidson remained in the US for the remainder of his service. After the war ended, he remained in the Naval Reserves. Davidson retired from the Reserves in 1971.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Cletus Ernster. Ernster went to Conrad Flying School in Winona, Minnesota in 1939. He joined the Army Air Forces in 1942 and was commissioned as a service pilot. He was assigned to Wilmington, Delaware to deliver planes throughout the United States and overseas. He discusses the various planes that he flew and the locations he delivered planes to. He was assigned to Chanyi, China in September of 1944, where he spent the remainder of his service. He was in the 1342nd Army Air Forces Base Unit in China. He gives detail of flying missions and transporting Chinese soldiers from one battle area to the next. He was discharged in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Cletus Ernster. Ernster went to Conrad Flying School in Winona, Minnesota in 1939. He joined the Army Air Forces in 1942 and was commissioned as a service pilot. He was assigned to Wilmington, Delaware to deliver planes throughout the United States and overseas. He discusses the various planes that he flew and the locations he delivered planes to. He was assigned to Chanyi, China in September of 1944, where he spent the remainder of his service. He was in the 1342nd Army Air Forces Base Unit in China. He gives detail of flying missions and transporting Chinese soldiers from one battle area to the next. He was discharged in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Rudy Moreau. Moreau was born in 1924 in Port Arthur, Texas. In January 1943 he was drafted into the Army and sent to Fort Knox, Kentucky for basic training in infantry and armor. Following a 2 month hospitalization for a ruptured appendix, he was shipped overseas, sailing from Boston to Glasgow, Scotland. In the UK, he was stationed in Frome, England until being assigned to the armor replacement stream. Moreau sailed from England to Normandy, landing via a Landing Craft Infantry (LCI) on Omaha Beach on D-Day plus 4 or 5. Moreau joined the Recon Company of the 66th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Division. As a gunner in either an M-4 light tank or an armored car, he saw action at St. Lo, the Falaise Pocket, Tornai, Belgium, Maastrict, Holland, crossed the Ruhr into Germany, went back into Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge, and again into Germany, ultimately to Berlin. He was there during the Potsdam Conference, seeing Truman, Churchill, Stalin, and the generals in attendance. In October 1945 Moreau was sent back to the States and was discharged at Fort Bliss, Texas. He rejoined the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Rudy Moreau. Moreau was born in 1924 in Port Arthur, Texas. In January 1943 he was drafted into the Army and sent to Fort Knox, Kentucky for basic training in infantry and armor. Following a 2 month hospitalization for a ruptured appendix, he was shipped overseas, sailing from Boston to Glasgow, Scotland. In the UK, he was stationed in Frome, England until being assigned to the armor replacement stream. Moreau sailed from England to Normandy, landing via a Landing Craft Infantry (LCI) on Omaha Beach on D-Day plus 4 or 5. Moreau joined the Recon Company of the 66th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Division. As a gunner in either an M-4 light tank or an armored car, he saw action at St. Lo, the Falaise Pocket, Tornai, Belgium, Maastrict, Holland, crossed the Ruhr into Germany, went back into Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge, and again into Germany, ultimately to Berlin. He was there during the Potsdam Conference, seeing Truman, Churchill, Stalin, and the generals in attendance. In October 1945 Moreau was sent back to the States and was discharged at Fort Bliss, Texas. He rejoined the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Berger. Berger joined the Army in July of 1942. He served with the Service Company of the 377th Infantry Regiment, 95th Infantry Division, completing administrative work and ensuring the regiment had adequate supplies. He then served as Warrant Officer Junior Grade, working with ammunitions supplies. Berger later joined the 543rd Field Artillery Battalion, and traveled to Hawaii, conducting routine training. He later traveled to Leyte aboard an LST, supplying ammunition and other supplies to troops, where he was located when the war ended. Berger then served with occupation forces in Sapporo, Japan, working in the Inspector General’s office. He returned to the US and received his discharge in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Berger. Berger joined the Army in July of 1942. He served with the Service Company of the 377th Infantry Regiment, 95th Infantry Division, completing administrative work and ensuring the regiment had adequate supplies. He then served as Warrant Officer Junior Grade, working with ammunitions supplies. Berger later joined the 543rd Field Artillery Battalion, and traveled to Hawaii, conducting routine training. He later traveled to Leyte aboard an LST, supplying ammunition and other supplies to troops, where he was located when the war ended. Berger then served with occupation forces in Sapporo, Japan, working in the Inspector General’s office. He returned to the US and received his discharge in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Lawrence Wile. Wile joined the Army in 1943. He completed Cook School, and worked as a cook at Fort Meade and Fort Eustis. In late 1944, he traveled to Cherbourg, France and Belgium, working with the 1591st Labor Supervision Company. He assisted with coordinating German companies in cleaning up after the war, rebuilding roads and picking up artillery shells. Wile continued in the Army after the war, completing 30 years of service in the military.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Lawrence Wile. Wile joined the Army in 1943. He completed Cook School, and worked as a cook at Fort Meade and Fort Eustis. In late 1944, he traveled to Cherbourg, France and Belgium, working with the 1591st Labor Supervision Company. He assisted with coordinating German companies in cleaning up after the war, rebuilding roads and picking up artillery shells. Wile continued in the Army after the war, completing 30 years of service in the military.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jim Bradford. Bradford was born in Marshall, Texas in 1920 and graduated from high school in 1937. Entering the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program he was sent to Tulare, California where he began flight training at the Rankin Aeronautical Academy. Upon graduation as a second lieutenant, he was assigned to Roswell, New Mexico as an instructor pilot at the Roswell Army Air Field. Following two years as an instructor Bradford was assigned to the 548th Night Fighter Squadron to begin training in the Northrop P-61 night fighter plane. Upon completion of training the unit was moved to Iwo Jima where they conducted night patrols. Bradford shot down a Japanese Betty bomber during one patrol. After Iwo Jima was secured, the unit moved to Okinawa and remained there until Japan surrendered. Bradford concludes the narration by telling of the various assignments he had prior to his retirement after thirty years of service.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jim Bradford. Bradford was born in Marshall, Texas in 1920 and graduated from high school in 1937. Entering the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program he was sent to Tulare, California where he began flight training at the Rankin Aeronautical Academy. Upon graduation as a second lieutenant, he was assigned to Roswell, New Mexico as an instructor pilot at the Roswell Army Air Field. Following two years as an instructor Bradford was assigned to the 548th Night Fighter Squadron to begin training in the Northrop P-61 night fighter plane. Upon completion of training the unit was moved to Iwo Jima where they conducted night patrols. Bradford shot down a Japanese Betty bomber during one patrol. After Iwo Jima was secured, the unit moved to Okinawa and remained there until Japan surrendered. Bradford concludes the narration by telling of the various assignments he had prior to his retirement after thirty years of service.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Burnett. Burnett joined the Army Air Corps in October, 1942 and learned to fly in Texas. He earned his wings and a commission in March, 1944 and was assigned to the 310th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group flying a P-47 once he got overseas to the Philippines. From there, Burnett flew combat missions against ground targets. He flew missions alongside the 201st Fighter Squadron out of Mexico. His unit moved to Okinawa just before the war ended. After a brief interlude in Japan, Burnett went back to the US and was discharged. He joined the FBI in 1947 after finishing college.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Burnett. Burnett joined the Army Air Corps in October, 1942 and learned to fly in Texas. He earned his wings and a commission in March, 1944 and was assigned to the 310th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group flying a P-47 once he got overseas to the Philippines. From there, Burnett flew combat missions against ground targets. He flew missions alongside the 201st Fighter Squadron out of Mexico. His unit moved to Okinawa just before the war ended. After a brief interlude in Japan, Burnett went back to the US and was discharged. He joined the FBI in 1947 after finishing college.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Fred Lee. Lee was born in Portland, Oregon in Chinatown in 1924. His mother and father moved from China to Oregon in 1918, when his father was hired to work on the railroad from Oregon to California. Lee shares his family history, his experiences growing up in segregated schools and his Japanese friends going to holding camps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. In March of 1943, Lee joined the Army Reserves. He completed training in Fort Knox, Kentucky. In 1944, Lee completed the Army Specialized Training Program in North Carolina. He later deployed to England to work as a topographer. In late 1944 through the spring of 1945, Lee created maps from aerial photographs for General Patton’s 3rd Army as they advanced through Belgium and Germany. After the war ended, Lee served in Frankfurt, Germany on a Bomb Disposal Squad, returning to the US in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Fred Lee. Lee was born in Portland, Oregon in Chinatown in 1924. His mother and father moved from China to Oregon in 1918, when his father was hired to work on the railroad from Oregon to California. Lee shares his family history, his experiences growing up in segregated schools and his Japanese friends going to holding camps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. In March of 1943, Lee joined the Army Reserves. He completed training in Fort Knox, Kentucky. In 1944, Lee completed the Army Specialized Training Program in North Carolina. He later deployed to England to work as a topographer. In late 1944 through the spring of 1945, Lee created maps from aerial photographs for General Patton’s 3rd Army as they advanced through Belgium and Germany. After the war ended, Lee served in Frankfurt, Germany on a Bomb Disposal Squad, returning to the US in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Carl Yerian. Yerian joined the Army Air Forces in August of 1942. He completed training as a pilot and received his wings in November of 1943. Yerian served as a B-24 pilot with the 376th Bombardment Group. He completed 51 combat missions over Italy, Austria, southern France and Germany. Yerian continued his service after the war ended, and participated in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He completed 32 years of service.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Carl Yerian. Yerian joined the Army Air Forces in August of 1942. He completed training as a pilot and received his wings in November of 1943. Yerian served as a B-24 pilot with the 376th Bombardment Group. He completed 51 combat missions over Italy, Austria, southern France and Germany. Yerian continued his service after the war ended, and participated in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He completed 32 years of service.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Vartanian. Vartanian was born 21 August 1924. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces in December 1942. He served as a B-24 bombardier/navigator, and shares details of his training. He traveled to Marseilles, France in early 1945. He speaks of witnessing animosity between American black troops and American white officers in Marseilles. He traveled to a replacement depot in Naples, Italy, then onto Bari. Vartanian flew all his missions over Austria with the 456th Bomb Group. He was then reassigned briefly to the 376th Bomb Group in Italy, supporting Allied troops in Northern Italy. He then was sent aboard USS West Point (AP-23) and returned to the US around April of 1945. Vartanian served an additional 20 years in the Air Force Reserves.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Vartanian. Vartanian was born 21 August 1924. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces in December 1942. He served as a B-24 bombardier/navigator, and shares details of his training. He traveled to Marseilles, France in early 1945. He speaks of witnessing animosity between American black troops and American white officers in Marseilles. He traveled to a replacement depot in Naples, Italy, then onto Bari. Vartanian flew all his missions over Austria with the 456th Bomb Group. He was then reassigned briefly to the 376th Bomb Group in Italy, supporting Allied troops in Northern Italy. He then was sent aboard USS West Point (AP-23) and returned to the US around April of 1945. Vartanian served an additional 20 years in the Air Force Reserves.