The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Jackson. Jackson joined the Navy in 1942. He served as Machinist’s Mate Second Class in the engine room aboard the USS Salt Lake City (CA-25). While aboard the ship, Jackson recalls bombarding and covering landings on 34 islands in the Pacific, including the Solomon Islands, the Philippines, Saipan, Australia, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He shares his experiences going through a typhoon. In March of 1943 they participated in the Battle of the Komandorski Islands. He was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Jackson. Jackson joined the Navy in 1942. He served as Machinist’s Mate Second Class in the engine room aboard the USS Salt Lake City (CA-25). While aboard the ship, Jackson recalls bombarding and covering landings on 34 islands in the Pacific, including the Solomon Islands, the Philippines, Saipan, Australia, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He shares his experiences going through a typhoon. In March of 1943 they participated in the Battle of the Komandorski Islands. He was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joe Jeanes. Jeanes joined the Navy in 1942 at 15 years old. He completed basic training at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas, and was assigned to a PBY Squadron. They patrolled the Gulf of Mexico. In 1944, Jeanes was shipped to New Guinea and Hollandia. He worked for a Seabee outfit for a short period of time. He served aboard USS Ward (DD-139) until it sank in October of 1944, and then transferred to Manila until the end of the war. Jeanes returned home and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joe Jeanes. Jeanes joined the Navy in 1942 at 15 years old. He completed basic training at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas, and was assigned to a PBY Squadron. They patrolled the Gulf of Mexico. In 1944, Jeanes was shipped to New Guinea and Hollandia. He worked for a Seabee outfit for a short period of time. He served aboard USS Ward (DD-139) until it sank in October of 1944, and then transferred to Manila until the end of the war. Jeanes returned home and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Daniel Jones. Jones was at Harvard and at the end of his sophomore year in 1940, he joined the Navy under the V-7 program. After a cruise on the old battleship USS Wyoming to Guantanamo, Cuba he enterd midshipman's school in New York City. At the end of three months, he was commissioned an ensign and sent to the USS Wichita (flagship of Commander Cruiser Division 7) in January 1941. He was a communications officer and on the Admiral's staff when the message that Pearl Harbor was attacked came into the ship. The ship was operating with the British Fleet in the Atlantic prior to that. During the invasion of North Africa, Admiral Giffen and his staff were on board the battleship USS Massachusetts when they engaged the French battleship Jean Bart in the harbor at Casablanca. After sailing back to the states, the flag was shifted back to the USS Wichita and they sailed for the South Pacific, to Efate in the New Hebrides. Wichita's first operation out of Efate was toward Guadalcanal with the cruiser USS Chicago, with Chicago behind. They were attacked by Japanese bombers …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Daniel Jones. Jones was at Harvard and at the end of his sophomore year in 1940, he joined the Navy under the V-7 program. After a cruise on the old battleship USS Wyoming to Guantanamo, Cuba he enterd midshipman's school in New York City. At the end of three months, he was commissioned an ensign and sent to the USS Wichita (flagship of Commander Cruiser Division 7) in January 1941. He was a communications officer and on the Admiral's staff when the message that Pearl Harbor was attacked came into the ship. The ship was operating with the British Fleet in the Atlantic prior to that. During the invasion of North Africa, Admiral Giffen and his staff were on board the battleship USS Massachusetts when they engaged the French battleship Jean Bart in the harbor at Casablanca. After sailing back to the states, the flag was shifted back to the USS Wichita and they sailed for the South Pacific, to Efate in the New Hebrides. Wichita's first operation out of Efate was toward Guadalcanal with the cruiser USS Chicago, with Chicago behind. They were attacked by Japanese bombers …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Henry Kolar. Kolar joined the Army in June of 1943. He served as a mechanic with the 997th Engineer Treadway Bridge Company. Beginning February of 1944, they deployed to England. They landed on Omaha Beach 2 weeks after the initial invasion. He was later transferred to the 95th Infantry Division, 379th Infantry Regiment. They traveled into France and, by November, captured the forts surrounding Metz and repulsed enemy attempts to cross the river. They traveled into Germany and participated in ongoing battles for several months, holding their position until the war ended. Kolar returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Henry Kolar. Kolar joined the Army in June of 1943. He served as a mechanic with the 997th Engineer Treadway Bridge Company. Beginning February of 1944, they deployed to England. They landed on Omaha Beach 2 weeks after the initial invasion. He was later transferred to the 95th Infantry Division, 379th Infantry Regiment. They traveled into France and, by November, captured the forts surrounding Metz and repulsed enemy attempts to cross the river. They traveled into Germany and participated in ongoing battles for several months, holding their position until the war ended. Kolar returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Kuehn. Kuehn joined the Army Air Forces in 1942 and joined the 376th Bomb Group (H), 515th Bomber Squadron, based in San Pancrazio, Italy. Although he was an aviation mechanic, on 24 February 1944 he flew a mission as a substitute flight engineer. He was shot down over Austria, bailed out, and landed atop a snowy mountain near the border of Yugoslavia. He was picked up by Tito’s Partisans and spent four months hiking to their headquarters. There Kuehn hitched a ride back to Italy on a Russian plane. He returned to the States and was discharged in 1945. Kuehn bought a home in Austria, halfway up a mountain, for vacationing during winter months.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Kuehn. Kuehn joined the Army Air Forces in 1942 and joined the 376th Bomb Group (H), 515th Bomber Squadron, based in San Pancrazio, Italy. Although he was an aviation mechanic, on 24 February 1944 he flew a mission as a substitute flight engineer. He was shot down over Austria, bailed out, and landed atop a snowy mountain near the border of Yugoslavia. He was picked up by Tito’s Partisans and spent four months hiking to their headquarters. There Kuehn hitched a ride back to Italy on a Russian plane. He returned to the States and was discharged in 1945. Kuehn bought a home in Austria, halfway up a mountain, for vacationing during winter months.

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 oral interview with Ernest Major. Major volunteered for the Navy just after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Upon completion of diesel school, he became a PT boat motor mechanic. After getting injured in a boating accident, he spent nine months recovering and was then assigned to PT-309 in Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 22. Following stops in North Africa and France in early 1943, he experienced a close encounter with Italian ships at Sardinia before arriving at his base on Corsica. Using radar, the PT boat conducted night patrols along the coast of Italy, torpedoing and sinking five supply barges. His unit captured an Italian MAS boat attempting to smuggle out German officers from Elba, and they also transported French commandos to Southern France. After being stationed in Golfe-Juan, Major returned to the States and was later sent to the Philippines. He finished the war at Okinawa, surviving a typhoon and heartily celebrating V-J Day. Major was discharged in December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ernest Major. Major volunteered for the Navy just after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Upon completion of diesel school, he became a PT boat motor mechanic. After getting injured in a boating accident, he spent nine months recovering and was then assigned to PT-309 in Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 22. Following stops in North Africa and France in early 1943, he experienced a close encounter with Italian ships at Sardinia before arriving at his base on Corsica. Using radar, the PT boat conducted night patrols along the coast of Italy, torpedoing and sinking five supply barges. His unit captured an Italian MAS boat attempting to smuggle out German officers from Elba, and they also transported French commandos to Southern France. After being stationed in Golfe-Juan, Major returned to the States and was later sent to the Philippines. He finished the war at Okinawa, surviving a typhoon and heartily celebrating V-J Day. Major was discharged in December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clarence W. Masching. Masching was inducted into the Army in August 1942. He was trained as a medic and served in the Aleutian Islands. Masching talks about living in the harsh environment. He also discusses certain types of casualties and illnesses. Masching was then transferred back to the States to work in a general hospital for the remainder of the war. He was discharged in November 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clarence W. Masching. Masching was inducted into the Army in August 1942. He was trained as a medic and served in the Aleutian Islands. Masching talks about living in the harsh environment. He also discusses certain types of casualties and illnesses. Masching was then transferred back to the States to work in a general hospital for the remainder of the war. He was discharged in November 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert McClean. McClean joined the Army Air Forces around 1941. He completed gunnery school and training in airplane mechanics. Beginning May of 1944, he served as a flight engineer with the 376th Bombardment Group. McClean completed 36 support and interdiction missions in Austria, Germany, Italy and Croatia.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert McClean. McClean joined the Army Air Forces around 1941. He completed gunnery school and training in airplane mechanics. Beginning May of 1944, he served as a flight engineer with the 376th Bombardment Group. McClean completed 36 support and interdiction missions in Austria, Germany, Italy and Croatia.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Martin Mehron. Mehron joined the Navy in February 1941 after spending a year working for Western Electric while attending night school at the Newark College of Engineering. Upon completion of boot camp at Newport, he attended radio school in Jacksonville, which ended with a secret two-week course in radar. After learning to operate radar in PBYs, he stayed on at Jacksonville as an instructor until being sent to a more rigorous radar school at Corpus Christi. From there, he was assigned to a PB4Y unit, VPB-117, flying 12-hour patrols in search of ships and ground targets. One night, after a patrol off of Leyte Gulf, his crew returned to a darkened base and was told to continue to reconnoiter until it was safe to return. After they were given the okay, they came in for the landing but ran out of fuel and crashed 10 seconds before hitting the strip. They hit the water, several of the crew sustaining serious injuries, some fatal. Mehron was rescued and treated for a head injury at a converted hospital. Upon his recovery, he returned to the States as a radar maintenance …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Martin Mehron. Mehron joined the Navy in February 1941 after spending a year working for Western Electric while attending night school at the Newark College of Engineering. Upon completion of boot camp at Newport, he attended radio school in Jacksonville, which ended with a secret two-week course in radar. After learning to operate radar in PBYs, he stayed on at Jacksonville as an instructor until being sent to a more rigorous radar school at Corpus Christi. From there, he was assigned to a PB4Y unit, VPB-117, flying 12-hour patrols in search of ships and ground targets. One night, after a patrol off of Leyte Gulf, his crew returned to a darkened base and was told to continue to reconnoiter until it was safe to return. After they were given the okay, they came in for the landing but ran out of fuel and crashed 10 seconds before hitting the strip. They hit the water, several of the crew sustaining serious injuries, some fatal. Mehron was rescued and treated for a head injury at a converted hospital. Upon his recovery, he returned to the States as a radar maintenance …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Mendez. Mendez joined the Army in 1940. He joined the First Cavalry Division at Fort Bliss, Texas. In the spring of 1943 Mendez traveled to Brisbane, Australia, clearing eucalyptus forest and setting up camp for the division, where he remained for six months. In October they went to New Guinea for a few months training in jungle warfare, then on to the Admiralty Islands through October of 1944. He provides details of his living and food accommodations on the islands, and occasional intermittent fighting with the Japanese. They then participated in the Philippines Campaign, capturing Tacloban and Samar. He also served in rescuing civilian prisoners in the Santo Tomas Internment Camp. Mendez served in the Philippines from October of 1944 through August of 1945, then returned to the US for discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Mendez. Mendez joined the Army in 1940. He joined the First Cavalry Division at Fort Bliss, Texas. In the spring of 1943 Mendez traveled to Brisbane, Australia, clearing eucalyptus forest and setting up camp for the division, where he remained for six months. In October they went to New Guinea for a few months training in jungle warfare, then on to the Admiralty Islands through October of 1944. He provides details of his living and food accommodations on the islands, and occasional intermittent fighting with the Japanese. They then participated in the Philippines Campaign, capturing Tacloban and Samar. He also served in rescuing civilian prisoners in the Santo Tomas Internment Camp. Mendez served in the Philippines from October of 1944 through August of 1945, then returned to the US for discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Holley Midgley. Midgley was born in June 1918. He was drafted into the US Army Air Corps in 1940, and completed the Aviation Cadet Program. Midgley served as a second lieutenant bombardier with the 376th Heavy Bombardment Group. His B-24 Liberator bomber was shot down over Bari, Italy on 16 July 1943. He was confined in a German prisoner-of-war camp in Chieti, Italy for twenty-two months, until liberated by General George Patton’s Third Army. Midgley returned to the US in June of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Holley Midgley. Midgley was born in June 1918. He was drafted into the US Army Air Corps in 1940, and completed the Aviation Cadet Program. Midgley served as a second lieutenant bombardier with the 376th Heavy Bombardment Group. His B-24 Liberator bomber was shot down over Bari, Italy on 16 July 1943. He was confined in a German prisoner-of-war camp in Chieti, Italy for twenty-two months, until liberated by General George Patton’s Third Army. Midgley returned to the US in June of 1945.