The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Erick Miller. Miller began learning to fly in 1939. He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1940, and was sent to Cranfield, England. He piloted the Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft, and shares his experiences through the Battle of Britain. In November of 1940 through early 1941 Miller was posted to a Canadian squadron of Beaufighter airplanes assigned to night fighting in Britain. Their duty was to ward off German bombers as they came over the North Sea. He recalls how thankful he was when the Americans joined in the war effort in Europe. Miller completed additional missions through Le Havre, France, Gibraltar and Africa. He was also assigned to military intelligence work. He remained a pilot through the end of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Erick Miller. Miller began learning to fly in 1939. He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1940, and was sent to Cranfield, England. He piloted the Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft, and shares his experiences through the Battle of Britain. In November of 1940 through early 1941 Miller was posted to a Canadian squadron of Beaufighter airplanes assigned to night fighting in Britain. Their duty was to ward off German bombers as they came over the North Sea. He recalls how thankful he was when the Americans joined in the war effort in Europe. Miller completed additional missions through Le Havre, France, Gibraltar and Africa. He was also assigned to military intelligence work. He remained a pilot through the end of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Miller. Miller joined the Army Air Forces in December of 1941, after the war began. He worked in airplane maintenance, and served in Trinidad from early 1942 through mid-1943. He served as a flight engineer on B-24s. In December of 1943, Miller deployed to Naples, Italy and was assigned to the 376th Bombardment Group. He completed support and interdiction missions in Austria, Germany, Italy and Croatia.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Miller. Miller joined the Army Air Forces in December of 1941, after the war began. He worked in airplane maintenance, and served in Trinidad from early 1942 through mid-1943. He served as a flight engineer on B-24s. In December of 1943, Miller deployed to Naples, Italy and was assigned to the 376th Bombardment Group. He completed support and interdiction missions in Austria, Germany, Italy and Croatia.

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 …

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz, writing from China, mentions being ashore in a camp in the Philippines for some target practice. He also mentions that he suspects his time on the USS Ohio (BB-12) is coming to a close because the Academy graduates are due to arrive aboard in early April. Nimitz expects to be sent to a smaller gunboat, but admits he would rather stay on the Ohio and be overlooked in all the shuffling.

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz discusses the results of his exams and indicates about 25 people failed. He also mentions one cadet was caught cheating and describes what happened to him. He comments on the weather and mentions that German naval cadets will visit in February. This letter is on US Naval Academy stationery.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz relates news from Fort Sam Houston about having passed his physical examination required for service in the military. He also contemplates entering Robert Werntz's Preparatory Academy in Annapolis prior to arriving at the Naval Academy. Also included is a copy of the examining Army physician's report.

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz provides his opinion on the Russian navy. He also mentions the prospect of going to China and being able to visit various cities there. He anticipates staying aboard the USS Ohio (BB-12) until the next summer when new passed midshipmen arrive to fill posts and he is moved to a smaller ship. Nimitz mentions fishing for sharks in Manila Bay and recalls all the various pets aboard the ship. Nimitz also mentions that the USS Brooklyn (CA-3) was bringing John Paul Jones back to the USA from France. This letter is on USS Ohio stationery.

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz indicates he has changed his leave plans again to include a visit to Washington DC and West Point. He summarizes the final few days aboard the Hartford and recalls his standing in his class after the cruise. This letter is on US Naval Academy stationery.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz, writing from China, mentions being ashore in a camp in the Philippines for some target practice. He also mentions that he suspects his time on the USS Ohio (BB-12) is coming to a close because the Academy graduates are due to arrive aboard in early April. Nimitz expects to be sent to a smaller gunboat, but admits he would rather stay on the Ohio and be overlooked in all the shuffling.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz discusses the results of his exams and indicates about 25 people failed. He also mentions one cadet was caught cheating and describes what happened to him. He comments on the weather and mentions that German naval cadets will visit in February.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz relates news from Fort Sam Houston about having passed his physical examination required for service in the military. He also contemplates entering Robert Werntz's Preparatory Academy in Annapolis prior to arriving at the Naval Academy. Also included is a copy of the examining Army physician's report.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz provides his opinion on the Russian navy. He also mentions the prospect of going to China and being able to visit various cities there. He anticipates staying aboard the USS Ohio (BB-12) until the next summer when new passed midshipmen arrive to fill posts and he is moved to a smaller ship. Nimitz mentions fishing for sharks in Manila Bay and recalls all the various pets aboard the ship. Nimitz also mentions that the USS Brooklyn (CA-3) was bringing John Paul Jones back to the USA from France.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz indicates he has changed his leave plans again to include a visit to Washington DC and West Point. He summarizes the final few days aboard the Hartford and recalls his standing in his class after the cruise.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard O'Shaughnessy. O'Shaughnessy joined the Navy in 1942 and received basic training at Great Lakes. Upon completion of aviation radio and gunnery school, he was assigned to VPB-117, alternating between the top turret and radio of a PBY4-1 Catalina. In early 1944, he deployed to the Pacific in a secret operation that was somehow known to Tokyo Rose, who nicknamed them the Blue Raiders. Being one of the first squadrons equipped with radar, they performed classified patrol missions and bombed opportunistically. On one mission, the crew became lost; running low on fuel, they unloaded their plane by throwing out oxygen system and guns. They landed at their base just as the engines cut out. O'Shaughnessy was administered Dramamine to help him through 24-hour-long missions out of Mindoro, tracking the Japanese fleet. Near the end of the war, his crew faced their first enemy fire and shot down six aircraft. O'Shaughnessy was transferred to Corpus Christi but found he could not advance due to nepotism. He was discharged into the Reserves and retired as a master chief.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard O'Shaughnessy. O'Shaughnessy joined the Navy in 1942 and received basic training at Great Lakes. Upon completion of aviation radio and gunnery school, he was assigned to VPB-117, alternating between the top turret and radio of a PBY4-1 Catalina. In early 1944, he deployed to the Pacific in a secret operation that was somehow known to Tokyo Rose, who nicknamed them the Blue Raiders. Being one of the first squadrons equipped with radar, they performed classified patrol missions and bombed opportunistically. On one mission, the crew became lost; running low on fuel, they unloaded their plane by throwing out oxygen system and guns. They landed at their base just as the engines cut out. O'Shaughnessy was administered Dramamine to help him through 24-hour-long missions out of Mindoro, tracking the Japanese fleet. Near the end of the war, his crew faced their first enemy fire and shot down six aircraft. O'Shaughnessy was transferred to Corpus Christi but found he could not advance due to nepotism. He was discharged into the Reserves and retired as a master chief.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Loyd Oakes. Oakes was born in Corpus Christi, Texas and enlisted in the Army Air Forces on 9 February 1943 and was sent to Kelly Field for training. He qualified as bombardier and went to Laredo, Texas for ten weeks of gunnery training followed by three weeks of bombardier training in Midland, Texas. He graduated as a second lieutenant on 4 December 1943. Following his B-24 training, he flew with his crew to Darwin, Australia. In Darwin he was assigned to the 528th Bomb Squadron of the 380th Bomb Group, operating as a unit of 5th Air Force and was flying under Australian control. He also trained of Royal Australian Air Force pilots in the B-24. He describes several missions bombing Japanese airfields in the East Indies and Philippines. He provides several anecdotes of his time in Australia, including the time that Tokyo Rose broadcast that the Japanese were sending planes to bomb Darwin, which did not occur. His group moved to Mindoro Island, Philippines in February 1945 from where he describes flying missions over China, New Guinea and the Philippines. He recalls embarking on a troopship in …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Loyd Oakes. Oakes was born in Corpus Christi, Texas and enlisted in the Army Air Forces on 9 February 1943 and was sent to Kelly Field for training. He qualified as bombardier and went to Laredo, Texas for ten weeks of gunnery training followed by three weeks of bombardier training in Midland, Texas. He graduated as a second lieutenant on 4 December 1943. Following his B-24 training, he flew with his crew to Darwin, Australia. In Darwin he was assigned to the 528th Bomb Squadron of the 380th Bomb Group, operating as a unit of 5th Air Force and was flying under Australian control. He also trained of Royal Australian Air Force pilots in the B-24. He describes several missions bombing Japanese airfields in the East Indies and Philippines. He provides several anecdotes of his time in Australia, including the time that Tokyo Rose broadcast that the Japanese were sending planes to bomb Darwin, which did not occur. His group moved to Mindoro Island, Philippines in February 1945 from where he describes flying missions over China, New Guinea and the Philippines. He recalls embarking on a troopship in …

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 oral interview with Robert Owens. Owens joined the Navy in 1943, aspiring to be a fighter pilot. He enrolled in the V-12 program but by 1944 there was declining interest in pilots with as little experience as he would have had, so he volunteered for gunnery school. He joined a PBY4-2 Privateer crew in Florida as a turret gunner and deployed to the Philippines. Flying over the South China Sea and along the coastline of Indochina, his crew was often accompanied in the air by nonconfrontational Japanese fighters. On one mission over a targeted ship, however, Owens's crew flew too closely to the lead plane and struck a column of water splashing up from their bomb. This caused engine trouble and made them an easy target for nine aggressive enemy fighters. The crew escaped after shooting down three Oscars and diverted to Palawan for an emergency landing. In their haste to lighten the load on the damaged plane, they tossed out their life rafts before crossing the sea. Fortunately, they arrived without incident. After 23 combat missions in both the PBY4-1 and 4-2, Owens returned home and became an engineer for …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Owens. Owens joined the Navy in 1943, aspiring to be a fighter pilot. He enrolled in the V-12 program but by 1944 there was declining interest in pilots with as little experience as he would have had, so he volunteered for gunnery school. He joined a PBY4-2 Privateer crew in Florida as a turret gunner and deployed to the Philippines. Flying over the South China Sea and along the coastline of Indochina, his crew was often accompanied in the air by nonconfrontational Japanese fighters. On one mission over a targeted ship, however, Owens's crew flew too closely to the lead plane and struck a column of water splashing up from their bomb. This caused engine trouble and made them an easy target for nine aggressive enemy fighters. The crew escaped after shooting down three Oscars and diverted to Palawan for an emergency landing. In their haste to lighten the load on the damaged plane, they tossed out their life rafts before crossing the sea. Fortunately, they arrived without incident. After 23 combat missions in both the PBY4-1 and 4-2, Owens returned home and became an engineer for …