The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harry Maclin. Maclin was a pre-med student when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Two of his childhood friends perished aboard USS Arizona (BB-39). Maclin was moved to sign up for the Navy, and joined the V-12 program. In June 1944, he contracted the mumps and was quarantined at Balboa Naval Hospital. Upon recovery, he was assigned to USS Coral Sea (CVE-57), later renamed the Anzio, as a hospital corpsman, assisting in surgeries such as appendectomies. While sailing through Typhoon Cobra, Maclin was impressed by a religious shipmate's ability to remain calm. He later joined the man's Bible group, which met in a storeroom aboard ship. Maclin would later become a missionary, spending 20 years in Africa after surviving kamikazes at Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gerard Noteboom. Noteboom was a child living near The Hague when his father was taken away by the Gestapo and sent to Buchenwald. From December 1940 to September 1944, his father remained active in resistance groups while interned. Meanwhile, the Dutch underground provided financial assistance to Noteboom's family. Noteboom prudently invested in salt, a valuable commodity that could be easily traded for food. He also actively resisted the occupation, stealing arms and ammunition. As the Allies drew near, his family sought refuge from crossfire in a reinforced cellar. After the liberation, Noteboom worked as an English translator in exchange for bread. His father soon returned home. Noteboom went on to attend medical school, graduating in 1954 and immigrating to the United States. There he joined the Army as a pathologist at Fort Meade.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Johnsmiller. Johnsmiller joined the Marine Corps in April 1942. He was sent to the Solomon Islands and took part in the landing at Tanambogo as a member of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines. Johnsmiller describes aiding a wounded corpsman and providing cover for a demolition man. He also discusses Japanese destroyers using search lights to seek out Marines at night, and an incident where he helped bury a large amount of crewmen from a badly damaged US cruiser. Johnsmiller also landed on Savo Island and then Guadalcanal where he describes losing a friend to enemy machine gun fire. He almost drowned in a training accident and was saved by another marine. Johnsmiller landed on Tarawa as an assistant squad leader and was wounded in the eye. He goes on to discuss attacking a key bunker in the Japanese defenses and losing many members of his squad. Johnsmiller describes being evacuated and the care that he received on a troop ship and then a hospital ship. His damaged eye was removed and he was assigned to help another marine who was completely blind. Johnsmiller discusses the personal impact …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Hilburn. Hilburn joined the Marine Corps after he graduated from journalism school. He describes his time in boot camp at Paris Island. Hilburn received some assistance from a congressman who recommended he be placed in a correspondent role. He was sent to headquarters in Washington D.C. where he began writing stories about marines who had been awarded medals for home town newspapers. Hilburn was then sent to the 2nd Marine Division to become a Combat Correspondent. He describes some of his fellow correspondents and the equipment that they used. Hilburn landed on Okinawa towards the end of the battle and describes being with General Buckner when he was killed. He also traveled to Nagasaki after the surrender. Hilburn left the service after the war, but continued his career as a journalist. He was in a press vehicle that was part of the motorcade when John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Hilburn describes the events and aftermath.

Transcript of an oral interview with Raymond A. Dembinski. Dembinski begins by recalling some experiences from his childhood growing up during the Great Depression. He joined the Naval Reserve in 1935 and went on active duty in September, 1941 when he was assigned to the USS Sacramento (PG-19). He describes his role in the attack on Pearl Harbor, then mentions how he was transferred to the USS Bogue (CVE-9) and spent two years on convoy escort duty in the North Atlantic. In 1944, Dembinski was transferred to the USS Bataan (CVL-29) and was involved in the Marianas Turkey Shoot. Toward the end of the war, Dembinski was transferred to the USS Robert K. Huntington (DD-781), the ship he cruised home aboard after the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gilberto Hernandez. Hernandez was born in Corpus Christi, Texas 13 September 1925. He worked on farms at a very young age with his formal schooling ending after the third grade. After his induction into the US Army in 1943 he was sent to Camp Wolters, Texas for basic training. He was temporarily assigned to the 42nd Infantry Division and then shipped to Camp Brackenridge, Kentucky where he joined the 75th Infantry Division. After receiving advanced training the division boarded a ship for Liverpool, England. The unit was then stationed in La Havre, France until called upon to participate in the Battle of the Bulge. On 17 January 1945, Hernandez was severely wounded. Hernandez was taken to a field hospital and then to a general hospital in Paris. There his leg was partially amputated. He was then sent to Bushnell General Military Hospital in Brigham City, Utah. He comments on the crude construction of the prosthesis of which he was originally fitted. He was discharged July 1945.

Transcript of an oral interview with Jill Pitts Knappenberger. She discusses growing up during the Depression, going to college before the war, then volunteering for the Red Cross in 1942, but delaying to stay home with her terminally ill sister before joining in 1943. She first worked in England before going to France. She was able to meet her twin brother, who was also in France just before he died in the Battle of the Bulge. She describes what it was like in the camps at the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge and driving the Red Cross Clubmobile away from the front lines, seeing the Ordruff [Ohrdruf] and the Buchenwald concentration camps and the salt mines at Merkers where the Germans stored a lot of looted money and artwork. She ancedotes about flying in B-17s, getting to drive a Sherman tank and how she felt during her first air raid in London and being in the Battle of the Bulge.

Transcript of an oral interview with Bernard J. Scher. Scher joined the Army in early 1943 and trained as a combat engineer in the Army Corps of Engineers. After training, Scher's unit was sent to Iceland in August, 1943. From there, his unit went to St. Lo, France after D-Day and cleared away land mines and destrroyed German defensive pill boxes. Scher describes building bridges over the Ruhr River and reaching the Elbe River. Scher took R&R in Paris, where he was when Germany surrendered. He describes some of his activities after the surrender and before he shipped home in December, 1945. His unit was stationed in France, but he managed to travel to Duxford, England to visit his brother there. When Scher returned home, he opted to stay in the Reserves and was called up for the war in Korea. In 1950, he was recalled and trained in the Counter Intelligence Corps. When he went to Korea, he was attached to the 45th Infantry Division. The interview continues on 10 January, 2011. Scher describes trained and sent to Korea. While in Korea, Scher's job was to interrogate civilians at an internee camp. Most of his inmates were North Koreans.

Transcript of an oral interview with Norman E. Carroll. When Carroll reached 18, he joined the Navy in December, 1942. After basic training at Great Lakes, Illinois, Carroll volunteered for submarines and went to submarine school in New London, Connecticut in June, 1943. When he finished submarine school, Carroll was assigned to the USS Guitarro (SS-363). Carroll was aboard the Guitarro for five war patrols in enemy waters. Carroll describes being attacked with depth charges, making repairs, a burial at sea of shipmate and being attacked by aircraft.

Transcript of an oral interview with James "Jim" Joyce. When Joyce finished high school, he joined the Navy in January, 1943. Soon, he was training with a naval construction battalion (Seabees), and was assigned to Banika Island in the Russell Islands in the Solomons where he served in a bakery and as a stevedore. He was attached to the 11th Construction Battalion. Eventually, Joyce headed for Okinawa and was there on D-day (1 April 1945). He escorted Japanese prisoners of war to Saipan and headed back to Okinawa where he continued performing his bakery and stevedore duties. He stayed on Okinawa until November before returning home to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dorwin F. Lamkin. Lamkin was born in Hudson, Wisconsin on 30 October 1922. He enlisted in the Navy on 30 October 1940, and attended boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois. He spent sixteen weeks at Great Lakes. His first assignment was as a Fire Controlman on the USS Nevada (BB-36). He joined the ship at Bremerton Naval Shipyard. He was transferred to the hospital division and was aboard when the Japanese attacked. Lamkin recalls the ship ran aground adjacent to a sugar cane field across from Hospital Point. After the ship was refloated, he was transferred to Hospital Corpsman School in San Diego, followed by Laboratory Technician School in Bremerton. After completing the training he was transferred to the USS San Francisco (CA-38), which was being repaired at Mare Island. Following the repairs the San Francisco headed north and operated in the Aleutian Islands over the next several months, including supporting the Allied landings at Attu and Kiska Islands. Lamkin spent two years on the San Francisco, was accepted into the Navy’s V-12 Program and attended the University of Kansas. When the war ended he was assigned as …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Greg Layman. Layman worked in a shipyard in Vancouver, Washington on escort carriers until he turned 18. After his birthday he joined the Navy and served in the Seabees with CBMU 521 spending 20 months on Tulagi improving infrastructure. Three weeks after the Japanese surrender, his unit was sent to Okinawa to build a permanent naval base. Three months later he was sent to the United States and discharged on 24 December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Everett Fulton. Fulton joined the Navy in 1936 serving as a machinist mate. He details the work and equipment used in the metal shop. Fulton was discharged in 1940 only to rejoin the Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He describes training as a dive-bomber pilot and what it was like to fly a SB-2C Helldiver. Fulton joined VB-14 on the USS Wasp (CV-18) and flew missions over the Philippine Islands. Formosa, and Iwo Jima. He goes into detail describing his mission during the Marianas Turkey Shoot and expresses his frustration with the decisions that led to so many planes having to ditch afterwards. Fulton spent the end of the war as an instructor in Florida. He remained in the reserves and was called back for Korea where he also served as an instructor.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bob Sweatt. Sweatt was inducted to the Army Air Forces in September 1942. He describes his training as a gunner. Sweatt joined the 389th Bomb Group as a waist gunner in a B-24. He describes his experiences on several missions. Sweatt was the only surviving crewmember when his plane was shot down. He describes getting wounded, escaping the plane, and parachuting to the ground. Sweatt details the three months that he was hidden by the French and Dutch Underground. He eventually escaped to England and then returned to the United States. Sweatt served as a gunnery instructor for the remainder of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clemens Kathman. Kathman was drafted into the Army in March 1941. He joined the 200th Coast Artillery and traveled to the Philippine Islands. He describes the Japanese bombing Clark Field and then being sent to Bataan. Kathman was captured and became a POW. He details the march to camp that followed and the difficulties that he endured. Kathman was assigned to the burial detail at Camp O’Donnell and describes the duties he performed. He was then sent to Cabanatuan and goes into detail on the diet of the prisoners. Kathman then traveled to Japan in the hold of a freighter. In Japan he suffered a ruptured appendix and was given an improvised treatment by American medics. He ended up in Nagoya and describes his liberation and treatment through his return to the United States.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Anthony F. Cooper. In January, 1941, Cooper was drafted into the Army. Cooper trained as an ammunition specialist. As such, he was trained to set up ammunition supply points in combat zones. After training, Cooper was assigned to the 54th Ordnance Ammunition Company. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Cooper was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. From there, Cooper's unit went overseas t oEngland to prepare for the invasion of North Africa. Cooper describes being involved in the Battle of Kasserine Pass in Tunisia and having to retreat. At one point while Cooper was in Italy, he was captured by the Germans. He was liberated a few days later. Cooper also speaks about destroying ammunition after the war. After the war in Europe ended, Cooper returned to the US and was discharged. He re-enlisted in 1948 and saw service in the war in Korea. He also tested parachutes at Fort Bragg, Norh Carolina with the 101st Airborne Division. Also, Cooper met Elvis Presley while the Third Armored Division was stationed in Germany. While testing parachutes, Cooper also met General William Westmoreland.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Conrad Miessler. Miessler joined the Army Air Force in February, 1943 and discusses his pilot training in the T-6 Texan. He eventually graduated up to the P-38. Once Miessler was deployed to the Pacific, he flew missions from the Philippines to targets on Formosa (Taiwan). He was attached to the 433rd Fighter Squadron, 435th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force. When the war ended, he was shipped to Korea and flew a few months before going home and enrolling in Purdue University, where he used the G.I. Bill to earn an engineering degree in 1950.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arthur R. Weller. Weller begins with a brief biography and then an account of his father's actions as Commanding Officer aboard the USS Wasp (CV-18) that resulted in the award of the Navy Cross. Weller attended the University of California, Berkeley, and enrolled inthe Navy's V-12 program. His first assignment upon commissioning was at Fort Pierce, Florida teaching sailors to operate landing craft. At Fort Pierce, Weller volunteered for Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) training. In late 1944, Weller shipped out to Hawaii for more training and then boarded the USS Bates (APD-47) for a ride to Iwo Jima. He was assigned to UDT-12. Weller describes his duties and experiences at Iwo Jima. After the battle, Weller was transferred to the USS Iowa (BB-61). Aboard the Iowa, Weller served as a gunnery officer. He was aboard the Iowa in Tokyo Bay during the surrender ceremony and observed it through his gunsights. Weller also describes going ashore in Tokyo as a shore patrolman and as a tourist on liberty.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joan F. Weller. Weller begins with an account of her father's career in the Navy and her experiences growing up and moving from station to station all over the US. During her high school years , she spent time in San Diego and Honolulu. She was present on Oahu when Pearl Harbor was attacked. She proceeds to read a speech she delivered to high school mates of hers in San Diego shortly after she was evacuated back to the US mainland. In the speech she describes her impressions of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Weller then describes her activities as a college student during the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Schroeder. Schroeder joined the Army Air Forces and completed gunnery school and airplane mechanics school. Around 1943, Schroeder served with the 2nd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron as a detached service with the 13th and 7th Air Forces. They traveled over Johnston Island, Eniwetok, the Philippines and Truk Lagoon.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Elton Porter. Porter joined the Navy in late 1943. He completed Sonar School and Gunnery School, and volunteered for submarine service. Porter served as a Messman and Gunner’s Mate aboard USS Haddo (SS-255) around late 1944. He participated in their eighth and ninth war patrols, traveling through Pearl Harbor, the East China and Yellow seas. Porter received his discharge in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James C. ""Bill"" Trowell. Trowell begins by telling about his father-in-law, Claude W. Lester. Lester was a torpedo man in the Navy during World War I and was recalled to active duty during World War II. He reads from Lester's diary about destroyer picket duty off Okinawa. Trowell then begins with his own experiences of growing up during the Great Depression on a farm in New Mexico. Trowell finished high school at 16 in 1942 and go a deferment due to his work in agriculture. In April, 1944, he joined the Marine Corps. He speaks a bit about training in San Diego. After training, Trowell qualified for Marine Aviation school and trained as a ground crew member examinig fuselages, wings, elevators, rudders and ailerons for damage, etc. The war ended before Trowell got overseas. When he did go overseas, he went to China for occupation duty with the First Marine Air Wing. He describes some trouble the Marines had with the Chinese communists. Trowell feels certain he would have gone to Iwo Jima had he not been able to get into a Marine aviation unit.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Lowry. Lowry was drafted into the Coast Guard in August of 1942. He served in the flag semaphore telegraphy system. Additionally, he guarded merchantmen at night. He was transferred to the Baltimore Harbor Coast Guard Office and worked in the Identification Office and as a teletype operator. He also participated in the Navy V-12 program. He completed Midshipman school and served aboard the USS PC-819. Their job was to sweep Dutch Harbor, Alaska for submarines using sonar. He provides detail of the PC-819, and life aboard the ship. His job aboard was Communications Officer, Engineering Officer and later, Executive Officer.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joe Elkington. Elkington joined the Navy in April of 1942. He trained in fire control and radar in San Diego. He was assigned to the USS Chicago (CA-29). His job aboard was fire control. Their ship was in the Pacific, at New Caledonia and Guadalcanal. The Chicago sank in 1943 and Elkington gives detail of this event. He also served aboard the USS Helena (CL-50) and traveled to the Solomon Islands. His job aboard was lookout and operating a searchlight. He describes his experiences aboard this ship, and the events of its sinking. Three of the five battles he was in include the Battle of Kula Gulf, the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the Battle of Surigao Strait. He was discharged in December of 1945.