The National Museum of the Pacific War presents oral interviews with Tex Hill, Joe Robert and Dick Rossi. Hill and Burken go into great detail regarding an issue of LIFE Magazine with a picture of General Claire Lee Chennault on the cover and a drawing of a panda bear dressed like a cowboy, as Hill was a member of the Panda Bear squadron of the Flying Tigers. Burken then visits with Joe Robert about a print that Joe is looking to sell and a LIFE Magazine that Joe is featured in, sitting on the wing of the P-40. They also discuss some events with the Japanese and the Pappy Boyington book titled Tonya. Robert was in the same squadron as Boyington. They also visit some on the history of the Flying Tigers and the Burma campaign. Beginning on page 44 through the end of the interview Burken speaks with Dick Rossi. They visit about Flying Tiger pilot Robert T. Smith and a letter from filmmaker Ron Howard in regards to a movie about the Flying Tigers. They also discuss some events with Flying Tiger pilot Freeman Ricketts.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents oral interviews with Tex Hill, Joe Robert and Dick Rossi. Hill and Burken go into great detail regarding an issue of LIFE Magazine with a picture of General Claire Lee Chennault on the cover and a drawing of a panda bear dressed like a cowboy, as Hill was a member of the Panda Bear squadron of the Flying Tigers. Burken then visits with Joe Robert about a print that Joe is looking to sell and a LIFE Magazine that Joe is featured in, sitting on the wing of the P-40. They also discuss some events with the Japanese and the Pappy Boyington book titled Tonya. Robert was in the same squadron as Boyington. They also visit some on the history of the Flying Tigers and the Burma campaign. Beginning on page 44 through the end of the interview Burken speaks with Dick Rossi. They visit about Flying Tiger pilot Robert T. Smith and a letter from filmmaker Ron Howard in regards to a movie about the Flying Tigers. They also discuss some events with Flying Tiger pilot Freeman Ricketts.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lowell Foss. Foss was born in Reno County, Kansas in 1922 and was raised and worked on the family farm. Drafted into the United States Marine Corps in 1941, he trained at Paris Island, South Carolina and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Trained as a lineman he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 6th Marine Division. He tells of landing on Okinawa and of the high casualties taken during the battle for Sugar Loaf Hill. He relates the experience of an encounter with a Japanese soldier in which the gun of the Japanese soldier misfired allowing Foss to kill the enemy. Eventually, Foss was wounded and evacuated to a hospital on Guam. He was there when Japan surrendered. Foss recalls the horrendous condition of the former prisoners of the Japanese as they entered the hospital following the surrender of Japan.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lowell Foss. Foss was born in Reno County, Kansas in 1922 and was raised and worked on the family farm. Drafted into the United States Marine Corps in 1941, he trained at Paris Island, South Carolina and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Trained as a lineman he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 6th Marine Division. He tells of landing on Okinawa and of the high casualties taken during the battle for Sugar Loaf Hill. He relates the experience of an encounter with a Japanese soldier in which the gun of the Japanese soldier misfired allowing Foss to kill the enemy. Eventually, Foss was wounded and evacuated to a hospital on Guam. He was there when Japan surrendered. Foss recalls the horrendous condition of the former prisoners of the Japanese as they entered the hospital following the surrender of Japan.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Spangler. Spangler joined the Marine Corps in January 1942. He went through basic training at Paris Island and describes his experiences. Spangler was sent to radio school and joined an artillery unit. He deployed to Guadalcanal and operated a Pack 75mm howitzer. Spangler discusses receiving Thanksgiving during the battle for Bougainville. He also talks about his experiences during the invasion of Guam including an overview of the landing operation, the artillery firing star shells at night, and seeing war dogs. Spangler also describes seeing his first African-American Marine unit. He returned to the U.S. in November 1944 and joined a V-12 program. Spangler describes going to Times Square to celebrate VJ day. He was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Spangler. Spangler joined the Marine Corps in January 1942. He went through basic training at Paris Island and describes his experiences. Spangler was sent to radio school and joined an artillery unit. He deployed to Guadalcanal and operated a Pack 75mm howitzer. Spangler discusses receiving Thanksgiving during the battle for Bougainville. He also talks about his experiences during the invasion of Guam including an overview of the landing operation, the artillery firing star shells at night, and seeing war dogs. Spangler also describes seeing his first African-American Marine unit. He returned to the U.S. in November 1944 and joined a V-12 program. Spangler describes going to Times Square to celebrate VJ day. He was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Cyril Conn. Conn joined the Army Air Forces in May of 1942. He served as an aircraft mechanic with the 27th Air Depot Group. From May of 1943 through the fall of 1945, he was stationed in New Guinea. Conn was discharged in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Cyril Conn. Conn joined the Army Air Forces in May of 1942. He served as an aircraft mechanic with the 27th Air Depot Group. From May of 1943 through the fall of 1945, he was stationed in New Guinea. Conn was discharged in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents on oral interview with Billy Jackson. Jackson joined the Navy in August, 1944 and was assigned aboard USS Fergus (AP-82). Jackson recalls hauling troops to various destinations in the Pacific and returning to the US with a load of former prisoners of war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents on oral interview with Billy Jackson. Jackson joined the Navy in August, 1944 and was assigned aboard USS Fergus (AP-82). Jackson recalls hauling troops to various destinations in the Pacific and returning to the US with a load of former prisoners of war.

Transcript of a simultaneous oral interview with Clarence and Delia Wood. Delia reveals she worked for North American Aviation in Inglewood, Claifornia building P-51 fighter planes. She met Clarence Wood at a USO show. Mr. Wood served on a submarine chaser (SC-1012) and an APA during the war.

Transcript of a simultaneous oral interview with Clarence and Delia Wood. Delia reveals she worked for North American Aviation in Inglewood, Claifornia building P-51 fighter planes. She met Clarence Wood at a USO show. Mr. Wood served on a submarine chaser (SC-1012) and an APA during the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Herbert Merritt. When Merritt finished high school I n1941, he went to work for GM making marine engines for PT boats. He volunteered for service in the Army and was assigned to the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment. After going overseas and having more training, Merritt landed with his unit at Leyte, where he was wounded. While serving as a scout for his company, Merritt was wounded by a Japanese grenade. He was evacuated and sent aboard USS Mercy (AH-8). He recovered on Guadalcanal until being shipped back to his unit in time for the liberation of Manila. When the war ended, Merritt went to Japan and describes some of his experiences there during the occupation.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Herbert Merritt. When Merritt finished high school I n1941, he went to work for GM making marine engines for PT boats. He volunteered for service in the Army and was assigned to the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment. After going overseas and having more training, Merritt landed with his unit at Leyte, where he was wounded. While serving as a scout for his company, Merritt was wounded by a Japanese grenade. He was evacuated and sent aboard USS Mercy (AH-8). He recovered on Guadalcanal until being shipped back to his unit in time for the liberation of Manila. When the war ended, Merritt went to Japan and describes some of his experiences there during the occupation.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Redding. Redding was born in San Jose, California in 1927 and joined the Navy in 1944. Upon completion of boot camp at Farragut, Idaho, he went aboard the USS Fergus (APA-82). He tells of his first few days on the ship and his on-the-job training as a cook. Redding recalls during May 1945 the ship was bound for Okinawa with a contingent of marines. During a refueling procedure, extensive damage was done to the bow of the ship necessitating the troops be transferred to another ship. The Fergus then went to Guam for repairs. Once the ship was repaired, casualties from the battle of Okinawa were taken on board and the ship returned to the United States. Redding describes being aboard the ship as it rode out a typhoon while anchored at Okinawa.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Redding. Redding was born in San Jose, California in 1927 and joined the Navy in 1944. Upon completion of boot camp at Farragut, Idaho, he went aboard the USS Fergus (APA-82). He tells of his first few days on the ship and his on-the-job training as a cook. Redding recalls during May 1945 the ship was bound for Okinawa with a contingent of marines. During a refueling procedure, extensive damage was done to the bow of the ship necessitating the troops be transferred to another ship. The Fergus then went to Guam for repairs. Once the ship was repaired, casualties from the battle of Okinawa were taken on board and the ship returned to the United States. Redding describes being aboard the ship as it rode out a typhoon while anchored at Okinawa.

Transcript of an oral interview with Lewis A. Hoelscher. He went into the Army in December, 1942 before finishing high schooland started basic training at Fort Sam Houston. Before completing basic, he was shipped to Colorado to continue training. He was attached to Company B, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division. Then, Hoelscher went to San Diego for amphibious training before shipping to Kiska, Alaska. He relates experiences on Kiska before discussing more training and heading for Italy. Hoelscher then describes heavy fighting in the mountains in Italy. He earned a Silver Star in Itlay. His division was slated to participate in the invasion of Japan, but the war ended and Hoelscher was discharged in November, 1945.

Transcript of an oral interview with Lewis A. Hoelscher. He went into the Army in December, 1942 before finishing high schooland started basic training at Fort Sam Houston. Before completing basic, he was shipped to Colorado to continue training. He was attached to Company B, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division. Then, Hoelscher went to San Diego for amphibious training before shipping to Kiska, Alaska. He relates experiences on Kiska before discussing more training and heading for Italy. Hoelscher then describes heavy fighting in the mountains in Italy. He earned a Silver Star in Itlay. His division was slated to participate in the invasion of Japan, but the war ended and Hoelscher was discharged in November, 1945.

Transcript of an oral interview with Norman Dorsey and his wife. Mr. Dorsey mentions going to boot camp in California, briefly going to the Aleutian Islands after the Japanese pulled out in fall of 1943, then entering the 10th Mountain Division and deploying to Italy, where he served until the end of the war. The Dorseys also mention German POWs and ancedotes about showers getting interupted to let Margaret Bourke-White send a shell into enemy territory from the artillery batteries right next to the shower stalls.

Transcript of an oral interview with Norman Dorsey and his wife. Mr. Dorsey mentions going to boot camp in California, briefly going to the Aleutian Islands after the Japanese pulled out in fall of 1943, then entering the 10th Mountain Division and deploying to Italy, where he served until the end of the war. The Dorseys also mention German POWs and ancedotes about showers getting interupted to let Margaret Bourke-White send a shell into enemy territory from the artillery batteries right next to the shower stalls.

Transcript of an oral interview with William A. Herrington. In 1944, Herrington lied about his age and forged his mother's consenting signature to get into the Navy at age 16. He went to San Diego for boot training. Soon, he was training on Landing Craft, Vheicle / Personnel (LCVPs) at Coronado. His first assignment was aboard the USS Fergus (APA-82), which hauled troops to destinations throughout the Pacific. Herrington's job was to transport men and material from ship to shore in an LCVP. The Fergus made stops in the Marshall Islands, the Mariana Islands, the Philippines and Okinawa. Herrington describes loading the boats over the side of the transport and living conditions aboard the Fergus. He also relates several of his adventures while aboard and arriving in Japan after the end of the war to fetch some American POWs and bring them back to the US. After the war, Herrington participated in Operation Magic Carpet aboard the Fergus.

Transcript of an oral interview with William A. Herrington. In 1944, Herrington lied about his age and forged his mother's consenting signature to get into the Navy at age 16. He went to San Diego for boot training. Soon, he was training on Landing Craft, Vheicle / Personnel (LCVPs) at Coronado. His first assignment was aboard the USS Fergus (APA-82), which hauled troops to destinations throughout the Pacific. Herrington's job was to transport men and material from ship to shore in an LCVP. The Fergus made stops in the Marshall Islands, the Mariana Islands, the Philippines and Okinawa. Herrington describes loading the boats over the side of the transport and living conditions aboard the Fergus. He also relates several of his adventures while aboard and arriving in Japan after the end of the war to fetch some American POWs and bring them back to the US. After the war, Herrington participated in Operation Magic Carpet aboard the Fergus.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Sid Yawn. Born in 1924, Yawn graduated from high school in 1941 with the intention of playing professional baseball. He describes learning of the attack on Pearl Harbor and enlisting in the Navy in 1942 despite being underage. After attending Storekeeper?s School, he was assigned to CUB 9 which was tasked with setting up supply bases for Marines on Guadalcanal. He was a Storekeeper First Class. His unit was part of the first wave to land on the Treasury Islands as part of a diversionary force. He describes the landing, the operation of the supply base, and the living conditions. He was sent to Camp Peary, Virginia in 1944 where he played on the baseball team. He shares anecdotes about being issued Marine uniforms; soldiers building a still; his injuries from coral during a surprise air attack; operating a base movie theater; and contacting other soldiers after the war. At the end of the war, he signed a contract with the Yankees baseball team.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Sid Yawn. Born in 1924, Yawn graduated from high school in 1941 with the intention of playing professional baseball. He describes learning of the attack on Pearl Harbor and enlisting in the Navy in 1942 despite being underage. After attending Storekeeper?s School, he was assigned to CUB 9 which was tasked with setting up supply bases for Marines on Guadalcanal. He was a Storekeeper First Class. His unit was part of the first wave to land on the Treasury Islands as part of a diversionary force. He describes the landing, the operation of the supply base, and the living conditions. He was sent to Camp Peary, Virginia in 1944 where he played on the baseball team. He shares anecdotes about being issued Marine uniforms; soldiers building a still; his injuries from coral during a surprise air attack; operating a base movie theater; and contacting other soldiers after the war. At the end of the war, he signed a contract with the Yankees baseball team.