The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jack Hensel. Hensel was drafted into the Navy in June 1943. He trained as an aerial gunner and was eventually assigned to a crew aboard an Avenger. In early 1945, he went aboard USS Franklin (CV-13). In March, when the Franklin was attacked, Hensel was blown overboard and eventually made it onto a raft before being rescued by USS Hickox (DD-673). He went to a hospital at Ulithi to recover from burns before heading back to the US. He was undergoing more training when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George S Nelson. Nelson joined the Navy in December of 1942. He served as a machinist mate aboard a merchant ship. They traveled to New Caledonia and boarded the USS President Adams (APA-19), then headed to Guadalcanal. There they helped the Army and Marines unload food supplies. Then they headed to Tulagi, where Nelson took over as port director. He describes his job responsibilities as director. He participated in the Battle of Okinawa. He then served as Motor Machinist Mate aboard the USS YMS-429, sweeping mines off the coast of Kyushu. Nelson provides details of that experience. He was discharged in July of 1946. He rejoined the Navy in October of 1946 and retired as Chief Permanent Engineman 1970.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George S Nelson. Nelson joined the Navy in December of 1942. He served as a machinist mate aboard a merchant ship. They traveled to New Caledonia and boarded the USS President Adams (APA-19), then headed to Guadalcanal. There they helped the Army and Marines unload food supplies. Then they headed to Tulagi, where Nelson took over as port director. He describes his job responsibilities as director. He participated in the Battle of Okinawa. He then served as Motor Machinist Mate aboard the USS YMS-429, sweeping mines off the coast of Kyushu. Nelson provides details of that experience. He was discharged in July of 1946. He rejoined the Navy in October of 1946 and retired as Chief Permanent Engineman 1970.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Sarah Kay Dukote. Dukote decided to become a neruse after having her appendix removed when she was a teenager. She finished high school in 1938 and went to nursing school in Kentucky, completing the course in September 1941. She joined the Army the day after he attack on Pearl Harbor. Her first assignment was at Fort Knox in the tuberculosis ward and the venereal disease ward. In late 1942, Dukote was transferred to a hospital in Hawaii at Schofield Barracks. She stayed there a few years and returned to the US just before the war ended. SHe opted for discharge when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Sarah Kay Dukote. Dukote decided to become a neruse after having her appendix removed when she was a teenager. She finished high school in 1938 and went to nursing school in Kentucky, completing the course in September 1941. She joined the Army the day after he attack on Pearl Harbor. Her first assignment was at Fort Knox in the tuberculosis ward and the venereal disease ward. In late 1942, Dukote was transferred to a hospital in Hawaii at Schofield Barracks. She stayed there a few years and returned to the US just before the war ended. SHe opted for discharge when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ken Barhite. Barhite was born in Alden, Iowa on 9 January 1921. Graduating from junior college, he was drafted into the Army and sent to Fort Wolters, Texas for thirteen weeks of basic training. He was then sent to Chenango, Pennsylvania for four weeks of advanced training prior to being sent to San Francisco where he boarded a liberty ship for a twenty-two day voyage to a replacement center in New Caledonia. After four weeks he was sent to Fiji where he joined the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal) in July 1943. The unit was sent to Bougainville where they performed patrols and were involved in some combat. He witnessed friends killed and wounded during these actions. While there, he was selected to attend 18 weeks of Officer’s Candidate School (OCS) in Australia. Upon his graduation in June 1945 he received his commission as a second lieutenant. He reported to the 158th Regimental Combat Team in Manila to prepare for the invasion of Japan. After the war, the unit boarded a ship for Japan as part of the occupation forces. Barhite returned to the United States in November 1945 …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ken Barhite. Barhite was born in Alden, Iowa on 9 January 1921. Graduating from junior college, he was drafted into the Army and sent to Fort Wolters, Texas for thirteen weeks of basic training. He was then sent to Chenango, Pennsylvania for four weeks of advanced training prior to being sent to San Francisco where he boarded a liberty ship for a twenty-two day voyage to a replacement center in New Caledonia. After four weeks he was sent to Fiji where he joined the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal) in July 1943. The unit was sent to Bougainville where they performed patrols and were involved in some combat. He witnessed friends killed and wounded during these actions. While there, he was selected to attend 18 weeks of Officer’s Candidate School (OCS) in Australia. Upon his graduation in June 1945 he received his commission as a second lieutenant. He reported to the 158th Regimental Combat Team in Manila to prepare for the invasion of Japan. After the war, the unit boarded a ship for Japan as part of the occupation forces. Barhite returned to the United States in November 1945 …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kenneth Spray. Spray joined the Navy in 1943 and received basic training at Great Lakes. During sonar training, he developed a system to cheat the tests; however, on patrol in Florida he was the first to detect an enemy submarine. In 1944, he deployed to the Pacific aboard the USS Sierra (AD-18) and completed his shellback initiation just before a torpedo attack. In Manus, Spray worked around the clock repairing radar, sonar, and depth-finding equipment on numerous ships. He survived relentless kamikaze attacks while working on the USS Howard (DD-179) at Lingayen Gulf. In 1945, he received orders to Pearl Harbor for radar school. Experiencing engine trouble 400 miles out, the crew threw their personal belongings overboard to lighten the load. When the war ended, Spray was stationed on Guam for three months before being discharged. He earned a master's degree in material science and metallurgic engineering and enjoyed a lengthy career with the Clark Equipment Company.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kenneth Spray. Spray joined the Navy in 1943 and received basic training at Great Lakes. During sonar training, he developed a system to cheat the tests; however, on patrol in Florida he was the first to detect an enemy submarine. In 1944, he deployed to the Pacific aboard the USS Sierra (AD-18) and completed his shellback initiation just before a torpedo attack. In Manus, Spray worked around the clock repairing radar, sonar, and depth-finding equipment on numerous ships. He survived relentless kamikaze attacks while working on the USS Howard (DD-179) at Lingayen Gulf. In 1945, he received orders to Pearl Harbor for radar school. Experiencing engine trouble 400 miles out, the crew threw their personal belongings overboard to lighten the load. When the war ended, Spray was stationed on Guam for three months before being discharged. He earned a master's degree in material science and metallurgic engineering and enjoyed a lengthy career with the Clark Equipment Company.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Blair. Blair joined the Merchant Marine in 1943. After training, he was assigned to the MV Pigeon Point, a sea going tug stationed on the West Coast. Blair worked in the engine room and made a few trips across the Pacific while aboard: one to Hawaii and another to New Guinea. After returning, he switched ships to the MV Saint Simon and made it to the Philippines during the invasion in 1944-45. Blair shares several anecdotes about being aboard ship and going ashore. He returned to the US in spring, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Blair. Blair joined the Merchant Marine in 1943. After training, he was assigned to the MV Pigeon Point, a sea going tug stationed on the West Coast. Blair worked in the engine room and made a few trips across the Pacific while aboard: one to Hawaii and another to New Guinea. After returning, he switched ships to the MV Saint Simon and made it to the Philippines during the invasion in 1944-45. Blair shares several anecdotes about being aboard ship and going ashore. He returned to the US in spring, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ludwig Matzat. Matzat joined the Army in 1944. In January of 1945 he joined the 128th Regiment, Company B, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Division, at New Guinea as a replacement. Matzat served as a rifleman. His outfit also participated in the Battle of Luzon, moving the Japanese back into the Caraballo Mountains. He shares details of his combat experiences, being the sole survivor on one mission, and receiving a shell fragment wound to his back. Matzat was discharged in April of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ludwig Matzat. Matzat joined the Army in 1944. In January of 1945 he joined the 128th Regiment, Company B, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Division, at New Guinea as a replacement. Matzat served as a rifleman. His outfit also participated in the Battle of Luzon, moving the Japanese back into the Caraballo Mountains. He shares details of his combat experiences, being the sole survivor on one mission, and receiving a shell fragment wound to his back. Matzat was discharged in April of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Mabel Miller. Miller was born 5 October 1925 near Floresville, Texas. She shares her recollections of her childhood, life during the war, and how she met her husband, who served in World War II. Miller provides details of her husband’s service in the war, and their life and family together.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Mabel Miller. Miller was born 5 October 1925 near Floresville, Texas. She shares her recollections of her childhood, life during the war, and how she met her husband, who served in World War II. Miller provides details of her husband’s service in the war, and their life and family together.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gilbert Martin and Paul McKay. McKay joined the Navy in February of 1940. Martin joined the Navy in May of 1940. They both completed boot camp in Norfolk Naval Air Station in Virginia and served aboard the USS Hornet (CV-8). Both men served with Air Group 8, McKay assigned to the scouting squadron and Martin assigned to the torpedo squadron. They recall hearing about the attack on Pearl Harbor while at the Naval Air Station. They describe the various planes on the carrier, including the Douglas SBD Dauntless and TBD Devastator. In April of 1942 they traveled with the USS Enterprise (CV-6), and participated in the Doolittle Raid. Through October they participated in the Battle of Midway, the Solomon Islands campaign and the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, where the Hornet sank. Both men share their experiences aboard the Hornet and through these fateful battles.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gilbert Martin and Paul McKay. McKay joined the Navy in February of 1940. Martin joined the Navy in May of 1940. They both completed boot camp in Norfolk Naval Air Station in Virginia and served aboard the USS Hornet (CV-8). Both men served with Air Group 8, McKay assigned to the scouting squadron and Martin assigned to the torpedo squadron. They recall hearing about the attack on Pearl Harbor while at the Naval Air Station. They describe the various planes on the carrier, including the Douglas SBD Dauntless and TBD Devastator. In April of 1942 they traveled with the USS Enterprise (CV-6), and participated in the Doolittle Raid. Through October they participated in the Battle of Midway, the Solomon Islands campaign and the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, where the Hornet sank. Both men share their experiences aboard the Hornet and through these fateful battles.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral history with Ralph Styles. After two years of college, Styles entered the Naval Academy in 1930. When he graduated in 1933, he was sent aboard the USS Lexington (CV-2) for two years. After that, he was attached to the staff of the Commander, Aircraft Battle force in San Diego as a communications officer in 1935. In 1937, Styles entered submarine school. Upon completion, he boarded the USS Narwhal (SS-167) stationed at Hawaii. He served aboard the Narwhal from 1938 to 1942. He had just returned to Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. After the Battle of Midway, Styles was placed in command of the USS S-20, another submarine. He did much training aboard the vessel before becoming the commanding officer of the USS Sea Devil (SS-400) in January 1944. On their first war patrol, they sank a Japanese submarine. Their second war patrol took them into the Yellow Sea. They torpedoed the Japanese aircraft carrier Junyo in December, 1944. On the third war patrol, Styles sank several merchant vessels, picked up a few prisoners out of the water and rescued some Marine aviators from the USS Essex (CV-9). He received …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral monologue with Preston Holcomb. Holcomb joined the Navy in Houston, Texas in 1938 when he was 17 years old. He volunteered for service in China and was assigned to the USS Tulsa (PG-22) when he arrived in Hong Kong in November 1939. Holcomb recalls fighting fires at the fuel docks at Cavite shortly after the Japanese attacked the Philippines. He describes some of his adventures eluding the Japanese Fleet as the Tulsa made her way to Australia. Late in 1943, Holcomb was detached from the Tulsa and ordered aboard the USS Tinsman (DE-589). He returned to the Philippines on the Tinsman in time for the liberation.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral monologue with Preston Holcomb. Holcomb joined the Navy in Houston, Texas in 1938 when he was 17 years old. He volunteered for service in China and was assigned to the USS Tulsa (PG-22) when he arrived in Hong Kong in November 1939. Holcomb recalls fighting fires at the fuel docks at Cavite shortly after the Japanese attacked the Philippines. He describes some of his adventures eluding the Japanese Fleet as the Tulsa made her way to Australia. Late in 1943, Holcomb was detached from the Tulsa and ordered aboard the USS Tinsman (DE-589). He returned to the Philippines on the Tinsman in time for the liberation.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lyndon Baines Johnson. Johns tells an anecdote of waking up sick in the hospital on Fiji and being transported to Hawaii where Admiral Nimitz invited him to return to the US with him in his plane. Johnson declined as he was not feeling well enough to travel. He then mentions that Nimitz'z plane crashed upon landing in the San Francisco Bay.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lyndon Baines Johnson. Johns tells an anecdote of waking up sick in the hospital on Fiji and being transported to Hawaii where Admiral Nimitz invited him to return to the US with him in his plane. Johnson declined as he was not feeling well enough to travel. He then mentions that Nimitz'z plane crashed upon landing in the San Francisco Bay.