The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alfred Keeler. Keeler joined the Navy in July of 1943. In November, he served as a Radio Operator with the 2nd Marine Division, during the Battle of Tarawa. In 1944, Keeler traveled aboard the USS Bushnell (AS-15) to Midway, where he continued to work as a radio operator on the island. Beginning late 1944, he served in communications with Admiral Nimitz headquarters in Hawaii. He was a passenger aboard the USS Mississippi (BB-41) during the Battle of Okinawa, and recalls his experiences. Keeler received his discharge in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alfred Keeler. Keeler joined the Navy in July of 1943. In November, he served as a Radio Operator with the 2nd Marine Division, during the Battle of Tarawa. In 1944, Keeler traveled aboard the USS Bushnell (AS-15) to Midway, where he continued to work as a radio operator on the island. Beginning late 1944, he served in communications with Admiral Nimitz headquarters in Hawaii. He was a passenger aboard the USS Mississippi (BB-41) during the Battle of Okinawa, and recalls his experiences. Keeler received his discharge in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert J Gettelfinger. Gettelfinger joined the Army Air Forces in June of 1942. He completed Cadet School in San Antonio. He served as a C-46 pilot and was deployed to Chabua, India in 1943. He recalls flying the Hump, transporting fuel, munitions and supervisory staff to Kunming, China. Gettelfinger also completed missions to Burma. He returned to the US in November of 1944 and received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He continued his service in the Air Force as a career officer for 27 years, retiring as a colonel in the Strategic Air Command.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert J Gettelfinger. Gettelfinger joined the Army Air Forces in June of 1942. He completed Cadet School in San Antonio. He served as a C-46 pilot and was deployed to Chabua, India in 1943. He recalls flying the Hump, transporting fuel, munitions and supervisory staff to Kunming, China. Gettelfinger also completed missions to Burma. He returned to the US in November of 1944 and received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He continued his service in the Air Force as a career officer for 27 years, retiring as a colonel in the Strategic Air Command.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Dale. Dale joined the Navy in 1944 when he was 16 years old. He was assigned to the heavy cruiser USS Boston (CA-69). Dale served as a fireman in the Engineering Department working with the evaporators. He talks of the Boston shelling the Japanese mainland and being present for the surrender in Tokyo Bay. Dale stayed with the Boston for occupation duty. He describes visiting Hiroshima and interacting with the Japanese people. The Boston returned to the U.S. after six months of occupation duty and Dale left the service.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Dale. Dale joined the Navy in 1944 when he was 16 years old. He was assigned to the heavy cruiser USS Boston (CA-69). Dale served as a fireman in the Engineering Department working with the evaporators. He talks of the Boston shelling the Japanese mainland and being present for the surrender in Tokyo Bay. Dale stayed with the Boston for occupation duty. He describes visiting Hiroshima and interacting with the Japanese people. The Boston returned to the U.S. after six months of occupation duty and Dale left the service.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with J. L. Summers. Summers joined the Army in 1937. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, 36th Division. He traveled to Java with his unit and was captured by the Japanese in early 1942. Summers talks of his time as a POW covering railroad construction, hunger, disease, and punishment suffered at the hands of his Japanese captors. He also discusses being used as tiger bait by the Japanese during a detail. Summers was liberated at the end of the war and returned back to the States where he left the Army.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with J. L. Summers. Summers joined the Army in 1937. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, 36th Division. He traveled to Java with his unit and was captured by the Japanese in early 1942. Summers talks of his time as a POW covering railroad construction, hunger, disease, and punishment suffered at the hands of his Japanese captors. He also discusses being used as tiger bait by the Japanese during a detail. Summers was liberated at the end of the war and returned back to the States where he left the Army.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Cooper. Cooper joined the Navy in May 1945 and received basic training in Illinois. There he joined the Blue Jacket Choir. He survived Typhoon Louise as a water tender aboard the USS Admiral W. S. Benson (AP-120), picking up survivors from sunken ships in Buckner Bay. He was transferred to the USS Dorchester (APB-46) as a diesel mechanic and traveled to Wakanura, a small fishing village untouched by war, and Wakayama, where the only buildings left standing were cement bank vaults. Cooper returned home in the summer of 1946 and joined the Reserves. He entered medical school and became an intern at the National Naval Medical Center. He was subsequently assigned as a medical officer aboard destroyers. He recalls encounters with Russian submarines in the Caribbean were routine and cordial. While he was aboard the USS Yosemite (AD-19), an explosion on the USS Bennington (CVA-20) killed over 100 people and left more than 200 severely burned. Cooper was sent to the Newport Naval Hospital and worked for six days beside civilian and military doctors in an ad hoc burn center. He returned to the Yosemite and was …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Cooper. Cooper joined the Navy in May 1945 and received basic training in Illinois. There he joined the Blue Jacket Choir. He survived Typhoon Louise as a water tender aboard the USS Admiral W. S. Benson (AP-120), picking up survivors from sunken ships in Buckner Bay. He was transferred to the USS Dorchester (APB-46) as a diesel mechanic and traveled to Wakanura, a small fishing village untouched by war, and Wakayama, where the only buildings left standing were cement bank vaults. Cooper returned home in the summer of 1946 and joined the Reserves. He entered medical school and became an intern at the National Naval Medical Center. He was subsequently assigned as a medical officer aboard destroyers. He recalls encounters with Russian submarines in the Caribbean were routine and cordial. While he was aboard the USS Yosemite (AD-19), an explosion on the USS Bennington (CVA-20) killed over 100 people and left more than 200 severely burned. Cooper was sent to the Newport Naval Hospital and worked for six days beside civilian and military doctors in an ad hoc burn center. He returned to the Yosemite and was …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Max Schlotter. Schlotter joined the Navy in August 1941 and received basic training in San Diego. He attended service school in Toledo, Ohio. Upon completion, he went to the Brooklyn Navy Yard and converted a banana boat to an attack transport. The ship carried troops just north of Casablanca to Fedala as part of the North Africa invasion. Onboard, Schlotter served as the skipper’s messenger, running errands. He was then promoted to yeoman. He returned to the States and attended Emory University under the V-12 program. He then went to Miami for further training and was assigned to a submarine-chaser. He boarded CVE-1 carrying planes from Long Island to Mogmog. The CVE-1 went to Luzon, where Schlotter took an LSM to Subic Bay. There he boarded a sub-chaser as the executive officer. Apart from enduring a typhoon near Okinawa, his patrols were uneventful. Schlotter returned home and was discharged in February 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Max Schlotter. Schlotter joined the Navy in August 1941 and received basic training in San Diego. He attended service school in Toledo, Ohio. Upon completion, he went to the Brooklyn Navy Yard and converted a banana boat to an attack transport. The ship carried troops just north of Casablanca to Fedala as part of the North Africa invasion. Onboard, Schlotter served as the skipper’s messenger, running errands. He was then promoted to yeoman. He returned to the States and attended Emory University under the V-12 program. He then went to Miami for further training and was assigned to a submarine-chaser. He boarded CVE-1 carrying planes from Long Island to Mogmog. The CVE-1 went to Luzon, where Schlotter took an LSM to Subic Bay. There he boarded a sub-chaser as the executive officer. Apart from enduring a typhoon near Okinawa, his patrols were uneventful. Schlotter returned home and was discharged in February 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Stanley Kuenstler. Kuenstler entered the Navy in 1943. In December 1944 he was assigned to the USS Murphy (DD-603). The USS Murphy escorted the USS Quincy to the Yalta Conference. During the conference King ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia stayed on the USS Murphy and gifted Kuenstler and the crew watches. Following the surrender of Japan, the USS Murphy went on to Nagasaki. Five months before Kuenstler was discharged he transferred from the USS Murphy to the Naval Station and served as an inspector.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Stanley Kuenstler. Kuenstler entered the Navy in 1943. In December 1944 he was assigned to the USS Murphy (DD-603). The USS Murphy escorted the USS Quincy to the Yalta Conference. During the conference King ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia stayed on the USS Murphy and gifted Kuenstler and the crew watches. Following the surrender of Japan, the USS Murphy went on to Nagasaki. Five months before Kuenstler was discharged he transferred from the USS Murphy to the Naval Station and served as an inspector.

Transcript of an oral interview with Al Heigel. When Heigel finished high school in June, 1944, he joined the Navy at Little Rock, Arkansas and went for boot training at San Diego. He was assigned as a radar operator and reported aboard the USS Independence (CVL-22) at Pearl Harbor. Heigel describes the light carrier and its construction and features. He also speaks of the time the Independence was hit by a torpedo off Tarawa in 1943. Heigel then describes events off Okinawa: watching the USS Franklin (CV-13) being bombed off Okinawa; locating and shooting down kamikazes; describing battle stations; aircraft water landings; being in a typhoon, etc. After the war ended, the Independence served as a troop transport taking GIs back home to the US. He describes bunks in the hangar deck and arriving in Portland, Oregon. As the Independence was being prepared for the Bikini Atoll atomic tests, Heigel got off becuase he had the requisite amount of points allowing him to be discharged. He then entered the lumber business, married and raised family.

Transcript of an oral interview with Al Heigel. When Heigel finished high school in June, 1944, he joined the Navy at Little Rock, Arkansas and went for boot training at San Diego. He was assigned as a radar operator and reported aboard the USS Independence (CVL-22) at Pearl Harbor. Heigel describes the light carrier and its construction and features. He also speaks of the time the Independence was hit by a torpedo off Tarawa in 1943. Heigel then describes events off Okinawa: watching the USS Franklin (CV-13) being bombed off Okinawa; locating and shooting down kamikazes; describing battle stations; aircraft water landings; being in a typhoon, etc. After the war ended, the Independence served as a troop transport taking GIs back home to the US. He describes bunks in the hangar deck and arriving in Portland, Oregon. As the Independence was being prepared for the Bikini Atoll atomic tests, Heigel got off becuase he had the requisite amount of points allowing him to be discharged. He then entered the lumber business, married and raised family.

Transcript of an oral interview with Charles H. Britten. Britten was drafted into the Marine Corps after he finished high school in June, 1944. He trained at San Diego and at Camp Pendleton as a Marine scout and sniper. He was eventually assigned to the Headquarters Company, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division. He trained more on Guadalcanal in preparation for the invasion of Okinawa. Britten shares several anecdotes about his time in battle on Okinawa. When the war ended, Britten and his unit were sent to China for occupation duty. He returned home in July, 1946 and was discharged.

Transcript of an oral interview with Charles H. Britten. Britten was drafted into the Marine Corps after he finished high school in June, 1944. He trained at San Diego and at Camp Pendleton as a Marine scout and sniper. He was eventually assigned to the Headquarters Company, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division. He trained more on Guadalcanal in preparation for the invasion of Okinawa. Britten shares several anecdotes about his time in battle on Okinawa. When the war ended, Britten and his unit were sent to China for occupation duty. He returned home in July, 1946 and was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Schaefer. Schaefer was drafted into the Army in April, 1943. Once in, he passed the exam to become an air cadet. Instead of becoming a pilot, he was trained as a tail gunner and went overseas to Tinian to join the 505th Bomb Group. He flew in B-29s on several missions to Japan mining harbors or dropping bombs. He flew on 13 combat missions before flyting on a few prisoner of war supply missions. When the war ended, Schaefer flew home on a B-29 and attended college on the GI Bill.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Schaefer. Schaefer was drafted into the Army in April, 1943. Once in, he passed the exam to become an air cadet. Instead of becoming a pilot, he was trained as a tail gunner and went overseas to Tinian to join the 505th Bomb Group. He flew in B-29s on several missions to Japan mining harbors or dropping bombs. He flew on 13 combat missions before flyting on a few prisoner of war supply missions. When the war ended, Schaefer flew home on a B-29 and attended college on the GI Bill.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Clayton. Clayton was drafted into the United States Navy. After training, he joined the Amphibious Forces and was assigned to USS Alpine (APA-92). His crew made assaults on Guam and the Philippines. He was a yeoman for 2 years. He was aboard the Alpine when it was commissioned and decommissioned. After the war, the Alpine pulled troops out of battle zones in Japan and China. He was discharged in New Orleans.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Clayton. Clayton was drafted into the United States Navy. After training, he joined the Amphibious Forces and was assigned to USS Alpine (APA-92). His crew made assaults on Guam and the Philippines. He was a yeoman for 2 years. He was aboard the Alpine when it was commissioned and decommissioned. After the war, the Alpine pulled troops out of battle zones in Japan and China. He was discharged in New Orleans.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Santiago Villanueva. Villanueva was born in Helena, Texas 7 February 1922. He was drafted into the Army in 1941and had basic training at Camp Adair, Oregon. Upon being assigned as a gunner in an 81mm mortar squad in the 1st Battalion, 382nd Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division he was sent to Obispo, California for amphibious training. He recalls being sent to Camp Stoneman, California prior to disembarking for overseas. Stopping in Hawaii the unit underwent jungle training for several weeks. The division was part of the invasion force that landed on Leyte in October 1944 and Villanueva remarks than many of his friends were killed during the action. The division also took part in the invasion of Okinawa and Villanueva tells of being subjected to banzai charges by the Japanese. He also witnessed Japanese paratroopers land on Okinawa. After the surrender of Japan he returned to the United States and received his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Santiago Villanueva. Villanueva was born in Helena, Texas 7 February 1922. He was drafted into the Army in 1941and had basic training at Camp Adair, Oregon. Upon being assigned as a gunner in an 81mm mortar squad in the 1st Battalion, 382nd Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division he was sent to Obispo, California for amphibious training. He recalls being sent to Camp Stoneman, California prior to disembarking for overseas. Stopping in Hawaii the unit underwent jungle training for several weeks. The division was part of the invasion force that landed on Leyte in October 1944 and Villanueva remarks than many of his friends were killed during the action. The division also took part in the invasion of Okinawa and Villanueva tells of being subjected to banzai charges by the Japanese. He also witnessed Japanese paratroopers land on Okinawa. After the surrender of Japan he returned to the United States and received his discharge.