Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz mentions that he has passed his entrance examinatins and has gained admittance to th eUS Naval Academy. He also thanks his grandfather for supporting him during the summer.

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz describes the rigors of the exams and indicates he has gained admittance to the US Naval Academy and will report there in a few days. He also indicates that he was almost not admitted on account of his hearing, but passed the physical exam, too.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz mentions that he has passed his entrance examinatins and has gained admittance to th eUS Naval Academy. He also thanks his grandfather for supporting him during the summer.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz describes the rigors of the exams and indicates he has gained admittance to the US Naval Academy and will report there in a few days. He also indicates that he was almost not admitted on account of his hearing, but passed the physical exam, too.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing the money she received from him, as well as encouraging him not to send any more, as she has $307.10 in the special account already.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including drama surrounding Dan's return to Luling on the train, Wootsie having sent a package to Joe, Honey receiving his selective service orders, and Charlotte's return from Galveston.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing seeing the movie "Up in Arms," the mail service, and a new army law that will release some of the men after Germany is defeated.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Beardsley. Beardsley provides two interviews, one in 1990 and the other in 1998. Both focus on his career in the Navy. Beardsley joined the Navy in 1941 and earned a commission in January 1942. He served aboard the USS Big Horn (AO-45) for a while before commanding USS PC-1140 in 1944. After further anti-submarine warfare training, Beardsley commanded USS PCE(R)-858. He was on his way to the invasion of Japan when the war ended. He was discharged in 1946, but stayed in the reserves until 1964.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Henry Wertz and Russell Wheeler. Both Wertz and Wheeler served in the Navy aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12). Wertz enlisted in the Navy in January of 1940 and Wheeler enlisted around 1942. Wertz served aboard the Hornet as Boatswain Mate 2nd Class and Wheeler served as Seaman 1st Class. Both men were in the 3rd Division, 40mm guns, which Wertz had charge over. Considering that Wheeler was only 15 years old when he joined, Wertz took extra care of him while aboard the Hornet. They traveled through the Panama Canal. They helped qualify fighter squadrons for the Pacific Fleet, and transported Marines to various islands. Their ship operated around Formosa, Guam, New Caledonia, Iwo Jima and the Aleutian Islands. They share various incidents aboard the ship, including kamikaze plane attacks, air raids, memorable landings and takeoffs from their carrier and life in general aboard the Hornet.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Henry Wertz and Russell Wheeler. Both Wertz and Wheeler served in the Navy aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12). Wertz enlisted in the Navy in January of 1940 and Wheeler enlisted around 1942. Wertz served aboard the Hornet as Boatswain Mate 2nd Class and Wheeler served as Seaman 1st Class. Both men were in the 3rd Division, 40mm guns, which Wertz had charge over. Considering that Wheeler was only 15 years old when he joined, Wertz took extra care of him while aboard the Hornet. They traveled through the Panama Canal. They helped qualify fighter squadrons for the Pacific Fleet, and transported Marines to various islands. Their ship operated around Formosa, Guam, New Caledonia, Iwo Jima and the Aleutian Islands. They share various incidents aboard the ship, including kamikaze plane attacks, air raids, memorable landings and takeoffs from their carrier and life in general aboard the Hornet.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Szymanski. Szymanski joined the Navy in October of 1942. He served as an aviation machinist mate aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12). During the invasion of Hollandia, New Guinea, Szymanski’s job was to help mine the anchorage in Palau so the Japanese could not sail their fleet ships. He shares details of his experiences through the Battles of the Philippine Sea, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was honorably discharged in September of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Szymanski. Szymanski joined the Navy in October of 1942. He served as an aviation machinist mate aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12). During the invasion of Hollandia, New Guinea, Szymanski’s job was to help mine the anchorage in Palau so the Japanese could not sail their fleet ships. He shares details of his experiences through the Battles of the Philippine Sea, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was honorably discharged in September of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Spires and Murdock Walley. Both Spires and Walley joined the Navy in 1943 and served aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12). Spires worked as a 3rd Class Fireman. Walley worked in damage control in the ship repair division, as well as fire fighting in the pump room and as a plumber. They both boarded the ship around October of 1943, and speak on the 3 skippers they worked under, including Captain Browning, Captain Sample and Captain Doyle. Spires and Walley speak on their individual work aboard the ship, comradery between shipmates, transporting a Marine detachment, qualifying fighter squadrons for the Pacific Fleet, traveling to Kwajalein, New Guinea and Hollandia and life in general aboard the Hornet.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Spires and Murdock Walley. Both Spires and Walley joined the Navy in 1943 and served aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12). Spires worked as a 3rd Class Fireman. Walley worked in damage control in the ship repair division, as well as fire fighting in the pump room and as a plumber. They both boarded the ship around October of 1943, and speak on the 3 skippers they worked under, including Captain Browning, Captain Sample and Captain Doyle. Spires and Walley speak on their individual work aboard the ship, comradery between shipmates, transporting a Marine detachment, qualifying fighter squadrons for the Pacific Fleet, traveling to Kwajalein, New Guinea and Hollandia and life in general aboard the Hornet.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Chester Gacek. Gacek joined the Navy in 1943. He was trained as a radioman and was assigned to the USS El Dorado (AGC-11). Gacek was aboard during the invasion of Okinawa and mentions how he recorded messages received in Morse Code. He was in Manila when the Japanese surrendered and describes transporting Japanese officers onboard the USS Okala (ARST-2) to war crimes trails.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Chester Gacek. Gacek joined the Navy in 1943. He was trained as a radioman and was assigned to the USS El Dorado (AGC-11). Gacek was aboard during the invasion of Okinawa and mentions how he recorded messages received in Morse Code. He was in Manila when the Japanese surrendered and describes transporting Japanese officers onboard the USS Okala (ARST-2) to war crimes trails.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ralph Sagebiel. Sagebiel’s father was the nephew of Admiral Chester Nimitz. He recalls visiting the Admiral as a child. He joined the Navy in 1941. He completed dental work for the Marines. He worked at a Marine Corps base in Mojave, California. He traveled aboard the USS Rochambeau (AP-63) as an anesthesiologist to Bougainville and Guadalcanal. He remained in the Pacific for 3 years, traveling from island to island, wherever he was needed in anesthesiology and other medical operations. In mid-1945 he traveled to the Philippines. He returned home in late 1945 after the war ended, and remained in the Reserves.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ralph Sagebiel. Sagebiel’s father was the nephew of Admiral Chester Nimitz. He recalls visiting the Admiral as a child. He joined the Navy in 1941. He completed dental work for the Marines. He worked at a Marine Corps base in Mojave, California. He traveled aboard the USS Rochambeau (AP-63) as an anesthesiologist to Bougainville and Guadalcanal. He remained in the Pacific for 3 years, traveling from island to island, wherever he was needed in anesthesiology and other medical operations. In mid-1945 he traveled to the Philippines. He returned home in late 1945 after the war ended, and remained in the Reserves.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernie Broussard. Broussard initially served in the Merchant Marine and describes his only mission where he had a close call with a submarine and how it led to his decision to leave. He joined the Navy in December 1942 and was trained as a bombardier. Broussard served on PBYs for the remainder of the war. He describes an emergency landing on the way to Hawaii and the delivery missions they performed while operating out of Kaneohe Bay. Broussard was then transferred to VPB-71 and performed night missions on Black Cat PBYs. He describes a typical mission, the crew complement, armament, and how they hunted Japanese ships using radar and looking for phosphorescent wakes. Broussard earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and two Air Medals and left the service in September 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernie Broussard. Broussard initially served in the Merchant Marine and describes his only mission where he had a close call with a submarine and how it led to his decision to leave. He joined the Navy in December 1942 and was trained as a bombardier. Broussard served on PBYs for the remainder of the war. He describes an emergency landing on the way to Hawaii and the delivery missions they performed while operating out of Kaneohe Bay. Broussard was then transferred to VPB-71 and performed night missions on Black Cat PBYs. He describes a typical mission, the crew complement, armament, and how they hunted Japanese ships using radar and looking for phosphorescent wakes. Broussard earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and two Air Medals and left the service in September 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Walter Tucker. Born in Amherst County, Virginia in May 1925, Tucker was a freshman at the Virginia Military Institute when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Graduating with a civil engineering degree, he entered the Navy in November 1944. When he completed boot camp he was sent to Midshipman’s school. Upon graduating in May 1945, he was commissioned. During a rail trip with a group he was escorting from Providence, Rhode Island to Camp Shoemaker, California word was received that Japan had surrendered. He remained in California for a month and then received orders to report to the 94th Naval Construction Battalion stationed on Guam. He remained on Guam until August 1946 when he returned to the United States.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Walter Tucker. Born in Amherst County, Virginia in May 1925, Tucker was a freshman at the Virginia Military Institute when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Graduating with a civil engineering degree, he entered the Navy in November 1944. When he completed boot camp he was sent to Midshipman’s school. Upon graduating in May 1945, he was commissioned. During a rail trip with a group he was escorting from Providence, Rhode Island to Camp Shoemaker, California word was received that Japan had surrendered. He remained in California for a month and then received orders to report to the 94th Naval Construction Battalion stationed on Guam. He remained on Guam until August 1946 when he returned to the United States.

Transcript of an oral interview with Julius “Bud” Masinick. Born in 1925, he was drafted into the Navy in 1943. He describes boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois. He talks about joining both the baseball team and the boxing program. He describes submarine school at Naval Submarine Base New London, Groton, Connecticut. He was assigned to the USS Icefish (SS-367) in the Pacific Fleet in June, 1944. He talks about the submarine attire. He describes being depth charged while on the submarine. He also describes a burial at sea. He talks about being the athletic officer at Camp Dealy on Guam. He shares anecdotes about being the designated swimmer on the submarine who was tasked with ocean rescues of downed pilots; starting a riot in Perth, Australia; intercepting small gunboats and apprehending Japanese officials attempting to return to Japan; and the unintentional sinking of Javanese fishing boats. He was discharged in April, 1946 and played professional minor league baseball.

Transcript of an oral interview with Julius “Bud” Masinick. Born in 1925, he was drafted into the Navy in 1943. He describes boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Illinois. He talks about joining both the baseball team and the boxing program. He describes submarine school at Naval Submarine Base New London, Groton, Connecticut. He was assigned to the USS Icefish (SS-367) in the Pacific Fleet in June, 1944. He talks about the submarine attire. He describes being depth charged while on the submarine. He also describes a burial at sea. He talks about being the athletic officer at Camp Dealy on Guam. He shares anecdotes about being the designated swimmer on the submarine who was tasked with ocean rescues of downed pilots; starting a riot in Perth, Australia; intercepting small gunboats and apprehending Japanese officials attempting to return to Japan; and the unintentional sinking of Javanese fishing boats. He was discharged in April, 1946 and played professional minor league baseball.