The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Durwood Chester Kincheloe. Born in 1921, he chose to join the Army Air Force upon being drafted in 1943. After receiving air traffic controller training, he was transported to Kunming, China. He describes the trip on the USS Hermitage from Long Beach, California to Karachi, India by way of Australia; the train trip from Lahore, India to the province of Assam; and the flight to China on a B-24 bomber. He talks about his living conditions and Japanese air raids in China as well as his function as air traffic controller. He was discharged in December 1945. He shares anecdotes about the heat at Wichita Falls, Texas during his basic training; the rain and humidity in Assam; the insufficient number of oxygen masks on the B-24; and the Chinese method of runway repair and agricultural fertilization. He also describes life in the rural community of Burnet, Texas as well as his work as a planimeter operator with the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS). The interview also includes information about his parents and siblings.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Earnest Cochran. Cochran joined the Navy in May, 1940. When he finished boot training, he was sent to North Island Naval Air Station outside San Diego and trained further as an aviation machinist. He moved to Pearl Harbor with Utility Squadron 2 (VJ-2) in August, 1941. Cochran was on Ford Island when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Cochran left Hawaii for a school in Chicago in 1943. Then he moved to New Caledonia to serve in Utility Squadron 9 (VJ-9).

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Earnest Cochran. Cochran joined the Navy in May, 1940. When he finished boot training, he was sent to North Island Naval Air Station outside San Diego and trained further as an aviation machinist. He moved to Pearl Harbor with Utility Squadron 2 (VJ-2) in August, 1941. Cochran was on Ford Island when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Cochran left Hawaii for a school in Chicago in 1943. Then he moved to New Caledonia to serve in Utility Squadron 9 (VJ-9).

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edgar Wolf. World joined the Army Air Forces in January, 1942 and trained at Biloxi, Mississippi before heading for Lockheed in California to learn about P-38s. He went to Officer Candidate School and earned a commission before being assigned to the Air Transport Command in New York. With the ATC, Wolf learned loadmaster techniques and air traffic control procedures before heading for Chabua, India. At his base he was responsible for transient aircraft. He also served at Agra and at Karachi. Wolf was in India for 27 months and returned home in September, 1945 and received his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edgar Wolf. World joined the Army Air Forces in January, 1942 and trained at Biloxi, Mississippi before heading for Lockheed in California to learn about P-38s. He went to Officer Candidate School and earned a commission before being assigned to the Air Transport Command in New York. With the ATC, Wolf learned loadmaster techniques and air traffic control procedures before heading for Chabua, India. At his base he was responsible for transient aircraft. He also served at Agra and at Karachi. Wolf was in India for 27 months and returned home in September, 1945 and received his discharge.

Transcript of an oral interview with Edmund K. Austin. Austin was drafted his junior year in high school (1943) and sent to Camp Greely in Oklahoma for basic training. From there he was sent to the Pacific and went into a heavy artillery unit (155 mm Long Tom outfit) that had been based on Christmas Island at the beginning of the war. Got bad jungle rot in the Philippines. After the Philippine operation (near the end of Luzon), his unit (532nd Field Artillery Battalion) was sent to Okinawa aboard a LST. They landed on Shishi Jima (small island off Naha) a day or so before the big invasion of Okinawa proper. Witnessed kamikaze attacks a saw several Navy ships hit. Japanese tried to invade Shishi Jima but they were not successful. Had a shell land in his gun pit but it was a dud. Later in the operation his unit was loaded on a barge and taken over to Okinawa, somewhere around Naha. Did lots of firing supporting the Army and Marines because their guns had the range. Operated for a while in the rain and mud. Assigned to a USO unit when the war was over. Austin was a …

Transcript of an oral interview with Edmund K. Austin. Austin was drafted his junior year in high school (1943) and sent to Camp Greely in Oklahoma for basic training. From there he was sent to the Pacific and went into a heavy artillery unit (155 mm Long Tom outfit) that had been based on Christmas Island at the beginning of the war. Got bad jungle rot in the Philippines. After the Philippine operation (near the end of Luzon), his unit (532nd Field Artillery Battalion) was sent to Okinawa aboard a LST. They landed on Shishi Jima (small island off Naha) a day or so before the big invasion of Okinawa proper. Witnessed kamikaze attacks a saw several Navy ships hit. Japanese tried to invade Shishi Jima but they were not successful. Had a shell land in his gun pit but it was a dud. Later in the operation his unit was loaded on a barge and taken over to Okinawa, somewhere around Naha. Did lots of firing supporting the Army and Marines because their guns had the range. Operated for a while in the rain and mud. Assigned to a USO unit when the war was over. Austin was a …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ellis D. Skidmore. Skidmore joined the Navy in April 1940 after receiving a letter from a friend in the Navy. After basic training, Skidomore went to radio school before being assigned to Patrol Squadron 44 (VP-44). In May, 1942, his unit was transferred to Pearl Harbor and by early June, Skidmore was at Midway Island. He was a PBY-5 crewman and served as a radio operator. Skidmore describes attacking two Japanese battleships during the Battle of Midway. After that, he returned to the US for flight training and earned his wings and a commission in June, 1943. Upon completion of flight training, Skdmore was stationed to the Aleutian Islands. Skidmore finished the war in the Aleutians and shares stories of being aboard the USS Rochester (CA-124) during the Korean War. He mentions he was a courier of secret documents from the Army, Navy and Air Force that got delivered to General MacArthur in Japan. When he retired from the Navy, Skidmore set up an insurance businesswith Rex Barbour (one of the claimants for shooting down Admiral Yamamoto).

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ellis D. Skidmore. Skidmore joined the Navy in April 1940 after receiving a letter from a friend in the Navy. After basic training, Skidomore went to radio school before being assigned to Patrol Squadron 44 (VP-44). In May, 1942, his unit was transferred to Pearl Harbor and by early June, Skidmore was at Midway Island. He was a PBY-5 crewman and served as a radio operator. Skidmore describes attacking two Japanese battleships during the Battle of Midway. After that, he returned to the US for flight training and earned his wings and a commission in June, 1943. Upon completion of flight training, Skdmore was stationed to the Aleutian Islands. Skidmore finished the war in the Aleutians and shares stories of being aboard the USS Rochester (CA-124) during the Korean War. He mentions he was a courier of secret documents from the Army, Navy and Air Force that got delivered to General MacArthur in Japan. When he retired from the Navy, Skidmore set up an insurance businesswith Rex Barbour (one of the claimants for shooting down Admiral Yamamoto).

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Elwyn Becker discussing his childhood and education and how he came to join the Navy. He describes the training process for becoming an Aviation Radioman and his experiences in the Pacific Theatre during World War Two.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Evan Aron Roberts. Roberts was born in November 1933, and joined the Marine Corps Reserve at the Naval Air Station in Dallas in 1951. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, and was stationed at South Camp Fuji, near Gotemba, Japan. In early 1953, he was deployed to Iwo Jima to clean up unexploded ordinances and other hazards on the island around Mount Suribachi, and participate in training maneuvers. Roberts’ job was to review and log the remains of Japanese fortifications in caves and holes, including food items, ammunition, and cases of rifles, pistols and medical supplies. After review, the items were left, and the caves and holes were detonated and closed up. Roberts also worked in Okinawa and with Task Force 77 off the coast of China. He returned to the US and received his discharge as a corporal in 1955.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Evan Aron Roberts. Roberts was born in November 1933, and joined the Marine Corps Reserve at the Naval Air Station in Dallas in 1951. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, and was stationed at South Camp Fuji, near Gotemba, Japan. In early 1953, he was deployed to Iwo Jima to clean up unexploded ordinances and other hazards on the island around Mount Suribachi, and participate in training maneuvers. Roberts’ job was to review and log the remains of Japanese fortifications in caves and holes, including food items, ammunition, and cases of rifles, pistols and medical supplies. After review, the items were left, and the caves and holes were detonated and closed up. Roberts also worked in Okinawa and with Task Force 77 off the coast of China. He returned to the US and received his discharge as a corporal in 1955.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eve Tice. Tice was born 7 August 1923 in Calumet, Michigan. Graduating from high school in 1942, she went to work as a timekeeper at a Chevrolet Motor Company plant in Detroit, Michigan. She describes her duties. She met her future husband, who joined the Navy, and they were married when he came home on leave following boot camp. Her husband was assigned to the USS Franklin (CV13) at Newport, Rhode Island. She tells of seeing her husband when he came home on leave after the Franklin went to Bremerton, Washington for repairs November 1944. She and her husband took the train to Bremerton where they rented one room in a private home. She stayed there until the Franklin departed. She comments on censoring and V-mail letters. On 19 March 1945 she was notified that the USS Franklin had been damaged, her husband was a survivor and that the ship would be returning to the Brooklyn Navy Yard for repairs. The ship arrived April 1945 and Mr. and Mrs. Tice remained in the area until he was discharged November 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eve Tice. Tice was born 7 August 1923 in Calumet, Michigan. Graduating from high school in 1942, she went to work as a timekeeper at a Chevrolet Motor Company plant in Detroit, Michigan. She describes her duties. She met her future husband, who joined the Navy, and they were married when he came home on leave following boot camp. Her husband was assigned to the USS Franklin (CV13) at Newport, Rhode Island. She tells of seeing her husband when he came home on leave after the Franklin went to Bremerton, Washington for repairs November 1944. She and her husband took the train to Bremerton where they rented one room in a private home. She stayed there until the Franklin departed. She comments on censoring and V-mail letters. On 19 March 1945 she was notified that the USS Franklin had been damaged, her husband was a survivor and that the ship would be returning to the Brooklyn Navy Yard for repairs. The ship arrived April 1945 and Mr. and Mrs. Tice remained in the area until he was discharged November 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Floyd H. Fulkerson. In January, 1942, Fulkerson joined the Army Air Corps and went into flight training, graduating and being commissioned in September, 1942. From there, he went to train in B-25s in South Carolina. From there, he went overseas to Australia in September, 1943. He received transfer from B-25s to P-38s in Australia and was assigned to the 475th Fighter Group, 431st Fighter Squadron in January 1944. Fulkerson flew some with Colonel Charles Lindbergh and Major Richard Bong. On one mission in the Philippines, Fulkerson was shot down and was rescued by Filipino guerrillas and returned to his base after five weeks.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Floyd H. Fulkerson. In January, 1942, Fulkerson joined the Army Air Corps and went into flight training, graduating and being commissioned in September, 1942. From there, he went to train in B-25s in South Carolina. From there, he went overseas to Australia in September, 1943. He received transfer from B-25s to P-38s in Australia and was assigned to the 475th Fighter Group, 431st Fighter Squadron in January 1944. Fulkerson flew some with Colonel Charles Lindbergh and Major Richard Bong. On one mission in the Philippines, Fulkerson was shot down and was rescued by Filipino guerrillas and returned to his base after five weeks.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Lepinski. Lepinski joined the Army Air Forces in February of 1943. He completed pilot training and graduated in April of 1944. He continued training in a B-26, and traveled to Birmingham, Britain to serve with a replacement crew. They completed several bombing missions. In the summer of 1945 Lepinski was assigned to a B-26 stationed under the Eiffel Tower in Paris during an exposition, demonstrating how they won the war for France. He was discharged in January of 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Lepinski. Lepinski joined the Army Air Forces in February of 1943. He completed pilot training and graduated in April of 1944. He continued training in a B-26, and traveled to Birmingham, Britain to serve with a replacement crew. They completed several bombing missions. In the summer of 1945 Lepinski was assigned to a B-26 stationed under the Eiffel Tower in Paris during an exposition, demonstrating how they won the war for France. He was discharged in January of 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank M. ""Tommy"" Thompson. Thompson was attending the University of Virginia in 1942 when he decided to enlist in the Marine Corps with some friends. Soon, he found himself training in Hawaii. He describes the lines of men waiting to get into the whorehouses in Honolulu. He landed on Saipan with the Second Marine Division where he describes a banzai attack by the Japanese infantry. Thompson witnessed the famous incident when Marine General Holland M. Smith fired Army General Ralph Smith on Saipan. Thompson continues with more anecdotes about combat on Saipan. He also went to Guam right before the island was declared secure. Thompson shares an anecdote about selling souvenirs to Army and Navy personnel on Guam. He then discusses landing and fighting on Iwo Jima. He finishes with an anecdote about guarding General H.M. Smith's quarters on Oahu toward the end of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank M. ""Tommy"" Thompson. Thompson was attending the University of Virginia in 1942 when he decided to enlist in the Marine Corps with some friends. Soon, he found himself training in Hawaii. He describes the lines of men waiting to get into the whorehouses in Honolulu. He landed on Saipan with the Second Marine Division where he describes a banzai attack by the Japanese infantry. Thompson witnessed the famous incident when Marine General Holland M. Smith fired Army General Ralph Smith on Saipan. Thompson continues with more anecdotes about combat on Saipan. He also went to Guam right before the island was declared secure. Thompson shares an anecdote about selling souvenirs to Army and Navy personnel on Guam. He then discusses landing and fighting on Iwo Jima. He finishes with an anecdote about guarding General H.M. Smith's quarters on Oahu toward the end of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Fred Lincoln. Lincoln joined the Army Air Forces in February of 1941. He was assigned to the 82nd Bomb Squadron, 12th Bomb Group. He completed training in military correspondence and typing, and served as the Operations Officer for his squadron. In December, they were transferred to Sacramento, California to assist with war games aboard B-18 bombers. In the spring of 1942, they were transferred to Esler Field in Louisiana. During a physical at Camp Livingston Hospital, Lincoln learned he had a pilonidal cyst. After multiple surgeries on the cyst, he did not return to his squadron until 1944. He was assigned to Santa Ana Army Air Base, and completed Flexible Gunnery School, graduating in February of 1945, he served as a bombardier aboard B-29s with the 19th Bombardment Group. They were transferred to Biggs Air Force Base in El Paso, Texas, and went to pick up a new B-29 in Seattle, but the war ended. Lincoln continued his service and retired in 1964.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Fred Lincoln. Lincoln joined the Army Air Forces in February of 1941. He was assigned to the 82nd Bomb Squadron, 12th Bomb Group. He completed training in military correspondence and typing, and served as the Operations Officer for his squadron. In December, they were transferred to Sacramento, California to assist with war games aboard B-18 bombers. In the spring of 1942, they were transferred to Esler Field in Louisiana. During a physical at Camp Livingston Hospital, Lincoln learned he had a pilonidal cyst. After multiple surgeries on the cyst, he did not return to his squadron until 1944. He was assigned to Santa Ana Army Air Base, and completed Flexible Gunnery School, graduating in February of 1945, he served as a bombardier aboard B-29s with the 19th Bombardment Group. They were transferred to Biggs Air Force Base in El Paso, Texas, and went to pick up a new B-29 in Seattle, but the war ended. Lincoln continued his service and retired in 1964.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Fred L DiDomenico. DiDomenico joined the Marine Corps in September of 1942. In November, he deployed to Samoa. DiDomenico served as a machine gunner with the 3rd Marine Division, and participated in the battles of Bougainville and Guam. He returned to the US and was discharged in October of 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Fred L DiDomenico. DiDomenico joined the Marine Corps in September of 1942. In November, he deployed to Samoa. DiDomenico served as a machine gunner with the 3rd Marine Division, and participated in the battles of Bougainville and Guam. He returned to the US and was discharged in October of 1944.