The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with J.C. Alston. Alston joined the Navy in August, 1941. He eventually reported aboard the USS California (BB-44) and served in the number 2 turret. Alston describes being present aboard the California when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Afterwards, Alston stayed with the California repairing and refurbishing her. Alston was aboard for the in Leyte invasion in the Philippines and describes watching some of the action at Iwo Jima. Alston also speaks about life aboard the California during the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with J.C. Alston. Alston joined the Navy in August, 1941. He eventually reported aboard the USS California (BB-44) and served in the number 2 turret. Alston describes being present aboard the California when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Afterwards, Alston stayed with the California repairing and refurbishing her. Alston was aboard for the in Leyte invasion in the Philippines and describes watching some of the action at Iwo Jima. Alston also speaks about life aboard the California during the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Earl Archer. Archer was born in Medaryville, Indiana on 10 December 1916. Quitting school after the ninth grade, he worked at various jobs until being drafted into the Army in September 1942. After completing basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, he was sent to Camp Clipper, California where he joined Company F, 123rd Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Division. In 1943 the unit went to Hawaii where they had amphibious training. Boarding the SS Lurline, the division went to Finchhafen, New Guinea where they spent three months of dock duty. Then they went to Maffin Bay, New Guinea where they performed patrols. The regiment then went to Luzon, Philippine Islands where Archer was the leader of a light machine gun squad. He tells of various combat situations in which they were involved and tells of a night attack made by the Japanese forces. He was in a rest camp when Japan surrendered and his unit was sent to Takarazuka, Japan as part of the occupation forces. Archer describes some of the inter-action he had with Japanese civilians. He returned to the United States 21 December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Earl Archer. Archer was born in Medaryville, Indiana on 10 December 1916. Quitting school after the ninth grade, he worked at various jobs until being drafted into the Army in September 1942. After completing basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, he was sent to Camp Clipper, California where he joined Company F, 123rd Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Division. In 1943 the unit went to Hawaii where they had amphibious training. Boarding the SS Lurline, the division went to Finchhafen, New Guinea where they spent three months of dock duty. Then they went to Maffin Bay, New Guinea where they performed patrols. The regiment then went to Luzon, Philippine Islands where Archer was the leader of a light machine gun squad. He tells of various combat situations in which they were involved and tells of a night attack made by the Japanese forces. He was in a rest camp when Japan surrendered and his unit was sent to Takarazuka, Japan as part of the occupation forces. Archer describes some of the inter-action he had with Japanese civilians. He returned to the United States 21 December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clifford Ashby. Ashby was born in Effingham, Illinois on 11 June 1925. He became interested in amateur radio while in high school and joined the Merchant Marines in 1943. After passing tests related to radio operations he was assigned to the liberty ship, SS James B. Francis (1942) as a radio operator. He tells of the ship loaded with ammunition sitting in the harbor at Guadalcanal with hoses pumping water on the deck to keep it cool. He also observed Japanese air raids over the island of Morotai. Ashby’s ship also participated in the invasion of Luzon. Later, he was assigned to the SS Benjamin Grierson commenting on the excellent food served aboard Liberty ships. He comments on the excellent wages paid to Merchant seaman and the fact that the pay was doubled when the ship was within a war zone. He tells of the SS Grierson setting at Ulithi with 40 other merchant ships for three months following the Japanese surrender. After leaving the Merchant Marine he attended various colleges and he comments on his career prior to retirement.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clifford Ashby. Ashby was born in Effingham, Illinois on 11 June 1925. He became interested in amateur radio while in high school and joined the Merchant Marines in 1943. After passing tests related to radio operations he was assigned to the liberty ship, SS James B. Francis (1942) as a radio operator. He tells of the ship loaded with ammunition sitting in the harbor at Guadalcanal with hoses pumping water on the deck to keep it cool. He also observed Japanese air raids over the island of Morotai. Ashby’s ship also participated in the invasion of Luzon. Later, he was assigned to the SS Benjamin Grierson commenting on the excellent food served aboard Liberty ships. He comments on the excellent wages paid to Merchant seaman and the fact that the pay was doubled when the ship was within a war zone. He tells of the SS Grierson setting at Ulithi with 40 other merchant ships for three months following the Japanese surrender. After leaving the Merchant Marine he attended various colleges and he comments on his career prior to retirement.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arlos L. ""Curly"" Awalt. Curly was drafted into the Army shortly after he finished high school in August, 1944. After basic training, Curly describes getting overseas to Europe. He was shipped to England then sent to France before being assigned to a unit. Once he was in France, he was attached to a heavy mortar section in H Company, 2nd Battalion, 424th Regiment, 106th Infantry Division. Curly arrived as a replacement in the 10th ID during the Battle of the Bulge. Curly mentions the conditions and describes his activities. He also speaks about the death and burial of General George Patton. When the war ended, Curly worked in a displaced persons / prisoner of war camp sorting through the people and returning them to their homes. Curly finishes by speaking about awards he finally received from the Belgian government 60 years after the war ended and some of his experiences speaking as a veteran with local school children in Fredericksburg, Texas.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arlos L. ""Curly"" Awalt. Curly was drafted into the Army shortly after he finished high school in August, 1944. After basic training, Curly describes getting overseas to Europe. He was shipped to England then sent to France before being assigned to a unit. Once he was in France, he was attached to a heavy mortar section in H Company, 2nd Battalion, 424th Regiment, 106th Infantry Division. Curly arrived as a replacement in the 10th ID during the Battle of the Bulge. Curly mentions the conditions and describes his activities. He also speaks about the death and burial of General George Patton. When the war ended, Curly worked in a displaced persons / prisoner of war camp sorting through the people and returning them to their homes. Curly finishes by speaking about awards he finally received from the Belgian government 60 years after the war ended and some of his experiences speaking as a veteran with local school children in Fredericksburg, Texas.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with R A Barbezat. Barbazet joined the Navy in 1939. He served as a second-class fireman aboard USS California (BB-44). They were moored on the southern side of Ford Island, the southernmost ship along Battleship Row when the Japanese attack occurred. Barbezat later served aboard USS Astoria (CA-34) until it was sunk during the Battle of Savo Island in August of 1942. He then served two years aboard USS Coral Sea (CVE-57). They completed naval operations supporting attacks on the Gilbert and Marshall Islands. Barbezat returned to the US and was discharged in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with R A Barbezat. Barbazet joined the Navy in 1939. He served as a second-class fireman aboard USS California (BB-44). They were moored on the southern side of Ford Island, the southernmost ship along Battleship Row when the Japanese attack occurred. Barbezat later served aboard USS Astoria (CA-34) until it was sunk during the Battle of Savo Island in August of 1942. He then served two years aboard USS Coral Sea (CVE-57). They completed naval operations supporting attacks on the Gilbert and Marshall Islands. Barbezat returned to the US and was discharged in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with J.M. Barclay. Barcaly was born in Broadus, Texas 12 September 1923. Upon joining the Navy in 1941 he went to San Diego for boot camp. He then was assigned to the USS Utah (BB-31) as a helmsman. The ship was at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 and Barclay recalls observing Japanese planes attacking the fleet and a bomb hitting the Utah. He abandoned ship and tells of Japanese planes strafing men in the water. He assisted in recovering bodies of sailors from the USS Arizona (BB-39). Later in the evening, among a group of sailors resting on an oil tanker, Barclay’s group was subjected to friendly fire, resulting in casualties. For several weeks before the attack, Barclay recalls seeing a foreign submarine on the surface near the ship on a daily basis. He would report the sighting to the captain but no action was taken. In early 1942 he was transferred to the USS Honolulu (CL-48). He recounts several battles and recalls the Honolulu having forty feet of her bow blown off by a torpedo. After a short period of shore duty Barclay was transferred to the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with J.M. Barclay. Barcaly was born in Broadus, Texas 12 September 1923. Upon joining the Navy in 1941 he went to San Diego for boot camp. He then was assigned to the USS Utah (BB-31) as a helmsman. The ship was at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 and Barclay recalls observing Japanese planes attacking the fleet and a bomb hitting the Utah. He abandoned ship and tells of Japanese planes strafing men in the water. He assisted in recovering bodies of sailors from the USS Arizona (BB-39). Later in the evening, among a group of sailors resting on an oil tanker, Barclay’s group was subjected to friendly fire, resulting in casualties. For several weeks before the attack, Barclay recalls seeing a foreign submarine on the surface near the ship on a daily basis. He would report the sighting to the captain but no action was taken. In early 1942 he was transferred to the USS Honolulu (CL-48). He recounts several battles and recalls the Honolulu having forty feet of her bow blown off by a torpedo. After a short period of shore duty Barclay was transferred to the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jerold Barnes. Barnes joined the Coast Guard in September of 1940. He recalls serving aboard one of the ships that was turned over to the English during the Lend-Lease program in 1941. He remained aboard his ship to help train the English crew. Barnes was present in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. He completed Officer’s Training School at the Coast Guard Academy. He later served aboard the USS Shoshone (AKA-65), providing air and sea rescue services. He returned to the US and was discharged in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jerold Barnes. Barnes joined the Coast Guard in September of 1940. He recalls serving aboard one of the ships that was turned over to the English during the Lend-Lease program in 1941. He remained aboard his ship to help train the English crew. Barnes was present in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. He completed Officer’s Training School at the Coast Guard Academy. He later served aboard the USS Shoshone (AKA-65), providing air and sea rescue services. He returned to the US and was discharged in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Bell. Bell finished college at Texas Tech before joining the Army Air Forces in 1942. He was commissioned and sent to India where he joined the 341st Bomb Group as an engineer officer. He shares several anecdotes about his experiences.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Bell. Bell finished college at Texas Tech before joining the Army Air Forces in 1942. He was commissioned and sent to India where he joined the 341st Bomb Group as an engineer officer. He shares several anecdotes about his experiences.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Henry Bicknell. Bicknell was drafted by the Army in December of 1942. He served with the 5th Armored Division and was sent to Europe where he drove an ammunition truck for the tanks. He provides details of his training and describes the light tanks they used. In February of 1944 they traveled to England and were attached to Patton’s 3rd Army. They landed on Utah Beach in July of 1944, and traveled through France and the southern part of Belgium, where he participated in the liberation of Luxemburg. Bicknell provides details of his experiences, including running from his ammunition truck when it was struck by a shell and enduring numerous attacks and casualties of fellow servicemen. Bicknell served 3 years with the 5th Armored Division. Bicknell was discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Henry Bicknell. Bicknell was drafted by the Army in December of 1942. He served with the 5th Armored Division and was sent to Europe where he drove an ammunition truck for the tanks. He provides details of his training and describes the light tanks they used. In February of 1944 they traveled to England and were attached to Patton’s 3rd Army. They landed on Utah Beach in July of 1944, and traveled through France and the southern part of Belgium, where he participated in the liberation of Luxemburg. Bicknell provides details of his experiences, including running from his ammunition truck when it was struck by a shell and enduring numerous attacks and casualties of fellow servicemen. Bicknell served 3 years with the 5th Armored Division. Bicknell was discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Boardman. Boardman joined the Navy in December of 1941. He served aboard the USS Henderson (AP-1). His rank was Seaman Second Class. He flew in a Grumman TBF Avenger, and describes the plane in some detail. He was discharged in October of 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charlie Boswell. After boot training in San Diego, he was assigned to the USS Tennessee in April 1941. The Tennessee was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 tied up on the inside of the USS West Virginia, next to the pier. Boswell's battle station was as an ammunition handler on one of the 5-inch guns. He went down there and stayed there all day, sending up rounds. Boswell states that the Tennessee took two bombs hits. After about seven or eight days and they had blasted the big concrete pillars to give the Tennessee enough room to get out, they went to Bremerton, Washington along with the USS Pennsylvania and USS Maryland. After repairs, the Tennessee operated out of San Francisco. In September 1942, the Tennessee put back into Bremerton for additional work. Boswell was transferred to the Brooklyn Navy Yard and the USS Waller (DD-466), a new Fletcher-class destroyer. The Waller sailed through the Panama Canal and ended up in the Solomon Islands, around Guadalcanal, where they joined up with four cruisers and four other destroyers. They operated out of an island called Tonagawa for two …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charlie Boswell. After boot training in San Diego, he was assigned to the USS Tennessee in April 1941. The Tennessee was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 tied up on the inside of the USS West Virginia, next to the pier. Boswell's battle station was as an ammunition handler on one of the 5-inch guns. He went down there and stayed there all day, sending up rounds. Boswell states that the Tennessee took two bombs hits. After about seven or eight days and they had blasted the big concrete pillars to give the Tennessee enough room to get out, they went to Bremerton, Washington along with the USS Pennsylvania and USS Maryland. After repairs, the Tennessee operated out of San Francisco. In September 1942, the Tennessee put back into Bremerton for additional work. Boswell was transferred to the Brooklyn Navy Yard and the USS Waller (DD-466), a new Fletcher-class destroyer. The Waller sailed through the Panama Canal and ended up in the Solomon Islands, around Guadalcanal, where they joined up with four cruisers and four other destroyers. They operated out of an island called Tonagawa for two …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Simmons. Simmons joined the Navy in July 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. He received electro-hydraulics training and was assigned to the USS Davis (DD-395) as a gunner’s mate, his battle station in the lower forward handling room, sending up five-inch shells. He participated in the invasion of Normandy, providing support to troops landing on Omaha Beach. After escorting the USS Texas (BB-35) back to England and attempting a return trip with supplies, the Davis hit a mine and was sent to Scotland for repairs. Simmons returned to the States, where he was diagnosed with asthma and given a medical discharge. He claims to have not suffered any psychological impacts from witnessing drownings at Normandy, but his wife recalls that Simmons would become so nervous watching news reels that they would often leave the theater early together. Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Rolland Briar. Briar joined the Navy in 1940 and received basic training at Great Lakes. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Dixie (AD-14) where he was chosen as staff for the Commander of …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Simmons. Simmons joined the Navy in July 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. He received electro-hydraulics training and was assigned to the USS Davis (DD-395) as a gunner’s mate, his battle station in the lower forward handling room, sending up five-inch shells. He participated in the invasion of Normandy, providing support to troops landing on Omaha Beach. After escorting the USS Texas (BB-35) back to England and attempting a return trip with supplies, the Davis hit a mine and was sent to Scotland for repairs. Simmons returned to the States, where he was diagnosed with asthma and given a medical discharge. He claims to have not suffered any psychological impacts from witnessing drownings at Normandy, but his wife recalls that Simmons would become so nervous watching news reels that they would often leave the theater early together. Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Rolland Briar. Briar joined the Navy in 1940 and received basic training at Great Lakes. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Dixie (AD-14) where he was chosen as staff for the Commander of …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Brown. Born in 1919, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1941. He was sent to Pearl Harbor. He recounts his actions during the Japanese attack there. He was then assigned to the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). He describes his duties as the captain?s orderly. He talks about an encounter with fifteen Japanese twin-engine airplanes while escorting troop ships from the Coral Sea to Australia. He also discusses sinking Japanese supply ships in Alaska. After being hospitalized in San Francisco for tuberculosis, he joined the 1st Marine Division in Guadalcanal in late 1943. He shares an anecdote about the troops and quinine on Guadalcanal. He describes the Battle of Peleliu where he was a gun captain on a 105mm howitzer. When the war ended, he was transported on the USS Wharton (AP-7) to San Diego, California where Roy Rogers and Dale Evans greeted the troops with the song ?Happy Trails.? Shortly thereafter, he was discharged.