The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Barney Tarver. Tarver joined the Marine Corps in 1944. He was sent to the Pacific as a replacement. Tarver joined the 1st Marine Division on Pavuvu and took part in the invasion of Okinawa. He describes the conditions of the battlefield and the tactics used against dug-in Japanese defenders. Tarver describes being picked for stretcher duty and seeing men break due to the stress of battle. He traveled with the division to China for occupation duty and returned home for discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Barney Tarver. Tarver joined the Marine Corps in 1944. He was sent to the Pacific as a replacement. Tarver joined the 1st Marine Division on Pavuvu and took part in the invasion of Okinawa. He describes the conditions of the battlefield and the tactics used against dug-in Japanese defenders. Tarver describes being picked for stretcher duty and seeing men break due to the stress of battle. He traveled with the division to China for occupation duty and returned home for discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Benjamin Cranefield, Jr. Cranefield joined the US Navy in 1943, and after attending boot camp in Farragut, Idaho, was sent to corpsman school in San Diego, California. Upon completion of the corpsman training he underwent amphibious training. Then he boarded the USS Hansford (APA-106). He tells of joining the 1st Battalion, 27th Regiment of the 5th Marines at Hilo, Hawaii and of landing on Saipan. He describes the combat actions taking place during the four days following the landing. He recalls being involved in action on Iwo Jima, after which time he went back aboard the Hansford. He was aboard when it delivered the Army’s 27th Infantry Division to Okinawa. He describes the operating room aboard the USS Hansford. Following the battle for Okinawa the ship sailed to Subic Bay, Philippine Islands to undergo training for the invasion of Japan. Following the surrender of Japan the ship participated in Operation Magic Carpet until the program was terminated. Soon afterwards the ship went to Norfolk, Virginia, where it was decommissioned.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Benjamin Cranefield, Jr. Cranefield joined the US Navy in 1943, and after attending boot camp in Farragut, Idaho, was sent to corpsman school in San Diego, California. Upon completion of the corpsman training he underwent amphibious training. Then he boarded the USS Hansford (APA-106). He tells of joining the 1st Battalion, 27th Regiment of the 5th Marines at Hilo, Hawaii and of landing on Saipan. He describes the combat actions taking place during the four days following the landing. He recalls being involved in action on Iwo Jima, after which time he went back aboard the Hansford. He was aboard when it delivered the Army’s 27th Infantry Division to Okinawa. He describes the operating room aboard the USS Hansford. Following the battle for Okinawa the ship sailed to Subic Bay, Philippine Islands to undergo training for the invasion of Japan. Following the surrender of Japan the ship participated in Operation Magic Carpet until the program was terminated. Soon afterwards the ship went to Norfolk, Virginia, where it was decommissioned.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Benton Askins. Askins joined the Army in July 1942. He was trained in radio installation and repair and sent to Australia, then to New Gunea where he joined the 997th Signal Service Battalion at Hollandia. He stayed there until the war ended. He returned to the US and was discharged in January 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Benton Askins. Askins joined the Army in July 1942. He was trained in radio installation and repair and sent to Australia, then to New Gunea where he joined the 997th Signal Service Battalion at Hollandia. He stayed there until the war ended. He returned to the US and was discharged in January 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents and interview Bill Smith. Smith went into the Army in February 1942. After basic training, Smith was shipped to Australia with the 440th Signal Construction Battalion and they built telephone lines. From there, he went to Port Moresby, still building communications infrastructure. When the invasion of the Philippines occurred, Smith went to Luzon and continued with the 440th. He also went to Okinawa with them. When the war ended, Smith went home and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents and interview Bill Smith. Smith went into the Army in February 1942. After basic training, Smith was shipped to Australia with the 440th Signal Construction Battalion and they built telephone lines. From there, he went to Port Moresby, still building communications infrastructure. When the invasion of the Philippines occurred, Smith went to Luzon and continued with the 440th. He also went to Okinawa with them. When the war ended, Smith went home and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War present an oral interview with Carmine Giuliano. Giuliano was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1922. He recalls his early life as a child of immigrant parents. He received his draft notice while attending Berkley College and entered the Navy Aviation Cadet Training Program in February 1943. He tells of flight training before being notified of the reduction of cadets. He was then sent to boot camp and then Midshipman’s School at Notre Dame. After being commissioned as an ensign, he attended radar school for assignment as an air traffic controller. He was assigned to USS Lunga Point (CVE-94) and recalls being on duty in the combat information center when the nearby USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) was hit by a kamikaze. He recalls picking up Allied POWs in Nagasaki and transporting them to various ports. Giuliano also includes a story about meeting Admiral and Mrs. Nimitz.

The National Museum of the Pacific War present an oral interview with Carmine Giuliano. Giuliano was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1922. He recalls his early life as a child of immigrant parents. He received his draft notice while attending Berkley College and entered the Navy Aviation Cadet Training Program in February 1943. He tells of flight training before being notified of the reduction of cadets. He was then sent to boot camp and then Midshipman’s School at Notre Dame. After being commissioned as an ensign, he attended radar school for assignment as an air traffic controller. He was assigned to USS Lunga Point (CVE-94) and recalls being on duty in the combat information center when the nearby USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) was hit by a kamikaze. He recalls picking up Allied POWs in Nagasaki and transporting them to various ports. Giuliano also includes a story about meeting Admiral and Mrs. Nimitz.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Sullivan. Sullivan was born 11 November 1923. He joined the Navy in December of 1942. He served as an Electrician’s Mate aboard USS Wesson (DE-184). They traveled to Kwajalein and the Marianas. Sullivan speaks of supporting the Philippine Island operations, and the Okinawa invasion. He returned to the US in late 1945, and received his discharge in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Sullivan. Sullivan was born 11 November 1923. He joined the Navy in December of 1942. He served as an Electrician’s Mate aboard USS Wesson (DE-184). They traveled to Kwajalein and the Marianas. Sullivan speaks of supporting the Philippine Island operations, and the Okinawa invasion. He returned to the US in late 1945, and received his discharge in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles William Wiley. Wiley joined the Navy in 1944. He completed basic training in Samson, New York, and worked in Naval Intelligence at an airfield in Anacostia, near Washington DC. He helped make propaganda and training films, and worked security on the base. In early 1945, he was assigned to USS LST-950 in the Pacific and participated in the assault and occupation of Okinawa. From September through early November, they performed occupation duty in Japan. In mid-1946, they assisted in relocating natives off of Bikini Island to other islands, for the United States nuclear testing. Wiley returned to the US in late 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles William Wiley. Wiley joined the Navy in 1944. He completed basic training in Samson, New York, and worked in Naval Intelligence at an airfield in Anacostia, near Washington DC. He helped make propaganda and training films, and worked security on the base. In early 1945, he was assigned to USS LST-950 in the Pacific and participated in the assault and occupation of Okinawa. From September through early November, they performed occupation duty in Japan. In mid-1946, they assisted in relocating natives off of Bikini Island to other islands, for the United States nuclear testing. Wiley returned to the US in late 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clinton Henderson. Henderson joined the Army Air Force before graduating high school and received basic training in Wichita Falls, aerial gunnery training in Las Vegas, and combat crew training in Ardmore. Upon completion, he was assigned as a ball turret gunner for the 384th Bombardment Group, stationed in England. Toward the end of his 36-mission tour, his plane was hit by antiaircraft fire above Germany. His crew aborted the mission and landed safely at a British airfield. Henderson returned to the States and trained to become a B-29 gunnery instructor. The work was dangerous, as the planes flew at twice the speed bomber pilots were accustomed to. Henderson transferred to Randolph Field and finished his time in the service as a supply clerk. He was discharged in October 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clinton Henderson. Henderson joined the Army Air Force before graduating high school and received basic training in Wichita Falls, aerial gunnery training in Las Vegas, and combat crew training in Ardmore. Upon completion, he was assigned as a ball turret gunner for the 384th Bombardment Group, stationed in England. Toward the end of his 36-mission tour, his plane was hit by antiaircraft fire above Germany. His crew aborted the mission and landed safely at a British airfield. Henderson returned to the States and trained to become a B-29 gunnery instructor. The work was dangerous, as the planes flew at twice the speed bomber pilots were accustomed to. Henderson transferred to Randolph Field and finished his time in the service as a supply clerk. He was discharged in October 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clyde Simpson. Simpson joined the Navy in June of 1940. He went to boot camp in San Diego, California. From there he went to Aviation Radio School to learn Morse Code. He also completed gunnery school. He was then transferred in early 1941 to the air group on the USS Saratoga (CV-3) and placed in Scouting Squadron 3 (VS-3). They traveled back and forth from San Diego to Hawaii for training cruises. Ten days after the attack on Pearl Harbor they traveled back to Hawaii. They were then sent out to look for the Japanese fleet, and ended up getting hit by a Japanese submarine. He talks about this experience. In July of 1942 he was back out to sea headed to the Solomon Islands, providing air support for the Marines at Guadalcanal. He provides details of the fighting at Guadalcanal. He was medically retired by the Navy in June of 1951.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clyde Simpson. Simpson joined the Navy in June of 1940. He went to boot camp in San Diego, California. From there he went to Aviation Radio School to learn Morse Code. He also completed gunnery school. He was then transferred in early 1941 to the air group on the USS Saratoga (CV-3) and placed in Scouting Squadron 3 (VS-3). They traveled back and forth from San Diego to Hawaii for training cruises. Ten days after the attack on Pearl Harbor they traveled back to Hawaii. They were then sent out to look for the Japanese fleet, and ended up getting hit by a Japanese submarine. He talks about this experience. In July of 1942 he was back out to sea headed to the Solomon Islands, providing air support for the Marines at Guadalcanal. He provides details of the fighting at Guadalcanal. He was medically retired by the Navy in June of 1951.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Spradling. Spradling graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity from Southern Methodist University in December of 1942. He was ordained in January of 1943 and in February, Spradling was commissioned as a Navy Chaplain. He was assigned to Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida. Later, he worked at Manana Naval Barracks and Kaneohe Bay Naval Air Station in Hawaii. He worked with the African-American community of Navy men, and with the stevedores to staff transports with chaplains and provide ecclesiastical supplies and equipment required for each voyage. From late February of 1945 through the end of the war, Spradling traveled aboard USS Saratoga (CV-3), working with the enlisted me, officers, admiral and captain, and produced a daily paper for the crew. He continued his service after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Spradling. Spradling graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity from Southern Methodist University in December of 1942. He was ordained in January of 1943 and in February, Spradling was commissioned as a Navy Chaplain. He was assigned to Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida. Later, he worked at Manana Naval Barracks and Kaneohe Bay Naval Air Station in Hawaii. He worked with the African-American community of Navy men, and with the stevedores to staff transports with chaplains and provide ecclesiastical supplies and equipment required for each voyage. From late February of 1945 through the end of the war, Spradling traveled aboard USS Saratoga (CV-3), working with the enlisted me, officers, admiral and captain, and produced a daily paper for the crew. He continued his service after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dick Bulington. Bulington joined the Army in January 1946. He completed his training at Fort McClellan, Alabama. He had weapons training. After basic training he was sent to Germany in April 1946. They landed in Le Havre, France and went by train to Germany. He served in the 508th Military Police Battalion in Munich. He was then transferred to the 1st Infantry Division. He served partially as an MP with the division and as a guard during the Nuremberg War Crime Trials in Germany. He was discharged April 1949. He provides some description of civilian life in Germany. He continued helping on his family’s farm when he returned home.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dick Bulington. Bulington joined the Army in January 1946. He completed his training at Fort McClellan, Alabama. He had weapons training. After basic training he was sent to Germany in April 1946. They landed in Le Havre, France and went by train to Germany. He served in the 508th Military Police Battalion in Munich. He was then transferred to the 1st Infantry Division. He served partially as an MP with the division and as a guard during the Nuremberg War Crime Trials in Germany. He was discharged April 1949. He provides some description of civilian life in Germany. He continued helping on his family’s farm when he returned home.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Elvin Moore. Moore served as an Army Medic on Guam. He was drafted in 1943 and after training was sent to Guam to work at an Army hospital camp. His father knew Lyndon B. Johnson and Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. One of his father's letters led to an invitation to visit Nimitz at CINCPAC headquarters. He remained on Guam until the end of the war. He was discharged January 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Elvin Moore. Moore served as an Army Medic on Guam. He was drafted in 1943 and after training was sent to Guam to work at an Army hospital camp. His father knew Lyndon B. Johnson and Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. One of his father's letters led to an invitation to visit Nimitz at CINCPAC headquarters. He remained on Guam until the end of the war. He was discharged January 1945.