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Oral History Interview with Robert D. Haines, May 15, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert D. Haines, May 15, 2002

Interview with Robert D. Haines, an American prisoner of war during World War II. He discusses the attack on Clark Field in the Philippines on December 8, 1941, as well as his experiences on the Bataan Death March. He also tells of his time spent as a prisoner of war under the Japanese at Camp O'Donnell, Cabanatuan and Bilibid prison in Manila. He encountered his brother, who was a civilian internee, at Bilibid. From there, he rode on a hell ship for 39 days to a POW camp in Formosa (Taiwan). When the Americans began bombing Formosa, Haines was moved via another hell ship to Tokyo, Japan. Not long after, he was liberated and returned to San Francisco, then Denver.
Date: May 15, 2002
Creator: Graham, Eddie & Haines, Robert D.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Lewis R. Hopkins, January 15, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Lewis R. Hopkins, January 15, 2004

Interview with Lewis R. Hopkins, a pilot during World War II. He describes growing up on a farm in Georgia, going to college at Berry, and working for Sears, Roebuck, and the Royal Typewriter Company before joining the U. S. Navy. He tells an anecdote about joining the navy so he could go to New York to see the World's Fair, since he had heard the Atlanta Reserve would be making a trip to the Fair. He began flight training in Florida in December 1940, finished the next September, then drove cross-country to San Francisco after the Pearl Harbor attack. He eventually joined the USS Enterprise in April 1942 and saw the B-25 bombers in the Doolittle Raid take off. He was part of Bombing Squadron Six and trained under Commander Best to learn how to do scouting flights, navigation, and dive bombing. He then describes his participation in the Battle of Midway, the hours before take-off, his first view of the Japanese fleet, and his bombing mission. He was later assigned to the USS Hornet and had to fly off to a little island so that planes from the USS Wasp could land on the Hornet after their ship …
Date: January 15, 2004
Creator: Cox, Floyd & Hopkins, Lewis R.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Mary Steele Leon, April 15, 1997 transcript

Oral History Interview with Mary Steele Leon, April 15, 1997

Interview with Mary Steele Leon, a secretary for the U. S. Navy during and after World War II. She joined the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) and was trained as a secretary. Her first assignment was in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) during World War II. The CNO at the time was Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King. After the war, she served as personal secretary for Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz while he was CNO. She was discharged in 1946.
Date: April 15, 1997
Creator: Alexander, Bill & Leon, Mary Steele
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Phinney, July 15, 2010 transcript

Oral History Interview with James Phinney, July 15, 2010

Interview with James (Jim) Phinney, an aircraft electrician for the U. S. Navy during Wold War II. He discusses joining the Navy, going through boot camp and becoming an aircraft electrician. He was assigned to the USS Lexington but abandoned ship after it was hit by a torpedo. He was rescued and was then sent to San Diego to be reassigned to the USS Enterprise. He mentions being at Guadalcanal and later aboard a sub-chaser. The crew crossed the Equator and consequently participated in an initiation ceremony, during which time Admiral Halsey was nearly shot by one of the ship's pilots who forgot to lock his gun. He also recalls some of the food he ate while at sea.
Date: July 15, 2010
Creator: Cox, Floyd; Phinney, James & O'Konski, Susan
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Richard Bennett, November 15, 2001 transcript

Oral History Interview with Richard Bennett, November 15, 2001

Interview with Richard (Dick) Bennett, a pilot during World War II. He discusses his enlistment in the Army Air Corps, basic training and flight school. He then went to a base in South Carolina to learn to fly B-25s. At Fort Myers, Florida he flew B-26 bombers and trained to fly them off of aircraft carriers so they could drop torpedos on the Japanese fleet during naval battles. He traveled across the Pacific to Brisbane only to be told that they didn't have B-26s for the crews; the colonel there knew nothing about the plan to launch B-26s from aircraft carriers, so they were sent to New Guinea to fly B-17s and supplement the crews for those bombers. From there they made bombing runs or "Washing Machine Charlie"-type runs to keep people awake at night on various Japanese targets in the islands, particularly the base at Rabaul. In fall of 1943, the Army grounded the B-17s due to the damage they had incurred and replaced them with B-24s. The men received manuals and were given only a few days to familiarize themselves with the new planes. They were then sent on bombing runs. He finished his tour of duty at …
Date: November 15, 2001
Creator: Cox, Floyd & Bennett, Richard
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - November 15, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - November 15, 1944]

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including a visit with Evelyn and plans to stay in and play cards with friends, as well as the winter weather. She also mentions that she has received letters from him and asks about the Air Medal he was awarded.
Date: November 15, 1944
Creator: Davis, Catherine Dawe
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - November 15, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - November 15, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the rainy weather, receiving the candy Wootsie sent him, and winning $4 in a game of poker.
Date: November 15, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 15, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 15, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service, reading "The Good Earth," deciding to miss the movie being shown that night, and enjoying listening to the radio.
Date: October 15, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - September 15, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - September 15, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing exploring the island after cleaning his guns, his squadron making improvements to their tent, issues with their electricity, enjoying the food, and the mail service.
Date: September 15, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - August 15, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - August 15, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing his plans to visit Corporal Langston, having a few beers in town with other men in his squadron, and buying a new fountain pen.
Date: August 15, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - July 15, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - July 15, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing taking a test on the last day of gunnery school, flying a gunnery mission, seeing the movie "The Sultan's Daughter," and asking if she received the money he sent her.
Date: July 15, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - June 15, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - June 15, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing his early morning flight, a good dinner at the mess hall, playing softball with Williams and Graves, and telling Catherine that she doesn't need to send him anything.
Date: June 15, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - January 15, 1945] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - January 15, 1945]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing his crew making a late night meal, encouraging Catherine to tell him about her flying lessons, having completed 25 missions, apologizing for not writing to their friends more often.
Date: January 15, 1945
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - July 15, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - July 15, 1944]

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including that James Logan received the Congressional Medal of Honor, supper with Baker and Neel, and a potential trip to Gonzales.
Date: July 15, 1944
Creator: Davis, Catherine Dawe
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - August 15, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - August 15, 1944]

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including a visit to Tooter's and Urban's, Mother buying a knife for him, and a trip to Gonzales.
Date: August 15, 1944
Creator: Davis, Catherine Dawe
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - June 15, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - June 15, 1944]

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including Dan going to Capri for a rest, a visit from Tooter, and Jessamon having another breast tumor removed.
Date: June 15, 1944
Creator: Davis, Catherine Dawe
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - September 15, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - September 15, 1944]

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including receiving a letter from Williams' wife in Tonopah, going out to have a few beers with friends, Catherine's prediction that John and Baby are going to break up, and plans to ask for a raise.
Date: September 15, 1944
Creator: Davis, Catherine Dawe
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - January 15, 1945] (open access)

[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - January 15, 1945]

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including stopping her flying lessons, asking to put in a request so that she can send him a package, and recovering from her cold.
Date: January 15, 1945
Creator: Davis, Catherine Dawe
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Abel Ortega, July 15, 2002 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Abel Ortega, July 15, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Abel Ortega. Ortega was drafted into the Army in March, 1941 and was in the Philippines by November. Ortega was with a tank battalion on Luzon and recalls the retreat to and subsequent surrender on Bataan. Ortega also recalls how his Christian faith served him, and others around him, during captivity. He describes his experiences on the Bataan Death March. Ortega remained in the Philippines for over two years before being shipped to Japan to perform more slave labor. After the war, Ortega was repatriated and describes his return home to his parents.
Date: July 15, 2002
Creator: Ortega, Abel
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Abel Ortega, July 15, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Abel Ortega, July 15, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Abel Ortega. Ortega was drafted into the Army in March, 1941 and was in the Philippines by November. Ortega was with a tank battalion on Luzon and recalls the retreat to and subsequent surrender on Bataan. Ortega also recalls how his Christian faith served him, and others around him, during captivity. He describes his experiences on the Bataan Death March. Ortega remained in the Philippines for over two years before being shipped to Japan to perform more slave labor. After the war, Ortega was repatriated and describes his return home to his parents.
Date: July 15, 2002
Creator: Ortega, Abel
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Chester W. Nimitz Relieving J. O. Richardson as Chief of the Bureau of Navigation]

Photograph of an unidentified man, Rear Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, and Admiral J. O. Richardson standing together during change of command where Nimitz relieves Richardson as Chief of Bureau of Navigation. The unnamed man stands profile on the left in a dark suit, a white collared shirt, a striped tie and wire framed glasses. Chester W. Nimitz stands in the center with his hand resting on a book and wearing a light-colored suit, white collared shirt and a patterned tie. On the right holding up a book in one hand and some papers in the other is Admiral J. O. Richardson wearing a light-colored suit, white collared shirt, and a polka dot tie. Behind the men is large, framed painting of a ship.
Date: June 15, 1939
Creator: United States. Navy
Object Type: Photograph
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz with Battha Sisters]

Photograph of Magda Battha, Marta Battha, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Margit Battha, and Maria Battha on occasion of the Battha sisters becoming U.S. citizens. Magda is wearing a grey quarter sleeved coat and white fabric tie around her neck, a white hat with a net fascinator, a dark skirt and a white clutch in her hands. Marta wears a dark gingham dress with black hemmed sleeves and collar, a black hat and a lei around her neck. Chester W, Nimitz stands in the center wearing his dark Naval uniform with six buttons on the front, ribbon bars pinned above his pocket and a tie. Margit wears a corduroy coat, a white hat and purse and holds in her hands a pair of white gloves. Maria stands in a matching black coat, skirt and hat with a white lei around her neck.
Date: June 15, 1953
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Photograph
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Cecelia McKie to Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Masig - May 15, 1943] (open access)

[Letter from Cecelia McKie to Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Masig - May 15, 1943]

Copy of letter sent from Cecelia McKie to 'Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Masig (?)' of New South Wales, Australia, regarding Santo Tomas Internment Camp internee 'Eric John Byde'. Letter contains transcribed message broadcast from internee to 'Charles Gregor', asking him to forward the message to his parents in New South Wales, Australia.
Date: May 15, 1943
Creator: McKie, Cecelia, 1903-1982
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Eddie Dennis to Cecelia McKie - May 15, 1943] (open access)

[Letter from Eddie Dennis to Cecelia McKie - May 15, 1943]

Letter sent from Eddie Dennis to Cecelia McKie thanking her for the message from Jeannette Light and stating this is the first good news they have received. She mentions the wonderful service the 'Short Wave Listening Posts' are giving. Letter is typed on Denver and Intermountain Railroad Company stationery. Envelope addressed to Mrs. W. L. McKie, Sacramento, California from The Denver Tramway Corporation, The Denver and Intermountain R. R. Co., Golden, Colorado. Reverse side of envelope has been removed by creator.
Date: May 15, 1943
Creator: Dennis, Eddie
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History