Transcript of an oral interview with Al Heigel. When Heigel finished high school in June, 1944, he joined the Navy at Little Rock, Arkansas and went for boot training at San Diego. He was assigned as a radar operator and reported aboard the USS Independence (CVL-22) at Pearl Harbor. Heigel describes the light carrier and its construction and features. He also speaks of the time the Independence was hit by a torpedo off Tarawa in 1943. Heigel then describes events off Okinawa: watching the USS Franklin (CV-13) being bombed off Okinawa; locating and shooting down kamikazes; describing battle stations; aircraft water landings; being in a typhoon, etc. After the war ended, the Independence served as a troop transport taking GIs back home to the US. He describes bunks in the hangar deck and arriving in Portland, Oregon. As the Independence was being prepared for the Bikini Atoll atomic tests, Heigel got off becuase he had the requisite amount of points allowing him to be discharged. He then entered the lumber business, married and raised family.

Transcript of an oral interview with Al Heigel. When Heigel finished high school in June, 1944, he joined the Navy at Little Rock, Arkansas and went for boot training at San Diego. He was assigned as a radar operator and reported aboard the USS Independence (CVL-22) at Pearl Harbor. Heigel describes the light carrier and its construction and features. He also speaks of the time the Independence was hit by a torpedo off Tarawa in 1943. Heigel then describes events off Okinawa: watching the USS Franklin (CV-13) being bombed off Okinawa; locating and shooting down kamikazes; describing battle stations; aircraft water landings; being in a typhoon, etc. After the war ended, the Independence served as a troop transport taking GIs back home to the US. He describes bunks in the hangar deck and arriving in Portland, Oregon. As the Independence was being prepared for the Bikini Atoll atomic tests, Heigel got off becuase he had the requisite amount of points allowing him to be discharged. He then entered the lumber business, married and raised family.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alan Tanaguchi. Tanaguchi was a Japanese-American internee at the Gila River Camp in Arizona during World War II. At 19 years old, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Tanaguchi became a part of the internment program of the War Relocation Authority. He provides detail of life growing up in Stockton, California before December 7, 1941 and after, and experiences of bigotry and racism among his peers. He provides detail of his father being in the Justice Department internment group. He served as the dean of the College of Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin, and at Rice University in Houston. He designed an addition to the Nimitz Museum.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alex Moskowitz. Moskowitz was drafted into the Army in January 1943. After basic training in Virginia, he was assigned to the 284th Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Company and headed overseas. He recalls experiences from the invasion of Leyte and hauling supplies and men ashore aboard DUKW vehicles and LVTs. He also went to Okinawa. When the war ended, his unit went to Kyushu. Moskowitz relates several experiences during his time in combat and during the occupation. He was discharged in January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alex Moskowitz. Moskowitz was drafted into the Army in January 1943. After basic training in Virginia, he was assigned to the 284th Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Company and headed overseas. He recalls experiences from the invasion of Leyte and hauling supplies and men ashore aboard DUKW vehicles and LVTs. He also went to Okinawa. When the war ended, his unit went to Kyushu. Moskowitz relates several experiences during his time in combat and during the occupation. He was discharged in January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alfred Keeler. Keeler joined the Navy in July of 1943. In November, he served as a Radio Operator with the 2nd Marine Division, during the Battle of Tarawa. In 1944, Keeler traveled aboard the USS Bushnell (AS-15) to Midway, where he continued to work as a radio operator on the island. Beginning late 1944, he served in communications with Admiral Nimitz headquarters in Hawaii. He was a passenger aboard the USS Mississippi (BB-41) during the Battle of Okinawa, and recalls his experiences. Keeler received his discharge in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alfred Keeler. Keeler joined the Navy in July of 1943. In November, he served as a Radio Operator with the 2nd Marine Division, during the Battle of Tarawa. In 1944, Keeler traveled aboard the USS Bushnell (AS-15) to Midway, where he continued to work as a radio operator on the island. Beginning late 1944, he served in communications with Admiral Nimitz headquarters in Hawaii. He was a passenger aboard the USS Mississippi (BB-41) during the Battle of Okinawa, and recalls his experiences. Keeler received his discharge in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alfredo Buentello. Buentello joined the Army in September 1940 and received basic training at Fort Sam Houston. He received medical corpsman training for three years before landing on Normandy on 6 June 1944 with the 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, supporting the 38th Regiment. He recalls the devastation at Normandy and remembers saving the lives of two men, one of whom was a German soldier. Buentello spent 160 days on the frontlines. He remembers Brest as being particularly bad. He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. Buentello sustained a concussion and multiple head wounds, one of which was patched with a metal plate. He recovered at the 165th General Hospital and the 44th Evacuation Hospital. He saw men being sent from the hospital to the front lines without having fully recovered. At the end of April, Buentello rejoined his division in Pilsen. He celebrated V-E Day, complete with a parade. He had enough points to return home immediately and was discharged in June 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alfredo Buentello. Buentello joined the Army in September 1940 and received basic training at Fort Sam Houston. He received medical corpsman training for three years before landing on Normandy on 6 June 1944 with the 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, supporting the 38th Regiment. He recalls the devastation at Normandy and remembers saving the lives of two men, one of whom was a German soldier. Buentello spent 160 days on the frontlines. He remembers Brest as being particularly bad. He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. Buentello sustained a concussion and multiple head wounds, one of which was patched with a metal plate. He recovered at the 165th General Hospital and the 44th Evacuation Hospital. He saw men being sent from the hospital to the front lines without having fully recovered. At the end of April, Buentello rejoined his division in Pilsen. He celebrated V-E Day, complete with a parade. He had enough points to return home immediately and was discharged in June 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alvin Lerman. Lerman joined the Navy in September 1942. He entered into flight training and earned his wings in March 1944 prior to being assigned to VC-94. His unit boarded the USS Shamrock, Bay (CVE-84). Lerman offers several anecdotes of flying combat missions during the liberation of the Philippines, and the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alvin Lerman. Lerman joined the Navy in September 1942. He entered into flight training and earned his wings in March 1944 prior to being assigned to VC-94. His unit boarded the USS Shamrock, Bay (CVE-84). Lerman offers several anecdotes of flying combat missions during the liberation of the Philippines, and the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

The National Museum of the Pacific Ware presents an oral interview with Andy Miller. Miller was born in Miller, South Dakota 15 March 1924. He graduated from high school in 1938 and enlisted in the US Army Air Corps 23 July 1941. He arrived at Manila, Philippine Islands on 28 August 1941 where he was assigned to the 19th Airbase Squadron stationed at Nichols Field. Starting on 9 December 1941, Nichols Field was bombed by the Japanese daily throughout the month. On 24 December Miller boarded the inter-island steamer MS McTane and went to Mariveles Harbor at Bataan. There he was given an infantry assignment in the Reserve Resistance Line as a member of a machinegun team. He recalls the lack of adequate food supplies as well as the shortage of medical supplies. He recalls taking a small boat to flee the area and of being picked up by a US Navy patrol boat and taken to Corregidor on 10 April 1941. Upon his arrival he was assigned to the 4th Marine Regiment 3rd Battalion for beach defense. He remembers on 7 May 1942 he was told to report to the 92nd Garage Area near Manila Hill. There he became …

The National Museum of the Pacific Ware presents an oral interview with Andy Miller. Miller was born in Miller, South Dakota 15 March 1924. He graduated from high school in 1938 and enlisted in the US Army Air Corps 23 July 1941. He arrived at Manila, Philippine Islands on 28 August 1941 where he was assigned to the 19th Airbase Squadron stationed at Nichols Field. Starting on 9 December 1941, Nichols Field was bombed by the Japanese daily throughout the month. On 24 December Miller boarded the inter-island steamer MS McTane and went to Mariveles Harbor at Bataan. There he was given an infantry assignment in the Reserve Resistance Line as a member of a machinegun team. He recalls the lack of adequate food supplies as well as the shortage of medical supplies. He recalls taking a small boat to flee the area and of being picked up by a US Navy patrol boat and taken to Corregidor on 10 April 1941. Upon his arrival he was assigned to the 4th Marine Regiment 3rd Battalion for beach defense. He remembers on 7 May 1942 he was told to report to the 92nd Garage Area near Manila Hill. There he became …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Arnold Roman. Roman joined the Army Air Forces in 1942. He served with the 90th Bombardment Group in the Pacific as a B-24 radar bombardier. He traveled to New Guinea, Guam, Okinawa, the Philippines, Ie Shima and Tarawa. They attacked enemy airfields, railways, ground installations and oil refineries. Their unit was inactivated in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Arnold Roman. Roman joined the Army Air Forces in 1942. He served with the 90th Bombardment Group in the Pacific as a B-24 radar bombardier. He traveled to New Guinea, Guam, Okinawa, the Philippines, Ie Shima and Tarawa. They attacked enemy airfields, railways, ground installations and oil refineries. Their unit was inactivated in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an interview with Arthur Wages. Wages joined the Navy in February 1943 and trained at Great Lakes and then attended quartermaster school in Rhode Island. When he got overseas to New Caledonia, he was assigned to the USS Washington (BB-56) in late 1943. He was aboard when the Washington was involved in a collision at sea. After a brief home leave and repairs, Wages returned to the ship and participated in the action at the Mariana Islands, the Palaus, the Philippines and others. He was aboard when the war ended and was discharged in February, 1946.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an interview with Arthur Wages. Wages joined the Navy in February 1943 and trained at Great Lakes and then attended quartermaster school in Rhode Island. When he got overseas to New Caledonia, he was assigned to the USS Washington (BB-56) in late 1943. He was aboard when the Washington was involved in a collision at sea. After a brief home leave and repairs, Wages returned to the ship and participated in the action at the Mariana Islands, the Palaus, the Philippines and others. He was aboard when the war ended and was discharged in February, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Aubrey Felder. Felder joined the Navy in February of 1943. He completed training and served as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate aboard the USS Wolverine (IX-64), a training ship at Naval Station Great Lakes. Beginning January of 1944 Felder worked aboard the USS Kadashan Bay (CVE-76). They participated in the battles of Peleliu, Leyte Gulf, Luzon and the Battle off Samar in the Philippine Sea. Their ship was hit by a kamikaze. Felder returned to the US and was discharged in early 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Aubrey Felder. Felder joined the Navy in February of 1943. He completed training and served as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate aboard the USS Wolverine (IX-64), a training ship at Naval Station Great Lakes. Beginning January of 1944 Felder worked aboard the USS Kadashan Bay (CVE-76). They participated in the battles of Peleliu, Leyte Gulf, Luzon and the Battle off Samar in the Philippine Sea. Their ship was hit by a kamikaze. Felder returned to the US and was discharged in early 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ayoko Lefteau. Lefteau was born in 1935, in Japan. Her father worked at the Kadena Air Force Base. Lefteau speaks of life growing up in Naha, Okinawa during wartime. After the burning of Naha, her family was transferred to a survival camp in Nakijin. Her father disappeared searching for extended family, and Lefteau was given shelter, food and protection by the American GIs. She shares how her family re-established life in Naha, and associated with the American occupation troops after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ayoko Lefteau. Lefteau was born in 1935, in Japan. Her father worked at the Kadena Air Force Base. Lefteau speaks of life growing up in Naha, Okinawa during wartime. After the burning of Naha, her family was transferred to a survival camp in Nakijin. Her father disappeared searching for extended family, and Lefteau was given shelter, food and protection by the American GIs. She shares how her family re-established life in Naha, and associated with the American occupation troops after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bart Semerero. Semerero joined the Army Air Forces in 1943. He completed bombardier training. Beginning in April of 1944, he served aboard a B-17 with the 326th Base Unit. He was transferred to Florida to completed additional training, where he was stationed when the war ended. He continued his service after the war ended, serving with occupying forces in Germany, receiving his discharge in 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bart Semerero. Semerero joined the Army Air Forces in 1943. He completed bombardier training. Beginning in April of 1944, he served aboard a B-17 with the 326th Base Unit. He was transferred to Florida to completed additional training, where he was stationed when the war ended. He continued his service after the war ended, serving with occupying forces in Germany, receiving his discharge in 1947.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an interview with Bernard Hollander. Hollander was commissioned in the Naval Reserve in May 1942. His first assignment was aboard the USS SC-1065 before he switched ships to command the USS SC-1066 and headed for the Western Pacific. There, he was involved in the invasions of the Marshall Islands and the Mariana Islands before being assigned to the USS Medea (AKA-31) as navigator. He participated in the invasion of Okinawa and transported troops ashore at Tokyo Bay during the surrender. Hollander recalls several anecdotes about his experiences in the Navy aboard small vessels. He received his discharge in February, 1946.