The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arthur Knowles. Knowles was born in Stubenville, Ohio on 22 October 1923. After graduating from high school he attended Citadel College for two and a half years serving in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. His ROTC class was called to active duty and was taken to Fort McClellan, Alabama for basic training. In December 1943 he was ordered to Fort Benning, Georgia to attend Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on 2 May 1944 and reported to the 84th Infantry Division at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. He was assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 334th Infantry Regiment with the responsibility of providing ammunition to the rifle companies. On 16 December 1944 he was assigned as a platoon leader to Company A of the regiment. He tells of his various experiences including involvement in the Battle of the Bulge, finding three of his men who had been on patrol bound and executed, thwarting a tank attack for which he was awarded a Bronze Star, and capturing a German command car. He was wounded by machinegun fire and spent four weeks in an Army hospital. In May 1945, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arthur Knowles. Knowles was born in Stubenville, Ohio on 22 October 1923. After graduating from high school he attended Citadel College for two and a half years serving in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. His ROTC class was called to active duty and was taken to Fort McClellan, Alabama for basic training. In December 1943 he was ordered to Fort Benning, Georgia to attend Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on 2 May 1944 and reported to the 84th Infantry Division at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. He was assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 334th Infantry Regiment with the responsibility of providing ammunition to the rifle companies. On 16 December 1944 he was assigned as a platoon leader to Company A of the regiment. He tells of his various experiences including involvement in the Battle of the Bulge, finding three of his men who had been on patrol bound and executed, thwarting a tank attack for which he was awarded a Bronze Star, and capturing a German command car. He was wounded by machinegun fire and spent four weeks in an Army hospital. In May 1945, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Benjamin Muller. Muller was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1924. Upon joining the Army Air Corps in 1942, he was sent to radio school in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was then sent to Savannah, Georgia where he trained for one year as a member of the 92nd Airdrome Squadron. He then went to Pittsburg, California where he boarded the USAT Klipfontein bound for Lae, New Guinea. He then went to Nadzab, where he joined the 34th Bomb Group, 300th Bomb Squadron as the radio operator/gunner on a B-25. He tells of the various locations they were based and describes some of the thirty-seven missions he flew. He recalls a bombing mission over Indochina where flak from Japanese antiaircraft created a fire aboard his plane resulting in a crash landing in the sea. The pilot did not survive the crash and the co-pilot disappeared in the water wearing his life vest. Muller had been burned, the navigator had a back injury and the engineer was severely burned. On 3 April 1945, they were picked up by a Japanese patrol boat and taken to Samah, Hainan Island, China where …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Benjamin Muller. Muller was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1924. Upon joining the Army Air Corps in 1942, he was sent to radio school in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was then sent to Savannah, Georgia where he trained for one year as a member of the 92nd Airdrome Squadron. He then went to Pittsburg, California where he boarded the USAT Klipfontein bound for Lae, New Guinea. He then went to Nadzab, where he joined the 34th Bomb Group, 300th Bomb Squadron as the radio operator/gunner on a B-25. He tells of the various locations they were based and describes some of the thirty-seven missions he flew. He recalls a bombing mission over Indochina where flak from Japanese antiaircraft created a fire aboard his plane resulting in a crash landing in the sea. The pilot did not survive the crash and the co-pilot disappeared in the water wearing his life vest. Muller had been burned, the navigator had a back injury and the engineer was severely burned. On 3 April 1945, they were picked up by a Japanese patrol boat and taken to Samah, Hainan Island, China where …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Dahlstrom. Dahlstrom was born in Austin, Texas on 10 February 1926 and graduated from high school in 1943. Soon after, he joined the Navy and had boot training at San Diego. Upon completion of basic training he reported aboard the USS Mississippi (BB-41) and was assigned to a 5 inch deck gun crew. He was aboard ship bombarding Makin Island and saw the USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) sink. The following day an explosion occurred aboard the Mississippi, killing over thirty men. After repairs at Pearl Harbor they proceeded to Kwajalein to provide support for the invasion. Dahlstrom also saw action at Peleliu, Manus Island, Leyte Gulf and Surigao Straits. He also recalls the battle of the Lingayen Gulf during which the ship was hit by a kamikaze. After more repairs at Pearl Harbor they proceeded to Okinawa where they were continually harassed by kamikazes and Japanese Baca bombs. The Mississippi was again struck by a suicide plane and proceeded to Leyte Gulf where it was placed in dry-dock for repairs. Upon completion of the repairs the ship proceeded to Tokyo Bay and was present when Japan surrendered. …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Dahlstrom. Dahlstrom was born in Austin, Texas on 10 February 1926 and graduated from high school in 1943. Soon after, he joined the Navy and had boot training at San Diego. Upon completion of basic training he reported aboard the USS Mississippi (BB-41) and was assigned to a 5 inch deck gun crew. He was aboard ship bombarding Makin Island and saw the USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) sink. The following day an explosion occurred aboard the Mississippi, killing over thirty men. After repairs at Pearl Harbor they proceeded to Kwajalein to provide support for the invasion. Dahlstrom also saw action at Peleliu, Manus Island, Leyte Gulf and Surigao Straits. He also recalls the battle of the Lingayen Gulf during which the ship was hit by a kamikaze. After more repairs at Pearl Harbor they proceeded to Okinawa where they were continually harassed by kamikazes and Japanese Baca bombs. The Mississippi was again struck by a suicide plane and proceeded to Leyte Gulf where it was placed in dry-dock for repairs. Upon completion of the repairs the ship proceeded to Tokyo Bay and was present when Japan surrendered. …

Interview with Earl Smyth, Jr., a serviceman during World War II. He discusses his time aboard the USS Saratoga at the Battle of Midway and at Guadalcanal, where the ship sustained two torpedo attacks. He saw Pearl Harbor three days after the attack.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Earl Smyth. He discusses his time aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3) at the Battle of Midway, Guadacanal, sustaining two torpedo attacks and seeing Pearl Harbor three days after the attack.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Earl Smyth. He discusses his time aboard the USS Saratoga (CV-3) at the Battle of Midway, Guadacanal, sustaining two torpedo attacks and seeing Pearl Harbor three days after the attack.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Reynolds. Reynolds was drafted into the Army in January 1946 and received basic training at Fort Bliss. Basic was only six weeks long at that point, and Reynolds was happy to have the opportunity to relieve anyone who had served on the front lines. He recalls that his commanding officers weren’t very kind and seemed to be having difficulty readjusting to life after the war. He received nine months of training in handling 90-millimeter antiaircraft guns and was discharged later that year. He joined a refrigeration company as an assembly lineman and worked his way into quality control and engineering, finishing 47 years later as a laboratory manager. Reynolds feels that the artillery training he received prepared him well for the technical demands of his job.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Reynolds. Reynolds was drafted into the Army in January 1946 and received basic training at Fort Bliss. Basic was only six weeks long at that point, and Reynolds was happy to have the opportunity to relieve anyone who had served on the front lines. He recalls that his commanding officers weren’t very kind and seemed to be having difficulty readjusting to life after the war. He received nine months of training in handling 90-millimeter antiaircraft guns and was discharged later that year. He joined a refrigeration company as an assembly lineman and worked his way into quality control and engineering, finishing 47 years later as a laboratory manager. Reynolds feels that the artillery training he received prepared him well for the technical demands of his job.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Norman. Norman graduated from Rice University in February 1944 and then attended midshipman school at Notre Dame. Once commissioned, he went to North Carolina for diesel engineering school finishing that in December 1944. He was assigned to the submarine tender USS Aegir (AS-23) as an engineering officer in February 1945 at Midway Island. When the war ended, he was assigned to a minesweeper, USS Sprig (AM-384), in Japanese waters. Norman was discharged in August, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Norman. Norman graduated from Rice University in February 1944 and then attended midshipman school at Notre Dame. Once commissioned, he went to North Carolina for diesel engineering school finishing that in December 1944. He was assigned to the submarine tender USS Aegir (AS-23) as an engineering officer in February 1945 at Midway Island. When the war ended, he was assigned to a minesweeper, USS Sprig (AM-384), in Japanese waters. Norman was discharged in August, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jetty Cook. Cook enlisted in the Army Air Corps in the aviation cadet program soon after his 18th birthday in 1942. They promised him that if he enlisted he would not be called to active duty until after he finished high school; this didn't turn out to be the case. He was sent to aviation cadet training in California but 'washed out' because of poor eyesight. He still wanted to fly so they said he could be a gunner. After B-17 flight mechanic school in Amarillo, Texas he was sent to aerial gunnery school in Kingman, Arizona, finishing just before Christmas 1943. Afterwards, he went to MacDill Army Airfield for two months of combat crew training. This is where the B-17 crews were formed up. He was selected by the pilot of this aircraft to be the flight engineer and top turret gunner. From there, the crew went to Hunter Army Airfiled, picked up a brand new B-17 out of the factory and received orders to deploy to Bangor, Maine. After arriving at a RAF base in Northern Ireland (after a grueling flight across the North Atlantic) their …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jetty Cook. Cook enlisted in the Army Air Corps in the aviation cadet program soon after his 18th birthday in 1942. They promised him that if he enlisted he would not be called to active duty until after he finished high school; this didn't turn out to be the case. He was sent to aviation cadet training in California but 'washed out' because of poor eyesight. He still wanted to fly so they said he could be a gunner. After B-17 flight mechanic school in Amarillo, Texas he was sent to aerial gunnery school in Kingman, Arizona, finishing just before Christmas 1943. Afterwards, he went to MacDill Army Airfield for two months of combat crew training. This is where the B-17 crews were formed up. He was selected by the pilot of this aircraft to be the flight engineer and top turret gunner. From there, the crew went to Hunter Army Airfiled, picked up a brand new B-17 out of the factory and received orders to deploy to Bangor, Maine. After arriving at a RAF base in Northern Ireland (after a grueling flight across the North Atlantic) their …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joseph Nicholas. Nicholas joined the Navy and trained as a hospital corpsman. With training complete, Nicholas reported to the dispensary at Parris Island. He joined the Fleet marine Force and was shipped to Guam and was in training when the war ended. He ended up going to Japan on occupation duty. He shares several anecdotes from his time on occupation duty. He returned in July 1946 and was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joseph Nicholas. Nicholas joined the Navy and trained as a hospital corpsman. With training complete, Nicholas reported to the dispensary at Parris Island. He joined the Fleet marine Force and was shipped to Guam and was in training when the war ended. He ended up going to Japan on occupation duty. He shares several anecdotes from his time on occupation duty. He returned in July 1946 and was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Leonard Kovar. Kovar joined the Marine Corps in October 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion he was assigned to guard the Santa Ana Naval Lighter-Than-Air Station. He was then sent to New Caledonia, and he enjoyed his time in Nouméa. In New Guinea he joined L Company, 7th Marine Regiment, where he served as a bazooka-loader. His first landing was at Cape Gloucester, where he lived in a wet foxhole and defended himself against banzai-style attacks. Twice he received encouragement from Chesty Puller. His next landing was at Peleliu, where his amphibious tractor was one of the only ones to make it past the coral. He was wounded by machine gun fire on the final day of the Battle of Peleliu and received a blood transfusion in the field before being transferred to a first aid station. He was carried by the USS Solace (AH-5) to a hospital at the Admiralty Islands and then flown to a hospital at Guadalcanal. Kovar made a full recovery and was discharged in September 1945. He recalls a tremendous celebration on V-J Day.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Leonard Kovar. Kovar joined the Marine Corps in October 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion he was assigned to guard the Santa Ana Naval Lighter-Than-Air Station. He was then sent to New Caledonia, and he enjoyed his time in Nouméa. In New Guinea he joined L Company, 7th Marine Regiment, where he served as a bazooka-loader. His first landing was at Cape Gloucester, where he lived in a wet foxhole and defended himself against banzai-style attacks. Twice he received encouragement from Chesty Puller. His next landing was at Peleliu, where his amphibious tractor was one of the only ones to make it past the coral. He was wounded by machine gun fire on the final day of the Battle of Peleliu and received a blood transfusion in the field before being transferred to a first aid station. He was carried by the USS Solace (AH-5) to a hospital at the Admiralty Islands and then flown to a hospital at Guadalcanal. Kovar made a full recovery and was discharged in September 1945. He recalls a tremendous celebration on V-J Day.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lorraine Mannering, nee Ungaretti. She discusses life prior to World War II and life on the homefront during the war. Her husband, drafted into the Army in 1941, served with the 18th Engineers constructing the Alcan Highway in Alaska. He also served on the Aleutian Islands of Attu, Adak, and Shemya. During the war, Lorraine continued her work in the insurance industry in San Francisco, California. She discusses rationing, shortages, blackouts, and victory gardens. She talks about war damage insurance policies and communicating with her husband via mail. She reflects on the treatment of Japanese Americans, the changing role of women, the use of atomic bombs, and race relations in San Francisco. When her husband was transferred to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, she worked for the Red Cross. Her husband was discharged in 1945. The interview includes information about her parents as well as her life after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lorraine Mannering, nee Ungaretti. She discusses life prior to World War II and life on the homefront during the war. Her husband, drafted into the Army in 1941, served with the 18th Engineers constructing the Alcan Highway in Alaska. He also served on the Aleutian Islands of Attu, Adak, and Shemya. During the war, Lorraine continued her work in the insurance industry in San Francisco, California. She discusses rationing, shortages, blackouts, and victory gardens. She talks about war damage insurance policies and communicating with her husband via mail. She reflects on the treatment of Japanese Americans, the changing role of women, the use of atomic bombs, and race relations in San Francisco. When her husband was transferred to Fort Belvoir, Virginia, she worked for the Red Cross. Her husband was discharged in 1945. The interview includes information about her parents as well as her life after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Milton Gebhard. Gebhard joined the Army Air Forces in January 1944. He was trained as an infantryman and served in Okinawa after the battle had ended. Gebhard worked as a guard for Japanese prisoners for seven months. He was discharged when he returned to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Milton Gebhard. Gebhard joined the Army Air Forces in January 1944. He was trained as an infantryman and served in Okinawa after the battle had ended. Gebhard worked as a guard for Japanese prisoners for seven months. He was discharged when he returned to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Longway. Longway joined the Navy in April of 1943. He went to school to learn visual communications, graduating as a Third Class Petty Officer. He served in the Navy Armed Guard as a signalman and communication officer. Longway traveled on Victory and Liberty ships and was aboard five ships that sunk. His ships took supplies for all the invasions in the Western Pacific, including Tarawa, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, New Guinea, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was discharged in June of 1946.