The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harvey L. Harvey. Right after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Harvey left the oil fields in South Texas and joined the Army Air Corps. Harvey discusses training to be a pilot and then going to New Caledonia. He also shares anecdotes about aerial combat over Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands. Harvey participated in the mission to shoot down Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto in 1943 and describes his role and what he witnessed. Harvey also shartes several anecdotes from his time in combat and in the service while overseas.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Howard Boyd. Boyd was drafted into the Army Air Forces in December, 1942 and took basic training at Wichita Falls. From there, he went to aerial gunnery school at Harlingen. He was then assigned as a ball turret gunner on a B-17 and began training with a crew. Once he got to England, he was assigned to the 339th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group in England. He flew on 30 combat missions starting in March, 1944. Boyd shares several anecdotes from his combat missions. He returned to the US in August 1944 and became an instructor. Boyd was discharged in October.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Howard Boyd. Boyd was drafted into the Army Air Forces in December, 1942 and took basic training at Wichita Falls. From there, he went to aerial gunnery school at Harlingen. He was then assigned as a ball turret gunner on a B-17 and began training with a crew. Once he got to England, he was assigned to the 339th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group in England. He flew on 30 combat missions starting in March, 1944. Boyd shares several anecdotes from his combat missions. He returned to the US in August 1944 and became an instructor. Boyd was discharged in October.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Parr. Parr was inducted into the Army in July 1942 where he served as a radio operator in the Signal Corps. In 1944 he was sent to OCS to become an officer in the Signal Corps. In November 1944, he was sent to Finschhafen, New Guinea to serve with the 3169th Signal Service Battalion. He later volunteered to serve in a signal unit attached to the 273rd Heavy Construction Company, an engineering unit consisting of primarily African-American troops. The unit was eventually shipped to the Philippines. Parr left active duty in February 1946, but remained in the Army Reserve.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Parr. Parr was inducted into the Army in July 1942 where he served as a radio operator in the Signal Corps. In 1944 he was sent to OCS to become an officer in the Signal Corps. In November 1944, he was sent to Finschhafen, New Guinea to serve with the 3169th Signal Service Battalion. He later volunteered to serve in a signal unit attached to the 273rd Heavy Construction Company, an engineering unit consisting of primarily African-American troops. The unit was eventually shipped to the Philippines. Parr left active duty in February 1946, but remained in the Army Reserve.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dr. James E.T. Hopkins. Hopkins was born in Howard County, Maryland on 19 January 1915. Following high school, he attended The Johns Hopkins University graduating from the Medical School in 1941. He volunteered to go overseas with the Johns Hopkins Hospital Unit and was transported to Fiji aboard the SS President Coolidge (1931). On Fiji, they built the barracks out of reeds and bamboo and the hospital was a prefabricated building. In 1943 he volunteered to go to Guadalcanal and was assigned to the148th Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion as a battle surgeon. On July 18 he was assigned to the 37th Infantry Division whose assignment was to capture Munda air field. He recalls the combat conditions encountered by the battalion and of the heroic actions of Private Roger Young, for which he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. He comments on the number of cases of war neurosis (shell shock) that were treated. Heeding a call by President Roosevelt for volunteers for a dangerous mission, James was sent to Bombay, India where he joined the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional). It was commanded by Frank D. Merrill and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dr. James E.T. Hopkins. Hopkins was born in Howard County, Maryland on 19 January 1915. Following high school, he attended The Johns Hopkins University graduating from the Medical School in 1941. He volunteered to go overseas with the Johns Hopkins Hospital Unit and was transported to Fiji aboard the SS President Coolidge (1931). On Fiji, they built the barracks out of reeds and bamboo and the hospital was a prefabricated building. In 1943 he volunteered to go to Guadalcanal and was assigned to the148th Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion as a battle surgeon. On July 18 he was assigned to the 37th Infantry Division whose assignment was to capture Munda air field. He recalls the combat conditions encountered by the battalion and of the heroic actions of Private Roger Young, for which he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. He comments on the number of cases of war neurosis (shell shock) that were treated. Heeding a call by President Roosevelt for volunteers for a dangerous mission, James was sent to Bombay, India where he joined the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional). It was commanded by Frank D. Merrill and …

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an interview with James Harward. Harward joined the Army in October, 1944. When he arrived in France, he was assigned to B Company, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division in time to participate in combat in Germany. He describes his combat experiences and shares anecdotes about his occupation duty as well. When Harward returned to the US, he was discharged after a 30 day furlough.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an interview with James Harward. Harward joined the Army in October, 1944. When he arrived in France, he was assigned to B Company, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division in time to participate in combat in Germany. He describes his combat experiences and shares anecdotes about his occupation duty as well. When Harward returned to the US, he was discharged after a 30 day furlough.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James E. Holden. Holden joined the Army and trained at Camp Swift, Texas in 1943. He was assigned to a replacement battalion and eventually shipped to Burma where he joined Merrill's Marauders. He joined them before the Myitkyina campaign. He got injured by a fall and was eventually evacuated back to Lido. He returned to his unit in time for them to relocate to Kunming. He was detached to temporary duty at Kweiyang helping build a Red Cross station. He was there when the war ended and witnessed some fighting between the Chinese Nationalists and communists. Holden was discharged in December, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James E. Holden. Holden joined the Army and trained at Camp Swift, Texas in 1943. He was assigned to a replacement battalion and eventually shipped to Burma where he joined Merrill's Marauders. He joined them before the Myitkyina campaign. He got injured by a fall and was eventually evacuated back to Lido. He returned to his unit in time for them to relocate to Kunming. He was detached to temporary duty at Kweiyang helping build a Red Cross station. He was there when the war ended and witnessed some fighting between the Chinese Nationalists and communists. Holden was discharged in December, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James McClelland. McClelland joined the Navy in 1939 and after training was assigned to the USS Helena (CL-50). He cruised with the ship to South America before heading for Pearl Harbor. He was aboard during the Japanese attack and was burned badly enough to be evacuated to the hospital on shore. He was returned to the US and after recovering, began training people in fire control. McClelland was discharged in September, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James McClelland. McClelland joined the Navy in 1939 and after training was assigned to the USS Helena (CL-50). He cruised with the ship to South America before heading for Pearl Harbor. He was aboard during the Japanese attack and was burned badly enough to be evacuated to the hospital on shore. He was returned to the US and after recovering, began training people in fire control. McClelland was discharged in September, 1945.

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 James Schneider. Schneider joined the Navy in January 1945. He describes his training at radio school including how he was taught Morse Code and typing. Schneider was assigned to PC-1244 and was based in Guam. He briefly discusses going through two typhoons with his tight-knit crew. Schneider was discharged from the Navy in July 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Schneider. Schneider joined the Navy in January 1945. He describes his training at radio school including how he was taught Morse Code and typing. Schneider was assigned to PC-1244 and was based in Guam. He briefly discusses going through two typhoons with his tight-knit crew. Schneider was discharged from the Navy in July 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James M. Van de Hey. Born in Maribel, Wisconsin 15 March 1916, Van de Hey attended a one room school for eight years before graduating from high school in Antigo, Wisconsin. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps for two years before joining the Army Air Corps in 1936. Upon entering the Air Corps, he went to Chanute Field, Illinois for aircraft and maintenance school. While there he took examinations and was accepted for flight training. Van de Hey received training at several air fields and upon graduating, went to Hawaii. Arriving at Wheeler Field, he joined the 78th Pursuit Squadron. Recalling the attack on Pearl Harbor, he describes what he observed and tells of the damage to the planes. After receiving more aircraft and training all the personnel and equipment were loaded onto the USS Saratoga (CV-3) and taken to Midway. He was stationed on Midway twice and spending several months on Baker Island. During these tours, he shot down two Japanese aircraft. Van de Hey was made the squadron commander and they began flying P-51 fighters at Guam and Iwo Jima. While there he led the first …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James M. Van de Hey. Born in Maribel, Wisconsin 15 March 1916, Van de Hey attended a one room school for eight years before graduating from high school in Antigo, Wisconsin. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps for two years before joining the Army Air Corps in 1936. Upon entering the Air Corps, he went to Chanute Field, Illinois for aircraft and maintenance school. While there he took examinations and was accepted for flight training. Van de Hey received training at several air fields and upon graduating, went to Hawaii. Arriving at Wheeler Field, he joined the 78th Pursuit Squadron. Recalling the attack on Pearl Harbor, he describes what he observed and tells of the damage to the planes. After receiving more aircraft and training all the personnel and equipment were loaded onto the USS Saratoga (CV-3) and taken to Midway. He was stationed on Midway twice and spending several months on Baker Island. During these tours, he shot down two Japanese aircraft. Van de Hey was made the squadron commander and they began flying P-51 fighters at Guam and Iwo Jima. While there he led the first …

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 …

Transcript of an oral interview with Jill Pitts Knappenberger. She discusses growing up during the Depression, going to college before the war, then volunteering for the Red Cross in 1942, but delaying to stay home with her terminally ill sister before joining in 1943. She first worked in England before going to France. She was able to meet her twin brother, who was also in France just before he died in the Battle of the Bulge. She describes what it was like in the camps at the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge and driving the Red Cross Clubmobile away from the front lines, seeing the Ordruff [Ohrdruf] and the Buchenwald concentration camps and the salt mines at Merkers where the Germans stored a lot of looted money and artwork. She ancedotes about flying in B-17s, getting to drive a Sherman tank and how she felt during her first air raid in London and being in the Battle of the Bulge.

Transcript of an oral interview with Jill Pitts Knappenberger. She discusses growing up during the Depression, going to college before the war, then volunteering for the Red Cross in 1942, but delaying to stay home with her terminally ill sister before joining in 1943. She first worked in England before going to France. She was able to meet her twin brother, who was also in France just before he died in the Battle of the Bulge. She describes what it was like in the camps at the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge and driving the Red Cross Clubmobile away from the front lines, seeing the Ordruff [Ohrdruf] and the Buchenwald concentration camps and the salt mines at Merkers where the Germans stored a lot of looted money and artwork. She ancedotes about flying in B-17s, getting to drive a Sherman tank and how she felt during her first air raid in London and being in the Battle of the Bulge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jim Romer. In 1943 he was a civilian single-engine flight instructor at an Army Primary Flying School in Helena, Arkansas. He then joined the Ferry Command in Memphis, Tennessee where he received twin-engine training and worked as a civilian pilot ferrying airplanes. He shares an anecdote about leading a flight of six airplanes from Brazil to Ascension Island. After attending four-engine flight school, he went to Mitchel Field in Long Island, New York. He describes the conversion of B-24 bombers into C-109 fuel transports. The Army gave him an appointment as a flight officer and sent him to Shamshernagar, India. He flew missions transporting fuel over ?the Hump? to Chengtu and Kunming for use by bombers and other airplanes operating out of China. He flew C-87 transport planes, which were converted B-24 bombers. He talks about the hazards involved in the transport missions over the Himalaya Mountains, such as encountering Japanese planes, adverse weather conditions, and engine failure. He relates a story about drifting off course as well a one about losing three engines. He also mentions Japanese radio propaganda. Additionally, he comments on some of the activities …