Photograph of an aerial shot of Johnston Island.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents on oral interview with Carl McKenzie. McKenzie was born in Boise, Idaho in November, 1921. After working at Boeing briefly, McKenzie volunteered for service in the Navy in June, 1942. Once in the Navy, he attended fire control and radar operator schools before being assigned to the USS Earl (DD-635) at Boston. He recalls several convoy trips across the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and the United Kingdom. When the war in Europe ended, the Earle was being converted to a minesweeper and preparing for duty in the Pacific. Shortly after arriving in the Pacific, the war with Japan ended and the Earle went to Sasebo where minesweeping operations got underway. McKenzie also served aboard the USS McCook (DD-496) for more minesweeping operations in the China Sea.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents on oral interview with Carl McKenzie. McKenzie was born in Boise, Idaho in November, 1921. After working at Boeing briefly, McKenzie volunteered for service in the Navy in June, 1942. Once in the Navy, he attended fire control and radar operator schools before being assigned to the USS Earl (DD-635) at Boston. He recalls several convoy trips across the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and the United Kingdom. When the war in Europe ended, the Earle was being converted to a minesweeper and preparing for duty in the Pacific. Shortly after arriving in the Pacific, the war with Japan ended and the Earle went to Sasebo where minesweeping operations got underway. McKenzie also served aboard the USS McCook (DD-496) for more minesweeping operations in the China Sea.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank R. Strebel. Strebel was born in San Francisco 31 August 1919. He graduated from high school in 1938 and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. Strebel joined the Army National Guard in 1937. His unit, Company F, 159th Infantry, 40th Infantry Division, was called to active duty in March 1941. The unit was sent to Camp San Luis Obispo for three months of training. Following maneuvers at Fort Lewis, the 159th was assigned to a coastal gun battery at Fort Cronkite, California. In May 1942, Strebel was assigned as a first sergeant in the 96th Infantry Division. From there, he attended Officer Candidate School and graduated with a commission. On 15 March 1944 he reported to Company F, 415th Infantry Regiment, 104th Division as a platoon leader. On 25 August 1944 the company arrived at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey and boarded the USS Lejeune (AP-74). They landed at Cherbourg, France 7 September 1944. On 15 October they boarded boxcars to Belgium where they joined the 1st Canadian Division in an assault. Strebel describes various combat situations in Aachen and Lammerdorf, Germany. His company suffered 60% casualties in their …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank R. Strebel. Strebel was born in San Francisco 31 August 1919. He graduated from high school in 1938 and joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. Strebel joined the Army National Guard in 1937. His unit, Company F, 159th Infantry, 40th Infantry Division, was called to active duty in March 1941. The unit was sent to Camp San Luis Obispo for three months of training. Following maneuvers at Fort Lewis, the 159th was assigned to a coastal gun battery at Fort Cronkite, California. In May 1942, Strebel was assigned as a first sergeant in the 96th Infantry Division. From there, he attended Officer Candidate School and graduated with a commission. On 15 March 1944 he reported to Company F, 415th Infantry Regiment, 104th Division as a platoon leader. On 25 August 1944 the company arrived at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey and boarded the USS Lejeune (AP-74). They landed at Cherbourg, France 7 September 1944. On 15 October they boarded boxcars to Belgium where they joined the 1st Canadian Division in an assault. Strebel describes various combat situations in Aachen and Lammerdorf, Germany. His company suffered 60% casualties in their …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lucille Wilson. Wilson, nee Werner, born in Indiana in 1918. When war was declared, she was attending Purdue University. Soon, though, she went to Fort Wayne and took a job at General Electric. Wilson married during the war and her husband was in the Navy. She recalls travelling to New York on several occasions to meet him during the war. She also comments on rationing.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lucille Wilson. Wilson, nee Werner, born in Indiana in 1918. When war was declared, she was attending Purdue University. Soon, though, she went to Fort Wayne and took a job at General Electric. Wilson married during the war and her husband was in the Navy. She recalls travelling to New York on several occasions to meet him during the war. She also comments on rationing.

The National Museum of The Pacific War presents an interview with William Katavolos. Katavolos was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1924. He tells of being friends, as a youngster, with a German family who was arrested as being German spies and the circumstances that contributed to the charge. He was drafted into the Army Air Forces in 1942 and was sent to Fort Benjamin Harrison for training as an X-Ray Technician. Later, he was assigned to Wendover Air Force Base, Utah. Katavolos tells of his experiences there, including a fateful meeting with Colonel Paul Tibbetts resulting in his transfer to Davis-Monthan Army Air Field, Arizona. Katavolos was later assigned to the 311th Station Hospital in Manila, Philippines. He expresses his opinion of the worthiness of General Eichelberger. Katavolos was discharged in mid-1946.

The National Museum of The Pacific War presents an interview with William Katavolos. Katavolos was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1924. He tells of being friends, as a youngster, with a German family who was arrested as being German spies and the circumstances that contributed to the charge. He was drafted into the Army Air Forces in 1942 and was sent to Fort Benjamin Harrison for training as an X-Ray Technician. Later, he was assigned to Wendover Air Force Base, Utah. Katavolos tells of his experiences there, including a fateful meeting with Colonel Paul Tibbetts resulting in his transfer to Davis-Monthan Army Air Field, Arizona. Katavolos was later assigned to the 311th Station Hospital in Manila, Philippines. He expresses his opinion of the worthiness of General Eichelberger. Katavolos was discharged in mid-1946.