The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bob Kaufman. Kaufman joined the Navy in June of 1936. He graduated from the Naval Academy in June of 1940. Beginning in June, Kaufman served aboard the USS Wichita (CA-45), operating primarily in the North Atlantic. He worked in the Communications and Gunnery departments through December of 1942. Kaufman volunteered for submarine school, graduated in June of 1943 and served as Diving Officer and Executive Officer aboard the USS Gato (SS-212). He completed war patrols through Bougainville, Saipan and Midway. He was later assigned to the submarine training command at Pearl Harbor, where he remained through the end of the war. Kaufman continued his service after the war, retiring as a captain in June of 1970.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bob Kaufman. Kaufman joined the Navy in June of 1936. He graduated from the Naval Academy in June of 1940. Beginning in June, Kaufman served aboard the USS Wichita (CA-45), operating primarily in the North Atlantic. He worked in the Communications and Gunnery departments through December of 1942. Kaufman volunteered for submarine school, graduated in June of 1943 and served as Diving Officer and Executive Officer aboard the USS Gato (SS-212). He completed war patrols through Bougainville, Saipan and Midway. He was later assigned to the submarine training command at Pearl Harbor, where he remained through the end of the war. Kaufman continued his service after the war, retiring as a captain in June of 1970.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Edwin. Edwin was born in 1932. As a young elementary school student in Houston, Texas, he volunteered with the aircraft warning services during World War II. From mid-1942 through December of 1943, Edwin served as an aircraft observer on Sunday afternoons, reporting to the 3rd Fighter Command of the 3rd Air Force.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Edwin. Edwin was born in 1932. As a young elementary school student in Houston, Texas, he volunteered with the aircraft warning services during World War II. From mid-1942 through December of 1943, Edwin served as an aircraft observer on Sunday afternoons, reporting to the 3rd Fighter Command of the 3rd Air Force.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with David Frazier. Frazier was born in Franklin, Pennsylvania on 19 May 1927. Upon joining the Navy in 1945 he went to boot camp at Samson Naval Training Base in New York. Upon completing boot training, he was sent to Iwo Jima where he went aboard the USS Susanville (PC-1149). He developed an ingenious method to make ice cream on board the ship. He recalls that after providing shuttle services for several months the ship went to Guam where they began the decommissioning process. They returned to the United States in 1947 and Frazier was discharged having spent seventeen months in active service.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with David Frazier. Frazier was born in Franklin, Pennsylvania on 19 May 1927. Upon joining the Navy in 1945 he went to boot camp at Samson Naval Training Base in New York. Upon completing boot training, he was sent to Iwo Jima where he went aboard the USS Susanville (PC-1149). He developed an ingenious method to make ice cream on board the ship. He recalls that after providing shuttle services for several months the ship went to Guam where they began the decommissioning process. They returned to the United States in 1947 and Frazier was discharged having spent seventeen months in active service.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with David Rust. Rust joined the Army Air Forces on his eighteenth birthday. He was trained as an aerial gunner and then was sent to flight school to become a pilot. Rust was sent to the 23rd Fighter Group in China and flew P-40s. He flew bomber escort and ground support missions. Rust describes the differences between P-40s and P-51s. He rotated back to the US after completing 100 missions. Rust became a member of the reserves after the war and volunteered for duty in the Korean War. He describes being shot-down on his 43rd mission and nearly drowning in a river. Rust remained on active duty for several more years and eventually became a jet pilot.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with David Rust. Rust joined the Army Air Forces on his eighteenth birthday. He was trained as an aerial gunner and then was sent to flight school to become a pilot. Rust was sent to the 23rd Fighter Group in China and flew P-40s. He flew bomber escort and ground support missions. Rust describes the differences between P-40s and P-51s. He rotated back to the US after completing 100 missions. Rust became a member of the reserves after the war and volunteered for duty in the Korean War. He describes being shot-down on his 43rd mission and nearly drowning in a river. Rust remained on active duty for several more years and eventually became a jet pilot.

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 interview with Frederick Gilsinger. Gilsinger joined the Army Air Forces in August of 1943. He completed basic training in Biloxi, Mississippi and navigation at Butler University, Indianapolis. He was a second lieutenant and served as a B-26 pilot. He provides vivid details of the various planes he flew during wartime, including the B-26, B-25, A-26, Piper Cub, PT-19, BT-13 and the AT-17. Gilsinger remained stateside throughout his service in the war. He was discharged in September of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frederick Gilsinger. Gilsinger joined the Army Air Forces in August of 1943. He completed basic training in Biloxi, Mississippi and navigation at Butler University, Indianapolis. He was a second lieutenant and served as a B-26 pilot. He provides vivid details of the various planes he flew during wartime, including the B-26, B-25, A-26, Piper Cub, PT-19, BT-13 and the AT-17. Gilsinger remained stateside throughout his service in the war. He was discharged in September of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gordon Kruse. Kruse joined the Navy in March 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. He attended aviation machinist mate’s school in Jacksonville. Upon completion, he was assigned to a patrol bomber training station in Florida, where he was line captain for SBC and PV aircraft. He then attended hydraulics school in Chicago and was sent to Lockheed in California to learn PV hydraulics. Kruse was stationed at Guam until the end of the war, where he helped the Seabees dig trenches until TBMs arrived for servicing. While on Guam he explored caves and discovered Japanese holdouts. Kruse returned home and was discharged in March 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gordon Kruse. Kruse joined the Navy in March 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. He attended aviation machinist mate’s school in Jacksonville. Upon completion, he was assigned to a patrol bomber training station in Florida, where he was line captain for SBC and PV aircraft. He then attended hydraulics school in Chicago and was sent to Lockheed in California to learn PV hydraulics. Kruse was stationed at Guam until the end of the war, where he helped the Seabees dig trenches until TBMs arrived for servicing. While on Guam he explored caves and discovered Japanese holdouts. Kruse returned home and was discharged in March 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Alden. Alden was born in San Diego, California on 23 October 1921. While attending Cornell University he entered the US Navy V-7 Program. Upon graduating from Cornell he was ordered to attend Midshipman School at Columbia University. While there he was hospitalized for an extended period of time. Later, Alden was ordered to Midshipman’s School at Notre Dame University. Upon graduating in September 1943, he was sent to Diesel school at Cornell University. When he completed the course, he was selected for the Submarine Service and reported to the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, Connecticut. Alden received training aboard the USS Pike (SS-173) and the USS Cachalot (SS-170) before being assigned as communications officer on the USS Lamprey (SS-372). During January 1945 the boat arrived in Saipan where they began patrol duties. He describes encounters with Chinese junks during these patrols. During their third patrol they were notified the Japanese surrendered and they returned to Subic Bay. The USS Lamprey was then ordered to return to the United States where it was placed into the mothball fleet. Alden concludes the interview by telling of his various assignments …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Alden. Alden was born in San Diego, California on 23 October 1921. While attending Cornell University he entered the US Navy V-7 Program. Upon graduating from Cornell he was ordered to attend Midshipman School at Columbia University. While there he was hospitalized for an extended period of time. Later, Alden was ordered to Midshipman’s School at Notre Dame University. Upon graduating in September 1943, he was sent to Diesel school at Cornell University. When he completed the course, he was selected for the Submarine Service and reported to the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, Connecticut. Alden received training aboard the USS Pike (SS-173) and the USS Cachalot (SS-170) before being assigned as communications officer on the USS Lamprey (SS-372). During January 1945 the boat arrived in Saipan where they began patrol duties. He describes encounters with Chinese junks during these patrols. During their third patrol they were notified the Japanese surrendered and they returned to Subic Bay. The USS Lamprey was then ordered to return to the United States where it was placed into the mothball fleet. Alden concludes the interview by telling of his various assignments …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Maurice Rindskopf. Rindskopf graduated from the Naval Academy in 1938. He completed submarine school in 1940. Beginning November of 1941, Rindskopf served as Commanding Officer aboard the USS Drum (SS-228). He completed 11 war patrols around Japan, Truk, Tulagi, Marshall Islands and the Philippines. He continued his service after the war ended, retiring in 1972 as a rear admiral and the Director of Naval Intelligence.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Maurice Rindskopf. Rindskopf graduated from the Naval Academy in 1938. He completed submarine school in 1940. Beginning November of 1941, Rindskopf served as Commanding Officer aboard the USS Drum (SS-228). He completed 11 war patrols around Japan, Truk, Tulagi, Marshall Islands and the Philippines. He continued his service after the war ended, retiring in 1972 as a rear admiral and the Director of Naval Intelligence.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ray Christensen. Christensen was born in Henry, South Dakota in December 1917. He joined the Navy in September 1941 and went to Great lakes Naval Training Station, Chicago, Illinois for boot training. Upon completion he reported aboard the USS Colorado (BB-45) at Bremerton, Washington. He tells of the ship taking part in the bombardment of Tarawa. After returning to the United States for overhaul, the ship took part in the invasion of several islands including Tinian. While bombarding Tinian, the ship was hit by Japanese shore batteries resulting in numerous casualties. Christensen recalls that after being repaired in the United States the Colorado participated in the invasion of Leyte. During this time the ship was hit by two kamikaze aircraft, which resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. After repairs at Manus Island the ship participated in the bombardment of Lingayen Gulf. During this operation the ship was hit by accidental shelling by the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) resulting in many casualties. The ship also participated in the invasion of Okinawa and Christensen saw people jumping off cliffs to avoid capture during this operation.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ray Christensen. Christensen was born in Henry, South Dakota in December 1917. He joined the Navy in September 1941 and went to Great lakes Naval Training Station, Chicago, Illinois for boot training. Upon completion he reported aboard the USS Colorado (BB-45) at Bremerton, Washington. He tells of the ship taking part in the bombardment of Tarawa. After returning to the United States for overhaul, the ship took part in the invasion of several islands including Tinian. While bombarding Tinian, the ship was hit by Japanese shore batteries resulting in numerous casualties. Christensen recalls that after being repaired in the United States the Colorado participated in the invasion of Leyte. During this time the ship was hit by two kamikaze aircraft, which resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. After repairs at Manus Island the ship participated in the bombardment of Lingayen Gulf. During this operation the ship was hit by accidental shelling by the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) resulting in many casualties. The ship also participated in the invasion of Okinawa and Christensen saw people jumping off cliffs to avoid capture during this operation.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas L. Stafford. Stafford joined the Army in March 1943. He was trained as a quartermaster and sent to England as a replacement. Stafford volunteered to join the 6th Combat Engineer Amphibious Special Assault Brigade which was attached to the 29th Infantry Division. He describes landing on the wrong part of Omaha Beach on D-Day being sent to find a sergeant who had combat fatigue. Stafford was then sent to the 87th Infantry Division where he participated in front line combat from the Battle of the Bulge through the end of the war in Germany. He became a platoon leader and eventually received a battlefield commission. Stafford discusses crossing the Rhine under heavy fire and seeing Buchenwald soon after it was liberated. One of his proudest achievements occurred when he accepted the surrender of two German division near the end of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas L. Stafford. Stafford joined the Army in March 1943. He was trained as a quartermaster and sent to England as a replacement. Stafford volunteered to join the 6th Combat Engineer Amphibious Special Assault Brigade which was attached to the 29th Infantry Division. He describes landing on the wrong part of Omaha Beach on D-Day being sent to find a sergeant who had combat fatigue. Stafford was then sent to the 87th Infantry Division where he participated in front line combat from the Battle of the Bulge through the end of the war in Germany. He became a platoon leader and eventually received a battlefield commission. Stafford discusses crossing the Rhine under heavy fire and seeing Buchenwald soon after it was liberated. One of his proudest achievements occurred when he accepted the surrender of two German division near the end of the war.