The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Karel Dahmen. Dahmen was born in the Netherlands and witnessed the bombing of Rotterdam in May 1940. He recalls the chaos of fires burning and people being shot. With two friends he quickly manned a vacant boat and carried 45 Jews across the North Sea to England, using only a compass and school atlas for navigation. He joined the Dutch Navy in February 1941 and was assigned to HNLMS Jacob van Heemskerck as a radar operator. He went in convoy to Iceland to dismantle a German weather station. Dahmen recalls picking up Germans who were eager to turn themselves in and become prisoners-of-war. At the end of the year he attended officer school and became an engineer officer. He was then assigned to the Dutch Naval Liaison office in England, where he received messages and delivered news of the attack on Pearl Harbor to the Dutch prime minister. After the war he was sent for training at Camp Lejeune and Camp Endicott to work with Marines and Seabees in preparation for deployment to Indonesia. With the Dutch Marine Corps, he facilitated Indonesia’s transition to independence. Dahmen was reunited …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Karl Everitt. Everitt joined the Navy in June of 1942. He served aboard the USS Electra (AKA-4), and worked on a salvage boat. They participated in the invasion landings on North Africa. He was transferred to shore in England, and assigned to the USS LST-48. Everitt participated in the Normandy landings. He was then assigned to join the 3rd Army, and participated with them through the Battle of the Bulge. He returned to the US in the spring of 1945, and was discharged in November.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Karl Everitt. Everitt joined the Navy in June of 1942. He served aboard the USS Electra (AKA-4), and worked on a salvage boat. They participated in the invasion landings on North Africa. He was transferred to shore in England, and assigned to the USS LST-48. Everitt participated in the Normandy landings. He was then assigned to join the 3rd Army, and participated with them through the Battle of the Bulge. He returned to the US in the spring of 1945, and was discharged in November.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kelly Gibson. Gibson joined the Army Air Corps in September, 1941. He was trained as a radio repairman and serviced radios in airplanes at Turner Field, Georgia. He volunteered for overseas duty and was sent to England in 1943 and attached to the 61st Troop Carrier Group. He soon was the radio operator in a C-47 flight crew and participated in the Invasion of Normandy. As the war in Europe was winding down, Gibson was transferred to Natal, Brazil where he resumed repairing radios. When the war ended, Gibson was returned to the US where he elected to be discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kelly Gibson. Gibson joined the Army Air Corps in September, 1941. He was trained as a radio repairman and serviced radios in airplanes at Turner Field, Georgia. He volunteered for overseas duty and was sent to England in 1943 and attached to the 61st Troop Carrier Group. He soon was the radio operator in a C-47 flight crew and participated in the Invasion of Normandy. As the war in Europe was winding down, Gibson was transferred to Natal, Brazil where he resumed repairing radios. When the war ended, Gibson was returned to the US where he elected to be discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ken Jones. Jones joined the Navy in January of 1944. Beginning in May, he served as a 20mm gunner aboard the USS Colorado (BB-45). Jones participated in the pre-invasion shelling of Saipan, Guam and Tinian. Additionally, he participated in the Philippines Campaign and the Battle of Okinawa. After the war, they traveled to Tokyo Bay and witnessed the surrender of Japan. He returned to the US and was discharged around late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ken Jones. Jones joined the Navy in January of 1944. Beginning in May, he served as a 20mm gunner aboard the USS Colorado (BB-45). Jones participated in the pre-invasion shelling of Saipan, Guam and Tinian. Additionally, he participated in the Philippines Campaign and the Battle of Okinawa. After the war, they traveled to Tokyo Bay and witnessed the surrender of Japan. He returned to the US and was discharged around late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Leonard Vrana. Vrana was born in Moravia, Texas on 21 March 1921 and attended school in a two-room building. He enlisted in the Navy in 1940. After eight weeks of boot training at San Diego, he went to Pearl Harbor assigned aboard the USS California (BB-44). After serving a while in the Motor Launch Division, he became a striker in a fourteen inch gun turret. He describes the working conditions within a turret, the job assignments and procedures involved in firing the guns. He recalls experiences during the Japanese attack on 7 December 1941 during which the ship sustained bomb and torpedo damage. Following the attack, he was assigned to clean up the bodies of his dead shipmates. The ship was taken to Bremerton for repairs during which time he went to the naval gun factory at Annapolis for eight weeks of training. Afterward, he returned to the California. Vrana was aboard ship during the invasions of the Mariana Islands and during the Battle of Surigao Strait. The ship was hit by a kamikaze during the invasion of Luzon at Lingayen Gulf. After being repaired the California went …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Leonard Vrana. Vrana was born in Moravia, Texas on 21 March 1921 and attended school in a two-room building. He enlisted in the Navy in 1940. After eight weeks of boot training at San Diego, he went to Pearl Harbor assigned aboard the USS California (BB-44). After serving a while in the Motor Launch Division, he became a striker in a fourteen inch gun turret. He describes the working conditions within a turret, the job assignments and procedures involved in firing the guns. He recalls experiences during the Japanese attack on 7 December 1941 during which the ship sustained bomb and torpedo damage. Following the attack, he was assigned to clean up the bodies of his dead shipmates. The ship was taken to Bremerton for repairs during which time he went to the naval gun factory at Annapolis for eight weeks of training. Afterward, he returned to the California. Vrana was aboard ship during the invasions of the Mariana Islands and during the Battle of Surigao Strait. The ship was hit by a kamikaze during the invasion of Luzon at Lingayen Gulf. After being repaired the California went …

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 interview with Lile Springs. Springs was born 14 April 1925, in Hope, Arkansas. He worked on a farm with his father until 1943. He received a draft notice, though after his examinations he received a 4-F classification, unfit for military service. Springs went on to welding school in Little Rock. He later worked on welding war ships in Mobile at the Gulf Shipbuilding Corporation, and in Bremerton, Washington at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. In 1945, he joined the Washington State Guard, and in November Springs was accepted into the Army Air Forces. He made the Air Force his career for the following 30 years. He retired in November, 1975 from the 12th Air Force at Bergstrom AFB in Austin, Texas. During his military career, Springs served as Base Sergeant Major and Cofounder and Commandant of the NCO Leadership School at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. He also served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to Major General Davis, Headquarters 19th Air Force, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina. Springs also served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Lile Springs. Springs was born 14 April 1925, in Hope, Arkansas. He worked on a farm with his father until 1943. He received a draft notice, though after his examinations he received a 4-F classification, unfit for military service. Springs went on to welding school in Little Rock. He later worked on welding war ships in Mobile at the Gulf Shipbuilding Corporation, and in Bremerton, Washington at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. In 1945, he joined the Washington State Guard, and in November Springs was accepted into the Army Air Forces. He made the Air Force his career for the following 30 years. He retired in November, 1975 from the 12th Air Force at Bergstrom AFB in Austin, Texas. During his military career, Springs served as Base Sergeant Major and Cofounder and Commandant of the NCO Leadership School at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. He also served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to Major General Davis, Headquarters 19th Air Force, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina. Springs also served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Linton “Pete” Estes. Born in Clayton, New Mexico 19 December 1920, Estes graduated from the University of Texas. He and his brother John took Civilian Pilot Training courses together. The brothers then took advanced training and upon receiving their licenses, became instructors for Wichita Falls (Texas) Air Transport Company training pilots for the military. Through the fall of 1941 Estes taught and graduated one class of future Army pilots and one class of future Navy pilots. Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the brothers signed on to The Central Instructor School at Kelly Field, Texas and upon completing the course, were commissioned and became military flight instructors. Later, by coincidence, both were ordered to report to Anchorage, Alaska. Upon arrival the brothers were assigned as operations officers in the Aleutians. Estes was sent to Adak and his brother John to Amchitka. While on Adak, Estes flew mail and supplies to outlying islands. After a few months both were transferred back to Anchorage, from which they flew various staff members and supplies to different destinations. While the brothers were on leave, Japan surrendered and soon thereafter, both were …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Linton “Pete” Estes. Born in Clayton, New Mexico 19 December 1920, Estes graduated from the University of Texas. He and his brother John took Civilian Pilot Training courses together. The brothers then took advanced training and upon receiving their licenses, became instructors for Wichita Falls (Texas) Air Transport Company training pilots for the military. Through the fall of 1941 Estes taught and graduated one class of future Army pilots and one class of future Navy pilots. Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the brothers signed on to The Central Instructor School at Kelly Field, Texas and upon completing the course, were commissioned and became military flight instructors. Later, by coincidence, both were ordered to report to Anchorage, Alaska. Upon arrival the brothers were assigned as operations officers in the Aleutians. Estes was sent to Adak and his brother John to Amchitka. While on Adak, Estes flew mail and supplies to outlying islands. After a few months both were transferred back to Anchorage, from which they flew various staff members and supplies to different destinations. While the brothers were on leave, Japan surrendered and soon thereafter, both were …

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 interview with Louis Lepore. Lepore was born 24 May 1923 to immigrant parents in San Diego. He attended San Diego State College. In July of 1943, he was activated into the V-12 Navy College Training Program. In 1944 he completed boot camp and went to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for OCS training. After being commissioned, Lepore joined the 5th Marine Division in Hawaii and trained at Camp Tarawa. In late 1944 he arrived at Iwo Jima where he was assigned as platoon leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Marines. He vividly describes combat situations, the 75% casualties suffered in his company and the burial procedure used to inter the dead. Following the surrender of Japan, Lepore took part in destroying Japanese war materials and expresses his conviction that the use of the atomic bomb saved many thousands of lives both American and Japanese. Lepore received his discharge in mid-1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Louis Lepore. Lepore was born 24 May 1923 to immigrant parents in San Diego. He attended San Diego State College. In July of 1943, he was activated into the V-12 Navy College Training Program. In 1944 he completed boot camp and went to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for OCS training. After being commissioned, Lepore joined the 5th Marine Division in Hawaii and trained at Camp Tarawa. In late 1944 he arrived at Iwo Jima where he was assigned as platoon leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Marines. He vividly describes combat situations, the 75% casualties suffered in his company and the burial procedure used to inter the dead. Following the surrender of Japan, Lepore took part in destroying Japanese war materials and expresses his conviction that the use of the atomic bomb saved many thousands of lives both American and Japanese. Lepore received his discharge in mid-1946.

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 oral interview with Manuel Garcia. Garcia was born in Goliad, Texas on 11 June 1920. He attended the Rincon Bend County School, a segregated school, until the seventh grade. In 1940, he joined the Army and underwent basic training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was then assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division, 38th Infantry Regiment. The division moved to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. In 1943 the division went to Camp Shanks, New York where they boarded a ship bound for Ireland. After ten months of intensive training the division participated in Operation Overlord, landing on Omaha Beach on June 7 1944. Garcia describes leaving the transport ship to land on the beach and seeing wreckage and bodies stacked like wood. He was slightly wounded and went to a field hospital for treatment. Several days later he was severely wounded by German artillery fire. After being taken to another field hospital, he was placed aboard a Piper Cub and flown to the Army hospital in Cheltenham, England where surgeons amputated one of his legs. Garcia returned to the United States by a hospital ship and was placed in several military hospitals until …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Manuel Garcia. Garcia was born in Goliad, Texas on 11 June 1920. He attended the Rincon Bend County School, a segregated school, until the seventh grade. In 1940, he joined the Army and underwent basic training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was then assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division, 38th Infantry Regiment. The division moved to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. In 1943 the division went to Camp Shanks, New York where they boarded a ship bound for Ireland. After ten months of intensive training the division participated in Operation Overlord, landing on Omaha Beach on June 7 1944. Garcia describes leaving the transport ship to land on the beach and seeing wreckage and bodies stacked like wood. He was slightly wounded and went to a field hospital for treatment. Several days later he was severely wounded by German artillery fire. After being taken to another field hospital, he was placed aboard a Piper Cub and flown to the Army hospital in Cheltenham, England where surgeons amputated one of his legs. Garcia returned to the United States by a hospital ship and was placed in several military hospitals until …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Marcel Bisson. Bisson joined the Marine Corps in 1944 and after training was assigned as a replacement to the 5th Marine Division just prior to invading Iwo Jima. On the twelfth day, Bisson was wounded and evacuated. After some stays in hospitals, he was medically discharged in July 1945.