The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Abe. Abe’s wife Yukiko is helping with this interview. Abe was born 29 May 1934 in Ewa, Hawaii, to Japanese immigrant parents. His father was the supervisor of the Ewa Sugar Plantation. He and his family were living on the island, 8 miles west of Pearl Harbor, when the Japanese attacked. Abe was 7 years old at the time, and he provides vivid details of his experiences, witnessing the bombing of military installations, being confined to his house, blackouts and his parents being directed to destroy any documents written in Japanese. From 1956 through 1958, Abe served in the US Army, 4th Infantry Division.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Abe. Abe’s wife Yukiko is helping with this interview. Abe was born 29 May 1934 in Ewa, Hawaii, to Japanese immigrant parents. His father was the supervisor of the Ewa Sugar Plantation. He and his family were living on the island, 8 miles west of Pearl Harbor, when the Japanese attacked. Abe was 7 years old at the time, and he provides vivid details of his experiences, witnessing the bombing of military installations, being confined to his house, blackouts and his parents being directed to destroy any documents written in Japanese. From 1956 through 1958, Abe served in the US Army, 4th Infantry Division.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Louis Strang. Strang joined the Marines around mid-1942. He completed Radio and Radar School in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was transferred to a Marine air station on the east coast where he studied aircraft radar and transmitters. Strang was then deployed to a Marine air station at Pearl Harbor. He was assigned to Marine Air Control Squadron 4, and they traveled aboard a troop ship to Guadalcanal in February of 1945. They followed the 1st Marine Division on their Okinawa landing April 1, and provided ground to air communications support during the Battle of Okinawa through July. He describes living and working on the island, and the surrounding combat with the Japanese. Around early August, Strang describes going through a typhoon aboard a cargo ship. After the war ended, Strang and his crew were assigned with the 1st Marines to occupation duty in China. He returned to the U.S. and received his discharge in early 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Louis Strang. Strang joined the Marines around mid-1942. He completed Radio and Radar School in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was transferred to a Marine air station on the east coast where he studied aircraft radar and transmitters. Strang was then deployed to a Marine air station at Pearl Harbor. He was assigned to Marine Air Control Squadron 4, and they traveled aboard a troop ship to Guadalcanal in February of 1945. They followed the 1st Marine Division on their Okinawa landing April 1, and provided ground to air communications support during the Battle of Okinawa through July. He describes living and working on the island, and the surrounding combat with the Japanese. Around early August, Strang describes going through a typhoon aboard a cargo ship. After the war ended, Strang and his crew were assigned with the 1st Marines to occupation duty in China. He returned to the U.S. and received his discharge in early 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Peter Williams. Williams joined the Navy in July of 1946, at the age of 17. He served as Radioman 2nd Class aboard USS Montague (AKA-98). They operated off the east coast through January of 1948. He was then transferred to the USS Winston (AKA-94), where he remained until his discharge in May.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Peter Williams. Williams joined the Navy in July of 1946, at the age of 17. He served as Radioman 2nd Class aboard USS Montague (AKA-98). They operated off the east coast through January of 1948. He was then transferred to the USS Winston (AKA-94), where he remained until his discharge in May.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Thomas Morgan. Morgan joined the Marine Corps in January of 1942. He served with the 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Regiment, L Company. In August of 1942 they were assigned to Guadalcanal, where they reinforced the 1st Marine Division, and supported assaults on Tulagi Island. In June of 1944 they participated in the Battle of Saipan and in April of 1945, the Battle of Okinawa. After the war ended, Morgan and his division were sent to China to oversee the surrender of the Japanese and their return to Japan. Morgan returned to the US and was discharged in 1946. He continued serving in the Reserves and participated in the Korean War.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Thomas Morgan. Morgan joined the Marine Corps in January of 1942. He served with the 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Regiment, L Company. In August of 1942 they were assigned to Guadalcanal, where they reinforced the 1st Marine Division, and supported assaults on Tulagi Island. In June of 1944 they participated in the Battle of Saipan and in April of 1945, the Battle of Okinawa. After the war ended, Morgan and his division were sent to China to oversee the surrender of the Japanese and their return to Japan. Morgan returned to the US and was discharged in 1946. He continued serving in the Reserves and participated in the Korean War.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edgar Hessek. Hessek joined the Navy in October of 1942. In February of 1943 he was assigned to the American Builder, a commercial ship, as a radio operator. They traveled to South Africa and England delivering war materials. In 1944 he was transferred to the USS Swenning (DE-394). From late 1944 into 1945 they traveled to Casablanca, the Pacific, Guam, Wake Island and Okinawa. He describes a torpedo attack by a submarine on their trip to Guam and witnessing a number of kamikaze attacks. He describes crossing the equator and the Shellback initiation. He was discharged in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edgar Hessek. Hessek joined the Navy in October of 1942. In February of 1943 he was assigned to the American Builder, a commercial ship, as a radio operator. They traveled to South Africa and England delivering war materials. In 1944 he was transferred to the USS Swenning (DE-394). From late 1944 into 1945 they traveled to Casablanca, the Pacific, Guam, Wake Island and Okinawa. He describes a torpedo attack by a submarine on their trip to Guam and witnessing a number of kamikaze attacks. He describes crossing the equator and the Shellback initiation. He was discharged in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Michael Long. Long joined the Marine Corps in 1943. He served as a Private, First Class in E Battery, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Artillery, 4th Marine Division. He trained as a machine gunner and was assigned to a 50-caliber machine gun crew as gun captain. His outfit fought at Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands, securing the island. They also participated in battles on Saipan and Tinian in the Mariana Islands beginning in June of 1944. From there they served on Iwo Jima beginning in February of 1945. He provides some detail of fighting on Iwo Jima. Long was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Michael Long. Long joined the Marine Corps in 1943. He served as a Private, First Class in E Battery, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Artillery, 4th Marine Division. He trained as a machine gunner and was assigned to a 50-caliber machine gun crew as gun captain. His outfit fought at Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands, securing the island. They also participated in battles on Saipan and Tinian in the Mariana Islands beginning in June of 1944. From there they served on Iwo Jima beginning in February of 1945. He provides some detail of fighting on Iwo Jima. Long was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Patrick N. Walseth. Walseth joined the Navy in July of 1944. On 15 November, he was assigned to USS LSM-43, and assisted with transporting construction equipment to Pearl Harbor. Walseth learned several tasks aboard the ship, including training with the telegraph machine, the 20mm gun and general deck seaman responsibilities. In January of 1945, they landed six Sherman tanks and 30 Marines on Oahu. Beginning 19 February through 28 March, they landed supplies on Iwo Jima for US forces in the midst of combat. In late September, Walseth was sent to Reykjavik, Iceland and served as a Fire Chief with a Seabees maintenance group. He returned to the US in June of 1946 and received his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Patrick N. Walseth. Walseth joined the Navy in July of 1944. On 15 November, he was assigned to USS LSM-43, and assisted with transporting construction equipment to Pearl Harbor. Walseth learned several tasks aboard the ship, including training with the telegraph machine, the 20mm gun and general deck seaman responsibilities. In January of 1945, they landed six Sherman tanks and 30 Marines on Oahu. Beginning 19 February through 28 March, they landed supplies on Iwo Jima for US forces in the midst of combat. In late September, Walseth was sent to Reykjavik, Iceland and served as a Fire Chief with a Seabees maintenance group. He returned to the US in June of 1946 and received his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Upton Ruddock. Upton’s wife, Mary, assists with the interview. Ruddock was drafted into the Army in May 1944. He went to Fort Riley, Kansas for basic training. He trained on horseback. He was part of the 56th Cavalry Brigade. After training he went to war, leaving California November 1944. They landed at Bombay, India. He joined the 124th Cavalry Regiment of the MARS Task Force. They crossed India by train to Ledo, Burma. He took care of eight mules and two horses, utilizing them to help carry their food, supplies and equipment to the Burma Road. He discusses other experiences in Burma. He also served in Shanghai, China shoveling coal into the stove for a big hotel. He returned to the States and was discharged in February 1946. After he was discharged he worked on his father’s farm. He used his G.I. Bill to purchase a home and some land, and to further his work vaccinating chickens.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Upton Ruddock. Upton’s wife, Mary, assists with the interview. Ruddock was drafted into the Army in May 1944. He went to Fort Riley, Kansas for basic training. He trained on horseback. He was part of the 56th Cavalry Brigade. After training he went to war, leaving California November 1944. They landed at Bombay, India. He joined the 124th Cavalry Regiment of the MARS Task Force. They crossed India by train to Ledo, Burma. He took care of eight mules and two horses, utilizing them to help carry their food, supplies and equipment to the Burma Road. He discusses other experiences in Burma. He also served in Shanghai, China shoveling coal into the stove for a big hotel. He returned to the States and was discharged in February 1946. After he was discharged he worked on his father’s farm. He used his G.I. Bill to purchase a home and some land, and to further his work vaccinating chickens.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Daniel Henshaw. Henshaw joined the Army Air Forces in March of 1942. He served as a C-47 pilot with the 434th Troop Carrier Group, 19th Bomb Wing. Henshaw was stationed in England, and completed missions over France, including flying combat paratroopers on airborne assaults during the invasion of Normandy. He continued his service after the war ended, serving in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, retiring as a colonel in 1974.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Daniel Henshaw. Henshaw joined the Army Air Forces in March of 1942. He served as a C-47 pilot with the 434th Troop Carrier Group, 19th Bomb Wing. Henshaw was stationed in England, and completed missions over France, including flying combat paratroopers on airborne assaults during the invasion of Normandy. He continued his service after the war ended, serving in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, retiring as a colonel in 1974.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ray Whitfield. Whitfield joined the Army Air Forces and served as a B-29 pilot flying off of Guam in the last few months of the war. He describes some of his missions and what it was like to fly a bomber. Whitfield stayed in the service after the war and flew B-36 bombers. He describes an incident where he had to make an emergency drop of three atomic bomb casings. Whitfield left the Air Force after serving for ten years.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ray Whitfield. Whitfield joined the Army Air Forces and served as a B-29 pilot flying off of Guam in the last few months of the war. He describes some of his missions and what it was like to fly a bomber. Whitfield stayed in the service after the war and flew B-36 bombers. He describes an incident where he had to make an emergency drop of three atomic bomb casings. Whitfield left the Air Force after serving for ten years.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Otis Williams. Williams joined the Navy V-6 Program around October of 1944. He was transferred to the Naval Air Technical Training Center, Millington, Tennessee, and completed Radio and Radar schools. Williams then transferred to Opa-locka, Florida for Gunnery School and operations training with carrier aircraft. He completed training around February of 1946. Williams was assigned to the 75th Bombing Squadron. He continued his service after the war ended, with his final ranking status of Aviation Radioman Third-Class. Williams was discharged on 29 June 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Otis Williams. Williams joined the Navy V-6 Program around October of 1944. He was transferred to the Naval Air Technical Training Center, Millington, Tennessee, and completed Radio and Radar schools. Williams then transferred to Opa-locka, Florida for Gunnery School and operations training with carrier aircraft. He completed training around February of 1946. Williams was assigned to the 75th Bombing Squadron. He continued his service after the war ended, with his final ranking status of Aviation Radioman Third-Class. Williams was discharged on 29 June 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Julius Erdos. Erdos joined the Army Air Forces in April, 1943. After basic, he went to Biloxi to train as an engine mechanic. In January 1944 Erdos went to Tinian to be a B-29 mechanic. He returned to the US in December. Erdos shares several anecdotes about his time in the service.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Julius Erdos. Erdos joined the Army Air Forces in April, 1943. After basic, he went to Biloxi to train as an engine mechanic. In January 1944 Erdos went to Tinian to be a B-29 mechanic. He returned to the US in December. Erdos shares several anecdotes about his time in the service.