The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Marion Adams. Adams was drafted into the Army in July of 1941. He served in the 43rd Engineer Construction Battalion, building roads, hospitals and kitchens. In 1942 he traveled to Australia, where he helped build three airstrips. They traveled to Oro Bay, Papua New Guinea, building railroads and airstrips. Adams was also trained as a medic, serving in the First Aid station. He provides details of both work experiences in engineering and building and assisting the sick and injured. He recalls helping the many wounded in Manila, as well as delivering supplies to the prison camps. He was discharged in June of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Marion Adams. Adams was drafted into the Army in July of 1941. He served in the 43rd Engineer Construction Battalion, building roads, hospitals and kitchens. In 1942 he traveled to Australia, where he helped build three airstrips. They traveled to Oro Bay, Papua New Guinea, building railroads and airstrips. Adams was also trained as a medic, serving in the First Aid station. He provides details of both work experiences in engineering and building and assisting the sick and injured. He recalls helping the many wounded in Manila, as well as delivering supplies to the prison camps. He was discharged in June of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Akers. Akers joined the Navy I n1944 and trained at San Diego. After training he went to an air station in California before being assigned to CASU 53 and going to Guam. From there, Akers went to a seaplane base on Saipan aboard the USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71). On Saipan, he serviced aircraft by refueling and rearming, etc. Akers was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Albright. Albright was born 19 March 1928 and attended school in Cass County, Indiana until he quit and went to work. Upon joining the US Army in 1946, he was sent to Camp Lee, Virginia for basic training. He was then sent to Camp Stoneman, California. Soon after his arrival, he boarded a troopship bound for Manila, Philippine Islands. Upon his arrival he was assigned to the 738th Military Police Battalion. He comments on some of his experiences while stationed in Manila. During March 1948, he returned to Camp Stoneman where he was subsequently discharged.

Transcript of an oral interview with Joel Alderson and his wife Nila. He discusses going to boot camp in Texas, shipping off to France in early 1945 and working as an engineer, constructing bridges and demolishing German fortifications for the Army as it made it's way through Germany, blowing up Hilter's bunker in Salzburg, Austria and using bulldozers to cover piles of dead Jews the Germans left in the open (likely at Dachau). He ancedotes about meeting Eisenhower, carrying fuel up to Patton's limo when it ran out of gas, seeing Bob Hope, soldiers getting poisoned from confiscated alcohol, and getting met by his family and the town sheriff when he came home after the war.

Transcript of an oral interview with Joel Alderson and his wife Nila. He discusses going to boot camp in Texas, shipping off to France in early 1945 and working as an engineer, constructing bridges and demolishing German fortifications for the Army as it made it's way through Germany, blowing up Hilter's bunker in Salzburg, Austria and using bulldozers to cover piles of dead Jews the Germans left in the open (likely at Dachau). He ancedotes about meeting Eisenhower, carrying fuel up to Patton's limo when it ran out of gas, seeing Bob Hope, soldiers getting poisoned from confiscated alcohol, and getting met by his family and the town sheriff when he came home after the war.

Transcript of an oral interview with Nila Jackson Alderson. Born in 1925, Alderson describes life before and during the war in rural Texas as well as in the town of Burnet, Texas . Her husband, Joe Alderson, served in the military in Europe. They both discuss the mail service during the war. The interview includes information about her parents and siblings.

Transcript of an oral interview with Nila Jackson Alderson. Born in 1925, Alderson describes life before and during the war in rural Texas as well as in the town of Burnet, Texas . Her husband, Joe Alderson, served in the military in Europe. They both discuss the mail service during the war. The interview includes information about her parents and siblings.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Alebis. Alebis was born in Detroit, Michigan on 7 February 1926 to immigrant Lithuanian parents. Upon entering the Army Air Forces in May 1944, he was sent to Shepherd Field, Texas for basic training. After three weeks of training he was sent to gunnery school at Las Vegas, Nevada. He describes the training he received as a gunner. Upon completion of gunnery training he was sent to Ellsworth Field, North Dakota where he was assigned to a B-17 bomber crew as right waist gunner. The crew flew a B-17 to Capital Stone, England, arriving on 5 April 1945. Upon arrival Alebis was assigned to the 398th Bomb Group, 605th Bomb Squadron. He flew three bombing missions and describes them from the beginning of the day to the return to base. Following the surrender of Germany the unit began flying survey mission over Europe and he describes the devastation he saw. On 1 June 1945 he returned to the United States and was sent to McDill Field, Florida to begin training as a gunner on a B-29. With the surrender of Japan, his training was curtailed and he …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Alebis. Alebis was born in Detroit, Michigan on 7 February 1926 to immigrant Lithuanian parents. Upon entering the Army Air Forces in May 1944, he was sent to Shepherd Field, Texas for basic training. After three weeks of training he was sent to gunnery school at Las Vegas, Nevada. He describes the training he received as a gunner. Upon completion of gunnery training he was sent to Ellsworth Field, North Dakota where he was assigned to a B-17 bomber crew as right waist gunner. The crew flew a B-17 to Capital Stone, England, arriving on 5 April 1945. Upon arrival Alebis was assigned to the 398th Bomb Group, 605th Bomb Squadron. He flew three bombing missions and describes them from the beginning of the day to the return to base. Following the surrender of Germany the unit began flying survey mission over Europe and he describes the devastation he saw. On 1 June 1945 he returned to the United States and was sent to McDill Field, Florida to begin training as a gunner on a B-29. With the surrender of Japan, his training was curtailed and he …

Interview with Mary Steele Leon, a secretary for the U. S. Navy during and after World War II. She joined the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) and was trained as a secretary. Her first assignment was in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) during World War II. The CNO at the time was Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King. After the war, she served as personal secretary for Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz while he was CNO. She was discharged in 1946.

Transcript of an oral interview with Marvin T. Alexander. Alexander grew up in Louisiana and entered the Navy in early 1941. Upon completion of basic training at San Diego, Alexander was assigned as an engine mechanic to Patrol Squadron 12 (VP-12), which flew PBY airplanes at Coronado Naval Air Station. His unit was sent to Pearl Harbor in October, 1941. Alexander describes what he witnessed at Ford Island on 7 December 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Alexander was also present on Midway during the Battle of Midway. Eventually, VP-12 headed for the Solomon Islands where they conducted search and rescue operations. Alexander and VP-12 stayed aboard the USS Wright (AV-1), a seaplane tender. Sometime in 1943, Alexander received some home leave and returned to the US. He was still stationed in the US when the war ended.

Transcript of an oral interview with Marvin T. Alexander. Alexander grew up in Louisiana and entered the Navy in early 1941. Upon completion of basic training at San Diego, Alexander was assigned as an engine mechanic to Patrol Squadron 12 (VP-12), which flew PBY airplanes at Coronado Naval Air Station. His unit was sent to Pearl Harbor in October, 1941. Alexander describes what he witnessed at Ford Island on 7 December 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Alexander was also present on Midway during the Battle of Midway. Eventually, VP-12 headed for the Solomon Islands where they conducted search and rescue operations. Alexander and VP-12 stayed aboard the USS Wright (AV-1), a seaplane tender. Sometime in 1943, Alexander received some home leave and returned to the US. He was still stationed in the US when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Zeb Alford. Alford joined the Navy V-12 Program in July of 1943. He trained as an engineering officer. He entered the Naval Academy in 1944 and graduated in 1947, providing details of his schooling at the Academy. He served for two years aboard the USS Charles R. Ware (DD-865). He graduated from Submarine School in 1949. Alford retired from the Navy in September of 1973 as a captain.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Zeb Alford. Alford joined the Navy V-12 Program in July of 1943. He trained as an engineering officer. He entered the Naval Academy in 1944 and graduated in 1947, providing details of his schooling at the Academy. He served for two years aboard the USS Charles R. Ware (DD-865). He graduated from Submarine School in 1949. Alford retired from the Navy in September of 1973 as a captain.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Preston Allen. Allen was born in Columbus, Indiana on 6 January 1926. Upon enlisting in the Navy, he went to Great Lakes Naval Training Station for boot training. After graduation, he was assigned to the USS New York (BB-34). He made several trips across the Atlantic aboard the New York before requesting submarine duty. He then went to submarine school in New London, Connecticut. From there he attended diesel school at Groton, Connecticut. Upon graduating as a motor machinist, he was assigned to the USS Perch (SS-313). After conducting sea trials the boat departed to Pearl Harbor via the Panama Canal. On their first patrol they sunk a Japanese tanker and were subjected to depth charge attack by destroyers. The next day they sank a Japanese patrol boat with gun fire. On their second patrol one of their main engines required major repairs. The engine room crew worked seventy-two hours straight to get it repaired. As the boat returned to Midway, a PBY dropped a bomb inflicting no to the boat. Allen suffered a ruptured eardrum from the explosion. After the Perch returned to Pearl Harbor, Allen was …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Preston Allen. Allen was born in Columbus, Indiana on 6 January 1926. Upon enlisting in the Navy, he went to Great Lakes Naval Training Station for boot training. After graduation, he was assigned to the USS New York (BB-34). He made several trips across the Atlantic aboard the New York before requesting submarine duty. He then went to submarine school in New London, Connecticut. From there he attended diesel school at Groton, Connecticut. Upon graduating as a motor machinist, he was assigned to the USS Perch (SS-313). After conducting sea trials the boat departed to Pearl Harbor via the Panama Canal. On their first patrol they sunk a Japanese tanker and were subjected to depth charge attack by destroyers. The next day they sank a Japanese patrol boat with gun fire. On their second patrol one of their main engines required major repairs. The engine room crew worked seventy-two hours straight to get it repaired. As the boat returned to Midway, a PBY dropped a bomb inflicting no to the boat. Allen suffered a ruptured eardrum from the explosion. After the Perch returned to Pearl Harbor, Allen was …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Sulo J. Alto. In March, 1943, Alto joined the Navy. He trained at Camp Perry, Virginia, then was assigned to a Navy supply depot at Fort Endicott, New York. Eventually, he boarded the USS Custer (APA-40) and headed for Hawaii via the Panama Canal in January, 1944. Alto served in the 94th Naval Construction Battlaion. Alto attended the big barbeque and picnic Admiral Nimitz hosted on Oahu for Texans in 1944. Alto's unit eventually headed for Guam to build a headquarters for Admiral Nimitz. He was discharged in March, 1946 and returned home to go to college.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Sulo J. Alto. In March, 1943, Alto joined the Navy. He trained at Camp Perry, Virginia, then was assigned to a Navy supply depot at Fort Endicott, New York. Eventually, he boarded the USS Custer (APA-40) and headed for Hawaii via the Panama Canal in January, 1944. Alto served in the 94th Naval Construction Battlaion. Alto attended the big barbeque and picnic Admiral Nimitz hosted on Oahu for Texans in 1944. Alto's unit eventually headed for Guam to build a headquarters for Admiral Nimitz. He was discharged in March, 1946 and returned home to go to college.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ray Amstutz. Amstutz joined the Army Reserve (Student Training Corps) while in college at the University of Tulsa. On May 8, 1943 he was inducted and went to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for processing and then to Camp Maxie, Paris, Texas for three months basic training. The Army sent him back to school at the University of Oklahoma where he finished one semester. From there, he went to Camp Claiborne in Louisiana where they were trained to lay pipelines, maintain and repair engines, construct tanks, maintain pumps, etc. Amstutz's unit was put aboard a train, shipped to Oakland, California and put aboard a Liberty ship which sailed for Milne Bay, New Guinea; this was August/September 1944. He provides a nice description of the environment aboard ship for the 18 days it took to get to New Guinea. From there, they moved to Ora Bay and started unloading their equipment at Buna where major battles had already taken place. In Buna, they went inland, built a little dam on a river, laid suction pipe down into it, set up some pumps, and laid pipeline back to the docks; filling up …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Daniel Andrews. Andrews joined the United States Navy in 1941 where he became a SeaBee. Andrews was sent to Saipan to help build airfields and seaplane bases. He left Saipan in July of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Daniel Andrews. Andrews joined the United States Navy in 1941 where he became a SeaBee. Andrews was sent to Saipan to help build airfields and seaplane bases. He left Saipan in July of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Rocky Agrusti. Argusti was born on 7 July 1924 in Waterville, New York into a family of nine children. Four of the boys and one of the girls served during World War II. Two of the boys were killed in action during the war. Prior to being drafted, he worked as a steam engine fireman with the New York Central Railroad. Upon entering the US Army in 1943, he was sent to Fort Sam Houston, Texas for basic training. After receiving advanced training at several other bases, he was assigned to the 701st Railway Grand Division, 721st Railway Operations Battalion. In December 1943 the battalion was sent to the West Coast where they boarded the SS Mariposa bound for Bombay, India. Upon their arrival in India, Argusti went by train to Parbatpur, India. He recalls that the barracks, called bashas, were constructed of straw. A fire occurred that burned down the majority of the dwellings. He tells of operating railroad engines transporting supplies to Ledo, India for shipment into the interior of China by air transport or overland by the Ledo Burma Road. Following the surrender of Japan, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Rocky Agrusti. Argusti was born on 7 July 1924 in Waterville, New York into a family of nine children. Four of the boys and one of the girls served during World War II. Two of the boys were killed in action during the war. Prior to being drafted, he worked as a steam engine fireman with the New York Central Railroad. Upon entering the US Army in 1943, he was sent to Fort Sam Houston, Texas for basic training. After receiving advanced training at several other bases, he was assigned to the 701st Railway Grand Division, 721st Railway Operations Battalion. In December 1943 the battalion was sent to the West Coast where they boarded the SS Mariposa bound for Bombay, India. Upon their arrival in India, Argusti went by train to Parbatpur, India. He recalls that the barracks, called bashas, were constructed of straw. A fire occurred that burned down the majority of the dwellings. He tells of operating railroad engines transporting supplies to Ledo, India for shipment into the interior of China by air transport or overland by the Ledo Burma Road. Following the surrender of Japan, …