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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William E. Cooper. Cooper was born in Alameda, California 8 May 1925. Upon completing high school in 1943, he joined the Army and went to Oregon for training with the 13th Combat Engineers. He recalls being sent overseas aboard the USS Hugh L. Scott (AP-43) and arriving at New Caledonia. He took part in the invasion of Leyte and witnessed a kamikaze plane crash into one of the troop ships. Upon landing he was assigned to the 32nd Infantry Division and put in charge of a group of men assigned as stevedores. He then went to Ormoc and was assigned to Company A, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division as an infantryman. After participating on several combat patrols he was hospitalized with dengue fever. Upon being released from the hospital he was assigned to Company L, 32nd Infantry Regiment, and was in the first wave to land on Okinawa. As a combat engineer, his job was to blow up Japanese caves and fortifications. He comments that a childhood friend, Harold Gonsalves, was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor as a result of his actions on Okinawa. Cooper …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William E. Cooper. Cooper was born in Alameda, California 8 May 1925. Upon completing high school in 1943, he joined the Army and went to Oregon for training with the 13th Combat Engineers. He recalls being sent overseas aboard the USS Hugh L. Scott (AP-43) and arriving at New Caledonia. He took part in the invasion of Leyte and witnessed a kamikaze plane crash into one of the troop ships. Upon landing he was assigned to the 32nd Infantry Division and put in charge of a group of men assigned as stevedores. He then went to Ormoc and was assigned to Company A, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division as an infantryman. After participating on several combat patrols he was hospitalized with dengue fever. Upon being released from the hospital he was assigned to Company L, 32nd Infantry Regiment, and was in the first wave to land on Okinawa. As a combat engineer, his job was to blow up Japanese caves and fortifications. He comments that a childhood friend, Harold Gonsalves, was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor as a result of his actions on Okinawa. Cooper …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Findley. Findley served with the Navy ROTC V-12 program at the University of Texas at Austin. From there he was commissioned an ensign and called to active duty. He was sent to the University of California at Berkeley for engineering, science and management war training in marine power plants. Upon graduation in August 1944, he was assigned to the USS Wyandot (AKA-92) as the Engineering Officer in the Pacific Theater. They traveled to Pearl Harbor, Guam, Eniwetok, the Philippines and Okinawa. He shares details of his work as Engineering Officer, and his experiences through the Battle of Okinawa beginning March of 1945. Findley was discharged around the spring of 1946 as a lieutenant (j.g) and returned to the University of Texas at Austin.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Findley. Findley served with the Navy ROTC V-12 program at the University of Texas at Austin. From there he was commissioned an ensign and called to active duty. He was sent to the University of California at Berkeley for engineering, science and management war training in marine power plants. Upon graduation in August 1944, he was assigned to the USS Wyandot (AKA-92) as the Engineering Officer in the Pacific Theater. They traveled to Pearl Harbor, Guam, Eniwetok, the Philippines and Okinawa. He shares details of his work as Engineering Officer, and his experiences through the Battle of Okinawa beginning March of 1945. Findley was discharged around the spring of 1946 as a lieutenant (j.g) and returned to the University of Texas at Austin.

Transcript of an oral interview with William M. Stegall. He begins by speaking about scrap metal and scrap rubber drives he participated in during high school in Fort Woth, Texas. After high school, he volunteered for the Navy and was called into the service in April, 1945. Stegall describes in some detail his experiences while in training at San Diego. When he completed basic training, he was assigned to the USS Robert K. Huntington (DD-781) as a torpedoman and reported aboard right before the Japanese surrendered. Stegall recalls attacking a rogue Japanese submarine. Before the Bikini Atoll atomic tests, Stegall was transferred to a minesweeper and did not go to Bikini. He speaks of celebrating V-J Day in Long Beach.

Transcript of an oral interview with William M. Stegall. He begins by speaking about scrap metal and scrap rubber drives he participated in during high school in Fort Woth, Texas. After high school, he volunteered for the Navy and was called into the service in April, 1945. Stegall describes in some detail his experiences while in training at San Diego. When he completed basic training, he was assigned to the USS Robert K. Huntington (DD-781) as a torpedoman and reported aboard right before the Japanese surrendered. Stegall recalls attacking a rogue Japanese submarine. Before the Bikini Atoll atomic tests, Stegall was transferred to a minesweeper and did not go to Bikini. He speaks of celebrating V-J Day in Long Beach.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William P Gattis. Gattis joined the Navy in May of 1941. Soon after joining, he was assigned to the USS Henderson (AP-1). Upon arriving at Pearl Harbor, Gattis volunteered to join the submarine forces. He was quickly assigned to the USS Sargo (SS-188). They departed Pearl Harbor in October of 1941, arrived in Manila in November, and were there when the Japanese attacked. He was later transferred off the Sargo to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station to complete Chief Commissary Steward School, and was then assigned to the USS Salmon (SS-182). In April of 1945, he was transferred to the USS Stickleback (SS-415). He was discharged in Mary of 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William P Gattis. Gattis joined the Navy in May of 1941. Soon after joining, he was assigned to the USS Henderson (AP-1). Upon arriving at Pearl Harbor, Gattis volunteered to join the submarine forces. He was quickly assigned to the USS Sargo (SS-188). They departed Pearl Harbor in October of 1941, arrived in Manila in November, and were there when the Japanese attacked. He was later transferred off the Sargo to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station to complete Chief Commissary Steward School, and was then assigned to the USS Salmon (SS-182). In April of 1945, he was transferred to the USS Stickleback (SS-415). He was discharged in Mary of 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William R. Hamilton. Born in 1927, he enlisted in the Navy with his twin brother, Bob, in early 1945. He shares an anecdote about their selection for submarine school and the subsequent change in their orders. He also tells about how they came to be assigned to the USS Pomfret (SS-391). They served together on the submarine for forty-two months. He served as an electrician while Bob was a gunner. Hamilton describes the guns on the submarine. He discusses searching for and destroying mines at sea. Both Hamilton and his brother completed the submarine qualification process and were awarded the dolphin insignia. He recounts an incident in which the submarine was erroneously targeted by an American destroyer with Hedgehogs and depth charges. He describes sinking Japanese ships with torpedoes at Eniwetok. He was discharged at Treasure Island Naval Base after serving forty-four months in the Navy. He describes the shellback initiation; living conditions on the submarine; charging submarine batteries; and conditions in Japan after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William R. Hamilton. Born in 1927, he enlisted in the Navy with his twin brother, Bob, in early 1945. He shares an anecdote about their selection for submarine school and the subsequent change in their orders. He also tells about how they came to be assigned to the USS Pomfret (SS-391). They served together on the submarine for forty-two months. He served as an electrician while Bob was a gunner. Hamilton describes the guns on the submarine. He discusses searching for and destroying mines at sea. Both Hamilton and his brother completed the submarine qualification process and were awarded the dolphin insignia. He recounts an incident in which the submarine was erroneously targeted by an American destroyer with Hedgehogs and depth charges. He describes sinking Japanese ships with torpedoes at Eniwetok. He was discharged at Treasure Island Naval Base after serving forty-four months in the Navy. He describes the shellback initiation; living conditions on the submarine; charging submarine batteries; and conditions in Japan after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Shirley. Shirley joined the Marine Corps in 1943. He was sent to diesel school and then to the Pacific to serve with the 1st Marine Air Wing. Shirley traveled with his radar until to an island off Okinawa to detect incoming aircraft. He spent 6 months in China at the end of the war. Shirley left the Marines when he returned to the US, but rejoined after 6 months. He went on to serve in Korea and describes in detail landing at Pusan and advancing north. Shirley describes the conditions that the Marines faced throughout the conflict.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Shirley. Shirley joined the Marine Corps in 1943. He was sent to diesel school and then to the Pacific to serve with the 1st Marine Air Wing. Shirley traveled with his radar until to an island off Okinawa to detect incoming aircraft. He spent 6 months in China at the end of the war. Shirley left the Marines when he returned to the US, but rejoined after 6 months. He went on to serve in Korea and describes in detail landing at Pusan and advancing north. Shirley describes the conditions that the Marines faced throughout the conflict.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Trimmer. Trimmer was born in Cumberland, Maryland 18 September 1918. Joining the Navy in 1940, he initially trained at Norfolk, Virginia, and then went aboard the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) as an electrician. He describes the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and recalls sixty-two of his shipmates died. After repairs in California, the Pennsylvania participated in the invasion of Guadalcanal. In July 1942, Trimmer reported to a gyro and battery school. In December, 1943, he went aboard the submarine S-37 stationed at San Diego. One year later he was transferred to the USS Redfish (SS-395) at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In July 1944 the Redfish departed Pearl Harbor for its first war patrol. By October 1944, they sank five Japanese ships. Only later were they notified that one of the ships carried 250 Australian prisoners of war. On the next patrol, the Redfish was accompanied by two sister boats that located and sank seven ships in a convoy. The Redfish was credited with sinking a transport. While in the Sea of Japan, in December 1944, they joined forces with the USS Sea Devil (SS-400) and damaged the Japanese carrier …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Trimmer. Trimmer was born in Cumberland, Maryland 18 September 1918. Joining the Navy in 1940, he initially trained at Norfolk, Virginia, and then went aboard the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) as an electrician. He describes the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and recalls sixty-two of his shipmates died. After repairs in California, the Pennsylvania participated in the invasion of Guadalcanal. In July 1942, Trimmer reported to a gyro and battery school. In December, 1943, he went aboard the submarine S-37 stationed at San Diego. One year later he was transferred to the USS Redfish (SS-395) at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In July 1944 the Redfish departed Pearl Harbor for its first war patrol. By October 1944, they sank five Japanese ships. Only later were they notified that one of the ships carried 250 Australian prisoners of war. On the next patrol, the Redfish was accompanied by two sister boats that located and sank seven ships in a convoy. The Redfish was credited with sinking a transport. While in the Sea of Japan, in December 1944, they joined forces with the USS Sea Devil (SS-400) and damaged the Japanese carrier …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Wareing. Wareing attended the Hawken School as a child, impressing upon him the value of discipline. He later joined the ROTC and the Kentucky National Guard. With war looming, he applied both to the Army Air Corps and Royal Canadian Air Force. Accepted by both, he chose the Air Corps, completing flight training in December 1941 as a second lieutenant. After two years as an instructor, he was appointed to oversee curriculum at various flight schools. By that time, he was a captain and he turned down a promotion to major in favor of attending B-29 school. He then joined the 500th Bombardment Group, flying exactly one mission, the final bombardment of Japan, days after the second atomic bomb was dropped. Under antiaircraft fire, Wareing risked being court-martialed to break formation and ensure proper targeting. Following the war, Wareing dropped supplies over POW camps in Formosa and China. When one of his flights was diverted, he came so close to crashing into a mountainside that he caught a leaf in his landing gear. In November 1945 he was discharged in order to see his dying mother. Wareing …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Wareing. Wareing attended the Hawken School as a child, impressing upon him the value of discipline. He later joined the ROTC and the Kentucky National Guard. With war looming, he applied both to the Army Air Corps and Royal Canadian Air Force. Accepted by both, he chose the Air Corps, completing flight training in December 1941 as a second lieutenant. After two years as an instructor, he was appointed to oversee curriculum at various flight schools. By that time, he was a captain and he turned down a promotion to major in favor of attending B-29 school. He then joined the 500th Bombardment Group, flying exactly one mission, the final bombardment of Japan, days after the second atomic bomb was dropped. Under antiaircraft fire, Wareing risked being court-martialed to break formation and ensure proper targeting. Following the war, Wareing dropped supplies over POW camps in Formosa and China. When one of his flights was diverted, he came so close to crashing into a mountainside that he caught a leaf in his landing gear. In November 1945 he was discharged in order to see his dying mother. Wareing …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Webb. Webb was born in Houston, Texas on 11 March 1923. He participated in the Civilian Pilot Training Program while attending Sam Houston State University. Upon earning his pilot’s license in 1942, he entered into the Navy Flying Cadet program. After three months of primary flight training at Lambert Field, Missouri he went to Corpus Christi Naval Air Station in Texas for the final phase of training. Upon graduating, he elected to go into the US Marines and was sent to Opa Loca, Florida to begin training in fighters. He was then sent to Santa Barbara, California where he joined VMF-112. After a year of carrier training, VMF-112 was assigned to the USS Bennington (CV-20) where Webb flew F4U fighter planes. He recalls flying missions over Japan as well as participating in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He also recalls shooting down a Japanese plane. He also cites the experience of crashing into the sea soon after takeoff and being rescued and transferred back to his carrier by a Breeches Buoy. The Bennington went to the Philippines for repair after being damaged during a typhoon …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Webb. Webb was born in Houston, Texas on 11 March 1923. He participated in the Civilian Pilot Training Program while attending Sam Houston State University. Upon earning his pilot’s license in 1942, he entered into the Navy Flying Cadet program. After three months of primary flight training at Lambert Field, Missouri he went to Corpus Christi Naval Air Station in Texas for the final phase of training. Upon graduating, he elected to go into the US Marines and was sent to Opa Loca, Florida to begin training in fighters. He was then sent to Santa Barbara, California where he joined VMF-112. After a year of carrier training, VMF-112 was assigned to the USS Bennington (CV-20) where Webb flew F4U fighter planes. He recalls flying missions over Japan as well as participating in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He also recalls shooting down a Japanese plane. He also cites the experience of crashing into the sea soon after takeoff and being rescued and transferred back to his carrier by a Breeches Buoy. The Bennington went to the Philippines for repair after being damaged during a typhoon …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Woodrow Graham. Graham joined the Navy in 1942 at the age of 27 and received basic training in California. He attended yeoman school at the University of Indiana and was trained in coding and decoding messages at Harvard. Upon completion, he was assigned to the Navy Department in Washington, D.C., where he worked in the medals and awards division, sending out Purple Hearts. He was reassigned to Admiral Nimitz’s office at Pearl Harbor, operating a machine for encrypted communications. Graham worked closely with Nimitz and found him to be humble and hard-working. Graham was invited to the signing of the surrender at the end of the war but chose to go home instead. He returned to work for his former employer and received a big promotion.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Woodrow Graham. Graham joined the Navy in 1942 at the age of 27 and received basic training in California. He attended yeoman school at the University of Indiana and was trained in coding and decoding messages at Harvard. Upon completion, he was assigned to the Navy Department in Washington, D.C., where he worked in the medals and awards division, sending out Purple Hearts. He was reassigned to Admiral Nimitz’s office at Pearl Harbor, operating a machine for encrypted communications. Graham worked closely with Nimitz and found him to be humble and hard-working. Graham was invited to the signing of the surrender at the end of the war but chose to go home instead. He returned to work for his former employer and received a big promotion.

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.