The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Cecil Warner. Warner entered the Army Air Forces in February 1942. He trained and served as an airplane mechanic. He was stationed in Africa and shares a few anecdotes. He returned to the US and was discharged in October, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ivan Toller. Toller joined the Army Air Corps in 1940. He provides some details of his experiences in basic training at Brooks Field, San Antonio. He was assigned to the 64th Airbase Squadron. He took a job at Kelly Field in the transit hangar as an assistant crew chief and trained new Army recruits. His outfit was sent to assist in the building of Goodfellow Field in San Angelo. He describes the changes that occurred in the Army after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Toller was transferred to the Army Specialized Training Corps and attended the Drexel Institute in Philadelphia for engineering. He was assigned to the 2nd Air Commando Group in the China-Burma-India Theater. His job was to keep the supply lines open and keep the troops well supplied on the front lines. He provides great detail of his experiences in this operation. He was discharged around 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ivan Toller. Toller joined the Army Air Corps in 1940. He provides some details of his experiences in basic training at Brooks Field, San Antonio. He was assigned to the 64th Airbase Squadron. He took a job at Kelly Field in the transit hangar as an assistant crew chief and trained new Army recruits. His outfit was sent to assist in the building of Goodfellow Field in San Angelo. He describes the changes that occurred in the Army after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Toller was transferred to the Army Specialized Training Corps and attended the Drexel Institute in Philadelphia for engineering. He was assigned to the 2nd Air Commando Group in the China-Burma-India Theater. His job was to keep the supply lines open and keep the troops well supplied on the front lines. He provides great detail of his experiences in this operation. He was discharged around 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edmund Russell. Russell joined the Army Air Corps in 1940. He was stationed at Wheeler Field in Hawaii, serving in the mess hall and with a fatigue unit, assisting with ditch digging, garbage hauling and other manual labor. Russell was in Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He later completed Navigator School and served as an A-26 Bombardier/Navigator in India and China, supporting Chinese nationalists. Russell returned to the US in late 1945 and received his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edmund Russell. Russell joined the Army Air Corps in 1940. He was stationed at Wheeler Field in Hawaii, serving in the mess hall and with a fatigue unit, assisting with ditch digging, garbage hauling and other manual labor. Russell was in Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He later completed Navigator School and served as an A-26 Bombardier/Navigator in India and China, supporting Chinese nationalists. Russell returned to the US in late 1945 and received his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Youngs. Youngs joined the Navy and was sent to gunnery school. He was then assigned to USS LST-290. Youngs describes getting sea-sick and a collision with a civilian ship in which he was injured. He was reassigned to the commissioning crew of USS LST-947. Youngs describes his duties as a coxswain including an incident where he received a speeding ticket at Pearl Harbor in his LCVP. He discusses how his ship carried equipment and troops for the invasion of Okinawa. Youngs describes coming under attack by kamikazes and a time when his gun jammed. He participated in the occupation of Japan and was discharged in May 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Youngs. Youngs joined the Navy and was sent to gunnery school. He was then assigned to USS LST-290. Youngs describes getting sea-sick and a collision with a civilian ship in which he was injured. He was reassigned to the commissioning crew of USS LST-947. Youngs describes his duties as a coxswain including an incident where he received a speeding ticket at Pearl Harbor in his LCVP. He discusses how his ship carried equipment and troops for the invasion of Okinawa. Youngs describes coming under attack by kamikazes and a time when his gun jammed. He participated in the occupation of Japan and was discharged in May 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harold Scott. Scott was born in San Antonio, Texas on 17 April 1922. Upon joining the Navy on 8 December 1941, he went to the San Diego Naval Training Station for three weeks of boot training. When completed, he was assigned to the USS New Orleans (CA-32). He was assigned as a gunner on a 20mm deck gun even though he had not received any gunnery training. He experienced various combat situations including participation in the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Tassafaronga in which the bow of the New Orleans was blown off. He tells of the efforts put forth that allowed the ship to go to the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington for major repairs. After being repaired the ship returned to the Pacific and participated in several invasions. In 1944 the ship was part of a force that endured a typhoon in which several ships were sunk and Scott describes the experience.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harold Scott. Scott was born in San Antonio, Texas on 17 April 1922. Upon joining the Navy on 8 December 1941, he went to the San Diego Naval Training Station for three weeks of boot training. When completed, he was assigned to the USS New Orleans (CA-32). He was assigned as a gunner on a 20mm deck gun even though he had not received any gunnery training. He experienced various combat situations including participation in the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Tassafaronga in which the bow of the New Orleans was blown off. He tells of the efforts put forth that allowed the ship to go to the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington for major repairs. After being repaired the ship returned to the Pacific and participated in several invasions. In 1944 the ship was part of a force that endured a typhoon in which several ships were sunk and Scott describes the experience.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harry Gill. Gill joined the Army Air Forces in January of 1942. After basic training, he traveled to New Guinea for additional training in jungle fighting and helped build a sawmill, officers housing and the mess hall. He describes his 3 years living and working in the jungle. He was transferred to the other side of the mountains in New Guinea, to a town called Finschhafen, where he served as an airplane mechanic. He worked on B-25s, B-24s, P-38s and P-51s. They also traveled to Numfoor Island, Australia and the Philippines. He was discharged in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harry Gill. Gill joined the Army Air Forces in January of 1942. After basic training, he traveled to New Guinea for additional training in jungle fighting and helped build a sawmill, officers housing and the mess hall. He describes his 3 years living and working in the jungle. He was transferred to the other side of the mountains in New Guinea, to a town called Finschhafen, where he served as an airplane mechanic. He worked on B-25s, B-24s, P-38s and P-51s. They also traveled to Numfoor Island, Australia and the Philippines. He was discharged in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lyle Bradley. Bradley was born in Key West, Iowa on 22 November 1924. After graduating from the University of Dubuque, in 1942 he joined the Navy and went to Aberdeen, South Dakota where he began his initial pilot training. He was stationed at several airfields and flew various aircraft prior to going to Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida where he received his wings in April 1944. After taking advanced training in the F4F Wildcat fighter he was sent to California where he began flying the F4U Corsair. Upon becoming carrier qualified Bradley reported VMF-123 aboard the USS Bennington (CV-20). On one combat mission, his flight received credit for destroying ten kamikaze aircraft on the ground. He also tells of a mission during which he shot down a Japanese fighter plane. He remembers being in a typhoon in 1945 in which a number of US ships sank. Following the Surrender of Japan, Bradley was discharged but remained in the Naval Reserve. He was recalled to active service during the Korean War and joined VMF-214 in Japan. He describes some of the actions in which he was involved including a …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lyle Bradley. Bradley was born in Key West, Iowa on 22 November 1924. After graduating from the University of Dubuque, in 1942 he joined the Navy and went to Aberdeen, South Dakota where he began his initial pilot training. He was stationed at several airfields and flew various aircraft prior to going to Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida where he received his wings in April 1944. After taking advanced training in the F4F Wildcat fighter he was sent to California where he began flying the F4U Corsair. Upon becoming carrier qualified Bradley reported VMF-123 aboard the USS Bennington (CV-20). On one combat mission, his flight received credit for destroying ten kamikaze aircraft on the ground. He also tells of a mission during which he shot down a Japanese fighter plane. He remembers being in a typhoon in 1945 in which a number of US ships sank. Following the Surrender of Japan, Bradley was discharged but remained in the Naval Reserve. He was recalled to active service during the Korean War and joined VMF-214 in Japan. He describes some of the actions in which he was involved including a …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Max Duncan. Duncan was born in Avondale, North Carolina on 17 June 1921. After graduating from high school he attended The Citadel, in Charleston, South Carolina for a year before entering the US Naval Academy. He graduated from Annapolis in December 1941. He points out that, at that time, every newly commissioned officer had to go to sea before they could specialize. Duncan was assigned as a gunnery officer on the USS Milwaukee (CL-5). In 1943 he was ordered to New London, Connecticut for three months of submarine training. Upon completing the training he went to Midway Island as part of a refit crew. While there, he was assigned to the USS Barb (SS-220) commanded by Eugene Fluckey. He recalls that on his first patrol the crew picked up allied survivors from the Japanese prisoner of war ship, SS Rakuyo Maru. The crew also sank two Japanese ships during this patrol. After completing the patrol, the Barb went to Majuro for refit. There they formed a wolf pack with the USS Queenfish (SS-393) and USS Picuda (SS-338) and patrolled in the East China Sea. He discusses the differences …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Max Duncan. Duncan was born in Avondale, North Carolina on 17 June 1921. After graduating from high school he attended The Citadel, in Charleston, South Carolina for a year before entering the US Naval Academy. He graduated from Annapolis in December 1941. He points out that, at that time, every newly commissioned officer had to go to sea before they could specialize. Duncan was assigned as a gunnery officer on the USS Milwaukee (CL-5). In 1943 he was ordered to New London, Connecticut for three months of submarine training. Upon completing the training he went to Midway Island as part of a refit crew. While there, he was assigned to the USS Barb (SS-220) commanded by Eugene Fluckey. He recalls that on his first patrol the crew picked up allied survivors from the Japanese prisoner of war ship, SS Rakuyo Maru. The crew also sank two Japanese ships during this patrol. After completing the patrol, the Barb went to Majuro for refit. There they formed a wolf pack with the USS Queenfish (SS-393) and USS Picuda (SS-338) and patrolled in the East China Sea. He discusses the differences …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Herbert Hinckley. Hinckley joined the Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Upon completion of radio school he was assigned to USS LST-391. Shuttling supplies between Oran and Tunisia, he survived extensive bombings which haunted him for some time after the war. At Sicily, with Army Air Forces paratroopers caught in friendly fire, Hinckley frantically relayed a ceasefire message to an unsympathetic captain who was more concerned with the Stukas overhead. After taking Palermo, Hinckley was sitting at a dinner table when German soldiers arrived, asking to surrender. In Salerno, his LST took badly burned men onboard, and at Naples he was strafed. His LST was then fitted with rails to enable delivery of boxcars to France. Hinckley’s LST brought Patton’s jeep to Normandy. After Hinckley’s LST was sunk three times in Cherbourg, he was reassigned to the Pacific, finishing the war on LST-112. After his discharge in January 1946, he embarked on a career in the Air Force, ultimately becoming chief of flight medicine at Dyess Air Force Base.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Herbert Hinckley. Hinckley joined the Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Upon completion of radio school he was assigned to USS LST-391. Shuttling supplies between Oran and Tunisia, he survived extensive bombings which haunted him for some time after the war. At Sicily, with Army Air Forces paratroopers caught in friendly fire, Hinckley frantically relayed a ceasefire message to an unsympathetic captain who was more concerned with the Stukas overhead. After taking Palermo, Hinckley was sitting at a dinner table when German soldiers arrived, asking to surrender. In Salerno, his LST took badly burned men onboard, and at Naples he was strafed. His LST was then fitted with rails to enable delivery of boxcars to France. Hinckley’s LST brought Patton’s jeep to Normandy. After Hinckley’s LST was sunk three times in Cherbourg, he was reassigned to the Pacific, finishing the war on LST-112. After his discharge in January 1946, he embarked on a career in the Air Force, ultimately becoming chief of flight medicine at Dyess Air Force Base.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Leslie Collins. Collins joined the Army in 1942. He completed eight weeks of infantry training and then traveled to Australia and New Guinea with the 41st Division and participated in eleven beach landings. While overseas he volunteered to serve as a combat medic, though having had little training. He provides some details of combat in the jungles of New Guinea, the natives and the materials he used as a medic on the island. Collins was one of 33 in his medical outfit, and only 2 were not killed or wounded. They made a landing on Hollandia, where Collins describes the Japanese bombing their outfit. He also served in the Philippines until August of 1945. He was discharged in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Leslie Collins. Collins joined the Army in 1942. He completed eight weeks of infantry training and then traveled to Australia and New Guinea with the 41st Division and participated in eleven beach landings. While overseas he volunteered to serve as a combat medic, though having had little training. He provides some details of combat in the jungles of New Guinea, the natives and the materials he used as a medic on the island. Collins was one of 33 in his medical outfit, and only 2 were not killed or wounded. They made a landing on Hollandia, where Collins describes the Japanese bombing their outfit. He also served in the Philippines until August of 1945. He was discharged in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Cook. Cook joined the Navy. He completed submarine chaser training in Miami, Florida with the Donald Duck Navy. Cook served aboard the USS Phantom (AM-273). They escorted a cargo ship to Halifax, Nova Scotia. He provides some details of life aboard the minesweeper. He was later transferred to USS YMS-267 in Hawaii. He shares some of his stories living in Hawaii. They traveled to Kobe, Japan and swept mines for six months. Cook was later transferred to an LST troop transport, and they traveled to Mare Island in California to decommission the ship. His discharge date is not noted, though he was discharged shortly after the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Cook. Cook joined the Navy. He completed submarine chaser training in Miami, Florida with the Donald Duck Navy. Cook served aboard the USS Phantom (AM-273). They escorted a cargo ship to Halifax, Nova Scotia. He provides some details of life aboard the minesweeper. He was later transferred to USS YMS-267 in Hawaii. He shares some of his stories living in Hawaii. They traveled to Kobe, Japan and swept mines for six months. Cook was later transferred to an LST troop transport, and they traveled to Mare Island in California to decommission the ship. His discharge date is not noted, though he was discharged shortly after the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Cleon Conwell. Conwell joined the Army Air Force in December of 1943. His unit was the 487th Bomb Group. He served as a tail gunner and flew five missions total. In September of 1944 he traveled to England in a B-17. He describes his time in England and life at the base. He shares one mission where his plane was shot down, which he received a purple heart. In October of 1944 Conwell was captured and became a prisoner of war in Germany.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bruce VanDerWeele. VanDerWeele was drafted into the Army in 1941. He was assigned to the Headquarters Battery, 3rd Coast Artillery. He graduated from Officer Candidate School at Fort Washington, Maryland as a second lieutenant. He was then sent to Camp Shelby, Mississippi and taught classes in an Army Administration School. In 1943 VanDerWeele was sent to Hawaii and continued serving as a teacher at an Administration School. Upon his discharge, he went into the reserves.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edwin Bullian. Bullian joined the Army Air Corps in October of 1940. He served as a B-26 flight engineer and gunner with the 17th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force. He completed 45 missions over North Africa, the islands of Sardinia and Sicily and the Italian mainland. Bullian continued his service after the war ended, retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1960.