The National Museum of the Pacific War presents a commentary by Joe Kruzel. Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 17 February 1918, Kruzel attended the University of Scranton and graduated majoring in pre-med. Joining the Army Air Corps, he attended flight school at Randolph and Kelly fields in Texas. Soon after receiving his commission, he volunteered to go to the Philippine Islands. Upon arrival he was assigned to the 17th Pursuit Squadron under command of Colonel Boyd “Buzz” Wagner. He flew combat missions in P-35s and P-40s in the Philippines and Java for eleven months before being sent to the United States. He was next assigned to the 361st Fighter Group as executive officer in December 1942. In March 1943 the squadron went to Bottisham, England. Kruzel describes a number of missions in detail. In September 1944, he assumed command of the fighter group, which flew P-51s. He provides several anecdotes concerning various pilots and notes that one of his pilots shot down two M-262 German jets during one mission. He also comments on one of his most memorable flights and tells of the satisfaction derived when escorting crippled bombers back to England. He provides complementary comments about the ground crews and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents a commentary by Joe Kruzel. Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 17 February 1918, Kruzel attended the University of Scranton and graduated majoring in pre-med. Joining the Army Air Corps, he attended flight school at Randolph and Kelly fields in Texas. Soon after receiving his commission, he volunteered to go to the Philippine Islands. Upon arrival he was assigned to the 17th Pursuit Squadron under command of Colonel Boyd “Buzz” Wagner. He flew combat missions in P-35s and P-40s in the Philippines and Java for eleven months before being sent to the United States. He was next assigned to the 361st Fighter Group as executive officer in December 1942. In March 1943 the squadron went to Bottisham, England. Kruzel describes a number of missions in detail. In September 1944, he assumed command of the fighter group, which flew P-51s. He provides several anecdotes concerning various pilots and notes that one of his pilots shot down two M-262 German jets during one mission. He also comments on one of his most memorable flights and tells of the satisfaction derived when escorting crippled bombers back to England. He provides complementary comments about the ground crews and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alton Warner about his experiences leading up to and during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alton Warner about his experiences leading up to and during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Hassenplug. Hassenplug was born 5 May 1921 in Melton, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the Naval Academy in June, 1944. His first assignment was aboard the USS O-7 (SS-68). Then on 29 January 1945 he was ordered to report on board the USS Pintado (SS-387) at Pearl Harbor. He served on the boat for six months during which time it was on two combat patrols. Hassenplug recalls the experience of picking up crew members of a downed B-29 off the coast of Japan. [The fairwater from the Pintado is on display at The National Museum of the Pacific War]

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Hassenplug. Hassenplug was born 5 May 1921 in Melton, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the Naval Academy in June, 1944. His first assignment was aboard the USS O-7 (SS-68). Then on 29 January 1945 he was ordered to report on board the USS Pintado (SS-387) at Pearl Harbor. He served on the boat for six months during which time it was on two combat patrols. Hassenplug recalls the experience of picking up crew members of a downed B-29 off the coast of Japan. [The fairwater from the Pintado is on display at The National Museum of the Pacific War]

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Carl Renfroe. Renfroe volunteered for service in the Navy in December 1942. After earning a commission, he served aboard the USS Electra (AKA-4) during the invasion of the Marshall Islands followed by the invasion of Saipan. He was transferred to the USS Rockingham (APA-229), where he served as navigator during the invasions of Leyte and Okinawa. He was discharged from the Navy in 1947 and resumed his career in education administration.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Charland. Charland initially provides details of his family history and growing up. He joined the Marine Corps in 1939. He completed boot camp at Camp Elliott in California and provides details of his training. In June of 1941 he was assigned to the 3rd Marine Defense Battalion, H & S Company in Hawaii. He was serving guard detail at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, 7 miles west of Pearl Harbor on the morning of 7 December 1941. Charland provides vivid details of his experiences through the attack. For the next month he and his sergeant went through the harbor in the captain’s gig picking up survivors and the dead. In August of 1942 he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, E Company, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division in New Zealand. In November of 1943 he participated in the Battle of Tarawa. Upon getting wounded he boarded the USS Comfort (AH-6) and went back to Hawaii, where Admiral Chester Nimitz awarded him a Purple Heart. He was then assigned to the 4th Marine Division in February of 1944 and supported the infantry during the battles of Saipan, Tinian and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Charland. Charland initially provides details of his family history and growing up. He joined the Marine Corps in 1939. He completed boot camp at Camp Elliott in California and provides details of his training. In June of 1941 he was assigned to the 3rd Marine Defense Battalion, H & S Company in Hawaii. He was serving guard detail at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, 7 miles west of Pearl Harbor on the morning of 7 December 1941. Charland provides vivid details of his experiences through the attack. For the next month he and his sergeant went through the harbor in the captain’s gig picking up survivors and the dead. In August of 1942 he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, E Company, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division in New Zealand. In November of 1943 he participated in the Battle of Tarawa. Upon getting wounded he boarded the USS Comfort (AH-6) and went back to Hawaii, where Admiral Chester Nimitz awarded him a Purple Heart. He was then assigned to the 4th Marine Division in February of 1944 and supported the infantry during the battles of Saipan, Tinian and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Sedgie Hinson. Hinson graduated from Mississippi State University in 1940, with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He joined the Army in July of 1940. He was assigned to an anti-aircraft unit. In early 1941, he deployed to the Philippines, and was assigned to a 16-inch mortar unit on Corregidor. After the Japanese invaded the Philippines, Hinson participated in defending Corregidor, surrendering to the Japanese in May of 1942. He was captured and held a prisoner of war at Bilibid Prison and Niigata Prison, until liberated in early 1945. He returned to the US, and discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Sedgie Hinson. Hinson graduated from Mississippi State University in 1940, with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He joined the Army in July of 1940. He was assigned to an anti-aircraft unit. In early 1941, he deployed to the Philippines, and was assigned to a 16-inch mortar unit on Corregidor. After the Japanese invaded the Philippines, Hinson participated in defending Corregidor, surrendering to the Japanese in May of 1942. He was captured and held a prisoner of war at Bilibid Prison and Niigata Prison, until liberated in early 1945. He returned to the US, and discharged in 1946.

Transcript of an oral interview with Ann Liedtke. Ms Liedtke was a young, single woman in Britain during the war and relates her experiences there including meeting her husband and becoming a war bride. She was in Oxford, England working for a bank as an Addressograph operator and joined the American Red Cross there when they first asked for volunteers. The Clarendon Hotel was taken over and used by the Red Cross, opening on July 7, 1943. The Red Cross had dances on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday with excellent bands but were very strict. Ms Liedtke's future husband was a cook in the Officers' Mess, 8th Air Force Reconnaissance. They got married in February 1945 and lived in Oxford. Her husband went back to the States and she followed in February 1946, arriving on the Hospital ship Bridgeport, which was full of GI brides. Ms Liedtke gives nice descriptions of war time London and Oxford and talks very glowingly about the Red Cross.

Transcript of an oral interview with Ann Liedtke. Ms Liedtke was a young, single woman in Britain during the war and relates her experiences there including meeting her husband and becoming a war bride. She was in Oxford, England working for a bank as an Addressograph operator and joined the American Red Cross there when they first asked for volunteers. The Clarendon Hotel was taken over and used by the Red Cross, opening on July 7, 1943. The Red Cross had dances on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday with excellent bands but were very strict. Ms Liedtke's future husband was a cook in the Officers' Mess, 8th Air Force Reconnaissance. They got married in February 1945 and lived in Oxford. Her husband went back to the States and she followed in February 1946, arriving on the Hospital ship Bridgeport, which was full of GI brides. Ms Liedtke gives nice descriptions of war time London and Oxford and talks very glowingly about the Red Cross.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Lawrence Dibb. Dibb joined the Navy in September of 1941. Beginning January of 1942, he served aboard USS Maryland (BB-46) as a Fireman in damage control, fire and rescue, and diving repair. They traveled to Midway and Fiji Island. They participated in the battles of Tarawa, Saipan, Leyte Gulf and Okinawa. Dibb was discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Lawrence Dibb. Dibb joined the Navy in September of 1941. Beginning January of 1942, he served aboard USS Maryland (BB-46) as a Fireman in damage control, fire and rescue, and diving repair. They traveled to Midway and Fiji Island. They participated in the battles of Tarawa, Saipan, Leyte Gulf and Okinawa. Dibb was discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Rodolf. Rodolf grew up in Oklahoma and joined the Army Air Force in 1942. He was in photo reconnaissance, called F-5, and was a pilot of P-38 camera vision. After training, he arrived in Guadalcanal in March 1944. He flew missions out of Bougainville covering Rabaul and Kavieng. In October 1944, he moved up to Noemfor, then to Sansapor. He continued flying until November 1945. He was in the 13th Army Air Force, 17th Photo Squadron. He took photographs for invasion purposes or finding targets for the fighters and bombers. He describes accidents in the airplane. He was stranded at sea with seven others, and they landed on an island occupied by the Japanese after the second atomic bomb had been dropped. Two of the men he was with did not survive. The remaining five were given food and water and treated for their wounds by the Japanese. They were rescued by the Australians. He married his wife in Sydney in March 1945. He went back to the United States and his wife followed. He was discharged in 1947. He returned to Oklahoma to begin his career. …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Rodolf. Rodolf grew up in Oklahoma and joined the Army Air Force in 1942. He was in photo reconnaissance, called F-5, and was a pilot of P-38 camera vision. After training, he arrived in Guadalcanal in March 1944. He flew missions out of Bougainville covering Rabaul and Kavieng. In October 1944, he moved up to Noemfor, then to Sansapor. He continued flying until November 1945. He was in the 13th Army Air Force, 17th Photo Squadron. He took photographs for invasion purposes or finding targets for the fighters and bombers. He describes accidents in the airplane. He was stranded at sea with seven others, and they landed on an island occupied by the Japanese after the second atomic bomb had been dropped. Two of the men he was with did not survive. The remaining five were given food and water and treated for their wounds by the Japanese. They were rescued by the Australians. He married his wife in Sydney in March 1945. He went back to the United States and his wife followed. He was discharged in 1947. He returned to Oklahoma to begin his career. …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James S. Bargsley. Bargsley grew up in Texas and joined the Navy in 1942. Once he finished training, he was assigned to duty on the USS Fallard (DE-222) and then the USS Bassett (APD-73). From San Diego, they departed for Pearl Harbor, knowing they were preparing for the invasion of Japan. In June 1945 they departed for Eniwetok Atoll, then to Guam, then to the Ulithi Atoll. On July 2, 1945, the ship reported to Commander Philippine Sea Frontier for duty. On August 3, 1945, the ship went to rescue the survivors of the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). The survivors were transferred to the fleet hospital the next day. Then they went to New Guinea, where they heard of the atomic bomb being dropped, and in September to Manila. From the Philippines the ship went to Okinawa and then to Wakayama, Japan with the LCT convoy. The Bassett detached from her duties in November and Bargsley was discharged in December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James S. Bargsley. Bargsley grew up in Texas and joined the Navy in 1942. Once he finished training, he was assigned to duty on the USS Fallard (DE-222) and then the USS Bassett (APD-73). From San Diego, they departed for Pearl Harbor, knowing they were preparing for the invasion of Japan. In June 1945 they departed for Eniwetok Atoll, then to Guam, then to the Ulithi Atoll. On July 2, 1945, the ship reported to Commander Philippine Sea Frontier for duty. On August 3, 1945, the ship went to rescue the survivors of the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). The survivors were transferred to the fleet hospital the next day. Then they went to New Guinea, where they heard of the atomic bomb being dropped, and in September to Manila. From the Philippines the ship went to Okinawa and then to Wakayama, Japan with the LCT convoy. The Bassett detached from her duties in November and Bargsley was discharged in December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joe Langdell. Langdell joined the Navy in late 1940. He completed Midshipman School. He served aboard USS Arizona (BB-39). They were moored along Ford Island when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He participated in recovery and clean up after the attack. In early 1942, Langdell was reassigned to the USS Frazier (DD-607). They guarded transports during the Guadalcanal Campaign and Aleutian Islands Campaign. After an operation in early 1944, he remained in the US, was promoted to lieutenant commander, and provided administrative assistance to an admiral.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joe Langdell. Langdell joined the Navy in late 1940. He completed Midshipman School. He served aboard USS Arizona (BB-39). They were moored along Ford Island when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He participated in recovery and clean up after the attack. In early 1942, Langdell was reassigned to the USS Frazier (DD-607). They guarded transports during the Guadalcanal Campaign and Aleutian Islands Campaign. After an operation in early 1944, he remained in the US, was promoted to lieutenant commander, and provided administrative assistance to an admiral.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Medcalf. Medcalf grew up in Georgia and was drafted into the Army. Once he finished training, he departed on a ship to the North Atlantic. He was in the Second Infantry Division, 38th Regiment, Company C. He landed in Ireland, went to Wales, and then left for the invasion at Normandy. He landed on June 7, 1944. He describes advancing at Omaha Beach and confrontations with Germans. He continues advancing and assumes command when his superiors until he is injured by shrapnel. After four months in England, he returned to Belgium after the Battle of the Bulge. From Belgium, he went into Germany and then Czechoslovakia. Then the war ended, and he returned to the United States where he married his wife.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Medcalf. Medcalf grew up in Georgia and was drafted into the Army. Once he finished training, he departed on a ship to the North Atlantic. He was in the Second Infantry Division, 38th Regiment, Company C. He landed in Ireland, went to Wales, and then left for the invasion at Normandy. He landed on June 7, 1944. He describes advancing at Omaha Beach and confrontations with Germans. He continues advancing and assumes command when his superiors until he is injured by shrapnel. After four months in England, he returned to Belgium after the Battle of the Bulge. From Belgium, he went into Germany and then Czechoslovakia. Then the war ended, and he returned to the United States where he married his wife.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Geroge Medcalf from Greensville, South Carolina. He discusses his experience in training in Camp Mcoy in Wisconsin and meeting his wife there. He also discusses his time in the Second Infantry Division with the 38th Regiment, Company C, preparing for the Normandy Invasion. Mr. Medcalf also relays how he had to take over command of his Company during the invasion when he was injured by flying shrapnel and sent back to England for recuperation. He shares a story of how while advancing on Leipzig, Germany he was saved from German artillery fire when his sergeant offered him a piece of candy moving him away from the line of fire. The war ended while Mr. Medcalf was in Czechoslovakia, and after the war he received a purple heart and a cluster.