The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Kenneth Alberding. Alberding joined the Army Air Forces in January of 1943. He completed navigation training, and also worked in the photo lab printing publicity photos of cadets. He completed radio school in April of 1944 in Traux Field, Madison, Wisconsin. He worked in the Headquarters unit, 456th Squadron, as a radio mechanic on B-29s. He remained in the US throughout the war and was discharged in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Albritton. Albritton joined the Navy in 1937. He served aboard the USS Dobbin (AD-3). They were present during the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. At the time of the attack the Dobbin was moored northeast of Ford Island. After the attack, they picked up survivors and took the wounded to shore. Albritton participated in the Korean War and was discharged in 1957.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Alison. Alsion was born in Florida in 1912 and graduated from the University of Florida. Soon after graduation he was accepted into the Army Flying School at Randolph Field, Texas. After competing primary flight training he moved to Kelly Field, Texas for advanced training and was selected to fly fighters. Upon receiving his wings in 1937 he was ordered to report to Langley Field, Virginia where he was assigned to the 8th Pursuit Group flying the PB2A pursuit plane. In 1940 the group moved to Mitchell, Field, New York and the 57th Pursuit Group was formed. Alison was named squadron commander of the 66th Pursuit Squadron. He was directed to demonstrate the Curtis P-40 fighter to General Claire Chennault and a group of Chinese generals. He describes his flight demonstration and the obvious satisfaction of shown by all concerned. In April 1941, he went to England with the Hubert Zemke to assist the Royal Air Force in the integration of the P-40 into the RAF. While there, he was selected to accompany American Ambassador Harry Hopkins as a military attaché of the US Embassy in Moscow. He …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Allen. Mr Allen went into the Marine Corps in September 1942, took boot camp in San Diego, and then was stationed in Santa Anna at the lighter-than-air base as a guard. In September 1943, he was sent to Noumea, New Caledonia and from there to New Guinea where he was put in the First Marine Division, HQ Company, 1st Battalion. His first introduction to combat was when they landed on the southern tip of New Britain. Allen provides a good description of the fighting and the conditions on New Britain; they were wet and in the swamps. It took them about four months to go through New Britain. They had a brief respite on Johnson Islands before they landed on Peleliu. Allen talks about shooting their 75mm guns, point-blank at the steel and concrete doors the Japanese had built. He states that Peleliu was real rough. After going to a camp on Pavuvu, they went to Okinawa. He describes the day that Lt Gen Buckner was killed, by a sniper. Allen also talks about the Japanese using women and children as shields. He states that Ernie Pyle …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Thomas Alt. Alt joined the Aviation Cadet Corps in June of 1942 at the age of 17. By January of 1943, once he turned 18, he was called up for training. In mid-1943 he traveled to Pearl Harbor, and completed Fire Fighting School with the Navy while on the island. In mid-1944 Alt was assigned to the USS Sea Cat (SS-399). He worked as Military Police on night shifts and guard duty in the brig. They traveled to Saipan and the South China Sea where the Sea Cat operated in a wolf pack. He landed on Saipan 7 July 7, as the battle was coming to an end. He served with a firefighting crew on the beach for pilots making emergency or crash landings. Alt remained on Saipan through early 1945. He was stationed on Tinian in July, and recalls when the Enola Gay landed. He returned to the US and was discharged in March of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dana Anderson. Anderson was born in Manhattan, Kansas on 30 November 1924 and joined the Navy on 2 December 1942. After completing boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Illinois he was sent to San Diego where he trained on the Diesel engines on LCMs. After the training was complete he was assigned to USS Ashland (LSD-1), which was capable of carrying 18 LCMs. After making practice landings in Hawaii with the 2nd Marine Division, the Ashland participated in the invasion of Tarawa. Anderson’s LCM was left on the beach as it was disabled by Japanese shellfire. He returned to the Ashland and later participated in the invasions of Eniwetok and Kwajalein. Returning to the United States, he was sent to Cleveland, Ohio where he received additional training with Diesel engines. He was then assigned to an ocean-going tug hauling concrete forms to the Philippines. This tug was pulling another ship back to the US when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Tom Anderson. Anderson dropped out of college in 1941 and hitchhiked from Texas to San Diego. There he worked for Consolidated Aircraft, drafting plans for the B-32, B-36, and C-99. He then transferred to the Fort Worth plant, where he stayed until 1944, when he enlisted in the Navy. He was selected for radar technician training, and after boot camp he studied electronics in Chicago, followed by airborne radar training in Corpus Christi. He had a lifelong interest in flying and looked forward to his first duty assignment. But when the war ended in Japan, his radar conning class was cancelled and he was reassigned to the radar shop of CASU-5 at the Naval Air Station in San Diego. Anderson was discharged into the Armed Guard in March 1946, taking up work at the Fiscal and Disbursement Office of the Adjutant General at Camp Mabry. In 1950 he returned to school and joined the Army Reserves, retiring in 1966 as a lieutenant colonel.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ruth Fowler. Fowler was teaching in Big Spring, Texas, when she went out for the Civilian Pilot Training Program in 1939. She was accepted and was trained to fly. She evetually became an instructor. She also discusses rationing.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Felix “George” Appleton. Appleton was born in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, 21 July 1924. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 and following boot camp, entered the hospital corps school. Later he went aboard USS LST-523 and sailed in convoy to England and witnessed submarine attacks and a number of ships being lost. He tells of participating in Operation Overlord with Omaha Beach being USS LST-523’s objective. He describes the carnage he witnessed both in the water and on the beach. After off-loading supplies, the ship was designated a hospital ship and he describes the various combat injuries he treated. The ship made numerous trips between England and the Normandy beaches until the ship struck a mine and sank. Numerous fatalities occurred among the doctors and medical staff. He was treated for minor wounds and ultimately returned to the United States on HMS Queen Elizabeth. He was assigned to the Lambert Naval Air Station at St. Louis, Missouri until his discharge in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with W. T. Appleton. He enlisted in the Navy at the age of sixteen in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor. He describes being transported to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on the USS Shasta (AE-6). He was transferred to the USS Smith (DD-378) where he served as a member of a 5-inch gun crew. He talks about the role of the USS Smith in protecting the aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise (CV-6). He describes the crashing of a Japanese torpedo plane into the Smith and its aftermath. While serving on the Smith, he went to New Guinea and participated in the bombardment of locations such as Port Moresby, Finschhafen, and Buna in preparation for Marine landings. He recounts an attack by Japanese Betty Bombers and the deployment of a smoke screen for cover. He also discusses the sinking of the USS Hornet (CV-8). He returned to the United States where he was assigned to the USS Hank (DD-702) and sent again to the Pacific Theater. He describes kamikaze attacks while on the USS Hank near Taiwan. He also describes being on patrol in Japan after the atomic bombs were …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Paul Austin. Austin was born in Texas and grew up on farms before joining the Texas National Guard. When his unit, the 144th Infantry Regiment, was federalized, he became a member of the 36th Infantry Division. He was training at Camp Bowie, Texas, when he received word Pearl Harbor had been attacked. His unit was detached and went to Fort Lewis, Washington, where it was spread out along the coast watching for a Japanese invasion. Austin eventually went to Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a second lieutenant. He shipped overseas in September 1942. When he arrived in Hawaii, he was attached to the 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. After more training in Australia, his unit moved to New Guinea and participated in the Hollandia invasion. After securing airfields, Austin’s unit was transported to Biak. Their next assignment took them to Leyte for the invasion. After the Leyte campaign, Austin went to Luzon and was attached to the 38th Infantry Division. In May, 1945, Austin returned to the US on leave and was discharged later in October.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Michael Bak. Bak was born in Garfield, New Jersey on 14 March 1923. He joined the US Navy Reserve in 1942 and went to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station for ten months. He then attended quartermaster school for four months. Upon graduating, he was assigned to the USS Franks (DD-554). The ship was assigned to Division 94 along with the USS Haggard (DD-555), USS Hailey (DD-556) and USS Johnston (DD-557). After training in bombardment, torpedo and depth charge launching, the division went to Pearl Harbor. Bak was involved in the invasions of Tarawa and Kwajalein, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He saw the USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) get hit by a Japanese torpedo and recalls escorting the USS Washington (BB-56), damaged in a collision with the USS Indiana (BB-58), back to Pearl Harbor. The Franks was often designated a plane guard ship, assigned to rescue downed pilots. Bak describes the procedure. During the invasion of Okinawa, the Franks collided with the USS New Jersey (BB-62). The Franks’ captain died of injuries suffered during the accident and the ship went to Bremerton, Washington for major repairs. Bak …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bob Balch. Balch joined the Navy in August of 1943. He completed Radio School in February of 1944. In June he traveled to Melanie Bay, New Guinea. He speaks on shellback initiation crossing the equator. He was assigned to the USS Blue Ridge (AGC-2), where he served as a radioman. In August of 1945, after the war ended, Balch worked at a communication center on Manus, in the Admiralty Islands. He worked in the China occupation group beginning October of 1945. Balch returned to the US and was discharged in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Paul Barbee. Barbee joined the Navy in February of 1944. He completed submarine school. Beginning January of 1945, Barbee served as Third-Class Electrician aboard USS Steelhead (SS-280). They completed war patrols at Pearl Harbor, Midway Island and Japan, and helped with rescue missions of downed pilots and crews. Barbee continued his service after the war ended, and received his discharge in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Barg. Barg was born on 20 November 1918 in San Benito, Texas and graduated from high school in 1936. After hearing the Army Air Corps had an excellent school for aircraft maintenance, he joined the Army Air Corps on 20 June 1940 at Chanute Field, Illinois. After completing aircraft maintenance training, he was made an instructor. Barg served as an instructor for several years before he applied for and was accepted to Officer Candidate School at Boca Raton, Florida. He was then sent to Yale University for training as a Maintenance Engineering Officer. Upon completing the course in July 1943, he was commissioned. Barg then reported to the Boeing Aircraft plant in Seattle for additional training. He was then sent to the Pratt, Kansas Air Base where he received more training. The crew then went to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and picked up their B-29 and flew to Chakulia, India where they were assigned to the 20th Air Force, 58th Bomb Wing, 40th Bomb Group, 44th Bomb Squadron. The unit was based there for a year, during which they flew gasoline and other supplies into China as well …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Bartlett. Bartlett was drafted March 3, 1943 and went to Camp Roberts for basic infantry training. From there he went to Fort Benning, Georgia for parachute training. Eventually, they were shipped to Brisbane, Australia and after some additional training in Australia they were shipped to Port Moresby, New Guinea to join the 503rd Regimental Combat Team (RCT). The 503rd jumped (from C-47s) onto Corregidor but there were so many causalities that many went in by boat. Bartlett's one combat jump was onto Corregidor. Before Corregidor, the 503rd RCT went onto Mindoro Island by sea. After Corregidor, they went to Negros Island, Philippines as regular infantry. They were there, moving around into different areas, until the war ended. Bartlett describes the Japanese surrendering on the island at the end of the war. He came home in December 1945 and was discharged on Christmas Day.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert E. Batterson. Batterson was born on 5 May 1921 in Mason City, West Virginia. Following graduation from high school in 1938, he joined the Navy. After competing boot camp at Norfolk, Virginia, he was assigned to the USS Philadelphia (CL-41). During battle stations, he was a powder man on a six inch gun. The ship was anchored at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 and he describes what he saw on that day. In 1942, he was selected to enter the V-5 Naval Aviation Program. In January 1943 he began at the University of Southern California. Upon completing the first phase of the training he went to the University of New Mexico for initial flight training followed by pre-flight at Del Monte, California. From there he began flight training at Hutchinson Naval Air Station, Kansas. He was then sent to Corpus Christi, Texas for instrument and advanced training before joining a squadron at Daytona Beach, Florida. After several months, he went to Glennville Naval Air Base, Illinois to learn carrier landing. Upon being qualified as a carrier pilot, he was assigned to the USS Bennington (CV-20). He …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wayne T. Beery. Beery joined the US Marine Corps in 1943. After completing boot camp at San Diego, he was assigned guard duty at Mare Island Navy Yard. In 1944 he was assigned to the 1st Marine Division, 7th Marines on Guadalcanal. He tells of landing on Okinawa 1 April 1945 and comments on the stillness on the beach upon landing. Assigned the battalion headquarters company, he describes his responsibilities for the telephone communications. After the surrender of Japan, he was sent to China. He returned to the United States in 1946 and was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Bergeron. Bergeron joined the Navy in 1940 and was trained as a radioman. He joined VB-3 and served on SBDs. Bergeron was attached to the USS Saratoga (CV-3). Bergeron describes his observations flying over the recently attacked Pearl Harbor. He was then attached to the Enterprise (CV-6) and helped screen the task force that launched the Doolittle Raid. Bergeron then joined the USS Yorktown (CV-5) for the Battle of Midway where he would earn the Distinguished Flying Cross. He describes in detail the bombing runs that he was a part of and his brother getting wounded. Bergeron rejoined the Saratoga until it was torpedoed off Guadalcanal, after that he flew missions from Henderson Field. He rotated back to the US for advance radio school and then received an honorable discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Walter Bernhardt discussing where he grew up and stories from his childhood. He shares some of his experiences being stationed in Hawaii and fighting in the Pacific Theatre during World War Two, as well as some of the experiences of his friends and people he's met.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Warren C. Betcher. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, 22 June 1928, enlisted in the Marine Corps 22 June 1945 and completed basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina. After completing boot camp he describes shipping out to Guam after the war had ended. From there, he was shipped to Quindao, China and joined Easy Company, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Division. In the Spring of 1946 his company transferred to Peking for duty guarding various international embassies. He recalls various anecdotes of his time in Peking, including encounters with Chinese nationalists and communists, and being personally inspected by Chiang Kai-shek and his wife. He was involved with the repatriation of Japanese to their homeland. He relates that he returned to the United States in September 1947. In February 1948 he recalls being involved in a demonstration amphibious landing during which he suffered a hand injury that required five months hospitalization. After being discharged from the hospital he was transferred back to Parris Island where it was discovered that he had ruptured both kidneys in the amphibious landing at Camp Pendleton and he was discharged in September 1949.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Binkley. Binkley joined the Navy Seabees in July of 1943. He served as a Seaman 2nd Class. He served with the 581st Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU). They were commissioned at Port Hueneme, California in January of 1944 with personnel from the 123rd Battalion. They shipped out 13 March and traveled to Pearl Harbor. Their unit took over all maintenance and minor construction of the Naval Ammunition Depot. Binkley worked in a number of areas including construction, electrical work, censoring the mail and other postal work. He shares his living and working experiences on the island. He was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alfred P Birdwell. Birdwell joined the Army around 1943. He served as a tank driver with the 3rd Armored Division. He deployed to La Havre, France. Birdwell participated in the Battle of the Bulge, traveling through Germany along the Siegfried Line into Berlin. He returned to the US and received his discharge in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Francis Blake. Blake was born in Idaho and finished high school in Portland, Oregon. He then went to California for some college and worked in the mining industry in Arizona before joining the Marine Corps in August 1938. He trained at San Diego, then went to Sea School. Afterward, he was assigned to the USS Idaho (BB-42). He eventually became the captain's orderly and then an admiral's orderly while aboard the Idaho. Blake also served on Admiral Ernest King's flag allowance while King was Commander in Chief, US Fleet. Admiral King recommended Blake for a commission in the Marine Corps in June, 1943. When he got overseas, he was attached to the 3rd Marine Regiment prior to the invasion of Bougainville in an administrative support role. He performed similar duties on Guam during that invasion. When the 3rd MARDIV invaded Iwo Jima, Blake was an assistant to the G-1. When the war ended, he was back on Guam. He soon returned to the US and went to work discharging Marines. Blake retained his commission and stayed in the Corps. He served as marine detachment commanding officer aboard the …