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 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 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 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 oral interview with J. W. “Bill” Boulware. He was born in Amarillo, Texas, 30 April 1926 and enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in 1944. After completing basic training, he was sent to the Navy Electronics School in Chicago. Then he went to an air control squadron in Cherry Point, North Carolina. In January 1945 he volunteered for aerial navigator School in Cherry Point where he trained as a navigator. He recalls that the war ended while he was at Cherry Point. In January 1946 he was transferred into a Marine air transport squadron located in Qingdao, China in the Shandong province about halfway between Beijing and Shanghai. He describes his mission as hauling equipment, including guns and money, within China. He recalls meeting White Russian refugees, as well as Chinese communists and nationalists in Shanghai. In August 1946 he returned to the United States and was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with J. W. “Bill” Boulware. He was born in Amarillo, Texas, 30 April 1926 and enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in 1944. After completing basic training, he was sent to the Navy Electronics School in Chicago. Then he went to an air control squadron in Cherry Point, North Carolina. In January 1945 he volunteered for aerial navigator School in Cherry Point where he trained as a navigator. He recalls that the war ended while he was at Cherry Point. In January 1946 he was transferred into a Marine air transport squadron located in Qingdao, China in the Shandong province about halfway between Beijing and Shanghai. He describes his mission as hauling equipment, including guns and money, within China. He recalls meeting White Russian refugees, as well as Chinese communists and nationalists in Shanghai. In August 1946 he returned to the United States and was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edgar Fulwider. He was born in San Francisco, California in 1927 and joined the Merchant Marines in 1944 at the age of 17. He attended the Maritime Academy at Catalina Island, California. In February 1945 he shipped out as a Fireman/Water Tender on a T2 Tanker carrying six million gallons of bunker fuel (black oil) and one million gallons of aviation gasoline. The ship arrived off the Philippines as the islands were being liberated, then sailed to Iwo Jima for the last three weeks of that campaign and then went to Okinawa for the invasion. He describes the ship colliding with a destroyer while refueling during a typhoon. They returned to San Francisco for repairs. Upon arrival Fulwider was transferred to the Army Transportation Corps (ATC) and made two more round trips to the Philippines on troop carriers returning men to the US. At the end of the war he enlisted in the Marine Corps in September 1945, attending basic training in San Diego. He was assigned to duty in China as an infantryman in the First Marine Division. He describes his duty as member of a machine …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edgar Fulwider. He was born in San Francisco, California in 1927 and joined the Merchant Marines in 1944 at the age of 17. He attended the Maritime Academy at Catalina Island, California. In February 1945 he shipped out as a Fireman/Water Tender on a T2 Tanker carrying six million gallons of bunker fuel (black oil) and one million gallons of aviation gasoline. The ship arrived off the Philippines as the islands were being liberated, then sailed to Iwo Jima for the last three weeks of that campaign and then went to Okinawa for the invasion. He describes the ship colliding with a destroyer while refueling during a typhoon. They returned to San Francisco for repairs. Upon arrival Fulwider was transferred to the Army Transportation Corps (ATC) and made two more round trips to the Philippines on troop carriers returning men to the US. At the end of the war he enlisted in the Marine Corps in September 1945, attending basic training in San Diego. He was assigned to duty in China as an infantryman in the First Marine Division. He describes his duty as member of a machine …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles George. George was born in East Portsmouth, Ohio 12 August 1927. Entering the Navy in 1945, he was sent to San Diego, California for boot training. Upon completion he was sent to Navy signal school. After finishing signal school he attended submarine school at Newline, Connecticut for two months. He was assigned to the USS Boarfish (SS-327). During his time on the Boarfish one of the missions was to chart an ice passage across the North Pole. He describes how sonar was used to determine the thickness of the ice above and where the ocean bottom was. He tells of the gear worn while top-side in the sub-zero weather. Later, when the Boarfish was in the process of being prepared for sale to Turkey he asked to be assigned to another submarine and joined the USS Cusk (SS-348) as a helmsman. The Cusk was a World War II submarine that was converted to experiment with the launching of captured German V-2 rockets and George discusses the procedures and results of the testing. The Cusk’s mission was classified and George tells of the measures taken to insure that …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles George. George was born in East Portsmouth, Ohio 12 August 1927. Entering the Navy in 1945, he was sent to San Diego, California for boot training. Upon completion he was sent to Navy signal school. After finishing signal school he attended submarine school at Newline, Connecticut for two months. He was assigned to the USS Boarfish (SS-327). During his time on the Boarfish one of the missions was to chart an ice passage across the North Pole. He describes how sonar was used to determine the thickness of the ice above and where the ocean bottom was. He tells of the gear worn while top-side in the sub-zero weather. Later, when the Boarfish was in the process of being prepared for sale to Turkey he asked to be assigned to another submarine and joined the USS Cusk (SS-348) as a helmsman. The Cusk was a World War II submarine that was converted to experiment with the launching of captured German V-2 rockets and George discusses the procedures and results of the testing. The Cusk’s mission was classified and George tells of the measures taken to insure that …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Gill. Gill joined the Marine Corps around June of 1945. He traveled to Japan with the occupation and then on to China working as an engineer. He ran the water pumps and worked on the railway ensuring equipment ran properly to transport coal. He speaks on engaging bandits and communist soldiers that were stealing the coal and disrupting production. His living quarters were in a Japanese hospital. Upon returning to the US Gill was stationed in Washington DC at Marine Corps headquarters. Through his station he completed his GED and a degree from Georgetown University. Upon graduating Gill took a position with AT&T, responsible for the telephone facilities for NORAD. He remained in the Marines and was discharged around 1950.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Gill. Gill joined the Marine Corps around June of 1945. He traveled to Japan with the occupation and then on to China working as an engineer. He ran the water pumps and worked on the railway ensuring equipment ran properly to transport coal. He speaks on engaging bandits and communist soldiers that were stealing the coal and disrupting production. His living quarters were in a Japanese hospital. Upon returning to the US Gill was stationed in Washington DC at Marine Corps headquarters. Through his station he completed his GED and a degree from Georgetown University. Upon graduating Gill took a position with AT&T, responsible for the telephone facilities for NORAD. He remained in the Marines and was discharged around 1950.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Art Goetz. Goetz joined the Marine Corps in 1945 and received basic training at Parris Island followed by engineer training at Camp Lejeune. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 1st Engineer Battalion, stationed in China, where he performed maintenance work at the American Legation in Peking. He arrived in January 1946 to a welcoming population who lined the streets waving American flags. While there he visited the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Whispering Wall at the Temple of Heaven. The exchange rate was so favorable to Americans that his acquaintance bought a Ming Dynasty urn for a few dollars, and Goetz purchased two cloisonné blouses for 25 cents each. In April 1947 Goetz was transferred to Guam with the 1st Marine Brigade. In 1948 he returned to China, this time stationed at Tsingtao. As the Chinese Civil War intensified, the engineers were the last to evacuate, loading their heavy equipment onto ships as shots were being fired all around the city. Goetz returned to the States in May 1949 and went on to serve in the Korean War. His last duty was as a special …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Art Goetz. Goetz joined the Marine Corps in 1945 and received basic training at Parris Island followed by engineer training at Camp Lejeune. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 1st Engineer Battalion, stationed in China, where he performed maintenance work at the American Legation in Peking. He arrived in January 1946 to a welcoming population who lined the streets waving American flags. While there he visited the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Whispering Wall at the Temple of Heaven. The exchange rate was so favorable to Americans that his acquaintance bought a Ming Dynasty urn for a few dollars, and Goetz purchased two cloisonné blouses for 25 cents each. In April 1947 Goetz was transferred to Guam with the 1st Marine Brigade. In 1948 he returned to China, this time stationed at Tsingtao. As the Chinese Civil War intensified, the engineers were the last to evacuate, loading their heavy equipment onto ships as shots were being fired all around the city. Goetz returned to the States in May 1949 and went on to serve in the Korean War. His last duty was as a special …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Don L. Holmes. He joined the Marine Corps in 1943. In December 1944, he was sent to the Pacific Theater and assigned to an artillery regiment, E Battery of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. He describes the landing on Iwo Jima on the third day of the invasion and supporting the 21st Marines, an infantry regiment. Following the surrender of Japan, he was sent to Tientsin, China with Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. He discusses his duty patrolling the Japanese compound as well as serving in a detachment tasked with transporting Japanese and Koreans to be repatriated to their respective countries. He also discusses the Chinese people and the conflict between the Nationalists and the Communists. He shares his memories of R & R in Peking, China. He was discharged in 1946. He also shares the story of his high school friend, Jack Wallace, a marine who was killed during the Eniwetok Invasion.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Don L. Holmes. He joined the Marine Corps in 1943. In December 1944, he was sent to the Pacific Theater and assigned to an artillery regiment, E Battery of the 2nd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. He describes the landing on Iwo Jima on the third day of the invasion and supporting the 21st Marines, an infantry regiment. Following the surrender of Japan, he was sent to Tientsin, China with Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. He discusses his duty patrolling the Japanese compound as well as serving in a detachment tasked with transporting Japanese and Koreans to be repatriated to their respective countries. He also discusses the Chinese people and the conflict between the Nationalists and the Communists. He shares his memories of R & R in Peking, China. He was discharged in 1946. He also shares the story of his high school friend, Jack Wallace, a marine who was killed during the Eniwetok Invasion.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Doug Hubbard. Hubbard joined the Navy in 1943. He served in the South Pacific as a lieutenant (j.g.). He served aboard the USS Joseph E. Connolly (DE-450). They traveled to Jamaica, the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. They completed convoy duty, escorting combat ships. By late 1945 he transferred to the Hospital Corps, and was stationed in New Caledonia. Hubbard was discharged in 1946. He speaks briefly on his work in beginning the National Museum of the Pacific War.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Doug Hubbard. Hubbard joined the Navy in 1943. He served in the South Pacific as a lieutenant (j.g.). He served aboard the USS Joseph E. Connolly (DE-450). They traveled to Jamaica, the Caribbean and the Panama Canal. They completed convoy duty, escorting combat ships. By late 1945 he transferred to the Hospital Corps, and was stationed in New Caledonia. Hubbard was discharged in 1946. He speaks briefly on his work in beginning the National Museum of the Pacific War.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gordon Kimball. Kimball joined the Navy in August of 1943. He completed submarine and quartermaster school. After graduation, he trained aboard R Boats in Key West, Florida. Beginning December of 1944, Kimball served aboard the USS Lizardfish (SS-373). They deployed to Pearl Harbor in the spring of 1945. They completed war patrols around Saipan, in the Java Sea, Lombok Strait, Australia, Sunda Strait and the Philippines. Kimball continued his service after the war ended, and was discharged in 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gordon Kimball. Kimball joined the Navy in August of 1943. He completed submarine and quartermaster school. After graduation, he trained aboard R Boats in Key West, Florida. Beginning December of 1944, Kimball served aboard the USS Lizardfish (SS-373). They deployed to Pearl Harbor in the spring of 1945. They completed war patrols around Saipan, in the Java Sea, Lombok Strait, Australia, Sunda Strait and the Philippines. Kimball continued his service after the war ended, and was discharged in 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Parker. Parker joined the Marine Corps in late 1944. In 1945 he completed advanced infantry training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. They trained in preparation for the invasion of Japan. After the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Parker was reassigned to China in early 1946. He served for one year with the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st marine Division at the American embassy in Peking, now Beijing, China. In 1947 he was transferred to Tsingtao, now Qingdao, China, where he served with the 6th Fleet Marine Force. Parker returned home and was discharged in early 1949.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Parker. Parker joined the Marine Corps in late 1944. In 1945 he completed advanced infantry training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. They trained in preparation for the invasion of Japan. After the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Parker was reassigned to China in early 1946. He served for one year with the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st marine Division at the American embassy in Peking, now Beijing, China. In 1947 he was transferred to Tsingtao, now Qingdao, China, where he served with the 6th Fleet Marine Force. Parker returned home and was discharged in early 1949.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dwayne K. Redman. He was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on 4 August 1928. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 1946 and was sent to Parris Island for basic training. He provides several anecdotes of his time at Parris Island. Prior to completing basic training, he was sent to Washington, DC and put up in a room at a hotel where the Secretary of the Navy, James Forrestal, came to his room and told him that he needed a volunteer for special duty. Redman was particularly qualified due to his demonstrated physical endurance, night vision, some experience flying as a civilian and his military test results. He accepted the assignment and was transferred to Cherry Point, where he was assigned to a Marine Corps transport squadron and trained as a navigator and pilot in the R4D (USMC version of the C-47). Upon completing the training in April 1947, he was sent to Shanghai, China where was assigned to a civilian boss heading up a secret operation. He describes his duties as navigator in a modified R4D flying White Russian expatriates to various locations on the China/Russia border. …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dwayne K. Redman. He was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on 4 August 1928. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 1946 and was sent to Parris Island for basic training. He provides several anecdotes of his time at Parris Island. Prior to completing basic training, he was sent to Washington, DC and put up in a room at a hotel where the Secretary of the Navy, James Forrestal, came to his room and told him that he needed a volunteer for special duty. Redman was particularly qualified due to his demonstrated physical endurance, night vision, some experience flying as a civilian and his military test results. He accepted the assignment and was transferred to Cherry Point, where he was assigned to a Marine Corps transport squadron and trained as a navigator and pilot in the R4D (USMC version of the C-47). Upon completing the training in April 1947, he was sent to Shanghai, China where was assigned to a civilian boss heading up a secret operation. He describes his duties as navigator in a modified R4D flying White Russian expatriates to various locations on the China/Russia border. …