The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Straw. Straw was born in Pulaski County, Indiana 18 August 1914. He was unable to complete high school as he had to help his father on the farm. Drafted into the Army Air Corps in February 1942 he went to Kelly Field, Texas for basic training. Upon completion of basic he was sent to Los Angeles for aircraft mechanic school, which he attended for three and one-half years. He recalls working on engines of the B-17 and B-24 bombers. He was sent to a base in England for a period of time, then to Italy where he worked on P-38s. He disliked working on P-38 engines. He then went to Belgium, remaining there until the surrender of Germany.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Straw. Straw was born in Pulaski County, Indiana 18 August 1914. He was unable to complete high school as he had to help his father on the farm. Drafted into the Army Air Corps in February 1942 he went to Kelly Field, Texas for basic training. Upon completion of basic he was sent to Los Angeles for aircraft mechanic school, which he attended for three and one-half years. He recalls working on engines of the B-17 and B-24 bombers. He was sent to a base in England for a period of time, then to Italy where he worked on P-38s. He disliked working on P-38 engines. He then went to Belgium, remaining there until the surrender of Germany.