Oral History Interview with Bryce Taylor, October 1, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Bryce Taylor, October 1, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bryce Taylor. After finishing high school in 1942, Taylor joined the Marine Corps and had basic training at San Diego. After basic, Taylor was assigned to the base band in San Diego. He arrived at Pearl Harbor in February, 1944 and was part of the base band there for two years. Taylor recalls playing Taps in the evening several times on the USS Arizona (BB-39). His band also played regularly at the hospital at Aiea. After a while, he was recruited by Bob Crosby to tour parts of the Pacific and play concerts: Saipan, Guam, Iwo Jima. He returned home and was discharged in 1946.
Date: October 1, 2004
Creator: Taylor, Bryce B
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Bryce Taylor, October 1, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Bryce Taylor, October 1, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bryce Taylor. After finishing high school in 1942, Taylor joined the Marine Corps and had basic training at San Diego. After basic, Taylor was assigned to the base band in San Diego. He arrived at Pearl Harbor in February, 1944 and was part of the base band there for two years. Taylor recalls playing Taps in the evening several times on the USS Arizona (BB-39). His band also played regularly at the hospital at Aiea. After a while, he was recruited by Bob Crosby to tour parts of the Pacific and play concerts: Saipan, Guam, Iwo Jima. He returned home and was discharged in 1946.
Date: October 1, 2004
Creator: Taylor, Bryce B
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Fred Chupp, October 1, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Fred Chupp, October 1, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Fred Chupp. Chupp volunteered in the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940 and worked in Iowa. He was drafted into the Army in 1942 and trained in coast artillery. He landed at Normandy on D-Day in the afternoon with the 197th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. Chupp describes several combat experiences he had while in France.
Date: October 1, 2004
Creator: Chupp, Fred
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alan W. Saunders, October 8, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Alan W. Saunders, October 8, 2004

Interview with Alan W. "Buck" Saunders, a pilot during World War II. He discusses joining the Army Air Corps, becoming an airplane mechanic, and going to flight school for pilot training. He was stationed in India and flew supplies into China over the Himalayas (known by pilots as "the Hump"). In China, he traded items such as jewelry or opium for information on Japanese troop placements in Burma. He also discusses his meetings with native Burmese and talks about later experiences he had after the war and during the Vietnam War.
Date: October 8, 2004
Creator: Cox, Floyd & Saunders, Alan W.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alan W. Saunders, October 8, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Alan W. Saunders, October 8, 2004

Interview with Alan W. "Buck" Saunders of New Braunfels, Texas, a veteran of the Army Air Force during World War Two. The interview includes Saunders' personal experiences while in the Air Force, including the China-Burma-India Theater and memories of flying cargo to China over the Himalayas. Mr. Saunders also talks about life before and after his service.
Date: October 8, 2004
Creator: Cox, Floyd & Saunders, Alan W.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Allan W. 'Buck' Saunders, October 8, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Allan W. 'Buck' Saunders, October 8, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alan W. ""Buck"" Saunders. He discusses joining the Army Air Corps, becoming an airplane mechanic, then going to flight school to be a pilot. He was stationed in India and discusses flying supplies into China over the Himalayas, ""the Hump"", trading items like jewelry or opium for information on Japanese troop placements in Burma, and meetings he had with native Burmese. He also talks about later experiences he had after the war and during the Vietnam War.
Date: October 8, 2004
Creator: Saunders, Alan W.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Allan W. 'Buck' Saunders, October 8, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Allan W. 'Buck' Saunders, October 8, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alan W. ""Buck"" Saunders. He discusses joining the Army Air Corps, becoming an airplane mechanic, then going to flight school to be a pilot. He was stationed in India and discusses flying supplies into China over the Himalayas, ""the Hump"", trading items like jewelry or opium for information on Japanese troop placements in Burma, and meetings he had with native Burmese. He also talks about later experiences he had after the war and during the Vietnam War.
Date: October 8, 2004
Creator: Saunders, Alan W.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Dean Stephens, October 8, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Dean Stephens, October 8, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dean Stephens. Stephens was born in Red Oak, Oklahoma. After finishing two years of college he attempted to join the Coast Guard but was rejected. He went to work at Emerson Electric, a defense plant that made gun turrets for bombers. He was drafted 15 January 1943 and went to Wichita Falls, Texas for basic training. After basic, he was sent to weather observer school at Chanute Field, Illinois. After ten months of training he went to Perrin Field in Sherman, Texas. On 15 July 1943 he went aboard the USS Hermitage (AP-54) bound for Bombay. After arriving at Karachi, he volunteered to go to Burma. He was then sent to Pushkar, India where he helped build a weather station. After five months he flew to Mangkuan, China in an L-5 aircraft. After a three day trek by foot, he arrived at a camp where he joined a team of nine others comprising the Signal Air Warning group. Their job was to pass weather conditions every six hours to a collection point that drew area weather maps. Stephens recalls leeches being a constant problem and being accidentally burned …
Date: October 8, 2004
Creator: Stephens, Dean
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Dean Stephens, October 8, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Dean Stephens, October 8, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dean Stephens. Stephens was born in Red Oak, Oklahoma. After finishing two years of college he attempted to join the Coast Guard but was rejected. He went to work at Emerson Electric, a defense plant that made gun turrets for bombers. He was drafted 15 January 1943 and went to Wichita Falls, Texas for basic training. After basic, he was sent to weather observer school at Chanute Field, Illinois. After ten months of training he went to Perrin Field in Sherman, Texas. On 15 July 1943 he went aboard the USS Hermitage (AP-54) bound for Bombay. After arriving at Karachi, he volunteered to go to Burma. He was then sent to Pushkar, India where he helped build a weather station. After five months he flew to Mangkuan, China in an L-5 aircraft. After a three day trek by foot, he arrived at a camp where he joined a team of nine others comprising the Signal Air Warning group. Their job was to pass weather conditions every six hours to a collection point that drew area weather maps. Stephens recalls leeches being a constant problem and being accidentally burned …
Date: October 8, 2004
Creator: Stephens, Dean
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James F. Sansom, October 8, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with James F. Sansom, October 8, 2004

Interview with James F. Sansom, an officer in the U. S. Army during World War II. Sansom joined the Army in 1940 and began training on anti-aircraft guns in Florida. He was selected for Officer Candidate School (OCS) and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1942. He was assigned to the 843rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Air Warning Battalion, which made its way to India via the Panama Canal and Australia. Shortly after reaching Calcutta, the unit moved to Myitkyina, Burma. After the war, Sansom was assigned to Sagumo Prison outside Tokyo where Japanese war criminals were being held while on trial for war crimes. He describes some of the routines and residents in the prison. Sansom taught Hideki Tojo how to play card games like gin rummy. Sansom also describes the process of executing convicted prisoners as he carried out some sentences. In all, he executed nine convicted war criminals.
Date: October 8, 2004
Creator: Cox, Floyd & Sansom, James F.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James F. Sansom, October 8, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with James F. Sansom, October 8, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James F. Sansom. Sansom joined the Army in 1940 and began training on anti-aircraft guns in Florida. He was selected for Officer Candidate School (OCS) and was commissiond a second lieutenant in 1942. He was assigned to the 843rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Air Warning Battalion, which made its way to India via the Panama Canal and Australia. Shortly after reaching Calcutta, the unit moved to Myitkyina, Burma. After the war, Sansom was assigned to Sagumo Prison outside Tokyo where japanese war criminals were being held while on trial for war crimes. He describes some of the routines and residents in the prison. Sansom taught Hideki Tojo how to play card games like gin rummy. Sansom also describes the process of executing convicted prisoners as he carried out some sentences. In all, he executed nine convicted war criminals.
Date: October 8, 2004
Creator: Sansom, James F.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James F. Sansom, October 8, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with James F. Sansom, October 8, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James F. Sansom. Sansom joined the Army in 1940 and began training on anti-aircraft guns in Florida. He was selected for Officer Candidate School (OCS) and was commissiond a second lieutenant in 1942. He was assigned to the 843rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Air Warning Battalion, which made its way to India via the Panama Canal and Australia. Shortly after reaching Calcutta, the unit moved to Myitkyina, Burma. After the war, Sansom was assigned to Sagumo Prison outside Tokyo where japanese war criminals were being held while on trial for war crimes. He describes some of the routines and residents in the prison. Sansom taught Hideki Tojo how to play card games like gin rummy. Sansom also describes the process of executing convicted prisoners as he carried out some sentences. In all, he executed nine convicted war criminals.
Date: October 8, 2004
Creator: Sansom, James F.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Allen, October 9, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles Allen, October 9, 2004

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 …
Date: October 9, 2004
Creator: Allen, Charles E.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Allen, October 9, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles Allen, October 9, 2004

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 …
Date: October 9, 2004
Creator: Allen, Charles E.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Louis Glist, October 9, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Louis Glist, October 9, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Louis Glist. Mr Glist enlisted in the military November 3, 1942; the War Department, Ordnance Section which became a part of the U. S. Army. He didn't really go to boot camp because the ordnance department had specific technical assignments. Glist's first duty assignment was in medium maintenance (through 37mm weapons). Then, they sent him to school at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, he came back, took a test and ended up going to the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP). He was shipped to Oregon State College where he spent ten months studying to be a mechanical engineer. After that he went back to Aberdeen where he went to OCS, graduating as a 2nd Lieutenant. From there he went to Wilmington, California where he went aboard the General Morton, a troop transport, which sailed on February 8, 1945; going over as a casualty replacement. They were on their way to Calcutta; it took them forty days and nights. He was assigned to the Chinese Combat Command. The mission of the Chinese Combat Command was to act as liaison between the Chinese Army and the American Army. They were to ensure …
Date: October 9, 2004
Creator: Glist, Louis
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Louis Glist, October 9, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Louis Glist, October 9, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Louis Glist. Mr Glist enlisted in the military November 3, 1942; the War Department, Ordnance Section which became a part of the U. S. Army. He didn't really go to boot camp because the ordnance department had specific technical assignments. Glist's first duty assignment was in medium maintenance (through 37mm weapons). Then, they sent him to school at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, he came back, took a test and ended up going to the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP). He was shipped to Oregon State College where he spent ten months studying to be a mechanical engineer. After that he went back to Aberdeen where he went to OCS, graduating as a 2nd Lieutenant. From there he went to Wilmington, California where he went aboard the General Morton, a troop transport, which sailed on February 8, 1945; going over as a casualty replacement. They were on their way to Calcutta; it took them forty days and nights. He was assigned to the Chinese Combat Command. The mission of the Chinese Combat Command was to act as liaison between the Chinese Army and the American Army. They were to ensure …
Date: October 9, 2004
Creator: Glist, Louis
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Richard Shivley, October 14, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Richard Shivley, October 14, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Shivley. Shivley joined the Navy when he was fourteen years old in August, 1944. After boot camp, Shivley went to radio operator school then aerial gunnery school. He then reported aboard USS Franklin (CV-13) in February 1945 and attached to Air Group 5. He flew in torpedo bombers as a radioman. He was aboard when the Franklin was attacked on 19 March. He rode the ship back to Hawaii and volunteered for duty aboard another ship afraid of going home and having his age discovered. Shivley was assigned to the radio shack aboard USS O'Bannon (DD-450). He was aboard when the war ended and went to Japan during the occupation.
Date: October 14, 2004
Creator: Shivley, Richard
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Richard Shivley, October 14, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Richard Shivley, October 14, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Shivley. Shivley joined the Navy when he was fourteen years old in August, 1944. After boot camp, Shivley went to radio operator school then aerial gunnery school. He then reported aboard USS Franklin (CV-13) in February 1945 and attached to Air Group 5. He flew in torpedo bombers as a radioman. He was aboard when the Franklin was attacked on 19 March. He rode the ship back to Hawaii and volunteered for duty aboard another ship afraid of going home and having his age discovered. Shivley was assigned to the radio shack aboard USS O'Bannon (DD-450). He was aboard when the war ended and went to Japan during the occupation.
Date: October 14, 2004
Creator: Shivley, Richard
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Richard R. McTaggart, October 17, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Richard R. McTaggart, October 17, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard R. McTaggart. McTaggart had finished two and a-half years at Texas A&M when he was drafted into the Army on 2 February 1943 and had basic training at Camp Wolters. He also attended the NCO academy and the basic parachute course. After that he attended the German language program at Berkeley, graduating in the spring of 1944. From there his group went to Camp Bowie, Texas where they joined the 13th Armored Division which had just finished its preparation for overseas. Most of the private soldiers suddenly got orders to go overseas as replacements (D-Day was approaching). He landed a La Havre which was just being developed. McTaggart served with B Company of the 59th Armored Infantry Battalion, attached to the French 2nd Armored Division. When the Germans began their offensive in Belgium, his unit was assigned to the 9th Armored Division to bolster the defenses. They went through Luxembourg and then Bastogne and ended up northeast of there. Interview includes discussion of the fighting in this area and his unit's moves. Crossed the Rhine at St. Goar. Assigned to the 513th Counter Intelligence Corps detachment and …
Date: October 17, 2004
Creator: McTaggart, Richard R.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Richard R. McTaggart, October 17, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Richard R. McTaggart, October 17, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard R. McTaggart. McTaggart had finished two and a-half years at Texas A&M when he was drafted into the Army on 2 February 1943 and had basic training at Camp Wolters. He also attended the NCO academy and the basic parachute course. After that he attended the German language program at Berkeley, graduating in the spring of 1944. From there his group went to Camp Bowie, Texas where they joined the 13th Armored Division which had just finished its preparation for overseas. Most of the private soldiers suddenly got orders to go overseas as replacements (D-Day was approaching). He landed a La Havre which was just being developed. McTaggart served with B Company of the 59th Armored Infantry Battalion, attached to the French 2nd Armored Division. When the Germans began their offensive in Belgium, his unit was assigned to the 9th Armored Division to bolster the defenses. They went through Luxembourg and then Bastogne and ended up northeast of there. Interview includes discussion of the fighting in this area and his unit's moves. Crossed the Rhine at St. Goar. Assigned to the 513th Counter Intelligence Corps detachment and …
Date: October 17, 2004
Creator: McTaggart, Richard R.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Jack Bohning, October 21, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Jack Bohning, October 21, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jack Bohning. Bohning enlisted for Navy flight training shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He continued his service as a Marine Corps pilot, flying dive-bombers from 1943-1945. He completed several missions at Tarawa, Hollandia, Makin and the Marshall Islands. He remained in active service as a colonel with the Marines until 1973, training servicemen during the Korean War and as an advisor during the Vietnam War.
Date: October 21, 2004
Creator: Bohning, Jack
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Jack Bohning, October 21, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Jack Bohning, October 21, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jack Bohning. Bohning enlisted for Navy flight training shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He continued his service as a Marine Corps pilot, flying dive-bombers from 1943-1945. He completed several missions at Tarawa, Hollandia, Makin and the Marshall Islands. He remained in active service as a colonel with the Marines until 1973, training servicemen during the Korean War and as an advisor during the Vietnam War.
Date: October 21, 2004
Creator: Bohning, Jack
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Bob Goeser, October 23, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Bob Goeser, October 23, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bob Goeser. Goeser joined the Marine Corps in October of 1942, and was assigned to the air arm. He completed Radio Navigation School. He served as an air crewman in the Philippines and China, completed over 50 combat missions and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Silver Star. He was discharged in December of 1945.
Date: October 23, 2004
Creator: Goeser, Bob
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Bob Goeser, October 23, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Bob Goeser, October 23, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bob Goeser. Goeser joined the Marine Corps in October of 1942, and was assigned to the air arm. He completed Radio Navigation School. He served as an air crewman in the Philippines and China, completed over 50 combat missions and received the Distinguished Flying Cross, and a Silver Star. He was discharged in December of 1945.
Date: October 23, 2004
Creator: Goeser, Bob
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History