The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Farrell L. Kluttz. Kluttz joined the Navy in December 1937. His first assignment was aboard the USS Downes (DD-375). In 1939, he was transferred to the USS John D. Edwards (DD-216) on Asia Station. His enlistment ended the day before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Kluttz was in San Francisco then. he elected to stay in the Navy and was assigned to the commissioning crew of the USS Electra (AKA-4) in Tampa, Florida. They delivered some Marines to New Zealand in mid 1942 and made the North Africa landing later in November. Kluttz was aboard when the Electra was torpedoed and returned to South Carolina with he in April 1943. When he returned, Kluttz attended fire control school and graduated as a Chief Firecontrolman. He served at Newport, Rhode Island getting several sailors qualified to go aboard the soon-to-be commissioned USS Franklin (CV-13). Kluttz was aboard the Franklin when is suffered the bomb hits in March, 1945. He abandoned ship off the fantail and was rescued out of the water by the USS Hunt (DD-674). Kluttz was located by the captain of the Franklin and went back aboard …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Farrell L. Kluttz. Kluttz joined the Navy in December 1937. His first assignment was aboard the USS Downes (DD-375). In 1939, he was transferred to the USS John D. Edwards (DD-216) on Asia Station. His enlistment ended the day before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Kluttz was in San Francisco then. he elected to stay in the Navy and was assigned to the commissioning crew of the USS Electra (AKA-4) in Tampa, Florida. They delivered some Marines to New Zealand in mid 1942 and made the North Africa landing later in November. Kluttz was aboard when the Electra was torpedoed and returned to South Carolina with he in April 1943. When he returned, Kluttz attended fire control school and graduated as a Chief Firecontrolman. He served at Newport, Rhode Island getting several sailors qualified to go aboard the soon-to-be commissioned USS Franklin (CV-13). Kluttz was aboard the Franklin when is suffered the bomb hits in March, 1945. He abandoned ship off the fantail and was rescued out of the water by the USS Hunt (DD-674). Kluttz was located by the captain of the Franklin and went back aboard …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Kullman. Kullman joined the Navy in June 1942 and received basic training at Camp Perry. He traveled there by steam locomotive, poking his head out the window to enjoy the scenery. When the DI saw his soot-covered face, he told Kullman to step aside with the African-Americans. But Kullman stayed and performed at the top of his class in gunnery training. His disinterest in the military however, kept him from advancing, and he joined the 107th Naval Construction Battalion, despite having no prior construction experience. He noticed that regulars in the Navy were resentful toward those Seabees who became officers based on civilian work experience. Arriving at Tinian in early September 1944, Americans were still being killed by snipers. Food was compromised, causing a dysentery outbreak. Canine search units found more than 150 Japanese holdouts. On an excursion to an abandoned ammunition dump, Kullman found and detonated a grenade out of curiosity. Upon his return to camp, he was charged with going AWOL, court martialed, and assigned to KP. After the war, the giddiness was tangible. On New Year’s Eve, men fired their rifles through their roofs; …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Kullman. Kullman joined the Navy in June 1942 and received basic training at Camp Perry. He traveled there by steam locomotive, poking his head out the window to enjoy the scenery. When the DI saw his soot-covered face, he told Kullman to step aside with the African-Americans. But Kullman stayed and performed at the top of his class in gunnery training. His disinterest in the military however, kept him from advancing, and he joined the 107th Naval Construction Battalion, despite having no prior construction experience. He noticed that regulars in the Navy were resentful toward those Seabees who became officers based on civilian work experience. Arriving at Tinian in early September 1944, Americans were still being killed by snipers. Food was compromised, causing a dysentery outbreak. Canine search units found more than 150 Japanese holdouts. On an excursion to an abandoned ammunition dump, Kullman found and detonated a grenade out of curiosity. Upon his return to camp, he was charged with going AWOL, court martialed, and assigned to KP. After the war, the giddiness was tangible. On New Year’s Eve, men fired their rifles through their roofs; …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frederick Brown. Brown was born 7 January 1921. In 1942, he was drafted into the US Army and underwent basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was then sent to San Luis Obispo, California for advanced training. Upon completion of the training, his division was sent to New Guinea. He was assigned to the 6th Infantry Division, 1st Infantry Regiment, G Company as a platoon scout and point man. He also recalls a kamikaze attacking a ship he was aboard just prior to landing in the Philippines. Brown witnessed the burial at sea of the seamen killed by the attack. He recalls that the unit was in combat for 112 continuous days. During this time, he contracted malaria and was hospitalized for several weeks. After Japan surrendered, his unit was sent to Korea. He spent three months in Korea before returning to the United States. He was discharged 25 December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Franke. Franke joined the Navy in December of 1942. He completed radio, radar and gunnery school. He first trained in an ABX with hand-crank antennas. He later traveled to Florida to train in the Grumman TBF Avengers. In February of 1944 he volunteered for night flying in Quonset Point, Rhode Island. His unit practiced night flying to and from the USS Independence (CVL-22). They also completed anti-submarine patrol missions. In 1944 they participated in the Palau and Philippine operations, supporting landings at Angaur Island, Mindanao and Luzon. Franke shares his experiences over Formosa of a battle between the night fighters and some Japanese bombers. They also covered landings at Lingayen and Leyte gulfs. After their outfit was broken up, he started a training group in Vero Beach, Florida.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Franke. Franke joined the Navy in December of 1942. He completed radio, radar and gunnery school. He first trained in an ABX with hand-crank antennas. He later traveled to Florida to train in the Grumman TBF Avengers. In February of 1944 he volunteered for night flying in Quonset Point, Rhode Island. His unit practiced night flying to and from the USS Independence (CVL-22). They also completed anti-submarine patrol missions. In 1944 they participated in the Palau and Philippine operations, supporting landings at Angaur Island, Mindanao and Luzon. Franke shares his experiences over Formosa of a battle between the night fighters and some Japanese bombers. They also covered landings at Lingayen and Leyte gulfs. After their outfit was broken up, he started a training group in Vero Beach, Florida.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Gerards. Gerards joined the Army Air Forces in April of 1943. He completed pilot training and aerial gunnery school in June of 1944. He served as first lieutenant B-24 bombardier in the 380th Bomb Group, 531st Bomb Squadron, 5th Air Force. They traveled to Hawaii, Tarawa, Guadalcanal, New Guinea, Leyte and Murtha Field on Mindoro Island. He completed 33 missions over the Philippines, Okinawa, Balikpapan, French Indochina and Japan. They completed combat, weather reconnaissance and POW rescue missions. He was discharged in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Gerards. Gerards joined the Army Air Forces in April of 1943. He completed pilot training and aerial gunnery school in June of 1944. He served as first lieutenant B-24 bombardier in the 380th Bomb Group, 531st Bomb Squadron, 5th Air Force. They traveled to Hawaii, Tarawa, Guadalcanal, New Guinea, Leyte and Murtha Field on Mindoro Island. He completed 33 missions over the Philippines, Okinawa, Balikpapan, French Indochina and Japan. They completed combat, weather reconnaissance and POW rescue missions. He was discharged in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Gross. Gross joined the Navy around 1943 and served with the 107th Naval Construction Battalion. They traveled to Ebeye in the Marshall Islands to redevelop and repair an existing seaplane base by assembling a pontoon wharf and pontoon barges for transporting damaged carrier aircraft to repair units ashore. Additionally, they built Quonset huts and installed playing fields and a recreation area for ship crewmen. They traveled to Tinian to construct the biggest airdrome in the world, where B-29s took off for Nagasaki and Hiroshima with the atomic bombs.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Gross. Gross joined the Navy around 1943 and served with the 107th Naval Construction Battalion. They traveled to Ebeye in the Marshall Islands to redevelop and repair an existing seaplane base by assembling a pontoon wharf and pontoon barges for transporting damaged carrier aircraft to repair units ashore. Additionally, they built Quonset huts and installed playing fields and a recreation area for ship crewmen. They traveled to Tinian to construct the biggest airdrome in the world, where B-29s took off for Nagasaki and Hiroshima with the atomic bombs.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Redman. Redman joined the Navy in May of 1941. He served on the deck force aboard the USS Mississippi (BB-41). From May to 7 December, they escorted convoys back and forth across the North Atlantic. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, they transferred to the Pacific Fleet. Redman completed diving school and worked with the ship’s pumps. He became Seaman First Class, Coxswain, and later became head diver and Gun Captain. Aboard the Mississippi, Redman participated in shelling Japanese forces during the Gilbert and Marshall Islands and the Philippines campaigns and the invasions of Peleliu and Okinawa. He also served in the Battle of Surigao Strait. Redman was discharged around December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Redman. Redman joined the Navy in May of 1941. He served on the deck force aboard the USS Mississippi (BB-41). From May to 7 December, they escorted convoys back and forth across the North Atlantic. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, they transferred to the Pacific Fleet. Redman completed diving school and worked with the ship’s pumps. He became Seaman First Class, Coxswain, and later became head diver and Gun Captain. Aboard the Mississippi, Redman participated in shelling Japanese forces during the Gilbert and Marshall Islands and the Philippines campaigns and the invasions of Peleliu and Okinawa. He also served in the Battle of Surigao Strait. Redman was discharged around December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Steiger. Born in 1924, Steiger joined the Marines in 1943. He received artillery training as well as DUKW (also referred to as a Duck (an amphibios vehicle)), radio, and telephone training. He was an assistant gunner with the Fifth Marine Division. He describes his role in invasion of Iwo Jima as well as seeing the first American flag raised on Mount Suribachi. At the end of the war, he was sent to Sasebo, Japan as part of the occupation force. He discusses disarming kamikaze boats. He was transferred to the Second Marine Division stationed in Nagasaki, Japan. He describes the area that was hit by the atomic bomb as well as interactions with the local citizens. He returned to the United States in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Steiger. Born in 1924, Steiger joined the Marines in 1943. He received artillery training as well as DUKW (also referred to as a Duck (an amphibios vehicle)), radio, and telephone training. He was an assistant gunner with the Fifth Marine Division. He describes his role in invasion of Iwo Jima as well as seeing the first American flag raised on Mount Suribachi. At the end of the war, he was sent to Sasebo, Japan as part of the occupation force. He discusses disarming kamikaze boats. He was transferred to the Second Marine Division stationed in Nagasaki, Japan. He describes the area that was hit by the atomic bomb as well as interactions with the local citizens. He returned to the United States in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glen Cleckler. Cleckler was born in Roscoe, Texas. While a senior in high school, he and several friends, including Harlon Block, joined the US Marine Corps. After completing boot camp at San Diego, he was assigned to the 1st Defense Battalion, 5th Amphibious Corps. After spending nine months on Palmyra Atoll he was sent to the Marshall Islands to set up a radar site on Majuro Atoll. He then returned to Pearl Harbor where he was assigned to a pack howitzer unit of the 4th Marine Division, 1st Battalion, 14th Marines. On 18 December 1944 he boarded a troopship bound for Iwo Jima. He describes the conditions encountered when landing on the beach during the second day of the invasion. Cleckler recalls a DC-3 flew over the island spraying a pesticide to combat conditions caused by exposed corpses. He remembers American ships firing star shells throughout the nights in attempts to expose Japanese infiltrators and tells of seeing damaged B-29s landing on the air strip before the island was secured. Upon returning to the United States, Cleckler attended college followed by thirty-seven years in the teaching profession.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Glen Delos Amor. Delos Amor was drafted into the US Army Engineers in the fall of 1943. He was assigned to the 171st Combat Engineers and the 84th Infantry Division. He completed basic training at Camp Carson, Colorado. In the spring of 1944 he traveled to England. He was stationed at a base in Liverpool. His unit traveled to Normandy for the D Day invasion. He discusses his officers and some of their experiences during D Day and at the Battle of the Bulge. His unit constructed Bailey bridges wherever they were needed across rivers. He was discharged around late 1945 after the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gordon Lively. Lively joined the Navy in the fall of 1943. He served as Sonarman Third Class aboard the USS Walker (DD-517) in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. They served in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October of 1944. In March of 1945 they bombarded Kyushu, to neutralize and weaken Japanese air power, and Lively was sent back to the US that same month. He worked in the States for the remainder of his service and was discharged in April of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gordon Lively. Lively joined the Navy in the fall of 1943. He served as Sonarman Third Class aboard the USS Walker (DD-517) in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. They served in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October of 1944. In March of 1945 they bombarded Kyushu, to neutralize and weaken Japanese air power, and Lively was sent back to the US that same month. He worked in the States for the remainder of his service and was discharged in April of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gordon Whymark. Whymark begins with discussing witnessing the Battle for Britain as he was a teenager living in a rural community outside London. When he was seventeen, he joined the Royal Marines and trained at Chatham in 1943. After training, he boarded a ship bound for Sri Lanka and more training. Upon completion of jungle training in Sri Lanka, Whymark was assigned to HMS Illustrious, an aircraft carrier assigned to raiding the Japanese installations on Java and Sumatra. In 1944, Illustrious joined the US Navy Task Force 57 and attacked targets on Formosa and Okinawa. Whymark describes the kamikaze attack on Illustrious that he witnessed. Whymark was reassigned from Illustrious to HMS Swiftsure (08), a cruiser. When the war ended, Whymark went to Hong Kong and Shanghai aboard Swiftsure. He also shares stories about the time he spent on occupation duty at the British Embassy in Tokyo after the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gordon Whymark. Whymark begins with discussing witnessing the Battle for Britain as he was a teenager living in a rural community outside London. When he was seventeen, he joined the Royal Marines and trained at Chatham in 1943. After training, he boarded a ship bound for Sri Lanka and more training. Upon completion of jungle training in Sri Lanka, Whymark was assigned to HMS Illustrious, an aircraft carrier assigned to raiding the Japanese installations on Java and Sumatra. In 1944, Illustrious joined the US Navy Task Force 57 and attacked targets on Formosa and Okinawa. Whymark describes the kamikaze attack on Illustrious that he witnessed. Whymark was reassigned from Illustrious to HMS Swiftsure (08), a cruiser. When the war ended, Whymark went to Hong Kong and Shanghai aboard Swiftsure. He also shares stories about the time he spent on occupation duty at the British Embassy in Tokyo after the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harold Iverson. Iverson joined the Navy in July of 1943. He completed radio school, and served with the Hospital Corps. Beginning in the spring of 1945 Iverson worked as Pharmacist Mate 2nd Class aboard the USS Tranquility (AH-14). In August, they picked up surviving crew from the USS Indianapolis (CA-35) in the Palau Islands and transported them to Guam. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harold Iverson. Iverson joined the Navy in July of 1943. He completed radio school, and served with the Hospital Corps. Beginning in the spring of 1945 Iverson worked as Pharmacist Mate 2nd Class aboard the USS Tranquility (AH-14). In August, they picked up surviving crew from the USS Indianapolis (CA-35) in the Palau Islands and transported them to Guam. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harry Ogg. Ogg joined the Navy in June of 1941. Beginning around September he served as Boatswain’s Mate First Class aboard USS Neosho (AO-23). They transported high octane fuel to the Naval Air Station on Ford Island, and just prior to leaving, the attack on Pearl Harbor commenced. In early 1942 Ogg was transferred to New York City to work on new construction and complete Minesweeping School. From May of 1944 through March of 1945 he served aboard USS Hazard (AM-240). They traveled to Hawaii, Corregidor, Eniwetok, Ulithi, Okinawa and Kerama Retto, minesweeping and providing anti-submarine patrols. Ogg was discharged in the summer of 1946.