The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Al Quackenbush. Quackenbush joined the Navy in 1931. He served as a First Class Ships Cook on the USS Tangier (AV-8). He is a plank owner of the Tangier and provides details of starting up the crew when it was first commissioned. His battle station was the .50 caliber gun on the forward mount. He discusses the training on the ship and activities prior to and on 7 December 1941. On the day of the attack, Quackenbush helped pull sailors out of the water, including a Japanese aviator.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alan Pilot. Pilot joined the Army in January 1943 and received basic training at Camp Howze. He received further training in Louisiana for the European Theater and then in California for the Pacific Theater. In January he left for Camp Old Gold at La Havre, where he served as a combat medic, supporting Companies E, G, and H of the 343rd Infantry, 86th Division. His unit relieved the 8th Division and fought in Cologne, where he was stationed at the top of the cathedral while it was being shelled. In the Ruhr Pocket a defective shell landed 10 feet away from him. He recalls seeing 100,000 Germans surrender there. He describes the Bavarian people as friendly as he passed through Austria on VE Day. He was then sent to the Pacific as part of Operation Coronet. VJ Day came while he was still crossing the Pacific. He spent the last five months of his service in the Philippines at a quiet outpost while the rest of his unit prepared the Philippines for independence. Pilot returned home and was discharged in January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alan Pilot. Pilot joined the Army in January 1943 and received basic training at Camp Howze. He received further training in Louisiana for the European Theater and then in California for the Pacific Theater. In January he left for Camp Old Gold at La Havre, where he served as a combat medic, supporting Companies E, G, and H of the 343rd Infantry, 86th Division. His unit relieved the 8th Division and fought in Cologne, where he was stationed at the top of the cathedral while it was being shelled. In the Ruhr Pocket a defective shell landed 10 feet away from him. He recalls seeing 100,000 Germans surrender there. He describes the Bavarian people as friendly as he passed through Austria on VE Day. He was then sent to the Pacific as part of Operation Coronet. VJ Day came while he was still crossing the Pacific. He spent the last five months of his service in the Philippines at a quiet outpost while the rest of his unit prepared the Philippines for independence. Pilot returned home and was discharged in January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Jenkins. Jenkins joined the Army in early 1942 and was mistakenly sent to Australia before he completed basic training. Once there, he was attached to the 35th Fighter Group as an armorer. Jenkins shares several anecdotes about his time in the service in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. Jenkins returned to the US and became an instructor before the war ended. He was discharged in January 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Jenkins. Jenkins joined the Army in early 1942 and was mistakenly sent to Australia before he completed basic training. Once there, he was attached to the 35th Fighter Group as an armorer. Jenkins shares several anecdotes about his time in the service in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. Jenkins returned to the US and became an instructor before the war ended. He was discharged in January 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Andrew Bofinger. Bofinger joined the Naval Reserves in October of 1941, and was called to active duty on 15 December 1941. He served as Boatswain’s Mate Second Class, and worked on the offshore patrol in sailing vessels searching for Japanese subs. In June of 1943 he received a direct commission as ensign, and was assigned as Skipper aboard the minesweeper, YMS-93. In early 1944 they traveled to Hawaii, then the Marshall Islands conducting patrols, search and rescue missions and maintenance sweeping. In March of 1945 they swept mines on the east coast of Okinawa and rescued crewman from the USS England (DE-635). Bofinger was discharged in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Andrew Bofinger. Bofinger joined the Naval Reserves in October of 1941, and was called to active duty on 15 December 1941. He served as Boatswain’s Mate Second Class, and worked on the offshore patrol in sailing vessels searching for Japanese subs. In June of 1943 he received a direct commission as ensign, and was assigned as Skipper aboard the minesweeper, YMS-93. In early 1944 they traveled to Hawaii, then the Marshall Islands conducting patrols, search and rescue missions and maintenance sweeping. In March of 1945 they swept mines on the east coast of Okinawa and rescued crewman from the USS England (DE-635). Bofinger was discharged in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Angelo Gagliano. Gagliano joined the Navy in August 1942. He describes his experiences in basic training at Newport, Rhode Island. Gagliano was assigned to an air service unit and then transferred to the USS Langley (CVL-27). He became an aviation storekeeper and also served as an ammunition handler on a 40mm gun. Gagliano describes a time when he was a passenger on a TBF that catapulted off of the ship and how he blacked-out. He also discusses shipboard life and his duties. Gagliano describes seeing USS Princeton (CVL-23), USS Franklin (CV-13), and USS Lexington (CV-16) all take serious damage in battle. He also discusses what it was like to go through a typhoon and how several destroyers were lost. He was transferred to shore duty in New York and then Alameda where he signed off on returning aviators who were returning their gear. Gagliano left the Navy in March 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Angelo Gagliano. Gagliano joined the Navy in August 1942. He describes his experiences in basic training at Newport, Rhode Island. Gagliano was assigned to an air service unit and then transferred to the USS Langley (CVL-27). He became an aviation storekeeper and also served as an ammunition handler on a 40mm gun. Gagliano describes a time when he was a passenger on a TBF that catapulted off of the ship and how he blacked-out. He also discusses shipboard life and his duties. Gagliano describes seeing USS Princeton (CVL-23), USS Franklin (CV-13), and USS Lexington (CV-16) all take serious damage in battle. He also discusses what it was like to go through a typhoon and how several destroyers were lost. He was transferred to shore duty in New York and then Alameda where he signed off on returning aviators who were returning their gear. Gagliano left the Navy in March 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Anna Gatti, nee Cocchi. Gatti graduated from Boston University as a French major in 1942. While volunteering at a settlement house, she met her future husband, Corry, who was a student at Harvard. In 1942, Corry was drafted into the Army. In 1943, Gatti joined the Navy’s Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). She completed Meteorology School in New Jersey and served as Aerographer, Third Class on a base in California. By late 1943, she completed Midshipman’s School in Massachusetts, then went on to Officer Candidate School. Gatti was then assigned to the Office of Censorship in Miami, censoring national and international cables and radio messages, through mid-1945. From September, 1945 to January, 1946, she was assigned to the Gulf Sea Frontier as an Operations Officer, plotting ship and plane movements in the Gulf. Gatti finished her war service in March of 1946, as a Lieutenant j.g.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Anna Gatti, nee Cocchi. Gatti graduated from Boston University as a French major in 1942. While volunteering at a settlement house, she met her future husband, Corry, who was a student at Harvard. In 1942, Corry was drafted into the Army. In 1943, Gatti joined the Navy’s Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). She completed Meteorology School in New Jersey and served as Aerographer, Third Class on a base in California. By late 1943, she completed Midshipman’s School in Massachusetts, then went on to Officer Candidate School. Gatti was then assigned to the Office of Censorship in Miami, censoring national and international cables and radio messages, through mid-1945. From September, 1945 to January, 1946, she was assigned to the Gulf Sea Frontier as an Operations Officer, plotting ship and plane movements in the Gulf. Gatti finished her war service in March of 1946, as a Lieutenant j.g.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Anthony F. Cooper. In January, 1941, Cooper was drafted into the Army. Cooper trained as an ammunition specialist. As such, he was trained to set up ammunition supply points in combat zones. After training, Cooper was assigned to the 54th Ordnance Ammunition Company. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Cooper was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. From there, Cooper's unit went overseas t oEngland to prepare for the invasion of North Africa. Cooper describes being involved in the Battle of Kasserine Pass in Tunisia and having to retreat. At one point while Cooper was in Italy, he was captured by the Germans. He was liberated a few days later. Cooper also speaks about destroying ammunition after the war. After the war in Europe ended, Cooper returned to the US and was discharged. He re-enlisted in 1948 and saw service in the war in Korea. He also tested parachutes at Fort Bragg, Norh Carolina with the 101st Airborne Division. Also, Cooper met Elvis Presley while the Third Armored Division was stationed in Germany. While testing parachutes, Cooper also met General William Westmoreland.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Anthony F. Cooper. In January, 1941, Cooper was drafted into the Army. Cooper trained as an ammunition specialist. As such, he was trained to set up ammunition supply points in combat zones. After training, Cooper was assigned to the 54th Ordnance Ammunition Company. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Cooper was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. From there, Cooper's unit went overseas t oEngland to prepare for the invasion of North Africa. Cooper describes being involved in the Battle of Kasserine Pass in Tunisia and having to retreat. At one point while Cooper was in Italy, he was captured by the Germans. He was liberated a few days later. Cooper also speaks about destroying ammunition after the war. After the war in Europe ended, Cooper returned to the US and was discharged. He re-enlisted in 1948 and saw service in the war in Korea. He also tested parachutes at Fort Bragg, Norh Carolina with the 101st Airborne Division. Also, Cooper met Elvis Presley while the Third Armored Division was stationed in Germany. While testing parachutes, Cooper also met General William Westmoreland.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Arthur McQuiddy. McQuiddy completed Civilian Pilot Training in 1940. He joined the Navy on 8 December 1941. McQuiddy served as a Naval Aviator beginning November of 1942, flying PBYs with Patrol Squadron 23, a Navy fixed-wing, anti-submarine and maritime patrol squadron. He completed patrol and rescue missions over the Solomon Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Peleliu and Iwo Jima. He also completed a search mission for the downed aviator Eddie Rickenbacker. Their squadron later became a Black Cat Squadron, flying night missions. In August of 1945, McQuiddy was sent to Flying Instructor School in Atlanta, and he received his discharge in November.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Arthur McQuiddy. McQuiddy completed Civilian Pilot Training in 1940. He joined the Navy on 8 December 1941. McQuiddy served as a Naval Aviator beginning November of 1942, flying PBYs with Patrol Squadron 23, a Navy fixed-wing, anti-submarine and maritime patrol squadron. He completed patrol and rescue missions over the Solomon Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Peleliu and Iwo Jima. He also completed a search mission for the downed aviator Eddie Rickenbacker. Their squadron later became a Black Cat Squadron, flying night missions. In August of 1945, McQuiddy was sent to Flying Instructor School in Atlanta, and he received his discharge in November.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ben Schurmeier. Schurmeier joined the Navy in early 1942. He served as a B-24 pilot with Photographic Squadron 1 (VD-1). Beginning in the spring of 1944 they traveled to their base at the Naval Air Station on Guam. They completed patrol and photo reconnaissance missions around the Pacific Islands, including Truk, Okinawa, Iwo Jima and Japan. Finley was discharged around October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ben Schurmeier. Schurmeier joined the Navy in early 1942. He served as a B-24 pilot with Photographic Squadron 1 (VD-1). Beginning in the spring of 1944 they traveled to their base at the Naval Air Station on Guam. They completed patrol and photo reconnaissance missions around the Pacific Islands, including Truk, Okinawa, Iwo Jima and Japan. Finley was discharged around October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Benjamin Nicks. Nicks enlisted in the Army Air Forces in January of 1941. He received his wings in April of 1942. Nicks was in the 120th Observation Squadron in the 130th Field Artillery Squadron. He flew border patrol missions for a year between Mexico and the United States. He was assigned to Mountain Home Air Base, Idaho to serve as a B-25 instructor until the spring of 1944. He was then transferred in May of 1944 in McCook, Nebraska as a B-29 instructor. He was in the 1st Squadron, 9th Bomb Group, 313th Wing of the 20th Air Force at McCook, Nebraska. Their outfit was sent to Kwajalein, Tinian, Iwo Jima and Japan to name a few. Nicks flew a total of 35 missions. He provides great detail of their missions. He was discharged in January of 1946 with the Distinguished Flying Cross.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Benjamin Nicks. Nicks enlisted in the Army Air Forces in January of 1941. He received his wings in April of 1942. Nicks was in the 120th Observation Squadron in the 130th Field Artillery Squadron. He flew border patrol missions for a year between Mexico and the United States. He was assigned to Mountain Home Air Base, Idaho to serve as a B-25 instructor until the spring of 1944. He was then transferred in May of 1944 in McCook, Nebraska as a B-29 instructor. He was in the 1st Squadron, 9th Bomb Group, 313th Wing of the 20th Air Force at McCook, Nebraska. Their outfit was sent to Kwajalein, Tinian, Iwo Jima and Japan to name a few. Nicks flew a total of 35 missions. He provides great detail of their missions. He was discharged in January of 1946 with the Distinguished Flying Cross.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bernard Kuse. Kuse joined the Army Air Forces in August of 1942. He served as a radio operator with the B-17 bombers in the 601st Bomb Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. They were assigned to Nuthampstead, England. Kuse flew 36 combat missions over occupied Europe from August through December of 1944. They traveled to Bastogne, Germany and Czechoslovakia. During his missions, he sustained one minor flak wound, and was an eyewitness to his bomber formation receiving an attack by the latest German secret weapon, the ME-262 jet fighter. Kuse shares vivid details of his flight training and combat missions. He was honorably discharged in September of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bernard Kuse. Kuse joined the Army Air Forces in August of 1942. He served as a radio operator with the B-17 bombers in the 601st Bomb Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. They were assigned to Nuthampstead, England. Kuse flew 36 combat missions over occupied Europe from August through December of 1944. They traveled to Bastogne, Germany and Czechoslovakia. During his missions, he sustained one minor flak wound, and was an eyewitness to his bomber formation receiving an attack by the latest German secret weapon, the ME-262 jet fighter. Kuse shares vivid details of his flight training and combat missions. He was honorably discharged in September of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bernice Harriet Wallis George. George served with the US Navy Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) beginning October of 1942. She was trained for a highly secret project designed to crack the German Enigma encryption. She then was assigned to Washington, DC, where she worked on the prototype decryption devices called bombes. George continued her work through December of 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bernice Harriet Wallis George. George served with the US Navy Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) beginning October of 1942. She was trained for a highly secret project designed to crack the German Enigma encryption. She then was assigned to Washington, DC, where she worked on the prototype decryption devices called bombes. George continued her work through December of 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Dean. Dean was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma on 7 September 1924 and graduated from high school in 1942. Upon being drafted in 1943, he was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for thirteen weeks of basic training. While there he was selected to attend the Army Specialized Training Program at Colorado State College at Fort Collins. Soon after he entered the program, it was discontinued and he joined the 80th Infantry Division and went to Fort Dix, New Jersey. There, the division boarded HMS Queen Mary bound for Scotland. Dean recalls landing at Normandy three weeks after the invasion and describes seeing wreckage and bodies that remained. The division joined the 8th Army and advanced across France. During December 1944 he was hospitalized for three weeks with a severe case of trench foot. Upon being released from the hospital, he was assigned to the 60th US Army Band. The band played during the funeral for General George Patton and he describes the formalities of the funeral. Dean returned to the United States in 1946 and was discharged soon thereafter.