The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glen McDole. McDole was born in Orleans, Nebraska 6 February 1921 and after graduating from high school, enlisted in the Marine Corps in the fall of 1940. Following basic training, he went to Cavite Navy Yard where he performed security guard duties as a member of the 1st Separate Marine Battalion. The battalion was moved to Corregidor Island after the Japanese began attacking the Philippines. There, he was in close contact with General MacArthur. He witnessed MacArthur’s evacuation with General Wainwright assuming command. McDole describes his close proximity to Wainwright and the eventual surrender of Corregidor. He describes his ordeal as a prisoner of war over the next few years, including building a large, concrete Japanese runway in the village of Puerto Princesa on the Philippine island of Palawan. During this time he endured an emergency appendectomy with no anesthesia and no infection-fighting drugs. He also describes the events of 14 December 1944 when the Japanese killed 139 of the 150 remaining prisoners on Palawan, by burning many of them alive. He managed to escape and find refuge among friendly villagers, and eventually was evacuated from the Philippines …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glen McDole. McDole was born in Orleans, Nebraska 6 February 1921 and after graduating from high school, enlisted in the Marine Corps in the fall of 1940. Following basic training, he went to Cavite Navy Yard where he performed security guard duties as a member of the 1st Separate Marine Battalion. The battalion was moved to Corregidor Island after the Japanese began attacking the Philippines. There, he was in close contact with General MacArthur. He witnessed MacArthur’s evacuation with General Wainwright assuming command. McDole describes his close proximity to Wainwright and the eventual surrender of Corregidor. He describes his ordeal as a prisoner of war over the next few years, including building a large, concrete Japanese runway in the village of Puerto Princesa on the Philippine island of Palawan. During this time he endured an emergency appendectomy with no anesthesia and no infection-fighting drugs. He also describes the events of 14 December 1944 when the Japanese killed 139 of the 150 remaining prisoners on Palawan, by burning many of them alive. He managed to escape and find refuge among friendly villagers, and eventually was evacuated from the Philippines …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Sam Moody. Moody joined the Air Corps in 1940 to become an aircraft mechanic. He arrived in the Philippines in November, 1941 and when the war broke out, he went to the front at Bataan. After the surrender, he walked out of Bataan and spent 10 days on the Death March. He was moved from Camp O'Donnell to Cabanatuan. From there, he was sent to Manila to a camp near Clark Field. Moody stayed on a work detail in Manila for a while. In June, 1944, he was shipped to Japan to work in a factory. When the war ended, Moody returned to Boston only to be transported back to Japan to testify at the war crime trials.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Sam Moody. Moody joined the Air Corps in 1940 to become an aircraft mechanic. He arrived in the Philippines in November, 1941 and when the war broke out, he went to the front at Bataan. After the surrender, he walked out of Bataan and spent 10 days on the Death March. He was moved from Camp O'Donnell to Cabanatuan. From there, he was sent to Manila to a camp near Clark Field. Moody stayed on a work detail in Manila for a while. In June, 1944, he was shipped to Japan to work in a factory. When the war ended, Moody returned to Boston only to be transported back to Japan to testify at the war crime trials.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ken Jernstedt. Upon completion of flight training at Pensacola, Jernstedt joined the third squadron of the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force (AVG), nicknamed the Flying Tigers. In this interview, Jernstedt describes the social complexities of the group, such as Pappy Boyington's unruly behavior as an experienced Marine who was unsatisfied with his rank with the AVG. He also recounts accidental encounters with generals and royalty that visited the group unannounced. For example, they once offered a lift to Madame Chiang Kai-shek due to her good looks but ignored the Generalissimo, not recognizing him. Towards the end of the war, a pilot came to work with Jernstedt's unit, claiming to have flown with the first squadron. When an FBI background check confirmed everyone's suspicions that he had not, the imposter was sent home. Jernstedt laments that AVG history has been distorted by fraudulent claims of membership. He commends Bruce Holloway, who spent time with the AVG but was not a group member, for recognizing and honoring the distinction.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ken Jernstedt. Upon completion of flight training at Pensacola, Jernstedt joined the third squadron of the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force (AVG), nicknamed the Flying Tigers. In this interview, Jernstedt describes the social complexities of the group, such as Pappy Boyington's unruly behavior as an experienced Marine who was unsatisfied with his rank with the AVG. He also recounts accidental encounters with generals and royalty that visited the group unannounced. For example, they once offered a lift to Madame Chiang Kai-shek due to her good looks but ignored the Generalissimo, not recognizing him. Towards the end of the war, a pilot came to work with Jernstedt's unit, claiming to have flown with the first squadron. When an FBI background check confirmed everyone's suspicions that he had not, the imposter was sent home. Jernstedt laments that AVG history has been distorted by fraudulent claims of membership. He commends Bruce Holloway, who spent time with the AVG but was not a group member, for recognizing and honoring the distinction.

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 Charles Scheffel. Scheffel grew up in Oklahoma and enlisted in the Army ROTC in 1940. He was called up in 1941 after Pearl Harbor. He was allowed to finish out his senior year of college and was married in March 1942. He embarked on the Queen Elizabeth from New Jersey in September 1942. As leader of 200 men, he landed in Scotland and drove with them to Whittington Barracks where they joined with the British 51st Highlanders. He lists the three main survival lessons he learned from the seasoned English soldiers: having a batman to back you up, digging a two-man foxhole, and waiting for the ""crack and thump."" Scheffel how the ""crack and thump"" lesson would later save his life when he was seriously wounded when attacking the Siegfried Line. From England he went to Algeria with the British troops on the Scythia. The ship is torpedoed off the coast limps into Algiers. Scheffel made the decision to leave the British Highlanders and join up with American 9th Division in February 1943. The division went into Tunisia. Then he was sent to spend another month with the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Scheffel. Scheffel grew up in Oklahoma and enlisted in the Army ROTC in 1940. He was called up in 1941 after Pearl Harbor. He was allowed to finish out his senior year of college and was married in March 1942. He embarked on the Queen Elizabeth from New Jersey in September 1942. As leader of 200 men, he landed in Scotland and drove with them to Whittington Barracks where they joined with the British 51st Highlanders. He lists the three main survival lessons he learned from the seasoned English soldiers: having a batman to back you up, digging a two-man foxhole, and waiting for the ""crack and thump."" Scheffel how the ""crack and thump"" lesson would later save his life when he was seriously wounded when attacking the Siegfried Line. From England he went to Algeria with the British troops on the Scythia. The ship is torpedoed off the coast limps into Algiers. Scheffel made the decision to leave the British Highlanders and join up with American 9th Division in February 1943. The division went into Tunisia. Then he was sent to spend another month with the …

Transcript of an oral interview with Don Peterson. Mr Peterson was drafted into the Army but didn't want to do that so he joined the Navy because he wanted to fly. After Basic Training in Kansas City he got his wings in Corpus Christi. After flight training, he was sent to Astoria, Oregon and assigned to the USS Matanikua (CVE). He was assigned to the ship as a ship's officer, a line officer. He was also on the commissioning crew of another CVE (Commencement Bay), as part of the ship's company. He never had the opportunity to fly off a carrier or land on a carrier. He served as a test pilot in Bremerton, Washington while waiting for the Commencement Bay. The planes had come in for repair and maintenance. He went with the Commencement Bay to the South Pacific; he was the Flight Deck Officer and was qualified as the Officer of the Deck. Peterson tells the story of having to relieve the Captain as they were coming into port when he was the Officer of the Deck; afterwards, he was confined to his quarters. He was severely injured while serving as a Flight Deck Officer onboard the Commencement …

Transcript of an oral interview with Don Peterson. Mr Peterson was drafted into the Army but didn't want to do that so he joined the Navy because he wanted to fly. After Basic Training in Kansas City he got his wings in Corpus Christi. After flight training, he was sent to Astoria, Oregon and assigned to the USS Matanikua (CVE). He was assigned to the ship as a ship's officer, a line officer. He was also on the commissioning crew of another CVE (Commencement Bay), as part of the ship's company. He never had the opportunity to fly off a carrier or land on a carrier. He served as a test pilot in Bremerton, Washington while waiting for the Commencement Bay. The planes had come in for repair and maintenance. He went with the Commencement Bay to the South Pacific; he was the Flight Deck Officer and was qualified as the Officer of the Deck. Peterson tells the story of having to relieve the Captain as they were coming into port when he was the Officer of the Deck; afterwards, he was confined to his quarters. He was severely injured while serving as a Flight Deck Officer onboard the Commencement …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ray Tirey. Tirey joined the Navy in July of 1943. He served as Third-Class Quartermaster during his ship travels. He deployed to Scotland, where he was assigned to a British Landing Craft, Tank. Tirey provided direct fire support during amphibious landings during the invasions of Normandy, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was assigned to USS LCS(L)(3)-54 for the Pacific invasions. He was discharged around late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ray Tirey. Tirey joined the Navy in July of 1943. He served as Third-Class Quartermaster during his ship travels. He deployed to Scotland, where he was assigned to a British Landing Craft, Tank. Tirey provided direct fire support during amphibious landings during the invasions of Normandy, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was assigned to USS LCS(L)(3)-54 for the Pacific invasions. He was discharged around late 1945.

Transcript of an oral inerview with Doctor Dayton L. Alverson. He was born in 1924 in the San Diego Naval Hospital. He joined the Navy and received training in radio interception. Went to Washington, DC where he volunteered for assignment to the Sino-American Cooperative Organization (SACO) as a Radioman First Class. Left Newport News in July 1944 and sailed to Bombay, India and took the train to Calcutta. He was flown on a DC-3 over "The Hump" and into Kunming, China. He volunteered for duty near Amoy Island, which was occupied by the Japanese and was flown to Zhangping and traveled to a small encampment 25 miles north of Amoy. He recounts his time intercepting Japanese code and sending it to Chungking and provides details about breaking the code. He next describes taking 38 days to travel 18,000 miles on foot, in sampans and on trucks to reach the camp. He describes the methods by which the Chinese moved the sampans up and down the rivers. He was then assigned to a group making a raid on a small island adjacent to Amoy. He traveled by sampan down the river to Shima, China in order to deliver two 50-caliber machine …

Transcript of an oral inerview with Doctor Dayton L. Alverson. He was born in 1924 in the San Diego Naval Hospital. He joined the Navy and received training in radio interception. Went to Washington, DC where he volunteered for assignment to the Sino-American Cooperative Organization (SACO) as a Radioman First Class. Left Newport News in July 1944 and sailed to Bombay, India and took the train to Calcutta. He was flown on a DC-3 over "The Hump" and into Kunming, China. He volunteered for duty near Amoy Island, which was occupied by the Japanese and was flown to Zhangping and traveled to a small encampment 25 miles north of Amoy. He recounts his time intercepting Japanese code and sending it to Chungking and provides details about breaking the code. He next describes taking 38 days to travel 18,000 miles on foot, in sampans and on trucks to reach the camp. He describes the methods by which the Chinese moved the sampans up and down the rivers. He was then assigned to a group making a raid on a small island adjacent to Amoy. He traveled by sampan down the river to Shima, China in order to deliver two 50-caliber machine …

Transcript of an oral interview with Colonel (Ret.) Frank Gleason. He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on September 20, 1920. After graduation from Penn State, he was commissioned into the Army in 1942. His first assignment was to Fort Belvoir, Virginia as the leader of a platoon of African-American soldiers. In 1943 he was recruited into the Office of Stregic Services (OSS) and sent to a camp outside of Frederick, Maryland (later Camp David). His duties there included training agents in heavy duty demolitions, explosives and booby traps. His next assignment was temporary duty to London for six weeks and training in sabotage and underwater demolition. He recalls that, upon arriving in London, he delivered a crate of fresh fruit to Major General Dwight Eisenhower. He was subsequently assigned to the Sino-American Cooperative Organization (SACO) headquarters in Chungking, China where he spent several months training Thai troops. Captain Merry Miles assigned him as Executive Officer to the SACO unit at Camp 3 in Linju, China. The mission was to train guerillas in demolition, small arms, scouting, patrolling and other duties as assigned. He recounts one of those duties in January, 1944 resulting in the destruction of a bridge over the …

Transcript of an oral interview with Colonel (Ret.) Frank Gleason. He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on September 20, 1920. After graduation from Penn State, he was commissioned into the Army in 1942. His first assignment was to Fort Belvoir, Virginia as the leader of a platoon of African-American soldiers. In 1943 he was recruited into the Office of Stregic Services (OSS) and sent to a camp outside of Frederick, Maryland (later Camp David). His duties there included training agents in heavy duty demolitions, explosives and booby traps. His next assignment was temporary duty to London for six weeks and training in sabotage and underwater demolition. He recalls that, upon arriving in London, he delivered a crate of fresh fruit to Major General Dwight Eisenhower. He was subsequently assigned to the Sino-American Cooperative Organization (SACO) headquarters in Chungking, China where he spent several months training Thai troops. Captain Merry Miles assigned him as Executive Officer to the SACO unit at Camp 3 in Linju, China. The mission was to train guerillas in demolition, small arms, scouting, patrolling and other duties as assigned. He recounts one of those duties in January, 1944 resulting in the destruction of a bridge over the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Herman Weskamp. Born in Mansfield, Colorado on 30 December 1923, Weskamp enrolled at Loyola University under the V-12 Program. After one year he was sent to Midshipman School at Notre Dame in 1943. He volunteered for a program called Amphibious Roger. He was sent to Fort Pierce, Florida for guerilla training in preparation for assignment in China. Upon completion of the training, he was transferred to Long Beach, California where he embarked on the USS General LeRoy Eltinge (AP-154) for transit to Calcutta, India. Weskamp was assigned to the Sino-American Cooperative Organization (SACO) as a Transportation Officer. He met Chiang Kai-shek and his security chief, General Li Dai who headed SACO while he was in Calcutta. His unit was sent across the Hump in a road convoy with equipment to support the invasion of China. Before the convoy arrived in Kunming, China, the atomic bombs were dropped and the war ended. En route to Kunming on the Burma Road, he relates several harrowing incidents and an attack by Chinese insurgents. Weskamp was next assigned to a motor pool near SACO headquarters in Chungking. After the camp was decommissioned, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Herman Weskamp. Born in Mansfield, Colorado on 30 December 1923, Weskamp enrolled at Loyola University under the V-12 Program. After one year he was sent to Midshipman School at Notre Dame in 1943. He volunteered for a program called Amphibious Roger. He was sent to Fort Pierce, Florida for guerilla training in preparation for assignment in China. Upon completion of the training, he was transferred to Long Beach, California where he embarked on the USS General LeRoy Eltinge (AP-154) for transit to Calcutta, India. Weskamp was assigned to the Sino-American Cooperative Organization (SACO) as a Transportation Officer. He met Chiang Kai-shek and his security chief, General Li Dai who headed SACO while he was in Calcutta. His unit was sent across the Hump in a road convoy with equipment to support the invasion of China. Before the convoy arrived in Kunming, China, the atomic bombs were dropped and the war ended. En route to Kunming on the Burma Road, he relates several harrowing incidents and an attack by Chinese insurgents. Weskamp was next assigned to a motor pool near SACO headquarters in Chungking. After the camp was decommissioned, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James McDavid. McDavid joined the Navy in 1940. He worked as a draftsman and plane spotter aboard USS Pennsylvania (BB-38). McDavid was aboard the ship, located in Dry Dock No. 1 in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. After extensive repairs, the Pennsylvania conducted training operations along the California coast from April to August of 1942. McDavid continued his service as an Electronics Electrician First-Class, repairing some of the Navy’s most complex and secret technologies. They participated in the Aleutian Islands Campaign in 1943, the Marianas Campaign in 1944 and the invasion of Okinawa in 1945. Upon his discharge in late 1945, McDavid worked in the Naval Shipyard for 32 years.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James McDavid. McDavid joined the Navy in 1940. He worked as a draftsman and plane spotter aboard USS Pennsylvania (BB-38). McDavid was aboard the ship, located in Dry Dock No. 1 in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. After extensive repairs, the Pennsylvania conducted training operations along the California coast from April to August of 1942. McDavid continued his service as an Electronics Electrician First-Class, repairing some of the Navy’s most complex and secret technologies. They participated in the Aleutian Islands Campaign in 1943, the Marianas Campaign in 1944 and the invasion of Okinawa in 1945. Upon his discharge in late 1945, McDavid worked in the Naval Shipyard for 32 years.

Transcript of an oral interview with John H. Smith. Born in Summerville, Pennsylvania in 1915. He describes conditions during the Great Depression. After graduating from high school in 1934, he spent two years in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) where he describes building roads, fire roads, parks, and dams for water conservation and swimming areas. In 1936 he took a job at Bell Aircraft in Buffalo, New York at a steel foundry making parts for landing craft. He describes conditions during the war including rationing. In July 1945 he was drafted into the Navy and sent to boot camp at Sampson Training Base on Lake Geneva, in New York. When the war ended he was sent to the foundry at San Diego Naval Base. He provides detail about foundry work. After a month in the foundry he was sent to Electronics School. Soon he was discharged in San Diego and made his way back to Buffalo where he joined the Naval Reserves and was recalled in 1950 for the Korean War and assigned to the USS New Jersey (BB-62) for nine months. His wife got sick and he was given a hardship discharge.

Transcript of an oral interview with John H. Smith. Born in Summerville, Pennsylvania in 1915. He describes conditions during the Great Depression. After graduating from high school in 1934, he spent two years in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) where he describes building roads, fire roads, parks, and dams for water conservation and swimming areas. In 1936 he took a job at Bell Aircraft in Buffalo, New York at a steel foundry making parts for landing craft. He describes conditions during the war including rationing. In July 1945 he was drafted into the Navy and sent to boot camp at Sampson Training Base on Lake Geneva, in New York. When the war ended he was sent to the foundry at San Diego Naval Base. He provides detail about foundry work. After a month in the foundry he was sent to Electronics School. Soon he was discharged in San Diego and made his way back to Buffalo where he joined the Naval Reserves and was recalled in 1950 for the Korean War and assigned to the USS New Jersey (BB-62) for nine months. His wife got sick and he was given a hardship discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Micki and Jim George. Micki George completed Cadet Nurse Corps training in 1948. She traveled with a USO Unit out of Dallas and worked with the Nurse Corps in California and with Special Services as a chauffeur, chaperone and pianist for performances. She was stationed in the US and did not travel overseas. Micki was discharged from military service in 1950. She and Jim met at the University of Texas at Austin, while completing their medical degrees. Jim joined the Army in December of 1945. He served in the Korean War as a combat medic in a field MASH Unit, and was discharged in 1950.