Oral History Interview with Marvin Johnston and Edwin Riemann, June 16, 1988 transcript

Oral History Interview with Marvin Johnston and Edwin Riemann, June 16, 1988

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Marvin Johnston. Johnston served aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6) as an electrician’s mate. He discusses his experiences during the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands. Ingram’s (interviewer) primary interest in the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57). Ingram interviewed Edwin Riemann on 22 January 1989 about his service aboard USS South Dakota (BB-57) during WWII. Riemann served as a yeoman in the captain’s office before becoming the ship’s bugler. He discusses the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands, night action off Guadalcanal and being in the Atlantic for a time.
Date: June 16, 1988
Creator: Johnston, Marvi & Riemann, Edwin
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Marvin Johnston and Edwin Riemann, June 16, 1988 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Marvin Johnston and Edwin Riemann, June 16, 1988

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Marvin Johnston. Johnston served aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6) as an electrician’s mate. He discusses his experiences during the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands. Ingram’s (interviewer) primary interest in the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57). Ingram interviewed Edwin Riemann on 22 January 1989 about his service aboard USS South Dakota (BB-57) during WWII. Riemann served as a yeoman in the captain’s office before becoming the ship’s bugler. He discusses the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands, night action off Guadalcanal and being in the Atlantic for a time.
Date: June 16, 1988
Creator: Johnston, Marvi & Riemann, Edwin
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Jose Mundo, October 16, 1997 transcript

Oral History Interview with Jose Mundo, October 16, 1997

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jose Mundo. Mundo was born in Rota in 1931 and attended a Japanese school in Guam until the third grade. When the Japanese invaded, he was recruited as a child laborer to help build an air base. After returning home to Rota, the first indication of war came when American planes began bombing and shooting at the base. He hid with his family in a cave above Songsong Village. It was difficult to get food, because of the danger of being shot by military planes. His younger brother died early on from complications related to food scarcity. Japanese soldiers moved the villagers to another cave and closely monitored them. Mundo recalls his great uncle being whipped for taking corn from the field without permission, and Mundo himself was reprimanded for picking a mango from a tree that once belonged to his family. Execution was a danger for anyone suspected of spying. Mundo was recruited by the Japanese troops as a scout, and he remained with them until the end of the war. He witnessed the Japanese surrender to Americans in his village and was reunited with his family. …
Date: October 16, 1997
Creator: Mundo, Jose
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Jose Mundo, October 16, 1997 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Jose Mundo, October 16, 1997

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jose Mundo. Mundo was born in Rota in 1931 and attended a Japanese school in Guam until the third grade. When the Japanese invaded, he was recruited as a child laborer to help build an air base. After returning home to Rota, the first indication of war came when American planes began bombing and shooting at the base. He hid with his family in a cave above Songsong Village. It was difficult to get food, because of the danger of being shot by military planes. His younger brother died early on from complications related to food scarcity. Japanese soldiers moved the villagers to another cave and closely monitored them. Mundo recalls his great uncle being whipped for taking corn from the field without permission, and Mundo himself was reprimanded for picking a mango from a tree that once belonged to his family. Execution was a danger for anyone suspected of spying. Mundo was recruited by the Japanese troops as a scout, and he remained with them until the end of the war. He witnessed the Japanese surrender to Americans in his village and was reunited with his family. …
Date: October 16, 1997
Creator: Mundo, Jose
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Marmaduke Bayne, July 16, 1998 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Marmaduke Bayne, July 16, 1998

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Marmaduke Bayne. Bayne received his commission in the Navy Reserve after finishing university in 1942. His first assignment was aboard the USS YP-429 before going aboard USS YP-61 as the executive officer. Then, he went for submarine training before going aboard the USS Becuna (SS-319) and making three war patrols in the Pacific with her. Toward the end of the war, he served aboard the USS Bergall (SS-320). After the war, Bayne applied for the Regular Navy and continued to serve aboard and around submarines. He retired as a vice admiral in 1977.
Date: July 16, 1998
Creator: Bayne, Marmaduke
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Frederick Holland, February 16, 1999 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Frederick Holland, February 16, 1999

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frederick Holland. Holland was drafted in April 1942 into the Army. From there, he applied for a transfer to the Army Air Forces and was accepted. He attended officer candidate school and earned a commission in early 1943. Then, he was flown to India and worked in Calcutta seeing that equipment and supplies were loaded and flown to other bases in India. Holland developed a conveyor mechanism that assisted in loading cargo onto planes while overseas. He returned to the US and was discharged in February 1946.
Date: February 16, 1999
Creator: Holland, Frederick
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Joe Van Dyke, June 16, 2000 transcript

Oral History Interview with Joe Van Dyke, June 16, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joe Van Dyke. Van Dyke was drafted into the Army Air Forces in March 1943. Upon completion of basic training at Sheppard Field, he was assigned to the nearby aircraft mechanic school. He then attended gunnery school and became a top turret gunner on a B-24, also doubling as assistant engineer. In August 1944 his crew joined the 466th Bombardment Group, 787th Bombardment Squadron in England. While stationed there, Van Dyke survived V-1 and V-2 rocket attacks. His initial missions involved transporting fuel to France. Moving onto strategic bombing operations, he flew 32 missions, mostly over Germany. He also provided ground support over France and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. In all of his missions, he never once had to fire his gun. After Germany surrendered, Van Dyke was reassigned to B-29s and trained for the Pacific. He had accumulated enough points, however and was discharged in July 1945.
Date: June 16, 2000
Creator: Van Dyke, Joe
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Joe Van Dyke, June 16, 2000 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Joe Van Dyke, June 16, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joe Van Dyke. Van Dyke was drafted into the Army Air Forces in March 1943. Upon completion of basic training at Sheppard Field, he was assigned to the nearby aircraft mechanic school. He then attended gunnery school and became a top turret gunner on a B-24, also doubling as assistant engineer. In August 1944 his crew joined the 466th Bombardment Group, 787th Bombardment Squadron in England. While stationed there, Van Dyke survived V-1 and V-2 rocket attacks. His initial missions involved transporting fuel to France. Moving onto strategic bombing operations, he flew 32 missions, mostly over Germany. He also provided ground support over France and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. In all of his missions, he never once had to fire his gun. After Germany surrendered, Van Dyke was reassigned to B-29s and trained for the Pacific. He had accumulated enough points, however and was discharged in July 1945.
Date: June 16, 2000
Creator: Van Dyke, Joe
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with David Rucker, July 16, 2000 (open access)

Oral History Interview with David Rucker, July 16, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Rucker. Rucker already was a pilot, having been through the Civilian Pilot Training while he attended college. In October 1942 he was called to active duty in the Army Air Forces for flight training. He wound up in B-17 bombers. He earned his wings in July, 1943. H went overseas to England and began flying combat missions over Germany in May, 1944. He flew 31 combat missions in 61 days. He describes several missions and discusses his experiences with flak. With missions completed in July 1944, he returned to the US and became a B-17 combat tactic instructor until the war ended.
Date: July 16, 2000
Creator: Rucker, David
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ned Smith, August 16, 2000 transcript

Oral History Interview with Ned Smith, August 16, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ned Smith. Smith grew up in California, went to college in Idaho and California, and joined Naval Air in 1941. After training on the N3N's and the Stentson's, he was assigned to be a flight instructor. In 1943, he went to navigation school training, and then joined the VR-2 Naval Air Transport Squadron. He was flying in the Coronado PB2Y2's from Alameda, California all over the Pacific Theater. During the six weeks he was with VR-11, he flew R5D's. He discusses landing at Kwajalein, Majuro, and Johnston Island. He took prisoners of war back to the United States.
Date: August 16, 2000
Creator: Smith, Ned
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ned Smith, August 16, 2000 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Ned Smith, August 16, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ned Smith. Smith grew up in California, went to college in Idaho and California, and joined Naval Air in 1941. After training on the N3N's and the Stentson's, he was assigned to be a flight instructor. In 1943, he went to navigation school training, and then joined the VR-2 Naval Air Transport Squadron. He was flying in the Coronado PB2Y2's from Alameda, California all over the Pacific Theater. During the six weeks he was with VR-11, he flew R5D's. He discusses landing at Kwajalein, Majuro, and Johnston Island. He took prisoners of war back to the United States.
Date: August 16, 2000
Creator: Smith, Ned
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ken Barden, September 16, 2000 transcript

Oral History Interview with Ken Barden, September 16, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ken Barden. Barden joined the Navy in 1942, and was called to active duty in July of 1943. He was assigned to the Navy V-12 program, graduating around March of 1944. He then completed Midshipman’s School in June, and was commissioned in the Naval Reserve. After finishing amphibious boat training in December, he was assigned to the USS Charles Carroll (APA-28). They participated in the Battle of Okinawa. He recalls Ernie Pyle riding in his landing craft to the beach at Okinawa. After the war ended, they became part of the Magic Carpet Fleet, making voyages from the west coast to the Philippines and the Far East, carrying occupation troops west-bound, and returning servicemen east-bound. Barden was discharged in August of 1946.
Date: September 16, 2000
Creator: Barden, Ken
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ken Barden, September 16, 2000 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Ken Barden, September 16, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ken Barden. Barden joined the Navy in 1942, and was called to active duty in July of 1943. He was assigned to the Navy V-12 program, graduating around March of 1944. He then completed Midshipman’s School in June, and was commissioned in the Naval Reserve. After finishing amphibious boat training in December, he was assigned to the USS Charles Carroll (APA-28). They participated in the Battle of Okinawa. He recalls Ernie Pyle riding in his landing craft to the beach at Okinawa. After the war ended, they became part of the Magic Carpet Fleet, making voyages from the west coast to the Philippines and the Far East, carrying occupation troops west-bound, and returning servicemen east-bound. Barden was discharged in August of 1946.
Date: September 16, 2000
Creator: Barden, Ken
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Joe Langdell, December 16, 2000 transcript

Oral History Interview with Joe Langdell, December 16, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joe Langdell. Langdell joined the Navy in late 1940. He completed Midshipman School. He served aboard USS Arizona (BB-39). They were moored along Ford Island when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He participated in recovery and clean up after the attack. In early 1942, Langdell was reassigned to the USS Frazier (DD-607). They guarded transports during the Guadalcanal Campaign and Aleutian Islands Campaign. After an operation in early 1944, he remained in the US, was promoted to lieutenant commander, and provided administrative assistance to an admiral.
Date: December 16, 2000
Creator: Langdell, Joe
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Joe Langdell, December 16, 2000 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Joe Langdell, December 16, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joe Langdell. Langdell joined the Navy in late 1940. He completed Midshipman School. He served aboard USS Arizona (BB-39). They were moored along Ford Island when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He participated in recovery and clean up after the attack. In early 1942, Langdell was reassigned to the USS Frazier (DD-607). They guarded transports during the Guadalcanal Campaign and Aleutian Islands Campaign. After an operation in early 1944, he remained in the US, was promoted to lieutenant commander, and provided administrative assistance to an admiral.
Date: December 16, 2000
Creator: Langdell, Joe
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Raymond Samuel Pugh, June 16, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Raymond Samuel Pugh, June 16, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Raymond S. Pugh. He discusses his experiences serving on the aircraft carrier the USS Hornet and some of their more exciting missions and battles against the Japanese int he Pacific Theatre during World War Two.
Date: June 16, 2001
Creator: Pugh, Raymond Samuel
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Clevenger, July 16, 2001 transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles Clevenger, July 16, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Clevenger. Clevenger was born in Fulton County, Indiana in May 1925 and enlisted in the Marine Corps in March 1944. Following boot camp and communications training in January 1945, he embarked aboard the USS Meriwether (APA-203) in San Diego and sailed to Pearl Harbor. He boarded another troopship in Hawaii and sailed to Saipan. Clevenger then boarded USS LST-641 bound for Okinawa. During that transit the LST sailed through a typhoon. He was assigned to the 1st Provisional Anti-aircraft Artillery Group of III Amphibious Corps and landed on Okinawa on 5 April 1945. His group operated 90mm artillery and he describes the features of the radar system. His duties included communicating by radio and telephone with other anti-aircraft batteries on the island. He frequently heard Tokyo Rose broadcasting American music. He had several close calls with Japanese bombers and was on Okinawa when Japan surrendered. He was transferred to the First Marine Division and embarked on the USS Randall (APA-224) on 30 September bound for China. His convoy encountered nearly 1,000 mines in the Yellow Sea. He was badly burned while in China, but soon recovered and …
Date: July 16, 2001
Creator: Clevenger, Charles
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Clevenger, July 16, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles Clevenger, July 16, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Clevenger. Clevenger was born in Fulton County, Indiana in May 1925 and enlisted in the Marine Corps in March 1944. Following boot camp and communications training in January 1945, he embarked aboard the USS Meriwether (APA-203) in San Diego and sailed to Pearl Harbor. He boarded another troopship in Hawaii and sailed to Saipan. Clevenger then boarded USS LST-641 bound for Okinawa. During that transit the LST sailed through a typhoon. He was assigned to the 1st Provisional Anti-aircraft Artillery Group of III Amphibious Corps and landed on Okinawa on 5 April 1945. His group operated 90mm artillery and he describes the features of the radar system. His duties included communicating by radio and telephone with other anti-aircraft batteries on the island. He frequently heard Tokyo Rose broadcasting American music. He had several close calls with Japanese bombers and was on Okinawa when Japan surrendered. He was transferred to the First Marine Division and embarked on the USS Randall (APA-224) on 30 September bound for China. His convoy encountered nearly 1,000 mines in the Yellow Sea. He was badly burned while in China, but soon recovered and …
Date: July 16, 2001
Creator: Clevenger, Charles
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Wendell Leon Stewart, July 16, 2001 transcript

Oral History Interview with Wendell Leon Stewart, July 16, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Wendell Leon Stewart. Stewart joined the Navy in February of 1944. He completed gunnery school and served the remainder of the war as Shipfitter 3rd Class in Boat Pool 15-1 in Cavite, Philippines. He completed large welding repair jobs on ships. Stewart returned to the US and was discharged in May of 1946.
Date: July 16, 2001
Creator: Stewart, Wendell Leon
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Wendell Leon Stewart, July 16, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Wendell Leon Stewart, July 16, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Wendell Leon Stewart. Stewart joined the Navy in February of 1944. He completed gunnery school and served the remainder of the war as Shipfitter 3rd Class in Boat Pool 15-1 in Cavite, Philippines. He completed large welding repair jobs on ships. Stewart returned to the US and was discharged in May of 1946.
Date: July 16, 2001
Creator: Stewart, Wendell Leon
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Anne Noreen Bauer, August 16, 2001 transcript

Oral History Interview with Anne Noreen Bauer, August 16, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Anne Noreen Bauer. She was born on 30 July 1915 in Monterey, Indiana. After graduation from high school she attended St. Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka, Indiana, where she received her nurse's training. Shortly after Pearl Harbor, she joined the Army Nurse Corps, was commissioned and reported to Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana in August 1942. She was sent to California where she embarked on the USS West Point (AP-23). She recalls the ship hitting a whale during the transit. Eventually, she arrived at a hospital in Calcutta, India where she was assigned as supervisor in charge of surgery and head nurse of the Intensive Care Unit. She describes her experiences during her 18 months in Calcutta, including the Japanese bombings. Next she was sent to Kandy, Ceylon which was under the command of Lord Louis Mountbatten, where she was stationed for a year as head nurse of the ward. She recalls being invited to Mountbatten's quarters for dinner and engaging him in a conversation where he recounted that he "knew all about Mishawaka, Indiana," her birthplace. She recalls that the Women's Army Corps had just been formed and she …
Date: August 16, 2001
Creator: Bauer, Anne Noreen
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Anne Noreen Bauer, August 16, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Anne Noreen Bauer, August 16, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Anne Noreen Bauer. She was born on 30 July 1915 in Monterey, Indiana. After graduation from high school she attended St. Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka, Indiana, where she received her nurse's training. Shortly after Pearl Harbor, she joined the Army Nurse Corps, was commissioned and reported to Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana in August 1942. She was sent to California where she embarked on the USS West Point (AP-23). She recalls the ship hitting a whale during the transit. Eventually, she arrived at a hospital in Calcutta, India where she was assigned as supervisor in charge of surgery and head nurse of the Intensive Care Unit. She describes her experiences during her 18 months in Calcutta, including the Japanese bombings. Next she was sent to Kandy, Ceylon which was under the command of Lord Louis Mountbatten, where she was stationed for a year as head nurse of the ward. She recalls being invited to Mountbatten's quarters for dinner and engaging him in a conversation where he recounted that he "knew all about Mishawaka, Indiana," her birthplace. She recalls that the Women's Army Corps had just been formed and she …
Date: August 16, 2001
Creator: Bauer, Anne Noreen
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Milton Seale, November 16, 2001 transcript

Oral History Interview with Milton Seale, November 16, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Milton Seale. Seale joined the Army in July of 1939. From July through October of 1942, he served with the 36th Infantry Division in the Louisiana Maneuvers. In October of 1943, he completed flight training and served with the 405th Fighter Squadron. In February of 1944, they deployed to England. From February through the end of the war, they completed combat missions over France, including a pre-invasion attack of Normandy, and destruction of a German armored division. Seal returned to the US and received his discharge in December of 1945.
Date: November 16, 2001
Creator: Seale, Milton
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Milton Seale, November 16, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Milton Seale, November 16, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Milton Seale. Seale joined the Army in July of 1939. From July through October of 1942, he served with the 36th Infantry Division in the Louisiana Maneuvers. In October of 1943, he completed flight training and served with the 405th Fighter Squadron. In February of 1944, they deployed to England. From February through the end of the war, they completed combat missions over France, including a pre-invasion attack of Normandy, and destruction of a German armored division. Seal returned to the US and received his discharge in December of 1945.
Date: November 16, 2001
Creator: Seale, Milton
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History