The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joe Madrano. Madrano was born in 1922 of Native American parents, both of whom attended the Carlisle Indian School. He comments on the itinerate life the family led until settling in Oklahoma. At 16, Madrano joined the Oklahoma National Guard. In 1940, he was accepted into the Aviation Cadet Program and received flight training at Randolph Field. Sent to Avon Park, Florida, Madrano received training in the B-26 bomber. In 1943 he was assigned to the 439th Bomb Squadron in Italy. He tells of missions over Monte Cassino, and recalls concerns of the German 88mm cannon. Following the war’s end, Madrano became an instructor pilot for B-25s. Soon thereafter, he was discharged and went to college on the GI Bill. He then began teaching. Resigning his Air Force commission, he joined the Army National Guard. In 1950 he served in the Korean War. While in Japan, he applied for a position with the Medical Service Corps, which led to training as a helicopter pilot. As such he flew medical evacuation missions in Vietnam. He returned to the US and was discharged in 1972, having served over 49 years in …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Buchanan. Buchanan entered the workforce as a child and was not treated well by employers, but he felt for African-Americans workers who seemed to have it even worse. After joining the Navy in 1939, he attended diesel engine school. Buchanan was then assigned to the USS Cachalot (SS-170), working his way up to chief motor machinist's mate. On 7 December 1941, his submarine was docked, with its engine removed for repairs. It took 21 days to reassemble it and embark on their first patrol. Off Truk, a hollow tank vital to their surfacing ability was struck by a bomb. Buchanan became an expert in fuel-management, sustaining a 73-day patrol. After supporting the Battle of Midway, their final patrol was in the Aleutians. On the way home, the engine seized and Buchanan carefully studied blueprints to find a solution. After the war, his sub was converted to a teaching ship. When it was discovered a few years later that he could no longer hear due to his exposure to engines, Buchanan was discharged into the reserves.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Carey. Carey joined the Navy right after finishing high school in June, 1944, and trained at Great Lakes. After basic training, he attended signal school. Upon completion, he was assigned to the Armed Guard and went aboard the Fort Erie, an oil tanker. Carey recalls some ports in the South Pacific he visited and a few experiences aboard ship. When the war ended, Carey was assigned to a crew that mothballed various ships. He was discharged in May, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Martin. Martin was born in Burrows, Oklahoma 27 October 1925 and was drafted into the Army in March 1945. He completed basic training at Camp Fannin, Texas. Following other unspecified training in California, Martin shipped out from Fort Ord on the USS James O’Hara (APA-90), bound for Japan in support of the impending invasion. He describes some of his experiences during the early part of the transit, including the Shellback ceremony. He recalls the war came to an end during the transit, and the ship was redirected to the Philippines. He landed in Manila where he viewed considerable war damage and devastation. He took a train to a base in the northern part of Luzon, where he describes his duties as a driver transporting personnel. In December 1945 he was transferred to the 308th Bomber Wing Headquarters motor pool in Seoul, Korea where he repaired vehicles. He visited Hiroshima, which he describes as another devastating scene. He was shipped back to the States in November 1946 and was discharged the following month.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Alexander. Alexander joined the Army Air Forces in 1942 and trained in Texas and Massachusetts as an airplane mechanic. He went overseas to England in December, 1944. He began flying combat missions on a B-17 as a flight engineer in February and was in a midair collision on his first mission. He bailed out and was rescued by Allied forces and returned to service to fly on 18 more combat missions. In April, he was shot down again, but captured by German soldiers and sent to Stalag VII A. Alexander was liberated after about a month of captivity. He returned to the US and was discharged in the fall of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas Agin. Agin lied about his age so he could join the CCC in summer, 1941, when he was 15 years old. When he was discharged from the CCC in 1942, instead of returning to school, Agin joined the Army Air Forces at sixteen years old. He trained in aerial gunnery before heading overseas on a B-25 crew. He was assigned to the 71st Bomb Squadron, 38th Bomb Group at Morotai, Indonesia. He flew on 46 missions over the Philippines, Indonesia and New Guinea attacking shipping and airfields. Agin shares several combat stories. He mentions low level attacks and skip bombing. When the war ended, Agin was discharged but re-enlisted in April, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Burnett. Burnett joined the Army Air Corps in October, 1942 and learned to fly in Texas. He earned his wings and a commission in March, 1944 and was assigned to the 310th Fighter Squadron, 58th Fighter Group flying a P-47 once he got overseas to the Philippines. From there, Burnett flew combat missions against ground targets. He flew missions alongside the 201st Fighter Squadron out of Mexico. His unit moved to Okinawa just before the war ended. After a brief interlude in Japan, Burnett went back to the US and was discharged. He joined the FBI in 1947 after finishing college.

Recital presented at the UNT College of Music Voertman Hall.

Interview with Milton Lentz, a cedar chopper.