Transcript of an oral interview with David Van Fleet. Mr Van Fleet graduated from high school in 1941, went to A&M on a football scholarship, staying there until midterm when the war broke out and he joined the Marine Corps. After boot camp in San Diego, he joined the 4th Marine Raiders Battalion, D Company. After additional training with the Raiders, his outfit went overseas in February 1943, ending up in Espiritu Santo. They went to Guadalcanal in June, stayed there for a month, and then landed on Vangunu Island, New Georgia. Van Fleet provides a very good description of landing on the island and the fighting there under deplorable conditions. Then they crossed over to Gatukai island because the natives said there were Japanese there too. The outfit then went back to Guadalcanal for a few days before heading back to New Georgia (Bairoko Harbor). Van Fleet states this was the only battle he knows of that we lost. Included as an appendix to this oral history are a few pages from a history of that battle by Major General Peatross. He understood that this was about the end for the Raiders so he asked to be transferred to …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Warren Suter. Suter finished his course work at The Ohio State University before signing up with the Navy. He received his commission in May, 1941. After that, Suter went to work in the Ordnance Bureau overseeing the production of five-inch gun mounts at a factory in Ohio. In 1943, he was transferred to the San Francisco bay Area and discusses anti-submarine nets deployed in the bay. Toward the end of the war, Suter went to Guam and worked in a drafting office making plans for a large dental parlor and an outdoor theater.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Norman Hatch. Hatch was born in Boston in 1921. Following graduation from high school in 1939, he joined the Marine Corps. He volunteered for an English instructor billet at the Marine Corps Institute in Washington, DC. After six months he left for an editorial position at Leatherneck Magazine. Soon thereafter, he took a position at the Office of Information in the Office of Naval Operations, where he assisted in putting out press releases. In September 1941 he was accepted to the March of Time School of Pictorial Journalism operated by a major newsreel company in New York City. He recalls photographing President Roosevelt from the Capitol Gallery on 8 September 1941 as he asked Congress for a declaration of war. In 1942 Hatch was sent to Quantico, Virginia to join the newly-formed Marine Corps Photographic Section. From there, he joined the Second Marine Division in New Zealand. He was one of only two movie photographers assigned to the Second Division, and he describes being at Tarawa. Hatch describes the events that took place over the next three days, many of which were featured in his film With the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dick Keresey. Keresey was born in Delawana, New Jersey in 1913 and graduated from Columbia Law School in 1941. He joined the V7 Midshipman Program while at Columbia and completed training in January 1942, followed by motor torpedo boat training in Melville, Rhode Island, from which he graduated in March 1942. He served as captain of PT-105 in the Solomon Islands and recalls meeting John F. Kennedy, when Kennedy, as captain of PT-109, pulled Keresey’s boat off a reef. Keresey describes his participation in a major battle involving 15 PT boats in the Western Solomons on 6 March 1943, which became known as the Battle of Blackett Strait. Following that battle, he recalls learning that Kennedy’s boat, PT-109, had been cut in half by a Japanese destroyer. Finally, he describes another action in the Russell Islands on 22 August 1943 where he was assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Five along with nine other boats. He recalls PT-108 was destroyed by Japanese shore batteries during the battle.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral monologue with Gerald Martel. Martel was born in Massachusetts and joined the Army in the spring of 1941. He was assigned to the 182nd Infantry Regiment as a machine gunner and headed for Australia. His unit comprised the Americal Division when it was formed. Martel went to Guadalcanal and Leyte. He eventually was pulled from the ranks and put into special services where he performed for GI audiences. Sometimes, he opened before other celebrities performed (Irving Berlin, Bob Hope, and Jack Benny).

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Sackett. Sackett was born in Victor, Iowa on 24 June 1920. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Navy in July 1937. Following basic training at Great Lakes, Illinois he was assigned to the heavy cruiser USS Northampton (CA-26) as a Machinist’s Mate. He was next assigned to the commissioning crew of USS Jamestown (AGP-3), which was converted from a yacht into a PT boat tender in the summer of 1941. Jamestown was sent to Tulagi, Solomon Islands, in September 1942, where the vessel serviced the PT boats of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3. After twelve months of service, the Jamestown returned to San Pedro, California in February 1943, for a badly needed overhaul. Sackett received a commission as ensign and in October 1944 reported as Chief Engineer to a converted Landing Craft Infantry (USS LCI(L)-74) vessel supporting the Allied landing at Lingayen Gulf, Philippines. The vessel was designated as a rocket-firing ship assigned to Amphibious Command, Seventh Fleet in support of numerous landings in the Philippines between October 1944 and February 1945. In July 1945 he describes being assigned command of the LCI(R)-34 training …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Rudy Kiehne. Kiehne was born in Fredericksburg, Texas, 25 October 1919 and enlisted in the Navy in 1938 upon graduating from high school. He was assigned to the USS Maryland (BB-46) in Pearl Harbor as a gunner’s mate responsible for a battery of 5-inch/.51-caliber broadside guns. He was aboard the Maryland the morning of 7 December 1941 and watched a Japanese plane drop a torpedo on the USS Oklahoma (BB-37), which was tied up next to the Maryland. He describes his role in manning an anti-aircraft battery, but does not recall any success against the Japanese aircraft during the attack. He recalls that a bomb penetrated the forward hull of the Maryland but there were a minimum of casualties. Kiehne was transferred to a fleet oiler in October 1942 and describes his new ship’s role as a member of a tanker group located in Ulithi, Caroline Islands, conducting underway replenishments for the fleet preparing for battle in the Philippines. He next recalls before transferred to USS USS LCS-392 and participating in the landing on Okinawa in April 1945. He was discharged at Camp Wallace, Texas after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Adrian Miller. Miller was born in Winamac, Indiana 16 November 1924 and graduated from high school in 1942. He entered the Army in March, 1944 and took his basic training at Ft. Blanding, Florida. He volunteered for the paratroopers at Fort Benning, Georgia and describes the six weeks of rigorous training, which included jumps. In November, he joined the 101st Army Airborne and was assigned to the 505th Parachute Infantry, Company H. Miller was sent to Bastogne and describes the conditions and the high casualty rate. After being relieved in January he went to Lorraine, France, then to Berchtesgaden, Germany where he met his brother. Miller was in Paris when Germany surrendered. On 15 December 1945, he returned to the United States on the Queen Mary. He was discharged January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Leon Bruce. Bruce was born in Sayre, Oklahoma and joined the Merchant Marine Service in 1943. He was sent to Catalina Island, California for training. When he completed training he reported aboard the SS Schuyler Colfax (1943) a Liberty ship tanker. Bruce tells of his experiences while aboard the ship. In 1945 he went aboard the SS Mission San Rafael (1944). He relates the experience of being aboard as the ship carried high octane fuel to Biak, New Guinea where the fuel was off-loaded directly into vehicles of the 41st Infantry. The ship was later subjected to a torpedo attack and he recounts the actions taken to avoid being hit. After the war, Bruce became a minister and school teacher.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Howard Brooks. Brooks joined the Navy around 1938. He served as a trainer on the turrets aboard the USS Houston (CA-30). He worked in the Second Division, Number 2 turret. Their ship was assigned to the Asiatic Fleet to replace the USS Augusta (CA-31). They traveled to Manila Bay and the Philippines. He shares his experiences patrolling numerous islands and visiting and trading with the natives. Brooks talks about various incidents taking place leading up to the war with Japan. He was aboard the Houston on 7 December 1941 and shares his thoughts on that fateful day, as well as their plans for action. They traveled to the East Indies, and participated in the Battles of Makassar Strait, Java Sea and Sunda Strait where the Houston sank. Brooks, and other survivors were captured by the Japanese. He describes the various locations he stayed in and the work he was forced to do with fellow prisoners. Brooks did make it safely back to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carroll Prescott. Prescott joined the Marine Corps in July 1941 and was at Salt Lake Camp (about a mile from Pearl Harbor) on December 7, 1941. He was assigned to the 4th Defense Battalion as a gunner on a 3-inch anti-aircraft gun. His whole battalion was on the aircraft tender USS Tangier on December 25 when the entire task force turned around; they were 2-3 hours from landing on Wake. He left Pearl Harbor on March 18, went to the New Hebrides and landed on Vela Lavella on August 14, 1943. They went to New Zealand and were retrained on the 3-inch guns. Prescott went over the hill in New Zealand. He was on Hilo, Hawaii (training for the invasion of Japan) when he heard the war was over. They went to Sasebo, Japan and he stood guard duty. There's a photocopy picture of Prescott in the folder.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edwin Lee. Lee graduated from the Naval Academy in 1934. He served two years aboard USS New Orleans (CA-32). He received his wings in November of 1937. In May of 1938, Lee was assigned as an aviator aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6). He conducted observation missions, searching for submarines. In June of 1940, he was ordered to the Navy post graduate school, completing a course in aeronautical engineering, graduating in June of 1943. He oversaw the commissioning of the escort carriers (CVEs) in Astoria, Oregon. In early 1944, Lee rejoined the Enterprise, and assisted in striking the Japanese naval base at Truk. He later served aboard USS Marcus Island (CVE-77), participating in the Okinawa Campaign. After the war ended, Lee continued his service at Annapolis, and retired in July of 1964.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Bebell. Bebell joined the Navy in 1943. Beginning June of 1944, he served as Boatswain’s Mate and Fire Controlman aboard USS Hollandia (CVE-97). They traveled between the US and Navy bases in the Pacific, including Guam, transporting needed supplies and passengers. In April of 1945, they operated off the Okinawan coast, sending fighters to support the advancing troops. In May, they returned troops to San Diego. In June, they loaded replacement aircraft at Pearl Harbor and operated with the Third Fleet’s logistic supply unit. Bebell decommissioned the Hollandia and was discharged in January of 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Sterling Maresch. Maresch went into the Army in October, 1943. In May, 1944, he shipped overseas to a staging area in New Guinea and was assigned to the 470th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. From there, they moved to the Philippines for the invasion of Luzon. When the war ended, Maresch re-enlisted and transferred to the Army Air Forces. After some training in aircraft instrument repair, he was sent to Germany.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ruth Hary. Ruth was married to Edward Hary, a former submariner. She shares information of her family history, stories of civilian life during World War II, details of Edward’s time in the service, as well as anecdotes of their marriage in September of 1943. During wartime, Ruth worked at Texas A&M University until she had their first child.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hershel Downing. Downing was drafted into the Army and served as a platoon sergeant with the 81st Infantry Division, 306th Medical Battalion. He was in charge of the motor pool and also dispatched ambulances. Downing describes evacuating and assisting wounded soldiers. He briefly describes his service on Palau, Leyte, and during the occupation of Japan. Downing was discharged from the service when he returned to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Perry. Perry was born in Dallas, Texas in 1921 and graduated from high school in 1940. He joined the Navy in 1942 and was sent to boot camp at San Diego. He was selected for radio operator training. During this time he was put in the brig for five days for a rules infraction. Upon release, he was sent to North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego. Here, while having no particular job assignment, he volunteered for the submarine service. After being accepted, he was sent to Mare Island, California. He was assigned to the USS Haddo (SS-255) as a fireman with additional duties as a mess cook. The captain of the boat was Chester W. Nimitz, Jr. He recalls an incident where the submarine was attacked by a Japanese plane dropping a depth charge and how frightful the experience was. After making several uneventful war patrols, he was assigned to a rest camp at Perth, Australia as a bar tender in the officer’s club. He remained on that job until the Japanese surrendered.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Leal Langshaw. Langshaw was born in Salina, Kansas 29 December 1918. At 21 he joined the US Navy and underwent boot camp at San Diego. He then attended machinist school and worked in a torpedo shop. He describes defects in the torpedo firing pins. Langshaw was transferred to Pearl Harbor and he describes what he saw when he arrived there on 24 December 1941. He was assigned to the engine room of the USS Plunger (SS-179) and tells of detecting a defect in one of the engines, thus saving it from being damaged. As a result of his actions, he was promoted to seaman second class. He made four war patrols on the Plunger and tells of going through the Okhotsk Sea to attack Japanese shipping in the Sea of Japan. In 1944, Langshaw returned to the United States and was sent to Portsmouth, New Hampshire to assist in preparing the USS Scabbardfish (SS-397) for commissioning. He recalls being on a war patrol near Formosa when they encountered a typhoon. After riding out the typhoon, he requested land duty. Upon arriving at Pearl Harbor he taught hydraulics at …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John B. Brush. Brush graduated from Cornell in 1934 and went to work for Proctor and Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio. In April, 1941, he took a position as chief engineer for P&G's Philippine operation in Manila. He mentions how unprepared he was for the Japanese invasion in December, 1941, and how unaware he was of any Japanese military intentions. He and his wife were caught in the invasion and captured in Manila and sent to the internment camp at Santo Tomas. Brush describes the establishment of the internment camp and its function. He also recalls various aspect of life within its confines: daily routine, cleaning rice, building shanties, etc. In June 1943, Brush was relocated to Los Banos. He was liberated from there in April 1945, returned to Cincinnati and resumed working for P&G.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Norman Palmer. Palmer was born in 1922 in Tiosa, Indiana. He enlisted in the Army in January, 1942 and took basic training at Fort Robinson, Arkansas where he was assigned to the Medical Corps. From there, he went to Fort Benning, Georgia and worked ina field hospital until he took and passed the Army Air Forces cadet training tests. He reported to preflight training in San Antonio in December, 1942. Palmer earned his wings and was commissioned in August 1943 just prior to reporting for duty with the 309th Bomb Wing in South Carolina. Palmer was assigned to a B-25 crew as copilot and flew a new bomber to North Africa in December, where they were attached to the 310th Bomb Group stationed on Corsica. Palmer describes bombing missions over Italy and southern France. Palmer flew 40 missions in a B-25 as a copilot and 30 as a pilot. After 70 missions, Palmer was sent home in September, 1944. Palmer was assigned as a flight instructor at Altus, Oklahoma after he returned. When the war ended, Palmer was assigned to the Transport Command where he ferried planes. Later …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Raymond F. Hasker. He was born in Reading, Pennsylvania on October 22, 1922 and enlisted in the Navy on December 11, 1940. After graduating from Aviation Machinist School in May 1941, he sailed on the USS Wharton (AP-7) to Pearl Harbor. During the Japanese attack on December 7, he recalls removing wounded sailors from the water near the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) to the Mobile Hospital at Landing A and pulling damaged PBYs from the airfield with a tractor. He also recounts that he and other sailors spent the night on the roof of the Operations Building at Hickham Airfield armed with antiquated machine guns in anticipation of a Japanese troop landing. He describes taking photos of Eleanor Roosevelt during a visit to Honolulu. He also recounts a flight with an admiral in a new model aircraft that was known to be problematic. He describes how the plane crash landed in the water and the admiral telling him he was grounding all future flights in that model. He recalls that he got so bored while stationed at Pearl Harbor that he volunteered for Parachute Rigging school and graduated with …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Arnold Rothhaar. Rothhaar joined the Navy in 1942. He served as Coxswain of a whaleboat aboard USS Cotten (DD-669). He transported crewmembers to and from shore. He recalls several encounters with the Japanese through the Pacific Theater. He remained with the Cotton until it returned to the US in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Merrill Butler. Born in 1925, he was inducted into the Army in 1943. After graduating from officer candidate school, he joined the 76th Infantry Division, 301st Engineer Combat Battalion. He explains the military hierarchy of a battalion. As a former football player at the University of Southern California (USC), he became the leader of the battalion football team. He describes being in a convoy of ships bound for England. He was sent to France in December 1944. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge, moving from France into Belgium. From the location of Echternach, Luxembourg, he was part of the force that breached the Siegfried Line at the Sauer River. He describes the Siegfried Line as well as clearing German antipersonnel mines, known as Bouncing Betties, with Bangalore torpedoes. He also talks about destroying German defensive pill boxes. He discusses interactions with German citizens as they advanced across Germany. After they crossed the Rhine, his group was transferred from the First Army to the Third Army and continued toward Dresden, Germany. When the 76th Infantry Division was disbanded, he joined the 30th Infantry Division on the Elbe …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard G. Toler. Toler grew up in Oklahoma and enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1940. He received his commission in 1941 and proceeded to Hickam Field attached to the 42nd Bomb Squadron, 11th Bomb Group. Toler describes the attack on Pearl Harbor and his participation in the battle. He also mentions attacking Henderson Field in a B-17 on Guadalcanal prior to the Marine landing there. Toler describes having to ditch in the ocean after the raid and being rescued. He also describes participating in the Battle of Midway. Also during the war ,Toler served as an instructo for B-17 bombers at Hobbs, New Mexico. He was there when the war ended. He stayed in the Air Force and retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1963.