The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Aristides Phoutrides. Phoutrides joined the Navy in May 1943 and went to quartermaster school after boot camp. He was then assigned to USS Laffey (DD-724) in February, 1944. He recalls bombarding the shore during the Normandy invasion. In late 1944, he went to the Philippines with the Laffey. He recalls escorting carriers during the Iwo Jima invasion. He also recalls being at Okinawa on radar picket duty on 16 April and being attacked by 22 kamikazes and struck by six. They returned to Seattle for repairs and were there when the war ended. Phoutrides was discharged in May 1946 but stayed in the Reserves. He was recalled during the Korean War and given a commission.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Aristides Phoutrides. Phoutrides joined the Navy in May 1943 and went to quartermaster school after boot camp. He was then assigned to USS Laffey (DD-724) in February, 1944. He recalls bombarding the shore during the Normandy invasion. In late 1944, he went to the Philippines with the Laffey. He recalls escorting carriers during the Iwo Jima invasion. He also recalls being at Okinawa on radar picket duty on 16 April and being attacked by 22 kamikazes and struck by six. They returned to Seattle for repairs and were there when the war ended. Phoutrides was discharged in May 1946 but stayed in the Reserves. He was recalled during the Korean War and given a commission.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Benjamin Tubig. Tubig was born in the Philippines in 1918 and joined the Philippine Scouts in 1941. After the surrender of the American forces on Bataan, he participated in the Bataan Death March. He describes the march to Capas, where they were interned at Camp O’Donnell. Tubig escaped with another prisoner and returned to his home. He did not participate in guerilla activities after his escape. He became a naturalized American citizen in 1946 and was discharged in 1948.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Benjamin Tubig. Tubig was born in the Philippines in 1918 and joined the Philippine Scouts in 1941. After the surrender of the American forces on Bataan, he participated in the Bataan Death March. He describes the march to Capas, where they were interned at Camp O’Donnell. Tubig escaped with another prisoner and returned to his home. He did not participate in guerilla activities after his escape. He became a naturalized American citizen in 1946 and was discharged in 1948.

Transcript of an oral interview with Bernard J. Scher. Scher joined the Army in early 1943 and trained as a combat engineer in the Army Corps of Engineers. After training, Scher's unit was sent to Iceland in August, 1943. From there, his unit went to St. Lo, France after D-Day and cleared away land mines and destrroyed German defensive pill boxes. Scher describes building bridges over the Ruhr River and reaching the Elbe River. Scher took R&R in Paris, where he was when Germany surrendered. He describes some of his activities after the surrender and before he shipped home in December, 1945. His unit was stationed in France, but he managed to travel to Duxford, England to visit his brother there. When Scher returned home, he opted to stay in the Reserves and was called up for the war in Korea. In 1950, he was recalled and trained in the Counter Intelligence Corps. When he went to Korea, he was attached to the 45th Infantry Division. The interview continues on 10 January, 2011. Scher describes trained and sent to Korea. While in Korea, Scher's job was to interrogate civilians at an internee camp. Most of his inmates were North Koreans.

Transcript of an oral interview with Bernard J. Scher. Scher joined the Army in early 1943 and trained as a combat engineer in the Army Corps of Engineers. After training, Scher's unit was sent to Iceland in August, 1943. From there, his unit went to St. Lo, France after D-Day and cleared away land mines and destrroyed German defensive pill boxes. Scher describes building bridges over the Ruhr River and reaching the Elbe River. Scher took R&R in Paris, where he was when Germany surrendered. He describes some of his activities after the surrender and before he shipped home in December, 1945. His unit was stationed in France, but he managed to travel to Duxford, England to visit his brother there. When Scher returned home, he opted to stay in the Reserves and was called up for the war in Korea. In 1950, he was recalled and trained in the Counter Intelligence Corps. When he went to Korea, he was attached to the 45th Infantry Division. The interview continues on 10 January, 2011. Scher describes trained and sent to Korea. While in Korea, Scher's job was to interrogate civilians at an internee camp. Most of his inmates were North Koreans.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Beverly Bagley of Fullerton, California. She discusses where she was when Pearl Harbor was bombed and recalls hearing President Roosevelt's speech about the incident. Mrs. Bagley also talks about how her father wanted to volunteer for the military, but her mother refused to sign off on it, so he was barred from joining the war. Mrs. Bagley recalls having to save everything from aluminum cans to chewing gum wrappers and the war time rationing that occurred. She also recounts her time spent in the hospital during the war, in 1943, due to Polio. Mrs. Bagley tells the interviewer that there was no celebration when Germany surrendered, but there was one when the bombs were dropped over Japan and the peace treaty signed, signifying the real end of World War 2. She also talks about her cousins and her husband who were enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Beverly Bagley of Fullerton, California. She discusses where she was when Pearl Harbor was bombed and recalls hearing President Roosevelt's speech about the incident. Mrs. Bagley also talks about how her father wanted to volunteer for the military, but her mother refused to sign off on it, so he was barred from joining the war. Mrs. Bagley recalls having to save everything from aluminum cans to chewing gum wrappers and the war time rationing that occurred. She also recounts her time spent in the hospital during the war, in 1943, due to Polio. Mrs. Bagley tells the interviewer that there was no celebration when Germany surrendered, but there was one when the bombs were dropped over Japan and the peace treaty signed, signifying the real end of World War 2. She also talks about her cousins and her husband who were enlisted in the U.S. Navy.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles W. Carson. Carson was born in Ecorse, Michigan on 12 August 1925 and enlisted in the Navy in September 1943. Following basic training he attended aircraft mechanic school, graduating in June 1944. He shipped overseas on the USS Hugh L. Scott (AP-43). He provides several interesting anecdotes of the trip to the New Hebrides archipelago, including the ceremony for crossing the equator and international dateline. He arrived on the island of Espiritu Santo in October 1944 and was placed in an aviation engine overhaul unit. Carson describes several of his experiences while on the island. Five months later he went to Guadalcanal where his duties consisted of repairing damaged aircraft near Henderson Field. He stayed on Guadalcanal for a few months and then transferred to Guam. He recalls attending USO shows at each of his duty stations. Carson returned to the United States in December 1945 and was discharged on 6 January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles W. Carson. Carson was born in Ecorse, Michigan on 12 August 1925 and enlisted in the Navy in September 1943. Following basic training he attended aircraft mechanic school, graduating in June 1944. He shipped overseas on the USS Hugh L. Scott (AP-43). He provides several interesting anecdotes of the trip to the New Hebrides archipelago, including the ceremony for crossing the equator and international dateline. He arrived on the island of Espiritu Santo in October 1944 and was placed in an aviation engine overhaul unit. Carson describes several of his experiences while on the island. Five months later he went to Guadalcanal where his duties consisted of repairing damaged aircraft near Henderson Field. He stayed on Guadalcanal for a few months and then transferred to Guam. He recalls attending USO shows at each of his duty stations. Carson returned to the United States in December 1945 and was discharged on 6 January 1946.

Transcript of an oral interview with Claxito R. Ramirez. He joined the Army in 1942 and was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division. He arrived in Belgium in late 1944 in time to participate in the Battle of the Bulge. In April, 1945 Ramirez was riding on a tank that got hit by a German 88mm shell. Ramirez was wounded by shell fragments and spent some time in the hospital before returning to his unit. By the time he returned to his unit, the war in Europe had reached an end. He stayed in Europe until December when he returned to Texas, where he was discharged in January, 1946.

Transcript of an oral interview with Claxito R. Ramirez. He joined the Army in 1942 and was assigned to the 9th Infantry Division. He arrived in Belgium in late 1944 in time to participate in the Battle of the Bulge. In April, 1945 Ramirez was riding on a tank that got hit by a German 88mm shell. Ramirez was wounded by shell fragments and spent some time in the hospital before returning to his unit. By the time he returned to his unit, the war in Europe had reached an end. He stayed in Europe until December when he returned to Texas, where he was discharged in January, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edgar Vincent. Vincent was a student at Cal Tech when he enlisted in the Army Air Forces in late 1942 where he went into flight training. He earned his wings and a commission in March, 1944. He was selected to train on a B-29 after training on a B-17. His crew flew to Tinian in December, 1944 where he was assigned to the 40th Bomb Squadron, 6th Bomb Group. He flew on the fire bombing mission over Tokyo on 9-10 March. He flew 32 combat missions, some bombing, others minelaying. He flew his last mission on 14 August and returned to the US in November, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edgar Vincent. Vincent was a student at Cal Tech when he enlisted in the Army Air Forces in late 1942 where he went into flight training. He earned his wings and a commission in March, 1944. He was selected to train on a B-29 after training on a B-17. His crew flew to Tinian in December, 1944 where he was assigned to the 40th Bomb Squadron, 6th Bomb Group. He flew on the fire bombing mission over Tokyo on 9-10 March. He flew 32 combat missions, some bombing, others minelaying. He flew his last mission on 14 August and returned to the US in November, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Elmo King. King served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1941. He joined the Navy in December of 1942. In March of 1943 he served aboard the USS Tennessee (BB-43) as a gunner, working with 14-inch guns. His position was rammer man in the main battery, left gun of turret two. He provides description of his job aboard and the weapons themselves. Overall, King participated in ten battles, including the bombardment of Kiska in the Aleutian Islands, and the assault and capture of Tarawa, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, Kavieng, New Ireland, Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Anguar, Palau Islands, Leyte, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and the Battle of Suriago Strait. He provides details of these experiences aboard the Tennessee. He was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Elmo King. King served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1941. He joined the Navy in December of 1942. In March of 1943 he served aboard the USS Tennessee (BB-43) as a gunner, working with 14-inch guns. His position was rammer man in the main battery, left gun of turret two. He provides description of his job aboard and the weapons themselves. Overall, King participated in ten battles, including the bombardment of Kiska in the Aleutian Islands, and the assault and capture of Tarawa, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, Kavieng, New Ireland, Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Anguar, Palau Islands, Leyte, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and the Battle of Suriago Strait. He provides details of these experiences aboard the Tennessee. He was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ervin Vernon. Vernon joined the Navy in September of 1942. He served as a Fireman and Machinist Mate aboard USS Claxton (DD-571). They traveled to New Caledonia, Manus Island in New Guinea and participated in the invasion of the Philippines and the Battle of Leyte Gulf in late 1944. Vernon shares numerous details of his work in, and the function of, the boiler room. In May of 1945, they conducted radar picket duty off the coast of Okinawa. Vernon was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ervin Vernon. Vernon joined the Navy in September of 1942. He served as a Fireman and Machinist Mate aboard USS Claxton (DD-571). They traveled to New Caledonia, Manus Island in New Guinea and participated in the invasion of the Philippines and the Battle of Leyte Gulf in late 1944. Vernon shares numerous details of his work in, and the function of, the boiler room. In May of 1945, they conducted radar picket duty off the coast of Okinawa. Vernon was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gordon Wilkinson. Wilkinson was drafted into the Army in January 1945. He completed basic training in Camp Wheeler, Georgia. He provides details of his experiences in training. He served in the Luzon, Philippines campaign. They first landed in Eniwetok and picked up a convoy then headed into the Philippines. He was a part of the fifth replacement and later the 43rd Infantry Division and Headquarters Company. They were set up in Cabanatuan. Then they traveled to Japan in September 1945. The 43rd Infantry Division was deactivated and Wilkinson joined the 1st Cavalry Division in Osaka, and he was assigned to the 302nd Recon. He provides detail of his time in Osaka. He left Japan in December 1945 and was shipped to Fort Stevens, Oregon where he re-enlisted. He attended Counter Intelligence School in Baltimore, Maryland. He was then stationed in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was in the service 29 years, and retired as Chief Warrant Officer Four.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gordon Wilkinson. Wilkinson was drafted into the Army in January 1945. He completed basic training in Camp Wheeler, Georgia. He provides details of his experiences in training. He served in the Luzon, Philippines campaign. They first landed in Eniwetok and picked up a convoy then headed into the Philippines. He was a part of the fifth replacement and later the 43rd Infantry Division and Headquarters Company. They were set up in Cabanatuan. Then they traveled to Japan in September 1945. The 43rd Infantry Division was deactivated and Wilkinson joined the 1st Cavalry Division in Osaka, and he was assigned to the 302nd Recon. He provides detail of his time in Osaka. He left Japan in December 1945 and was shipped to Fort Stevens, Oregon where he re-enlisted. He attended Counter Intelligence School in Baltimore, Maryland. He was then stationed in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was in the service 29 years, and retired as Chief Warrant Officer Four.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Henry Carroll. Carroll joined the Marine Corps in August 1943. He became a member of a Unit Defense Company and joined VMO-155 in Hawaii. Carroll was then sent to help defend Midway, Kwajalein, and later Majuro. He briefly describes the islands. Carroll was sent back to the US before the end of the war and served as Sergeant of the Guard at Treasure Island until the end of his enlistment in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Henry Carroll. Carroll joined the Marine Corps in August 1943. He became a member of a Unit Defense Company and joined VMO-155 in Hawaii. Carroll was then sent to help defend Midway, Kwajalein, and later Majuro. He briefly describes the islands. Carroll was sent back to the US before the end of the war and served as Sergeant of the Guard at Treasure Island until the end of his enlistment in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Herb Stern. Stern was born in Berlin, Germany in October 1919. His father was imprisoned by the Nazis and Stern immigrated to the United States in 1936. After completing high school, he attended the University of Cincinnati for four years. He was drafted into the Army in June 1941 and sent to Camp Lee, Virginia for basic training. From there he was assigned as a medic to the 9th Infantry Division. The division made practice landings at Solomons, Maryland. In October 1942 the division went to Morocco. Being fluent in German, Stern was assigned to G-2 (intelligence) to interrogate of German prisoners of war. He was then assigned to the Free French forces and worked with the medical battalions near the front lines. He interrogated a large number of prisoners captured in Bizerte, Tunisia. After spending time in Palermo, Sicily, he went to Liverpool, England where he was trained at a British Intelligence school. When his training was completed, he was sent to various units to give instructions in intelligence gathering. Stern landed at Utah Beach three days after the initial invasion and advanced to the Hurtgen Forest, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Herb Stern. Stern was born in Berlin, Germany in October 1919. His father was imprisoned by the Nazis and Stern immigrated to the United States in 1936. After completing high school, he attended the University of Cincinnati for four years. He was drafted into the Army in June 1941 and sent to Camp Lee, Virginia for basic training. From there he was assigned as a medic to the 9th Infantry Division. The division made practice landings at Solomons, Maryland. In October 1942 the division went to Morocco. Being fluent in German, Stern was assigned to G-2 (intelligence) to interrogate of German prisoners of war. He was then assigned to the Free French forces and worked with the medical battalions near the front lines. He interrogated a large number of prisoners captured in Bizerte, Tunisia. After spending time in Palermo, Sicily, he went to Liverpool, England where he was trained at a British Intelligence school. When his training was completed, he was sent to various units to give instructions in intelligence gathering. Stern landed at Utah Beach three days after the initial invasion and advanced to the Hurtgen Forest, …