The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Bland. Bland joined the Navy in April of 1944. He served as Signalman Third-Class aboard the SS Francis Preston Blair (1943). They traveled to Australia, New Zealand, India and Manila picking up and delivering cargo. Bland served aboard the ship until it got stranded on Saumarez Reef in the Coral Sea during a cyclone in 1945. Bland continued his service after the war ended, receiving his discharge in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glenn Reynolds. Reynolds left high school to join the Navy in 1939. In March 1940 he was assigned to USS Maryland (BB-46). Anchored at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked, Reynolds was writing a letter to his girlfriend when the war began. He manned his battle station, despite being barefoot, and then helped fight fires on a nearby fuel tanker. He later transferred to USS Halawa (AOG-12) as a gunner’s mate. In August 1942 he was sent to gunnery school and upon completion joined an amphibious base in England, where he met an English woman who would become his wife. While on shore patrol duty, Reynolds was alarmed one evening when Downtown London was suddenly crowded to the point where he could not move. This was how he learned that the Germans had surrendered. V-E Day celebrations lasted until four in the morning. After being discharged from the Navy, Reynolds joined the Army and went served in Korea and Vietnam, retiring after 26 years.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fletcher Taylor. Taylor joined the Army Air Corps in 1940 and received training as a navigator in Miami. At the beginning of the war he was sent to the Panama Canal, patrolling in B-17s for ships and submarines. He was then transferred to India as a B-24 navigator, where he flew 30 missions, some as long as 13 hours. His first mission was to disable the electrical components of a coal mine in China that was critical for Japanese steel production. While the mission was successful, he believes there were several hundred Chinese casualties. Taylor participated in missions bombing the Andaman Islands, Bangkok, Rangoon, and Mandalay. He returned to the States for pilot training at Fort Worth. Upon completion, he was sent to staff school. At the end of the war, he was assigned to retrieve a plane from England. Taylor returned home and spent 25 years in a secret censorship program run by the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with C.R. Walters. Walters joined the Army in March 1943 and received basic training at Fort Belvoir. Upon completion, he began a degree in mechanical engineering under the Army Specialized Training Program. In March 1944 he was transferred to the 102nd Infantry Division and sent to Cherbourg, France. He was in combat as a platoon sergeant from mid-October until April 1945. German soldiers surrendered to his unit at the Elbe River. After the war, Walters was assigned to a prisoner-of-war camp formerly run by Germans. He was tasked with making arrangements for Russian prisoners to return home. Walters remained in Europe with the occupation forces until May 1946. He completed his degree in mechanical engineering and was assigned to an engineering unit that primarily built airfields. Walters retired from the service in 1957.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wesley Fronk. Fronk joined the Army Air Forces in December 1942 after starting college at the University of North Dakota and working as a mechanic for Lockheed. He received basic training in Fresno and was sent to engineering and operations clerical school. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 347th Airdrome Squadron. He was sent to India, where his unit supported the 4th Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group. In his spare time, he helped build engines on the flight line. His unit dropped aerial supplies to British troops in Burma, American mountainside detachments, and the OSS. Supplies for Chinese troops included oats for their mules, since they had no motor vehicles. These missions were flown in C-47s, and after the war the unit switched to the larger C-46s, moving Chinese Nationalist troops to where they would face off against the Chinese Communists. Fronk returned home and was discharged in December 1945. He began a civilian career with the Department of Defense and retired after 48 years of service.

Transcript of an oral interview with Robert Lewis Kelly. Kelly joined the Naval Reserve in 1938 in Kansas City, Missouri. He was sent to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on an ATA (auxiliary ocean tug.) He initially served on a troop transport ship. He later served on minelayers and minesweepers in the Atlantic Theater. He describes being transported in Africa in a 40-and-8 box car. He also provides information about his parents and siblings. He served until the end of the war. Kelly served on a troop transport ship in both the Pacific and Atlantic Theaters. He went to Mine Warfare School and then served on minesweepers and minelayers. He provided minesweeping support for the Normandy Invasion. In addition to sharing information about minelaying and minesweeping, he describes being on liberty in Greece; serving as a brig warden; experiencing a tsunami and a typhoon while at sea; witnessing a German submarine attack near Bermuda; experiencing a London air raid; witnessing the USS Osprey and the USS Tide hitting mines and the USS Texas being hit by German shells; and living on the beach in Casablanca. He recounts a story about missing alcohol in the marine compass. He also describes the food situation …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Chester W. Nimitz, Jr. Nimitz was born in Brooklyn, New York 17 February 1915. He attended Severn Preparatory School prior to entering the US Naval Academy in 1932. Upon graduating in 1936, he was assigned to the USS Indianapolis (CA-35) as assistant navigator. He applied for submarine duty in 1938 and trained at New London, Connecticut. After training he was assigned to the USS Sturgeon (SS-187) based in San Diego. In November 1941, the Sturgeon proceeded to Manila. Recalling his first war patrol aboard the Sturgeon, Nimitz recalls being subjected to depth charge attacks and the frustration caused by defective torpedoes. Returning to the United States he was assigned to the USS Bluefish (SS-222) as the executive officer. Later, he was withdrawn from sea duty and assigned to work on the torpedo problem. Nimitz was then put in command of the USS Haddo (SS-255) and describes an attack on a Japanese ship during which all six torpedoes launched exploded prematurely. He discusses the problem of defective torpedoes. On their last patrol in the Haddo, his crew sank five enemy ships and received a Navy Unit Commendation. Nimitz received …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Leroy Cox. Cox was flying a crop duster in Colorado when he was drafted into the Army. He did not tell the Army he could fly and was trained as an armorer for B-17 bombers. Once someone found he could fly, he was sent to flight school. He eventually trained as a tow pilot for gliders, then as a glider pilot in South Carolina. He never was called to go overseas and was discharged in November 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Wayne VanDerWeele. VanDerWeele joined the Navy in June of 1944. He discusses briefly the relocation of the Japanese-Americans during wartime. He was assigned to HMS Battleaxe beginning August of 1944. They traveled to the New Hebrides Islands, working on a dry dock. From there they went to New Caledonia working on a receiving station, and at the Fleet Record Office forwarding mail. He served in the Fleet Office from October 1944 until March of 1945 and provides details of their work and living conditions. Their office was then moved to Guam, where he worked from April 1945 until February 1946. He was discharged in April of 1946.

Transcript of an oral interview with Ann Liedtke. Ms Liedtke was a young, single woman in Britain during the war and relates her experiences there including meeting her husband and becoming a war bride. She was in Oxford, England working for a bank as an Addressograph operator and joined the American Red Cross there when they first asked for volunteers. The Clarendon Hotel was taken over and used by the Red Cross, opening on July 7, 1943. The Red Cross had dances on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday with excellent bands but were very strict. Ms Liedtke's future husband was a cook in the Officers' Mess, 8th Air Force Reconnaissance. They got married in February 1945 and lived in Oxford. Her husband went back to the States and she followed in February 1946, arriving on the Hospital ship Bridgeport, which was full of GI brides. Ms Liedtke gives nice descriptions of war time London and Oxford and talks very glowingly about the Red Cross.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Korner. Korner was born in Star City, Indiana 31 December 1921 and graduated from high school in 1940. After working at various jobs, he was employed by a company that manufactured the Norden bombsight. As a machinist his work was classified as essential to war production, thus exempting him from military service. He felt it was his duty to serve his country however, and joined the US Navy in 1944. After completing boot training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Illinois he volunteered for submarine duty. Completing submarine school at New London, Connecticut he served as a motor machinist aboard an R Boat (R-18) for six months before being assigned to the USS Argonaut (SS-475). In early 1946, while at sea, the Argonaut collided with the USS Honolulu (CL-48) resulting in extensive damage to the submarine. It went to dry dock at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Korner remained on board as a member of the maintenance crew until he was discharged May 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Raymond Maxwell. Maxwell was born 19 May 1926 in Monon, Indiana. In 1942 he attended the government sponsored National Youth Organization School training in mechanics. In 1944 he was drafted into the Army. After completing training at Camp Fannin, Texas he was sent to Fort Ord, California. He went to Hawaii where he received jungle training and practiced landings. Maxwell received additional jungle training at Saipan. He was then sent to Okinawa and assigned to the 77th Infantry Division, 307th Infantry. He recalls various combat situations in which he was involved, describing his experiences, including being wounded. After the Japanese surrendered on Okinawa his unit was sent to Cebu for replacements and refit. While there, Japan surrendered thus ending the war. Maxwell tells of being stationed in Japan for a period of time, returning to the United States and receiving his discharge in 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with J.C. Kerr. Kerr was born in Dillard, Oklahoma in 1921. Joining the Navy in 1939, Kerr was assigned to the USS Tennessee (BB-43) after attending boot camp in San Diego, California. He began on the job motor machinist training in the engine room while aboard. In 1941 he was transferred to the USS Washington (BB-56) as she began convoy duty in the Atlantic. In September 1942 the ship went to New Caledonia. Kerr tells of the ship being involved in a naval battle near Guadalcanal in November. In 1943, Kerr was transferred into the submarine service. Returning to San Francisco he traveled by troop train to New London, Connecticut to begin training. He describes the various aspects of the training including the use of the Momsen escape lung. After receiving additional training in submarine engineering school, he was sent to Milne Bay, New Guinea and went aboard the USS Dace (SS-247). He describes being on five war patrols which included transporting Australian commandos prior to an island invasion, laying mines, and attacks on Japanese ships. Kerr also recounts the rescue of the crew of the USS Dater (SS-227). …

Transcript of an oral interview with John W. Finn. Finn grew up in California and joined the Navy in 1926. He went through training. By 1941, he has been made Chief Petty Officer and is in the BP-14 squadron. This squadron arrived in Kaneohe Bay on the USS Enterprise in May 1941. Finn has become the Chief Ordnance and Bombsight man. He describes the Japanese bombing Kaneohe Bay just before Pearl Harbor. He took a gun outside and is exposed to Japanese strafing while he fires at the airplanes. He received the Medal of Honor for his efforts.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Chaffin. Chaffin was born on 30 March 1922 in Spring Valley, Texas. After graduating from high school in 1940 he worked for the National Youth Administration as an aircraft mechanic trainee. He joined the US Navy and had two weeks of boot camp at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station (NAS), Texas. Upon completing boot training he was sent to the Beeville NAS, Texas. In 1943 he was assigned to United States. Navy. Carrier Air Service Unit 1 (CASU-1) and reported to the Ford Island NAS at Pearl Harbor. During February 1944 he went aboard the USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) in time to deliver of planes to the Marshall Islands. On 2 May 1944, he went aboard the USS Essex (CV-9) as a member of the ship’s crew. He describes characteristics of the various planes he worked on aboard ship and also explains the procedures followed to determine whether a damaged plane was to be repaired or destroyed. On 25, November 1944, the Essex was struck by a kamikaze and Chaffin was severely wounded. After the ship arrived at Ulithi for repairs, he was transferred to the USS …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joe Drastata. Drastata was born in El Campo, Texas on 1 August 1924 and entered the Army Air Forces in March 1943. After receiving initial training at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri he was sent to Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he was assigned to the 65th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403rd Troop Carrier Group. During July 1943 the unit went on board the USAT Maui bound for Australia. Drastata tells of the 28 day trip and describes the King Neptune ceremony when crossing the Equator. He describes the uncomfortable sleeping accommodations coupled with extensive rain and swarms of mosquitoes encountered at Port Moresby, New Guinea. He was assigned to communications assisting in duties that involved flag or light signals, land lines, switchboards and public address systems. The unit moved to various locations including Biak where he recounts an accident that claimed the life of a young officer. On 3 February 1945, the 65th Troop Carrier Squadron dropped paratroopers on the Los Banos prison camp to free the allied captives. Although Drastata was not personally involved in the operation he discusses various facets of this successful operation. He returned to the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Thomas Knouff. Knouff joined the Coast Guard in February of 1942. He served aboard a patrol boat in charge of depth charges. They patrolled the shipping lanes between the US and Cuba. He later served as a Leading Seaman aboard a yard oiler, and participated in the Battle of Leyte in October of 1944. They traveled to Luzon, Mindoro and Manila in the Philippines and remained in that area through early 1946. Knouff was discharged in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George T. Foy. Foy joined the Navy in January 1943. He trained at Great lakes for basic and took an electrician's course there, too before being assigned to the amphibious corps in Solomons, Maryland. He joined an USS LST-282 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In January, 1944, USS LST-282 steamed to Plymouth, England. Foy was aboard the 282 when it went to Normandy on 6 June 1944. It delivered amphibious vehicles and medical supplies during the landing operation and also served as a floating hospital. Foy got separated from his ship, but was able to return to it later on in England. In Southern France in August, USS LST-282 was hit by a German bomb and Foy abandoned ship and made it to shore. He returned to the US and was assigned to an auxiliary repair ship that went to the Pacific right as the war ended. He was discharged in March 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Johnnie Singleton. Singleton entered the Navy at 16 in June 1941 and trained at Corpus Christi. Singleton is African American and served as a mess attendant in a segregated Navy. He went aboard the USS Maryland (BB-46) at Pearl Harbor in September 1941. On December 7, 1941, Singleton was in the officers' galley when the Japanese struck. He went to his battle station in an ammunition handling room below deck. Next, Singleton describes the invasion of Tarawa and seeing bodies floating in the water. After Tarawa, the Maryland went to the Marshall Islands, Eniwetok and Kwajalein. Then, they went to Truk and Saipan. The Maryland got hit in the bow one night by a torpedo while they were in the harbor at Saipan. The battle of Leyte Gulf was next for the Maryland and she was one of the battleships at Surigao Strait. A kamikaze crashed into her later during the battle and she had to go to Bremerton for repairs. After repairs, the Maryland rejoined the fleet and sailed for Okinawa. The Maryland took another kamikaze hit off Okinawa with Singleton was trapped below deck at his …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edwin Koehler. Koehler joined the Army in December of 1943. He completed basic training at Camp Fannin in Texas. He continued there through mid-1944 training new recruits. In February of 1945 he joined the 4th Infantry Division in Germany and fought against the German SS. He provides details of his combat experiences. Koehler continued serving in Germany after the war ended. He returned to the states in late 1945. He was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Holt. Holt was drafted into the Army in May 1944 and had basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After basic training, Holt was assigned as an infantryman in the 16th Armored infantry Battalion, 13th Armored Division. He describes his experiences in France and Germany being under sniper fire and moving forward to the Ruhr Valley. Holt returned to the US with his unit in June, 1945, as they were slated to invade Japan. He was discharged in February, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ben McDonald. McDonald entered the University of Texas Navy ROTC program in July, 1943 and graduated and was commissioned in January, 1945. He then joined USS Wichita (CA-45) as a gunnery officer in time for the Okinawa invasion. McDonald discusses kamikazes, suicide swimmers, and going ashore on Okinawa to serve as a fire control forward observer for his ship. When the war ended, the Wichita proceeded to Nagasaki Bay. McDonald observed the damage the atomic bomb did to the city. Wichita evacuated former Allied POWs from the Nagasaki and Sasebo areas before returning to the US in early 1946. McDonald was converted to the Inactive Reserves in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Marie Speer. Speer was born 9 May 1921 in Tappan, New York. After graduating from high school in 1938 she worked at various jobs and attended classes at New York University. She tells of meeting her first husband Edward Hawley Jordan at the college and getting married in May 1942. Her husband was drafted in January 1944 and took his basic training at Fort McGraw, Alabama. In September 1944 he joined the 175th Regiment, 29th Infantry Division as a replacement and was sent to France. She sadly remembers receiving a letter written by him on November 25 1944 and receiving a telegram the same day notifying her he was killed in action on the day he wrote the letter. Within days of receiving the news she was informed that her husband’s cousin had been killed in action and that her brother had been captured by the Germans. She soon was involved in the establishment of The Gold Star Wives organization and explains the goals, the growth and the accomplishments of the organization. She proudly points out that Eleanor Roosevelt was a signee on the original charter and a …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Belt. Belt joined the Navy after earning a master's degree and went to midshipman' school. He earned a commission and reported aboard USS Tuscaloosa (CA-37)in May 1943. Belt was aboard when the Tuscaloosa participated in the invasion of France and was at Iwo Jima. He also recalls being off Okinawa. Belt went aboard HMS Duke of York and met Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser one day. He also attended the Japanese Language School and was there when the war ended.