Interview with E.R. (Ed) Dolinar, a serviceman with the U. S. Navy during World War II. He discusses going to boot camp, torpedo school and submarine school. He was on the SSN Stingray as a torpedo crewman that offloaded supplies and guerillas in the Philippines. It picked up stranded Japanese sailors and transported them to Australia. The Stingray was then decomissioned. He was then part of a crew that studied and stripped captured German submarines, and he discusses the differences between the U-boats and the US submarines. He also discusses the Bolomen, Filipino guerillas who fought the Japanese during the occupation. He also talks briefly about his experience of being hit with depth charges and gives his opinions on General MacArthur and President Truman.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing a package he sent her, Holquin giving the Major a haircut, and a hog bothering the Lieutenant in his tent.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing reading some of his old letters, writing a letter to Pat, meeting an old copilot with Holquin, and hoping the the Browns win the world series. The letter has pink lipstick prints on the front and back of the first page.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing boxing with other men in his squadron, choosing not to drink after a big supper, and enjoying listening to the radio.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing practicing his shooting, playing baseball, the mail service, Catherine's letters talking him out of drinking a beer, and celebrating Honey enlisting into the service.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the tan he has acquired, his gratitude for her safety and security at home, his squadron having to send their dog back to Tonopah, and expecting Bob Hope to come to perform soon.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service, his joy at their dog, Teddy, no longer being sick, and his support of Baker building a tennis court in front of their house.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing receiving her New Year's cable message, catching up on his letter writing, and playing several games of golf during his leave.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing a visit to Austin and Gonzales with Jenny, her friends Maxine, Corrine, and Lois coming over to play bridge and eat supper, and her purchase of fabric for a new dress.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing her day spent playing bridge with friends and plans to go to the post office with Elaine.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home. including her busy day at work and Mr. Knight's death by suicide.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including a letter she received from Peggy, a trip to Gonzales with Sue Merle, an increase in her office work, and a request for a photo of Joe.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing the letters she has received from him, expressing how much she misses him, and the mail she has sent him and plans to send more. Catherine also shares her plans to go to Gonzales for the afternoon.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including some trouble in receiving mail, giving out Joe's address, and Walter Langston shipping out from San Antonio to San Francisco.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including playing bridge at Rosemary's, housecleaning with Jenny, and a report from James Carter's brother that James is returning to the States.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including going to Maxine's party on Saturday night, visiting Mother, who is suffering with her broken ribs, and Kelly being in the hospital in San Antonio.

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 interview with John Brush. Brush was assigned to serve as the Chief Engineer of the Philippine Manufacturing Company in Manila, before World War II. He and his wife traveled to Manila in May of 1941 and operated the factory until the end of December. He and his wife were taken prisoner into Santo Tomas Internment Camp in January of 1942. Brush shares details of the accommodations, building structure, atmosphere, food rations, starvation, illnesses, separated living conditions of men, women and children as well as their required daily work. They were later moved to Los Baños Internment Camp. In December of 1943 his wife, along with other women from Santo Tomas, were brought to Los Baños and allowed to live together as a family. Brush provides vivid details of their rescue in February of 1945.

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.

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 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). …

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 …