The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Wayne Chambers. Chambers joined the Naval Reserve in September of 1940. He completed the V-7 Officer Training Program. Beginning September of 1941, he served in the Engineering Department aboard USS Henley (DD-391). They were moored in East Loch at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. In May of 1942 they rescued survivors of USS Neosho (AO-23) and USS Sims (DD-409), sunk during the Battle of the Coral Sea. They protected Marines landing on Guadalcanal, and remained in the area screening ships bringing in supplies and reinforcements. In June of 1943 Chambers transferred to the USS Quincy (CA-71). In June of 1944 they participated in the invasion of Normandy. In that same month they traveled to Cherbourg, France providing bombardment of the batteries surrounding the city in conjunction with the Army ground assault. Chambers returned to the US and was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Wayne Chambers. Chambers joined the Naval Reserve in September of 1940. He completed the V-7 Officer Training Program. Beginning September of 1941, he served in the Engineering Department aboard USS Henley (DD-391). They were moored in East Loch at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. In May of 1942 they rescued survivors of USS Neosho (AO-23) and USS Sims (DD-409), sunk during the Battle of the Coral Sea. They protected Marines landing on Guadalcanal, and remained in the area screening ships bringing in supplies and reinforcements. In June of 1943 Chambers transferred to the USS Quincy (CA-71). In June of 1944 they participated in the invasion of Normandy. In that same month they traveled to Cherbourg, France providing bombardment of the batteries surrounding the city in conjunction with the Army ground assault. Chambers returned to the US and was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wilbur Wright. Wright was born in Craig, Missouri 29 December 1919. He joined the Navy in 1938 and went to San Diego for boot camp. After training he went to Hawaii and was assigned to the USS Oglala (CM-4/ARG-1). On 6 December 1941 the ship’s crew unloaded a cargo of mines at Pearl Harbor. Wright was on board when the Japanese attacked. He witnessed the attack and recalls not firing the ship’s guns as they were unable to get ammunition. He mentions a torpedo went under the Oglala and hit the USS Helena (CL-50). The concussion from the explosion damaged Oglala’s hull so badly, she began to take on water. The crew abandoned ship as it capsized. Wright saw the face of a Japanese pilot as he strafed the ships and docks. He recalls a Japanese midget submarine getting into the harbor and watching the USS Monaghan (DD-354) ram it and drop depth charges, which caused the submarine to surface. He saw Marines in a motor launch board the submarine and take off two crewmen. The Japanese crewmen were handcuffed with hoods over their heads as they went …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wilbur Wright. Wright was born in Craig, Missouri 29 December 1919. He joined the Navy in 1938 and went to San Diego for boot camp. After training he went to Hawaii and was assigned to the USS Oglala (CM-4/ARG-1). On 6 December 1941 the ship’s crew unloaded a cargo of mines at Pearl Harbor. Wright was on board when the Japanese attacked. He witnessed the attack and recalls not firing the ship’s guns as they were unable to get ammunition. He mentions a torpedo went under the Oglala and hit the USS Helena (CL-50). The concussion from the explosion damaged Oglala’s hull so badly, she began to take on water. The crew abandoned ship as it capsized. Wright saw the face of a Japanese pilot as he strafed the ships and docks. He recalls a Japanese midget submarine getting into the harbor and watching the USS Monaghan (DD-354) ram it and drop depth charges, which caused the submarine to surface. He saw Marines in a motor launch board the submarine and take off two crewmen. The Japanese crewmen were handcuffed with hoods over their heads as they went …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Dickman. Dickman was born in San Antonio, Texas in 1920 and joined the Marine Corps in 1938. After finishing Sea School, he joined the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) as an admiral’s orderly. He was eventually transferred to North Island Naval Air Station. There he began flying as a radio operator/rear gunner. In January 1941 Dickman’s unit boarded the USS Enterprise (CV-6) bound for Ewa, Hawaii. Once there, he had courses in Japanese aircraft identification and rear seat gunnery practice. During sector searches on 5 December 1941, planes from Dickman’s squadron reported seeing submarines of unknown origin. During the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dickman was wounded by aircraft machine gun fire. In March 1942 he was sent to the Mainland to assist in forming a Marine transportation squadron. Assigned as a crew chief aboard a C-47, his squadron flew to New Caledonia where they flew supplies and munitions into Guadalcanal and returned with wounded. On one occasion, their flight was threatened by Japanese fighters and Allied planes under the command of Joe Foss came to their aid. While on New Caledonia, Dickman contracted malaria and was hospitalized in Australia …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Dickman. Dickman was born in San Antonio, Texas in 1920 and joined the Marine Corps in 1938. After finishing Sea School, he joined the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) as an admiral’s orderly. He was eventually transferred to North Island Naval Air Station. There he began flying as a radio operator/rear gunner. In January 1941 Dickman’s unit boarded the USS Enterprise (CV-6) bound for Ewa, Hawaii. Once there, he had courses in Japanese aircraft identification and rear seat gunnery practice. During sector searches on 5 December 1941, planes from Dickman’s squadron reported seeing submarines of unknown origin. During the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dickman was wounded by aircraft machine gun fire. In March 1942 he was sent to the Mainland to assist in forming a Marine transportation squadron. Assigned as a crew chief aboard a C-47, his squadron flew to New Caledonia where they flew supplies and munitions into Guadalcanal and returned with wounded. On one occasion, their flight was threatened by Japanese fighters and Allied planes under the command of Joe Foss came to their aid. While on New Caledonia, Dickman contracted malaria and was hospitalized in Australia …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Carrie Milan. Milan’s husband Joe served with the Army Engineers during World War II from around 1940 to 1945. He served in both the European and Pacific theaters, and was stationed in England, North Africa, Sicily, Corsica, Italy, Okinawa and Iwo Jima during his service. Milan shares that Joe was a Staff Sergeant in charge of supplies. Milan shares a number of Joe’s experiences while on Iwo Jima, including his work with fellow servicemen, casualties and attacks made by the Japanese. She speaks on how their mail correspondence between the two of them was censored, how Joe actively participated in combat throughout his service and his work procuring and dispersing supplies. Joe passed away on 3 August 2000 and Milan provides information about their children and grandchildren.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Carrie Milan. Milan’s husband Joe served with the Army Engineers during World War II from around 1940 to 1945. He served in both the European and Pacific theaters, and was stationed in England, North Africa, Sicily, Corsica, Italy, Okinawa and Iwo Jima during his service. Milan shares that Joe was a Staff Sergeant in charge of supplies. Milan shares a number of Joe’s experiences while on Iwo Jima, including his work with fellow servicemen, casualties and attacks made by the Japanese. She speaks on how their mail correspondence between the two of them was censored, how Joe actively participated in combat throughout his service and his work procuring and dispersing supplies. Joe passed away on 3 August 2000 and Milan provides information about their children and grandchildren.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Erwin Scott. Scott worked at a ship yard until Uncle Sam called him in June 1943. He was at Fort Sam Houston when he volunteered for paratroop training. He was sent to Toccoa, Georgia for some training, Camp McCall, North Carolina for more training, to Fort Bragg for jump school and then back to Camp McCall. He went overseas as part of the 517th Regimental Combat Team; they got to Naples, Italy in May/June 1944. His battalion commander was Dick Sietz, the youngest battalion commander in World War II according to Scott. After staying in camp for about a week or 10 days, they went into combat and got as far as Leghorn after 30 days; then went back to camp (about 10 miles out of Rome). The jumped into southern France on August 15, 1944 and met up with the troops that had landed in Normandy. Scott states that over one-third of his platoon is buried in Europe. They were trucked into the Battle of the Bulge; very cold. This is where Scott froze one foot. He was sent to a hospital in England on December 27, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Erwin Scott. Scott worked at a ship yard until Uncle Sam called him in June 1943. He was at Fort Sam Houston when he volunteered for paratroop training. He was sent to Toccoa, Georgia for some training, Camp McCall, North Carolina for more training, to Fort Bragg for jump school and then back to Camp McCall. He went overseas as part of the 517th Regimental Combat Team; they got to Naples, Italy in May/June 1944. His battalion commander was Dick Sietz, the youngest battalion commander in World War II according to Scott. After staying in camp for about a week or 10 days, they went into combat and got as far as Leghorn after 30 days; then went back to camp (about 10 miles out of Rome). The jumped into southern France on August 15, 1944 and met up with the troops that had landed in Normandy. Scott states that over one-third of his platoon is buried in Europe. They were trucked into the Battle of the Bulge; very cold. This is where Scott froze one foot. He was sent to a hospital in England on December 27, …

Interview with Jessie Clark regarding her experiences during World War II. She discusses having to adjust to a lifestyle of rationing for food products and shoes as well as blackouts and scrap metal drives. Her husband worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad and was often absent while she stayed home to raise their children in Houston. She discusses the scarcity of toys during Christmas and hosiery.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jessie Clark. She begins by discussing life adjustments to the rationing of food products and shoes. She then speaks of black outs and scrap metal drives. Her husband worked for the Souther Pacific Railroad and was absent a lot while she stayed home and raised the children in Houston. She discusses the scarcity of toys during Christmas and hosiery.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jessie Clark. She begins by discussing life adjustments to the rationing of food products and shoes. She then speaks of black outs and scrap metal drives. Her husband worked for the Souther Pacific Railroad and was absent a lot while she stayed home and raised the children in Houston. She discusses the scarcity of toys during Christmas and hosiery.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with L Z Gentry. Gentry joined the Navy right after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was attached to the 18th Construction Battalion assigned as a photographer. He traveled to Guadalcanal in December, 1942. After some time, Gentry trained as an aerial photographer. He eventually shot photos for invasion and assaults on New Guinea, Truk, and Okinawa. He also shot images at Tarawa and Iwo Jima. When the war ended, Gentry returned to the US and was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with L Z Gentry. Gentry joined the Navy right after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was attached to the 18th Construction Battalion assigned as a photographer. He traveled to Guadalcanal in December, 1942. After some time, Gentry trained as an aerial photographer. He eventually shot photos for invasion and assaults on New Guinea, Truk, and Okinawa. He also shot images at Tarawa and Iwo Jima. When the war ended, Gentry returned to the US and was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Earl Archer. Archer was born in Medaryville, Indiana on 10 December 1916. Quitting school after the ninth grade, he worked at various jobs until being drafted into the Army in September 1942. After completing basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, he was sent to Camp Clipper, California where he joined Company F, 123rd Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Division. In 1943 the unit went to Hawaii where they had amphibious training. Boarding the SS Lurline, the division went to Finchhafen, New Guinea where they spent three months of dock duty. Then they went to Maffin Bay, New Guinea where they performed patrols. The regiment then went to Luzon, Philippine Islands where Archer was the leader of a light machine gun squad. He tells of various combat situations in which they were involved and tells of a night attack made by the Japanese forces. He was in a rest camp when Japan surrendered and his unit was sent to Takarazuka, Japan as part of the occupation forces. Archer describes some of the inter-action he had with Japanese civilians. He returned to the United States 21 December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Earl Archer. Archer was born in Medaryville, Indiana on 10 December 1916. Quitting school after the ninth grade, he worked at various jobs until being drafted into the Army in September 1942. After completing basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, he was sent to Camp Clipper, California where he joined Company F, 123rd Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Division. In 1943 the unit went to Hawaii where they had amphibious training. Boarding the SS Lurline, the division went to Finchhafen, New Guinea where they spent three months of dock duty. Then they went to Maffin Bay, New Guinea where they performed patrols. The regiment then went to Luzon, Philippine Islands where Archer was the leader of a light machine gun squad. He tells of various combat situations in which they were involved and tells of a night attack made by the Japanese forces. He was in a rest camp when Japan surrendered and his unit was sent to Takarazuka, Japan as part of the occupation forces. Archer describes some of the inter-action he had with Japanese civilians. He returned to the United States 21 December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hamilton McWhorter. McWhorter was born in Athens, Georgia on 8 February 1921 and enrolled in a Civilian Pilot Training Program while in college. He enlisted in the Navy in June 1941 with a pilot’s license. He received his Aviator wings at Pensacola in February 1942. His first assignment was to Fighter Squadron Nine (VF-9) at Norfolk, Virginia. He was flying the much-maligned Brewster Buffalo (F2A-3) trainer when he had the only flight accident of his career at an airfield in Miami, Florida. His first combat flight was off the USS Ranger (CV-4) just off Morocco in support of the invasion of North Africa in November 1942. He was transferred to the USS Yorktown (CV-10) in August 1943. His combat missions in the Pacific consisted of strafing runs on islands and escorting bombers and torpedo planes over Wake Island during which he encountered his first Japanese Mitsubishi A6M (Zero). He shot down another Zero while making a strafing run on Wake Island. He also attacked Rabaul on 11 November 1943 while escorting American bombers. He remembers a strafing run on the Japanese heavy cruiser Mogami, and he shot down …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hamilton McWhorter. McWhorter was born in Athens, Georgia on 8 February 1921 and enrolled in a Civilian Pilot Training Program while in college. He enlisted in the Navy in June 1941 with a pilot’s license. He received his Aviator wings at Pensacola in February 1942. His first assignment was to Fighter Squadron Nine (VF-9) at Norfolk, Virginia. He was flying the much-maligned Brewster Buffalo (F2A-3) trainer when he had the only flight accident of his career at an airfield in Miami, Florida. His first combat flight was off the USS Ranger (CV-4) just off Morocco in support of the invasion of North Africa in November 1942. He was transferred to the USS Yorktown (CV-10) in August 1943. His combat missions in the Pacific consisted of strafing runs on islands and escorting bombers and torpedo planes over Wake Island during which he encountered his first Japanese Mitsubishi A6M (Zero). He shot down another Zero while making a strafing run on Wake Island. He also attacked Rabaul on 11 November 1943 while escorting American bombers. He remembers a strafing run on the Japanese heavy cruiser Mogami, and he shot down …

Interview with Ed Carseth, a pilot during World War II. He discusses an early interest in aviation and earned his pilot's license through the Civilian Pilot Training program. He spent a year as an instructor before joining the Air Transport Command. Through 1944 he delivered aircraft to Australia before being assigned to Myitkyina, Burma. He speaks of living conditions at Myitkyina. He flew materials over the Himalaya Mountains (the Hump) from Burma to Kunming, China. Carseth relates anectdotes about General Claire Chennault, Lord Louis Mountbatten, and a squadron mate who kept a baboon.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Henry Mooi. Mooi joined the Navy in January of 1945. He served aboard USS Cabot (CVL-28). He served on fire watch duty. Mooi remained aboard the Cabot through the end of the war, and they provided air cover during the Japanese surrender on USS Missouri (BB-63).

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Henry Mooi. Mooi joined the Navy in January of 1945. He served aboard USS Cabot (CVL-28). He served on fire watch duty. Mooi remained aboard the Cabot through the end of the war, and they provided air cover during the Japanese surrender on USS Missouri (BB-63).

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ed Carseth. He discusses an early interest in aviation and earned his pilot's license through the Civilian Pilot Training program. He spent a year as an instructor before joining the Air Transport Command. Through 1944 he delivered aircraft to Australia before being assigned to Myitkyina, Burma. He speaks of living conditions at Myitkyina and flying materials over the Himalaya Mountains (the Hump) from Burma to Kunming, China. Carseth has anectdotes about meeting General Claire Chennault, Lord Louis Mountbatten, and a squadron mate who kept a baboon.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ed Carseth. He discusses an early interest in aviation and earned his pilot's license through the Civilian Pilot Training program. He spent a year as an instructor before joining the Air Transport Command. Through 1944 he delivered aircraft to Australia before being assigned to Myitkyina, Burma. He speaks of living conditions at Myitkyina and flying materials over the Himalaya Mountains (the Hump) from Burma to Kunming, China. Carseth has anectdotes about meeting General Claire Chennault, Lord Louis Mountbatten, and a squadron mate who kept a baboon.