Oral History Interview with Ed Carseth, August 6, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Ed Carseth, August 6, 2003

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.
Date: August 6, 2003
Creator: Metzler, Ed & Carseth, Ed
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Jessie Clark, June 6, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Jessie Clark, June 6, 2002

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.
Date: June 6, 2002
Creator: Loyd, Ms. & Clark, Jessie
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - December 6, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - December 6, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the missing letters he received from Catherine and Mr. Davis, Christmas presents, and a trip to the beach with his crew.
Date: December 6, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - November 6, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - November 6, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing his squadron's joy at receiving their Christmas presents and his promotion to Staff Sergeant.
Date: November 6, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - August 6, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - August 6, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing going to a beer garden with his crew, getting an overnight pass to go to town with Holquin, seeing the movie "Show Business," and plans to go to the beach the next day.
Date: August 6, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - July 6, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - July 6, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service, celebrating Holquin's birthday, and playing a game of baseball.
Date: July 6, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - June 6, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - June 6, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the events of his day trip into Honolulu, including buying a house coat to gift to Catherine, not drinking because the beer joints close early, and a packed bus ride back to the barracks,
Date: June 6, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - February 6, 1945] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - February 6, 1945]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing being tired from working a lot the night before, the mail service, discouraging Catherine from doing yardwork, and the heavy rain in Luling.
Date: February 6, 1945
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - January 6, 1945] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - January 6, 1945]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing his crew building tents, his surprise at Joyce and Gregg Wiley's marriage, his sorrow at missing the party Catherine threw, and being glad that Elaine can stay with Catherine and help clean the house.
Date: January 6, 1945
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - June 6, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - June 6, 1944]

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including the excitement in town over the invasion of Normandy, the weather, and the town shunning Mr. Allen over a disagreement with one of the Benners over some gas.
Date: June 6, 1944
Creator: Davis, Catherine Dawe
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - November 6, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - November 6, 1944]

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including a weekend visit with Mother, her worry over a bombing of Saipan, Baker being sick, and her decision not to sell the car.
Date: November 6, 1944
Creator: Davis, Catherine Dawe
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - October 6, 1944 (open access)

[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - October 6, 1944

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including a recent trip to Gonzales with Mr. Davis, listening to the World Series on the radio, updating Pat on what Joe has been doing, and getting coffee with Missie in Watkins.
Date: October 6, 1944
Creator: Davis, Catherine Dawe
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - December 6, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - December 6, 1944]

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including the weather, drinking coffee with Tommy and the gang, updates on Lorraine's baby, and the cigarette shortage.
Date: December 6, 1944
Creator: Davis, Catherine Dawe
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - September 6, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - September 6, 1944]

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including a celebration being held for James Logan in honor of his receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor, supper with Nell and Baker, and Baby and John buying a new car.
Date: September 6, 1944
Creator: Davis, Catherine Dawe
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History

[1894 Aviation Engineer Battalion Members Using Crane to Move Equipment]

Photograph of military service members from the 1894 Aviation Engineer Battalion moving equipment using a crane. One service member is positioned in front of a tire with their back to the camera. In the distance, a group of service members stand off the to the right of the crane's arm.
Date: June 6, 1944
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Photograph
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Transcript of Letter from C. H. Cronin to Lt. Comdr. Robert W. Copeland - April 6, 1945] (open access)

[Transcript of Letter from C. H. Cronin to Lt. Comdr. Robert W. Copeland - April 6, 1945]

Typed letter from C.H. Cronin to LCDR Robert W. Copeland, dated April 6, 1945. C.H. Cronin served on board the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts and he is replying to a letter from Copeland. He writes about his life and what other survivors of the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts are doing. He mentions Copeland might write a book about the sinking of the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts.
Date: April 6, 1945
Creator: Cronin, C. H.
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from C. H. Cronin to Lt. Comdr. Robert W. Copeland - April 6, 1945] (open access)

[Letter from C. H. Cronin to Lt. Comdr. Robert W. Copeland - April 6, 1945]

Typed letter from C.H. Cronin to LCDR Robert W. Copeland, dated April 6, 1945. C.H. Cronin served on board the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts and he is replying to a letter from Copeland. He writes about his life and what other survivors of the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts are doing. He mentions Copeland might write a book about the sinking of the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts.
Date: April 6, 1945
Creator: Cronin, C. H.
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Transcript of Letter from Lawrence Martel to Lt. Comdr. Robert W. Copeland - March 6, 1946] (open access)

[Transcript of Letter from Lawrence Martel to Lt. Comdr. Robert W. Copeland - March 6, 1946]

Handwritten letter from Lawrence Martel to LCDR Robert W. Copeland, dated March 6, 1946. Martel, who served under Copeland on the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts during the Battle off Samar, writes to inform Copeland that he was rated the Presidential Unit Citation, inquiries about getting the authorization letters sent to him, and mentions he is supposed to be discharged in 60 days. He also asks about the ribbons he is rated for and obtaining a shellback certificate.
Date: March 6, 1946
Creator: Martel, Lawrence
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Lawrence Martel to Lt. Comdr. Robert W. Copeland - March 6, 1946] (open access)

[Letter from Lawrence Martel to Lt. Comdr. Robert W. Copeland - March 6, 1946]

Handwritten letter from Lawrence Martel to LCDR Robert W. Copeland, dated March 6, 1946. Martel, who served under Copeland on the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts during the Battle off Samar, writes to inform Copeland that he was rated the Presidential Unit Citation, inquiries about getting the authorization letters sent to him, and mentions he is supposed to be discharged in 60 days. He also asks about the ribbons he is rated for and obtaining a shellback certificate.
Date: March 6, 1946
Creator: Martel, Lawrence
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Tom Peays, February 6, 1999 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Tom Peays, February 6, 1999

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Tom Peays. Peays served as a pilot with the Air Transport Command in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II. He joined the Civilian Pilot Training Program in Lubbock, Texas in 1940. He received his commercial pilot’s license and joined the Army Air Forces primary training program in 1941. He received his instructor’s rating and served as a flight instructor for aviation cadets in 1942. He went to the Air Transport Command in Dallas and took a civilian job flying military airplanes throughout the US. In 1943 Peays was commissioned as a flight officer. He flew B-24s, B-25s, C-54s, C-87s. He received his training in Homestead, Florida. In December of 1943 he was sent to Calcutta with a C-54 crew. He shares details of his travels, flying through various weather conditions, hauling high-octane aviation fuel. He traveled across the Himalayas and Burma where he encountered Japanese Zeros. He served in the China-Burma-India Theater as a pilot from 1944 through 1945, and was discharged in March of 1946.
Date: February 6, 1999
Creator: Peays, Tom
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Lester Thompson, September 6, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Lester Thompson, September 6, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Lester Thompson. In later 1942, Thompson joined the Army Air Forces and was assigned to the 2256th Quartermaster Truck Company, 45th Air Depot Group. He was sent to England in 1943 and recalls a few encounters with German prisoners of war. He also shares several anecdotes about his life in the service in Europe. He landed at Normandy two days after the invasion. Initially, Thompson hauled in truck the makings of a field mess hall. Once it was destroyed, Thompson then began hauling gasoline, ammunition, aviation parts, POWs, etc. When the war ended, Thompson returned to the US before the end of 1945.
Date: September 6, 2001
Creator: Thompson, Lester
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Roland Eberhardt, December 6, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Roland Eberhardt, December 6, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Roland Eberhardt. Eberhardt joined the Navy in 1937, and attended a watertender school in Philadelphia. He served as chief watertender aboard the USS Nevada (BB-36). Eberhardt was aboard the ship while it was docked in Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. He provides vivid details of his experiences through that fateful day, and the grounding of their ship. He was then assigned to the USS San Francisco (CA-38) for the remainder of the war. Later in December of 1941 they reinforced Wake Island. In August of 1942 they participated in the Battle of Savo Island, off Guadalcanal. They patrolled around the Aleutian Islands, Attu and Kiska, to keep the Japanese from reinforcing their bases. From there they went through the Marshall Islands in 1943 and the Mariana Islands in 1944. Eberhardt was then sent to Oil Burning School in Philadelphia, and then assigned to a base in Salamaua, Papua New Guinea. He was discharged in October of 1945.
Date: December 6, 2001
Creator: Eberhardt, Roland
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Albert Montague, December 6, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Albert Montague, December 6, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Montague. Montague joined the Navy in August 1941 and went to boot camp at San Diego, California. He recalls being sent to the submarine base at Pearl Harbor and attending signal school. His first assignment was at the signal tower where incoming ships were assigned docking positions by the use of lights and signal flags. One of his frequent visitors was Admiral Chester Nimitz who would often take his daily walk in the area. His recollections of 7 December 1941 include returning from breakfast mess and seeing Japanese planes strafing. Montague describes the scene and tells of the actions he took. He went aboard the US Stingray (S-40) in 1943 and recollects the war missions they went on including mine laying, picking up downed flyers and a special mission to Luzon. He was transferred off the boat into the Shore Patrol and tells of his experiences. Montague returned to the United States in 1945 and was discharged in 1946.
Date: December 6, 2001
Creator: Montague, Albert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Raymond Wiesmann, December 6, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Raymond Wiesmann, December 6, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Raymond Wiesmann. Wiesmann joined the Navy in June of 1939. He served aboard the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Wiesmann recalls being ashore waiting for a church service to begin when the first Japanese planes attacked. Beginning August of 1942, he was transferred to the USS Boston (CA-69), and served on the deck force. He speaks of his shellback initiation, crossing the equator. Wiesmann also recalls their participation in the Battle of the Philippine Sea.
Date: December 6, 2001
Creator: Wiesmann, Raymond
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History