The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Cecil Dykes. Dykes volunteered for the Navy in July of 1944. He was trained to become a LCVP crewman on the USS Bosque (APA-135). Dykes traveled to Okinawa and took part in landing troops and ferrying wounded back to the ship. He witnessed several kamikaze attacks. Dykes was aboard the Bosque at Tokyo Bay the day of the surrender and helped land troops from the 1st Cavalry Division for the occupation of Japan. He was discharged 8 June 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Cecil Dykes. Dykes volunteered for the Navy in July of 1944. He was trained to become a LCVP crewman on the USS Bosque (APA-135). Dykes traveled to Okinawa and took part in landing troops and ferrying wounded back to the ship. He witnessed several kamikaze attacks. Dykes was aboard the Bosque at Tokyo Bay the day of the surrender and helped land troops from the 1st Cavalry Division for the occupation of Japan. He was discharged 8 June 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Laura “Sally” Bussey. Bussey was born in Goree, Texas on 29 April 1916. She attended Mary Hardin Baylor College in Belton, Texas receiving a teaching degree. She married in 1939 and tells of Thomas J. Taylor, the father of Lady Bird Johnson, offering to build and furnish a new house for her and her husband if she would take a teaching job in Karnak, Texas. She accepted. Her husband entered the United States Army soon after the declaration of war and she describes the experience of having living essentials pre-packed and ready to go during multiple location changes and the living conditions encountered at these locations. She tells of war time rationing, planting victory gardens and doing volunteer work with the Red Cross. She describes keeping up with the progress of the war by listening to the radio news reports by Edward R. Morrow and fireside chats by President Roosevelt. She also describes a wonderful reunion with her husband upon his return from Europe at the conclusion of World War II and tells of their life until his retirement from the Army in 1967.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Laura “Sally” Bussey. Bussey was born in Goree, Texas on 29 April 1916. She attended Mary Hardin Baylor College in Belton, Texas receiving a teaching degree. She married in 1939 and tells of Thomas J. Taylor, the father of Lady Bird Johnson, offering to build and furnish a new house for her and her husband if she would take a teaching job in Karnak, Texas. She accepted. Her husband entered the United States Army soon after the declaration of war and she describes the experience of having living essentials pre-packed and ready to go during multiple location changes and the living conditions encountered at these locations. She tells of war time rationing, planting victory gardens and doing volunteer work with the Red Cross. She describes keeping up with the progress of the war by listening to the radio news reports by Edward R. Morrow and fireside chats by President Roosevelt. She also describes a wonderful reunion with her husband upon his return from Europe at the conclusion of World War II and tells of their life until his retirement from the Army in 1967.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Hardin. Hardin joined the Navy’s underwater demolition team after attending Officers Candidate School at Columbia University. He received water training and depth training at Pearl Harbor. He cleared underwater obstacles in Guam, Saipan, and Okinawa in preparation for invasions, often under enemy fire. At Guam, he noticed a native girl in need of serious medical attention. He called in a medic, who arrived by plane and treated the girl. When Hardin returned during a second trip to Guam, he met the girl at the newly erected aid station and learned that she named her infant daughter after him: Bill. In Saipan he recalls seeing the atomic bomb being loaded, although he didn’t know what it was at the time. At Okinawa he and his team tied together several tons of explosives and towed them six miles out to sea before detonating them. Although he was miles away at the time of detonation, he could still feel its impact in the water. He returned home and elected to join the Reserves after the war ended. He was the only of five brothers in his family to survive the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Hardin. Hardin joined the Navy’s underwater demolition team after attending Officers Candidate School at Columbia University. He received water training and depth training at Pearl Harbor. He cleared underwater obstacles in Guam, Saipan, and Okinawa in preparation for invasions, often under enemy fire. At Guam, he noticed a native girl in need of serious medical attention. He called in a medic, who arrived by plane and treated the girl. When Hardin returned during a second trip to Guam, he met the girl at the newly erected aid station and learned that she named her infant daughter after him: Bill. In Saipan he recalls seeing the atomic bomb being loaded, although he didn’t know what it was at the time. At Okinawa he and his team tied together several tons of explosives and towed them six miles out to sea before detonating them. Although he was miles away at the time of detonation, he could still feel its impact in the water. He returned home and elected to join the Reserves after the war ended. He was the only of five brothers in his family to survive the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harold Leith. Leith joined the Army and learned Chinese at the University of Chicago. Upon completion, in May 1945 he was assigned to the OSS in Kunming, China. He parachuted near to the Mukden prisoner-of-war camp in Manchuria where General Wainwright was being held. A group of Japanese soldiers unaware of the surrender held Leith and his group hostage, despite a Nisei’s attempt to reason with them. Leith’s group was brought to the Kempeitai, who released them after learning of the surrender. They arrived at the POW camp in Hsian, now known as Shenyang, and found that even General Wainwright didn’t know the war was over. Wainwright, like the other POWs, was severely malnourished. He confided in Leith that he was sure Americans would find him cowardly for surrendering to the Japanese. Soviet forces then arrived at the camp and made arrangements for the POWs to be evacuated. After the POWs returned to the States, Leith remained in China to spy on Soviets, who grew annoyed with him and threatened to send him to Siberia. He then left for Beijing to study communist China. In 1945 Leith returned …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harold Leith. Leith joined the Army and learned Chinese at the University of Chicago. Upon completion, in May 1945 he was assigned to the OSS in Kunming, China. He parachuted near to the Mukden prisoner-of-war camp in Manchuria where General Wainwright was being held. A group of Japanese soldiers unaware of the surrender held Leith and his group hostage, despite a Nisei’s attempt to reason with them. Leith’s group was brought to the Kempeitai, who released them after learning of the surrender. They arrived at the POW camp in Hsian, now known as Shenyang, and found that even General Wainwright didn’t know the war was over. Wainwright, like the other POWs, was severely malnourished. He confided in Leith that he was sure Americans would find him cowardly for surrendering to the Japanese. Soviet forces then arrived at the camp and made arrangements for the POWs to be evacuated. After the POWs returned to the States, Leith remained in China to spy on Soviets, who grew annoyed with him and threatened to send him to Siberia. He then left for Beijing to study communist China. In 1945 Leith returned …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Kenneth Ryan. Ryan joined the Marine Corps in May of 1943. By February of 1944, he completed Radio Operator School, Radio Material School and High Speed Code School. Ryan served as a radio technician with the 3rd Joint Assault Signal Company (JASCO), 3rd Marine Division. He participated in the Battle of Guam and the Battle of Iwo Jima. Ryan returned to the US in August of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Kenneth Ryan. Ryan joined the Marine Corps in May of 1943. By February of 1944, he completed Radio Operator School, Radio Material School and High Speed Code School. Ryan served as a radio technician with the 3rd Joint Assault Signal Company (JASCO), 3rd Marine Division. He participated in the Battle of Guam and the Battle of Iwo Jima. Ryan returned to the US in August of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Douglas G. Phillips. Phillips was born in April 1917 in Rochester, New York. While in high school he joined the Naval Reserve, doing a cruise on the USS Tattnall (DD- 125). He then attended the Merchant Marine Academy. After graduation, with his degree and experience, he was commissioned a lieutenant (j.g.) in the US Navy. He reported aboard USS Ramsay (DM-16) at Pearl Harbor on 6 December 1941. Ramsay was moored near USS Utah (BB-31) and was able to get underway during the Japanese attack to search for midget submarines. In January 1942 Ramsay steamed to Samoa to pick up mines stored there since 1918 and use them to mine harbors in Fiji and the New Hebrides. By this time, Phillips was Chief Engineer. From the South Pacific, they went to the Aleutians for eight months. While there, Phillips received orders to the Navy Post Graduate School in Annapolis. After completing his Naval Engineering Design curriculum, he was assigned to the commissioning crew of the USS Bremerton (CA-130) as assistant engineer. When the Bremerton made it to the Pacific, the war had ended and Phillips was Chief Engineer. …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Morrison. Morrison joined the Army Air Forces in December 1942 and was sent to Chicago to train with aviation cadets. He received further training in Santa Ana, Tucson, and Phoenix. His night-flying was done in the B-25, guided by a radar operator. The casualty rate was extremely high from crashing into unseen objects. Upon completion of his training, Morrison became an instructor in flying the BT-13 and the AT-6. He was then sent for training on the Northrop P-61 Black Widow. In preparation for the dropping of the atomic bomb, Morrison participated in experiments for radar-guided bombing in overcast conditions. His flying career ended when the atomic bomb was dropped. Morrison returned home and became a dentist. One of his longtime patients had manned a navigational hut in Arizona that Morrison routinely flew over during his training. When Morrison realized the connection during an appointment, he gave his old call signal, which caught the patient quite by surprise. Morrison went on to travel extensively and met Paul Tibbets and pilots from the Doolittle Raid, whom he describes as a rough bunch.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Morrison. Morrison joined the Army Air Forces in December 1942 and was sent to Chicago to train with aviation cadets. He received further training in Santa Ana, Tucson, and Phoenix. His night-flying was done in the B-25, guided by a radar operator. The casualty rate was extremely high from crashing into unseen objects. Upon completion of his training, Morrison became an instructor in flying the BT-13 and the AT-6. He was then sent for training on the Northrop P-61 Black Widow. In preparation for the dropping of the atomic bomb, Morrison participated in experiments for radar-guided bombing in overcast conditions. His flying career ended when the atomic bomb was dropped. Morrison returned home and became a dentist. One of his longtime patients had manned a navigational hut in Arizona that Morrison routinely flew over during his training. When Morrison realized the connection during an appointment, he gave his old call signal, which caught the patient quite by surprise. Morrison went on to travel extensively and met Paul Tibbets and pilots from the Doolittle Raid, whom he describes as a rough bunch.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Leo Mc Donald. McDonald was born in Plemons, Texas 10 September 1924 and graduated from high school in 1941. He attended a junior college for two years before entering the US Marine Corps in 1943. After completing boot training at San Diego, he went to armament school in San Francisco where he was trained to repair and maintain small arms and automatic weapons. After graduating he was sent to Midway Island where he reported to the defense battalion. One year later, he went to Quantico, Virginia where he entered Officer’s Candidate School. Upon receiving his commission in July 1945, he went to school in Atlanta, Georgia to learn to be a transportation officer. He then reported to a Texas Marine Corps air station as the transportation officer. When the base closed in 1946 he was sent to McAllister, Oklahoma where he received his discharge. After being discharged, he attended Southwestern Baptist College in Fort Worth. In 1952 he was recalled for duty during the Korean War. He was accepted into the Navy Chaplin Corps in 1953. After attending Navy Chaplin’s school in Newport, Rhode Island he was assigned …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Leo Mc Donald. McDonald was born in Plemons, Texas 10 September 1924 and graduated from high school in 1941. He attended a junior college for two years before entering the US Marine Corps in 1943. After completing boot training at San Diego, he went to armament school in San Francisco where he was trained to repair and maintain small arms and automatic weapons. After graduating he was sent to Midway Island where he reported to the defense battalion. One year later, he went to Quantico, Virginia where he entered Officer’s Candidate School. Upon receiving his commission in July 1945, he went to school in Atlanta, Georgia to learn to be a transportation officer. He then reported to a Texas Marine Corps air station as the transportation officer. When the base closed in 1946 he was sent to McAllister, Oklahoma where he received his discharge. After being discharged, he attended Southwestern Baptist College in Fort Worth. In 1952 he was recalled for duty during the Korean War. He was accepted into the Navy Chaplin Corps in 1953. After attending Navy Chaplin’s school in Newport, Rhode Island he was assigned …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Stanley Parrin. Parrin entered service in late March of 1943 as a selective volunteer in the Naval Reserve. After bootcamp he was part of the commissioning crew of the USS Cebu (ARG-6). While on the ship, he was assigned to a twin 40 millimeter where his duties included repairs, cleaning and other maintenance. His ship was sent to the Admiralty Islands and spent four months there. During that time he witnessed the explosion of USS Mount Hood (AE-11). He was also part of the order of King Neptune and talks about the ceremony involved with becoming part of the order. After the surrender he was stationed in Okinawa until his discharge in February 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Stanley Parrin. Parrin entered service in late March of 1943 as a selective volunteer in the Naval Reserve. After bootcamp he was part of the commissioning crew of the USS Cebu (ARG-6). While on the ship, he was assigned to a twin 40 millimeter where his duties included repairs, cleaning and other maintenance. His ship was sent to the Admiralty Islands and spent four months there. During that time he witnessed the explosion of USS Mount Hood (AE-11). He was also part of the order of King Neptune and talks about the ceremony involved with becoming part of the order. After the surrender he was stationed in Okinawa until his discharge in February 1946.

Transcript of an oral interview with Douglas Bradford Morrison. When Morrison's cousin was killed, he took and passed a test to become an aviation cadet in the Army Air Corps. Morrison then describes some of his training in California. During the process, he washed out of flight school and was reclassified as a navigator. He graduated from navigation school in December, 1943 as a 2nd lieutenant. He was assigned to a crew in a B-17 in the 388th Bomb Group, 561st Bomb Squadron in the 8th Air Force and sent to England. He flew five combat missions over France and Germany before being shot down and taken prisoner. Morrison describes the ordeal of being shot down and parachuting to earth, being captured by German civilians and being escorted to prison camp and interrogated there. Ultimately, he wound up in Stalag Luft III in May, 1944. Once in camp, he was assigned as the recreation officer for his building. Morrison proceeds to describe in detail life in the POW camp. In early 1945, they had to evacuate the camp because the Russians were getting too close. They moved to Stalag VII-A. In May, Morrison and the others were liberated by elements …

Transcript of an oral interview with Douglas Bradford Morrison. When Morrison's cousin was killed, he took and passed a test to become an aviation cadet in the Army Air Corps. Morrison then describes some of his training in California. During the process, he washed out of flight school and was reclassified as a navigator. He graduated from navigation school in December, 1943 as a 2nd lieutenant. He was assigned to a crew in a B-17 in the 388th Bomb Group, 561st Bomb Squadron in the 8th Air Force and sent to England. He flew five combat missions over France and Germany before being shot down and taken prisoner. Morrison describes the ordeal of being shot down and parachuting to earth, being captured by German civilians and being escorted to prison camp and interrogated there. Ultimately, he wound up in Stalag Luft III in May, 1944. Once in camp, he was assigned as the recreation officer for his building. Morrison proceeds to describe in detail life in the POW camp. In early 1945, they had to evacuate the camp because the Russians were getting too close. They moved to Stalag VII-A. In May, Morrison and the others were liberated by elements …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Everett Earhart. Earhart was born in Dover, Tennessee 19 April 1927. He quit school in the eighth grade to help his widowed mother. He joined the Naval Reserves in 1943 and learned gunnery and communications. In early 1945 he went aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6), which was on station in the South China Sea. He was assigned to Air Group 90 as the rear gunner on a SB2C (dive bomber). He describes the feeling one gets diving to bomb and pulling out of the dive. He recalls being involved in attacks on Iwo Jima, Chi Chi Jima and Okinawa. In May 1945, Enterprise was severely damaged by a kamikaze off Okinawa. Earhart was in the air when the ship was struck, which forced his pilot to land on another carrier. The Enterprise went to the Bremerton Navy Yard for repairs and was there when Japan surrendered. During October 1945 the ship participated in Operation Magic Carpet during which they brought former prisoners of war and other returning servicemen back to the United States. After being on the Enterprise for fifteen months he was transferred to a Patrol Craft, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Everett Earhart. Earhart was born in Dover, Tennessee 19 April 1927. He quit school in the eighth grade to help his widowed mother. He joined the Naval Reserves in 1943 and learned gunnery and communications. In early 1945 he went aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6), which was on station in the South China Sea. He was assigned to Air Group 90 as the rear gunner on a SB2C (dive bomber). He describes the feeling one gets diving to bomb and pulling out of the dive. He recalls being involved in attacks on Iwo Jima, Chi Chi Jima and Okinawa. In May 1945, Enterprise was severely damaged by a kamikaze off Okinawa. Earhart was in the air when the ship was struck, which forced his pilot to land on another carrier. The Enterprise went to the Bremerton Navy Yard for repairs and was there when Japan surrendered. During October 1945 the ship participated in Operation Magic Carpet during which they brought former prisoners of war and other returning servicemen back to the United States. After being on the Enterprise for fifteen months he was transferred to a Patrol Craft, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene (Curt) Dillon. Dillon was born 19 October 1924 in Wayne Township, Tennessee. He graduated from high school in 1942 and joined the US Navy. Following boot camp at the Great Lakes Training Station he was assigned to study meteorology. Upon completion of his training he was assigned to the USS Bennington (CV-20) prior to the ships commissioning in August 1944. He volunteered to fly on weather reconnaissance planes to collect weather information prior to air strikes being launched. He describes kamikaze attacks during the invasion of Okinawa and of participating in the weather forecasting procedure prior to the launching of planes involved in the attack and sinking of HIJMS Yamato.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene (Curt) Dillon. Dillon was born 19 October 1924 in Wayne Township, Tennessee. He graduated from high school in 1942 and joined the US Navy. Following boot camp at the Great Lakes Training Station he was assigned to study meteorology. Upon completion of his training he was assigned to the USS Bennington (CV-20) prior to the ships commissioning in August 1944. He volunteered to fly on weather reconnaissance planes to collect weather information prior to air strikes being launched. He describes kamikaze attacks during the invasion of Okinawa and of participating in the weather forecasting procedure prior to the launching of planes involved in the attack and sinking of HIJMS Yamato.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Kardaseski. As a teenager, Kardaseski worked as a machinist with Globe Valve Company in support of the military. He joined the Navy in the spring of 1944, just before his 18th birthday. Upon completion, of gunnery school, he was assigned to the USS Bennington (CV-20) as a second loader on a 40mm gun. With his background in machining, he volunteered for and was accepted to the main engine room crew, where he took down readings from pumps and gears. His battle station was in the electrical repair shop. In Ulithi, Kardaseski survived kamikaze strikes against adjacent ships. Later, he was almost washed away by a typhoon but clung tightly to a rail. After the war, he worked at a repair shop in Naples for one year. After discharge, he later rejoined the service, overseeing the mess crew of an Air Force troop ship in the Korean War.