The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James N. Clark. Clark was born on 29 October 1914 in Washington Township, Indiana. He tells of growing up during the Depression, which was instrumental in his decision to join the Army in 1933. He tells of the training he received as well as his involvement with the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was discharged in 1936. In 1943, he was drafted into the Army. In 1944, after receiving more training, he traveled to England aboard the RMS Aquitania. Soon after his arrival, he was sent to Europe where he joined the US Army III Corp. He tells of the various assignments he had and of liberating Dachau concentration camp. He returned to the US in 1946 where he was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James N. Clark. Clark was born on 29 October 1914 in Washington Township, Indiana. He tells of growing up during the Depression, which was instrumental in his decision to join the Army in 1933. He tells of the training he received as well as his involvement with the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was discharged in 1936. In 1943, he was drafted into the Army. In 1944, after receiving more training, he traveled to England aboard the RMS Aquitania. Soon after his arrival, he was sent to Europe where he joined the US Army III Corp. He tells of the various assignments he had and of liberating Dachau concentration camp. He returned to the US in 1946 where he was discharged.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including the printing of his accomplishments in the newspaper, the damage done to the watch he mailed to her, a request that he tell her how much money he has, and John Weston and Baby's recent marriage.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing playing an early morning game of poker, playing work up (a version of baseball with fewer players), and the weather.

Honorable discharge certificate for expiration of service presented to Clifford R. Baird.

Transcript of an oral interview with Eugene George. He was born in 1922 in Wichita Falls, Texas. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Texas and worked for a contractor, doing plumbing work at Sheppard Field, Texas. He enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in 1942. After receiving training at various U.S. bases, he graduated from aviation school in 1944. He was sent to an Air Force Base in Goose Bay, Labrador. He describes landing at Bluie West 1 (BW-1), an airfield in Greenland. Stationed at Royal Air Force Station Tibenham, England, his first mission was a bombing raid in a B-24 bomber over the Orly Airfield, south of Paris, France. He recounts his experiences when his plane was shot down in the Kassel Mission. He parachuted from the burning airplane. After trying to make his way to Switzerland, he gave himself up to German soldiers in order to receive treatment for his injuries. He was sent to a Durchgangslager der Luftwaffe, or Dulag Luft, for interrogation before being sent to Stalag Luft I, a German POW camp near Barth, Western Pomerania, Germany. He describes his activities in the camp. After liberation from the camp, he returned …

Transcript of an oral interview with Eugene George. He was born in 1922 in Wichita Falls, Texas. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Texas and worked for a contractor, doing plumbing work at Sheppard Field, Texas. He enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in 1942. After receiving training at various U.S. bases, he graduated from aviation school in 1944. He was sent to an Air Force Base in Goose Bay, Labrador. He describes landing at Bluie West 1 (BW-1), an airfield in Greenland. Stationed at Royal Air Force Station Tibenham, England, his first mission was a bombing raid in a B-24 bomber over the Orly Airfield, south of Paris, France. He recounts his experiences when his plane was shot down in the Kassel Mission. He parachuted from the burning airplane. After trying to make his way to Switzerland, he gave himself up to German soldiers in order to receive treatment for his injuries. He was sent to a Durchgangslager der Luftwaffe, or Dulag Luft, for interrogation before being sent to Stalag Luft I, a German POW camp near Barth, Western Pomerania, Germany. He describes his activities in the camp. After liberation from the camp, he returned …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Gobbi. Gobbi joined the Navy in December of 1941. He served as a gun pointer on a 40 millimeter aboard the USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73). They participated in the battles of Saipan, Tinian, Leyte Gulf and the Philippines. He provides details of these battles. Around late 1944 he traveled back to the States aboard the SS Lurline (1932). He was discharged around 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Gobbi. Gobbi joined the Navy in December of 1941. He served as a gun pointer on a 40 millimeter aboard the USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73). They participated in the battles of Saipan, Tinian, Leyte Gulf and the Philippines. He provides details of these battles. Around late 1944 he traveled back to the States aboard the SS Lurline (1932). He was discharged around 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Devoe Hedrick. Hedrick joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940. He joined the Navy in April of 1941. He served aboard the USS Corry (DD-463) as a Fire Control Technician. Their ship served on anti-submarine and escort duty in the Atlantic. Hedrick???s battle station was the five-inch gun director where he served as pointer and later as range finder operator. They participated in the North Africa invasion in September of 1942 providing anti-submarine patrol. He was later transferred to the USS Sangamon (CVE-26). In January of 1944, during the Battle of Kwajalein, they landed Marine and Army ground forces. In October of 1944 they participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, where they first encountered kamikazes. In March of 1945 they participated in the Battle of Okinawa, launching planes, support strikes and patrol groups. During this battle they were hit by a twin-engine kamikaze aircraft. Hedrick participated in the Korean War and retired from the Navy in 1967.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Devoe Hedrick. Hedrick joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940. He joined the Navy in April of 1941. He served aboard the USS Corry (DD-463) as a Fire Control Technician. Their ship served on anti-submarine and escort duty in the Atlantic. Hedrick???s battle station was the five-inch gun director where he served as pointer and later as range finder operator. They participated in the North Africa invasion in September of 1942 providing anti-submarine patrol. He was later transferred to the USS Sangamon (CVE-26). In January of 1944, during the Battle of Kwajalein, they landed Marine and Army ground forces. In October of 1944 they participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, where they first encountered kamikazes. In March of 1945 they participated in the Battle of Okinawa, launching planes, support strikes and patrol groups. During this battle they were hit by a twin-engine kamikaze aircraft. Hedrick participated in the Korean War and retired from the Navy in 1967.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Willard LaCounte. LaCounte was drafted into the Army in September, 1943 and trained as an antiaircraft artilleryman at Camp Haan, California. In late 1943 he was assigned to the 118th Antiaircraft Automatic Weapons Battalion as a jeep driver in an industrial section of England and recalls defending it against German air raids. He landed at Normandy one day after the invasion. His unit eventually set up in Holland and shot down buzz bombs heading across the Channel. After the war LaCounte helped arrange R&R trips for soldiers.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Willard LaCounte. LaCounte was drafted into the Army in September, 1943 and trained as an antiaircraft artilleryman at Camp Haan, California. In late 1943 he was assigned to the 118th Antiaircraft Automatic Weapons Battalion as a jeep driver in an industrial section of England and recalls defending it against German air raids. He landed at Normandy one day after the invasion. His unit eventually set up in Holland and shot down buzz bombs heading across the Channel. After the war LaCounte helped arrange R&R trips for soldiers.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Orby Ledbetter. Ledbetter joined the Texas Army National Guard in 1937 as a soldier in the Texas 36th Infantry Division, 142nd Infantry Regiment. He provides details of serving in the Texas Guard and remaining with the 36th ID throughout the war. He describes his experiences completing basic training through numerous camps and traveling overseas aboard the SS Argentina. Beginning in April of 1943 Orby served in the North African Campaign and also landed at Salerno, Italy. He was captured by the German Army in September of 1943 and remained a prisoner of war at Stalag VII-A in Moosburg, Germany until April of 1945. Ledbetter provides vivid details of these experiences. He was discharged in September of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Orby Ledbetter. Ledbetter joined the Texas Army National Guard in 1937 as a soldier in the Texas 36th Infantry Division, 142nd Infantry Regiment. He provides details of serving in the Texas Guard and remaining with the 36th ID throughout the war. He describes his experiences completing basic training through numerous camps and traveling overseas aboard the SS Argentina. Beginning in April of 1943 Orby served in the North African Campaign and also landed at Salerno, Italy. He was captured by the German Army in September of 1943 and remained a prisoner of war at Stalag VII-A in Moosburg, Germany until April of 1945. Ledbetter provides vivid details of these experiences. He was discharged in September of 1945.

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz describes his trip to Saigon in some detail. Nimitz mentions riding in an automobile with the US consul. They traveled to several places over one hundred miles in about 4 hours. He also describes getting caught in a typhoon on the way back to Manila.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz describes his trip to Saigon in some detail. Nimitz mentions riding in an automobile with the US consul. They traveled to several places over one hundred miles in about 4 hours. He also describes getting caught in a typhoon on the way back to Manila.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Riggs. Riggs joined the Army Air Forces in May of 1942. He completed Weather, Forecaster and Observer schooling by the spring of 1944. He served as a weather forecaster in the 12th Weather Squadron stationed in North Africa and Italy. He was discharged in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Riggs. Riggs joined the Army Air Forces in May of 1942. He completed Weather, Forecaster and Observer schooling by the spring of 1944. He served as a weather forecaster in the 12th Weather Squadron stationed in North Africa and Italy. He was discharged in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Vincent Wayne. Wayne joined the Army around late 1942. He served with the 98th Infantry Division. He was deployed to Hawaii. In 1944, they shipped out to Saipan and helped take over an airport with little resistance from the Japanese. After the war ended, they traveled to Honshu, Japan and were stationed at Osaka College. Wayne speaks about his time in Japan after the war and what he witnessed. Wayne and his squad were assigned to install telephone poles and phone lines for the Japanese people. He returned to the US and received his discharge in February 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Vincent Wayne. Wayne joined the Army around late 1942. He served with the 98th Infantry Division. He was deployed to Hawaii. In 1944, they shipped out to Saipan and helped take over an airport with little resistance from the Japanese. After the war ended, they traveled to Honshu, Japan and were stationed at Osaka College. Wayne speaks about his time in Japan after the war and what he witnessed. Wayne and his squad were assigned to install telephone poles and phone lines for the Japanese people. He returned to the US and received his discharge in February 1946.