The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Muriel Usselman. Usselman was a child living in Hawaii when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Her father worked as an electrician and the family lived on base. She recalls what she witnessed during the attack on 7 December as well as her experiences in the following days. She returned with her family to the Mainland in 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Muriel Usselman. Usselman was a child living in Hawaii when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Her father worked as an electrician and the family lived on base. She recalls what she witnessed during the attack on 7 December as well as her experiences in the following days. She returned with her family to the Mainland in 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Don Woodard, Sr. Woodard joined the Navy in March 1944. He completed Yeoman School in San Diego. Beginning in August, he served as the captain’s yeoman aboard USS Bowie (APA-137). They transported troops and cargo throughout the Philippines and to Okinawa in May of 1945. After the war ended, they delivered occupation troops to Sasebo, Japan. He returned to the US in early 1946 and received his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Don Woodard, Sr. Woodard joined the Navy in March 1944. He completed Yeoman School in San Diego. Beginning in August, he served as the captain’s yeoman aboard USS Bowie (APA-137). They transported troops and cargo throughout the Philippines and to Okinawa in May of 1945. After the war ended, they delivered occupation troops to Sasebo, Japan. He returned to the US in early 1946 and received his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Kenneth Doolittle. Doolittle was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1930. His father was a doctor at the Queen’s Medical Center. He was an 11-year-old boy, living with his family in Hawaii when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Doolittle shares details of his experiences through that fateful day, and his life in general living on the island before, during and after the war. He graduated high school in 1948 and served in the Army with the 101st Airborne Division.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Kenneth Doolittle. Doolittle was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1930. His father was a doctor at the Queen’s Medical Center. He was an 11-year-old boy, living with his family in Hawaii when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Doolittle shares details of his experiences through that fateful day, and his life in general living on the island before, during and after the war. He graduated high school in 1948 and served in the Army with the 101st Airborne Division.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Leon Faddis. Faddis joined the Navy in December of 1943. He completed Fire Control school and was assigned to the gunnery division aboard the USS Alaska (CB-1). His job aboard was a loader on the 5-inch gun. They assisted with the liberation of the Philippines, and provided support at Iwo Jima, and then on to Okinawa. He provides some detail of each of these experiences. He witnessed the USS Franklin (CV-13) ablaze after it was struck by Japanese bombs, and details how the crew aboard the Alaska assisted. From there they went to Inchon, Korea to assist in liberation. After the war they traveled to Tsingtao, China to assist with repatriation of the Japanese. He was discharged in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Leon Faddis. Faddis joined the Navy in December of 1943. He completed Fire Control school and was assigned to the gunnery division aboard the USS Alaska (CB-1). His job aboard was a loader on the 5-inch gun. They assisted with the liberation of the Philippines, and provided support at Iwo Jima, and then on to Okinawa. He provides some detail of each of these experiences. He witnessed the USS Franklin (CV-13) ablaze after it was struck by Japanese bombs, and details how the crew aboard the Alaska assisted. From there they went to Inchon, Korea to assist in liberation. After the war they traveled to Tsingtao, China to assist with repatriation of the Japanese. He was discharged in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Marion Peck. Peck entered the Navy WAVES in January 1943. She went to Hunter College in the Bronx, New York for training. She describes in detail what she learned in training and her uniform. She then moved on to Boston to Burdett College for additional training. She served in naval supplies and accounts. Her permanent work station was at the U.S. Naval Reserve Midshipman School at Notre Dame University in Indiana. She was also assigned to the Navy Pier in Chicago to work at the U.S. Naval Expo. She then moved on to the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christ, Texas in 1945. Her rank was DK2C Disbursing Clerk Second Class. She was discharged February 1946. She used her G.I. Bill to attend St. Mary’s College at Notre Dame. She worked as a flight attendant and at Green Giant and as a housewife. She enjoys playing Taps at her local military burials as a member of the American Legion.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Marion Peck. Peck entered the Navy WAVES in January 1943. She went to Hunter College in the Bronx, New York for training. She describes in detail what she learned in training and her uniform. She then moved on to Boston to Burdett College for additional training. She served in naval supplies and accounts. Her permanent work station was at the U.S. Naval Reserve Midshipman School at Notre Dame University in Indiana. She was also assigned to the Navy Pier in Chicago to work at the U.S. Naval Expo. She then moved on to the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christ, Texas in 1945. Her rank was DK2C Disbursing Clerk Second Class. She was discharged February 1946. She used her G.I. Bill to attend St. Mary’s College at Notre Dame. She worked as a flight attendant and at Green Giant and as a housewife. She enjoys playing Taps at her local military burials as a member of the American Legion.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Max Crittenden. Crittenden joined the Navy in May of 1944. He served as a fire controlman. He completed boot camp in Farragut, Idaho. He went to Service School for Fire Control Operator in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to learn how to use the fire control telescope. He went to Tacloban, Philippines in January 1945. He was assigned in New Guinea to the USS Flusser (DD-368), the flagship for DESRON 5. His job aboard was serving as one of the commodore’s orderlies. His ship and crew were part of the invasion on Balikpapan, Borneo in July 1945. He was discharged in June of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Max Crittenden. Crittenden joined the Navy in May of 1944. He served as a fire controlman. He completed boot camp in Farragut, Idaho. He went to Service School for Fire Control Operator in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to learn how to use the fire control telescope. He went to Tacloban, Philippines in January 1945. He was assigned in New Guinea to the USS Flusser (DD-368), the flagship for DESRON 5. His job aboard was serving as one of the commodore’s orderlies. His ship and crew were part of the invasion on Balikpapan, Borneo in July 1945. He was discharged in June of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with L M McGregor. McGregor joined the Navy in June of 1942. He completed boot camp in San Diego. He served aboard the USS Sperry (AS-12) for the duration of the war. They went to Pearl Harbor, the Marshall Islands, Midway, Brisbane, Australia all before December of 1942. McGregor stood orderly watches for the Commodore of the submarine fleet. He also worked in laundry and the supply and service divisions on board. They went to Guam and he provides some detail of working with the Seabees and repairing submarines at Guam. They had 21 submarines in the area to take care of. He was discharged in 1946. He re-enlisted and in 1949 was transferred to the USS Leyte (CV-32), and later served aboard the USS Uvalde (AKA-88) in 1950. McGregor served in the Navy for 20 years, then transferred to the Fleet Reserve and was subject to recall for ten additional years.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with L M McGregor. McGregor joined the Navy in June of 1942. He completed boot camp in San Diego. He served aboard the USS Sperry (AS-12) for the duration of the war. They went to Pearl Harbor, the Marshall Islands, Midway, Brisbane, Australia all before December of 1942. McGregor stood orderly watches for the Commodore of the submarine fleet. He also worked in laundry and the supply and service divisions on board. They went to Guam and he provides some detail of working with the Seabees and repairing submarines at Guam. They had 21 submarines in the area to take care of. He was discharged in 1946. He re-enlisted and in 1949 was transferred to the USS Leyte (CV-32), and later served aboard the USS Uvalde (AKA-88) in 1950. McGregor served in the Navy for 20 years, then transferred to the Fleet Reserve and was subject to recall for ten additional years.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Ferretti. Mike Ferretti, son of Edward, speaks on his father’s behalf. Ferretti was drafted into the Navy in 1944 and received training in Camp Farragut, Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho and Point Loma, San Diego to become a radar operator. He worked aboard the USS Cortland (APA-75) in 1945. His shifts were four hours on the radar screen, eight hours off, seven days a week, working in both surface and sea modes. Over a ten-month period, they shuttled Marines to different islands. Locations include Seattle, Eniwetok, Ulithi, Okinawa, Korea and China. In September 1945 they helped the Nationalist Chinese fight the communists by transporting 800 Chinese troops to Tientsin. Ferretti also went to Manila, Hong Kong and Japan. They arrived back in the States in December 1945. He completed his service in the Navy as Radarman 1st Class and was discharged around January 1946. Ferretti took advantage of the G.I. Bill and studied at Washington University.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Ferretti. Mike Ferretti, son of Edward, speaks on his father’s behalf. Ferretti was drafted into the Navy in 1944 and received training in Camp Farragut, Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho and Point Loma, San Diego to become a radar operator. He worked aboard the USS Cortland (APA-75) in 1945. His shifts were four hours on the radar screen, eight hours off, seven days a week, working in both surface and sea modes. Over a ten-month period, they shuttled Marines to different islands. Locations include Seattle, Eniwetok, Ulithi, Okinawa, Korea and China. In September 1945 they helped the Nationalist Chinese fight the communists by transporting 800 Chinese troops to Tientsin. Ferretti also went to Manila, Hong Kong and Japan. They arrived back in the States in December 1945. He completed his service in the Navy as Radarman 1st Class and was discharged around January 1946. Ferretti took advantage of the G.I. Bill and studied at Washington University.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Mario Cardillo. Cardillo joined the Navy in 1942. He was assigned to the USS YMS-13. Beginning late 1942 they traveled through the Mediterranean for two years. They swept mines and participated in four major landings, including Sicily and Anzio in Italy and Marseilles, France. Cardillo served as an airplane spotter. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Mario Cardillo. Cardillo joined the Navy in 1942. He was assigned to the USS YMS-13. Beginning late 1942 they traveled through the Mediterranean for two years. They swept mines and participated in four major landings, including Sicily and Anzio in Italy and Marseilles, France. Cardillo served as an airplane spotter. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Brown. Brown joined the Army Air Corps in February of 1941. He completed mechanic school, and was assigned to assist in the opening of George Air Force Base in Victorville, California. Beginning in early 1945, Brown served as a B-29 Flight Engineer, completing missions over Tinian, Saipan, Japan and Guam. Brown continued his service after the war ended, and retired as a major in 1972.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Brown. Brown joined the Army Air Corps in February of 1941. He completed mechanic school, and was assigned to assist in the opening of George Air Force Base in Victorville, California. Beginning in early 1945, Brown served as a B-29 Flight Engineer, completing missions over Tinian, Saipan, Japan and Guam. Brown continued his service after the war ended, and retired as a major in 1972.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with R.L. Hawkins. Hawkins was born in Springfield, Illinois on 31 May 1924. Upon joining the Navy in February 1943, he attended boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, in Illinois. After twelve weeks he entered fire control school, also at Great Lakes. From there, he attended advanced fire control school in Washington, DC. Hawkins was then sent to Providence, Rhode Island for gunnery training. In early 1944, he went to the Brooklyn Navy Yard and was assigned to the USS Diphda (AKA-59) as a senior fire control man. Hawkins describes the mechanisms used in controlling the guns including gyros, fitting systems, motors of the control system and vacuum tubes. In January 1945 the ship participated in the Lingayen Gulf invasion and he describes landing LCVPs and relates the experience of bringing them back on board. Following the ship’s participation in the invasion of Okinawa, during which they came under kamikaze attack, the ship returned to the United States. While they were in the US Japan surrendered.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with R.L. Hawkins. Hawkins was born in Springfield, Illinois on 31 May 1924. Upon joining the Navy in February 1943, he attended boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, in Illinois. After twelve weeks he entered fire control school, also at Great Lakes. From there, he attended advanced fire control school in Washington, DC. Hawkins was then sent to Providence, Rhode Island for gunnery training. In early 1944, he went to the Brooklyn Navy Yard and was assigned to the USS Diphda (AKA-59) as a senior fire control man. Hawkins describes the mechanisms used in controlling the guns including gyros, fitting systems, motors of the control system and vacuum tubes. In January 1945 the ship participated in the Lingayen Gulf invasion and he describes landing LCVPs and relates the experience of bringing them back on board. Following the ship’s participation in the invasion of Okinawa, during which they came under kamikaze attack, the ship returned to the United States. While they were in the US Japan surrendered.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ruben Davis. Davis was born in Texas on 5 July 1926. In 1944 he was inducted into the Navy and sent to San Diego for boot training. Upon completing eight weeks of boot training he was assigned to amphibious training at Coronado Island, California. During training, he covered boat handling, semaphore and Morse code. While in training he developed pneumonia and was hospitalized. Upon recovering, he was assigned to USS LSM-171 as a coxswain. He recalls the ship laying smokescreen during the invasion of Okinawa and being under attack by kamikaze aircraft. He also remembers the ship being in a typhoon in 1945. Following the surrender of Japan the ship went to various islands and picked up and disposed of Japanese weaponry. Davis returned to the United States aboard the USS Wakefield (AP-21) and was discharged in April 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ruben Davis. Davis was born in Texas on 5 July 1926. In 1944 he was inducted into the Navy and sent to San Diego for boot training. Upon completing eight weeks of boot training he was assigned to amphibious training at Coronado Island, California. During training, he covered boat handling, semaphore and Morse code. While in training he developed pneumonia and was hospitalized. Upon recovering, he was assigned to USS LSM-171 as a coxswain. He recalls the ship laying smokescreen during the invasion of Okinawa and being under attack by kamikaze aircraft. He also remembers the ship being in a typhoon in 1945. Following the surrender of Japan the ship went to various islands and picked up and disposed of Japanese weaponry. Davis returned to the United States aboard the USS Wakefield (AP-21) and was discharged in April 1946.