The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James O. Painter. Painter was born in Johnson County, Texas 21 August 1923. He quit school in 1940 and joined the Texas National Guard, being assigned to Battery B, 132nd Field Artillery, 36th Infantry Division. When the National Guard was federalized I n1940, Painter’s unit went to Camp Bowie, Texas for basic training. He then went to Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he received advanced training with the 105mm howitzer. In January 1942 the division conducted maneuvers in North and South Carolina for several months. The unit left from Fort Dix aboard the SS Argentina bound for Algeria in November 1942. Upon landing, Painter trained in the use of mines and demolition. On 9 September 1943 he landed at Salerno in the third wave aboard a DUKW, which carried a 105mm Howitzer and crew. He witnessed the death of a childhood friend. He also landed at Anzio, working as a forward observer with the 142nd Infantry. On 15 August 1944 he participated in Operation Dragoon. Painter was captured by Germans in September and taken to Stalag XIIA, then to Stalag IIIC. While there a German officer offered him the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James O. Painter. Painter was born in Johnson County, Texas 21 August 1923. He quit school in 1940 and joined the Texas National Guard, being assigned to Battery B, 132nd Field Artillery, 36th Infantry Division. When the National Guard was federalized I n1940, Painter’s unit went to Camp Bowie, Texas for basic training. He then went to Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he received advanced training with the 105mm howitzer. In January 1942 the division conducted maneuvers in North and South Carolina for several months. The unit left from Fort Dix aboard the SS Argentina bound for Algeria in November 1942. Upon landing, Painter trained in the use of mines and demolition. On 9 September 1943 he landed at Salerno in the third wave aboard a DUKW, which carried a 105mm Howitzer and crew. He witnessed the death of a childhood friend. He also landed at Anzio, working as a forward observer with the 142nd Infantry. On 15 August 1944 he participated in Operation Dragoon. Painter was captured by Germans in September and taken to Stalag XIIA, then to Stalag IIIC. While there a German officer offered him the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jerry Okrina. Okrina joined the U.S. Marines in January of 1943 and served as a rifleman. He traveled to New Caledonia, joined the Marine Raiders and describes his training on the island. They participated in assault landings on Guadalcanal and Bougainville from 1943 into January 1944. In 1944 he were assigned to the 6th Marines. In July they participated in the Battle of Guam. In April of 1945 they were the first wave into Okinawa. While on Okinawa Okrina was knocked unconscious by an artillery shell but recovered to lead his platoon to a safe area before he was evacuated. Additionally, a bullet just missed Okrina’s heart and passed through both lungs. His recovery took about five months and he was sent home. He had already been in the service three years before he was wounded. He received a Purple Heart for each of these incidents. He provides details of each battle. He received a medical discharge in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jerry Okrina. Okrina joined the U.S. Marines in January of 1943 and served as a rifleman. He traveled to New Caledonia, joined the Marine Raiders and describes his training on the island. They participated in assault landings on Guadalcanal and Bougainville from 1943 into January 1944. In 1944 he were assigned to the 6th Marines. In July they participated in the Battle of Guam. In April of 1945 they were the first wave into Okinawa. While on Okinawa Okrina was knocked unconscious by an artillery shell but recovered to lead his platoon to a safe area before he was evacuated. Additionally, a bullet just missed Okrina’s heart and passed through both lungs. His recovery took about five months and he was sent home. He had already been in the service three years before he was wounded. He received a Purple Heart for each of these incidents. He provides details of each battle. He received a medical discharge in 1945.