The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carlo Didio. Didio joined the Navy in early 1942, having already worked as a patternmaker in the ship repair unit at the Norfolk Naval Yard. After basic training, he was stationed at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard as a second class patternmaker. He commissioned and boarded the USS Kermit Roosevelt (ARG-16) as part of the repair crew at the Panama Canal. The ship then headed for Saipan. Didio then traveled to Okinawa, where his ship immediately disembarked with countless other ships, fleeing a typhoon. After 12 days in the storm, the ship lost track of the seven LSTs they were shepherding. The captain advised everyone to put on their life vests as he turned back into the wind and waves to find them. Six were recovered, one having washed ashore on Formosa. Didio’s last station before discharge was Sing Tao, where the locals were neither friendly nor unfriendly but simply wanted to sell goods. He returned home in June 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carlo Didio. Didio joined the Navy in early 1942, having already worked as a patternmaker in the ship repair unit at the Norfolk Naval Yard. After basic training, he was stationed at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard as a second class patternmaker. He commissioned and boarded the USS Kermit Roosevelt (ARG-16) as part of the repair crew at the Panama Canal. The ship then headed for Saipan. Didio then traveled to Okinawa, where his ship immediately disembarked with countless other ships, fleeing a typhoon. After 12 days in the storm, the ship lost track of the seven LSTs they were shepherding. The captain advised everyone to put on their life vests as he turned back into the wind and waves to find them. Six were recovered, one having washed ashore on Formosa. Didio’s last station before discharge was Sing Tao, where the locals were neither friendly nor unfriendly but simply wanted to sell goods. He returned home in June 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Earl Kohlman. Kohlman joined the Navy in 1944 after beginning college in pre-med. Despite requesting to be a medic, after an aptitude test he was assigned to radio school. Upon completion, he narrowly missed being assigned to the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). He instead boarded the USS Langley (CVL-27), copying code around the clock and maintaining the ship’s antennae. His battle station was in the navigator’s compartment, where he was in charge of communications within the ship. He worked briefly in the Combat Information Center (CIC) and hated to hear the distress calls of ships in combat or, worse, to lose all communication with them. But he found typhoons to be even more dangerous than battle. When he received the message that the first atomic bomb had been dropped, he copied the code and handed it to his communications officer, who immediately decoded it and accused Kohlman of dreaming. After the war he visited Naples, and was caught in a major storm off of Gibraltar. Kohlman returned home and was discharged in June 1946. He returned to school, earning a teaching degree in economics and government.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Earl Kohlman. Kohlman joined the Navy in 1944 after beginning college in pre-med. Despite requesting to be a medic, after an aptitude test he was assigned to radio school. Upon completion, he narrowly missed being assigned to the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). He instead boarded the USS Langley (CVL-27), copying code around the clock and maintaining the ship’s antennae. His battle station was in the navigator’s compartment, where he was in charge of communications within the ship. He worked briefly in the Combat Information Center (CIC) and hated to hear the distress calls of ships in combat or, worse, to lose all communication with them. But he found typhoons to be even more dangerous than battle. When he received the message that the first atomic bomb had been dropped, he copied the code and handed it to his communications officer, who immediately decoded it and accused Kohlman of dreaming. After the war he visited Naples, and was caught in a major storm off of Gibraltar. Kohlman returned home and was discharged in June 1946. He returned to school, earning a teaching degree in economics and government.

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 James Rudd. Rudd joined the Army Air Forces in October of 1942. He completed Radio School and served as a Radio Operator with the 83rd Troop Carrier Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group. In January of 1944, the group deployed to England. In June, during the Normandy campaign, they released gliders over Cherbourg, France and carried troops, weapons, ammunition and other supplies for the 82nd Airborne Division. In August through December, they participated in the invasion of southern France and Operation Market Garden, releasing paratroopers and gliders, and resupplied the 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne, Belgium. Rudd returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Rudd. Rudd joined the Army Air Forces in October of 1942. He completed Radio School and served as a Radio Operator with the 83rd Troop Carrier Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group. In January of 1944, the group deployed to England. In June, during the Normandy campaign, they released gliders over Cherbourg, France and carried troops, weapons, ammunition and other supplies for the 82nd Airborne Division. In August through December, they participated in the invasion of southern France and Operation Market Garden, releasing paratroopers and gliders, and resupplied the 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne, Belgium. Rudd returned to the US and was discharged in late 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.

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 oral interview with Kurt Muller. Muller joined the Marine Corps soon after 7 December 1941. He describes his training as an officer candidate. Muller was sent to the 2nd Marine Division as a replacement and landed on Saipan and Tinian. He describes the brutal combat including a large scale banzai charge on Saipan. Muller was sent to Nagasaki as a part of the occupation and describes the damage caused by the atomic bomb.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kurt Muller. Muller joined the Marine Corps soon after 7 December 1941. He describes his training as an officer candidate. Muller was sent to the 2nd Marine Division as a replacement and landed on Saipan and Tinian. He describes the brutal combat including a large scale banzai charge on Saipan. Muller was sent to Nagasaki as a part of the occupation and describes the damage caused by the atomic bomb.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with R.V. Burgin. Burgin was born in Marquez, Texas 13 August 1922 and joined the Marine Corps in March 1941. Completing boot camp, he went to Camp Elliott, California for training with 60mm mortars. He boarded the USS Mount Vernon (AP-22) and went to Melbourne, Australia. Upon arrival, he was assigned to K Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Eugene B. Sledge, author of With the Old Breed, served in K/3/5 with Burgin). On 1 January 1944 he landed on Cape Gloucester, New Britain. Burgin describes repelling a number of Japanese banzai charges. Burgin also describes the invasion of Peleliu and comments on the high casualty rate. Once the island was secured his unit went to Pavuvu for rest. On 1 April 1945 he landed on Okinawa. During the battle, Burgin was wounded. After being treated at a field hospital he returned to the front lines and remained there until the island was secured.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with R.V. Burgin. Burgin was born in Marquez, Texas 13 August 1922 and joined the Marine Corps in March 1941. Completing boot camp, he went to Camp Elliott, California for training with 60mm mortars. He boarded the USS Mount Vernon (AP-22) and went to Melbourne, Australia. Upon arrival, he was assigned to K Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Eugene B. Sledge, author of With the Old Breed, served in K/3/5 with Burgin). On 1 January 1944 he landed on Cape Gloucester, New Britain. Burgin describes repelling a number of Japanese banzai charges. Burgin also describes the invasion of Peleliu and comments on the high casualty rate. Once the island was secured his unit went to Pavuvu for rest. On 1 April 1945 he landed on Okinawa. During the battle, Burgin was wounded. After being treated at a field hospital he returned to the front lines and remained there until the island was secured.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Sam Laser. Laser was born in Clarksville, Arkansas on 22 December 1919. He enlisted in the Navy in September 1941, and was assigned to the USS Yorktown (CV-5) at Norfolk, Virginia, as a yeoman in the gunnery division. The ship departed Pearl Harbor as part of Task Force 17 and Laser recalls participating in the Battle of the Coral Sea during which the ship was damaged by a Japanese bomb. After being repaired in Pearl Harbor the Yorktown participated in the Battle of Midway and Laser describes the action and damage that resulted in the order to abandon ship. He vividly describes the actions he took while abandoning the ship. He was picked up by a destroyer and transferred to the USS Portland (CA-33) by breeches buoy. After being transferred to the USS Fulton (AS-11) he was taken to Pearl Harbor. After he recuperated, he went to San Francisco where he was assigned to United States. Navy. Carrier Air Service Unit 6 (CASU-6). In early 1943 Laser became a direct commission officer with the rank of ensign. He was sent to Naval Air Station Bunker Hill, Indiana and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Sam Laser. Laser was born in Clarksville, Arkansas on 22 December 1919. He enlisted in the Navy in September 1941, and was assigned to the USS Yorktown (CV-5) at Norfolk, Virginia, as a yeoman in the gunnery division. The ship departed Pearl Harbor as part of Task Force 17 and Laser recalls participating in the Battle of the Coral Sea during which the ship was damaged by a Japanese bomb. After being repaired in Pearl Harbor the Yorktown participated in the Battle of Midway and Laser describes the action and damage that resulted in the order to abandon ship. He vividly describes the actions he took while abandoning the ship. He was picked up by a destroyer and transferred to the USS Portland (CA-33) by breeches buoy. After being transferred to the USS Fulton (AS-11) he was taken to Pearl Harbor. After he recuperated, he went to San Francisco where he was assigned to United States. Navy. Carrier Air Service Unit 6 (CASU-6). In early 1943 Laser became a direct commission officer with the rank of ensign. He was sent to Naval Air Station Bunker Hill, Indiana and …