The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Anthony Geer. Geer was drafted into the Navy in 1943. He completed boot camp in San Diego, then served as a yeoman. He received additional training in aircraft recognition. He traveled to the Philippines aboard the USS Tazewell (APA-209), and worked on Samar Island until the atomic bombs were dropped, then transferred to Manila until the surrender of Japan. He traveled back to the U.S. aboard the USS Menard (APA-201). Geer was honorably discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Anthony Arrington. Arrington joined the Navy in June 1942 and received basic training in Norfolk. He was assigned to the USS Texas (BB-35), serving as a waiter during trips to Casablanca and the British Isles. While he was onshore being treated for a shoulder injury, the Texas moved on to another port. Arrington was subsequently given landing craft training and reassigned to the USS Sims (APD-50). He was present for the entire Battle of Okinawa, operating a landing craft as a taxi for military personnel. A few weeks after the bombing of Hiroshima, he transported a group of scientists to the blast site, which was completely flattened, save for two partially damaged concrete structures. Arrington returned home and was discharged in January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Anthony Arrington. Arrington joined the Navy in June 1942 and received basic training in Norfolk. He was assigned to the USS Texas (BB-35), serving as a waiter during trips to Casablanca and the British Isles. While he was onshore being treated for a shoulder injury, the Texas moved on to another port. Arrington was subsequently given landing craft training and reassigned to the USS Sims (APD-50). He was present for the entire Battle of Okinawa, operating a landing craft as a taxi for military personnel. A few weeks after the bombing of Hiroshima, he transported a group of scientists to the blast site, which was completely flattened, save for two partially damaged concrete structures. Arrington returned home and was discharged in January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Austin Estes. Estes was born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1922. In 1942 he joined the Navy and received boot training at San Diego. He was then sent to the University of Oklahoma to attend ordnance school followed by three months of training at the Mine Warfare Test Station in Solomons, Maryland. He was then sent to the Naval Mine Warfare Station in Yorktown, Virginia where he was assigned to a team that received an additional ten weeks of training. The team was then assigned to the USS Bogue (CVE-9). He worked with torpedoes and bombs for use by the carrier based planes for anti-submarine warfare. He recalls that planes from the Bogue sunk thirteen German submarines while he was assigned to the ship. Following the end of World War II, Estes was assigned to shore patrol duties in San Francisco.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Austin Estes. Estes was born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1922. In 1942 he joined the Navy and received boot training at San Diego. He was then sent to the University of Oklahoma to attend ordnance school followed by three months of training at the Mine Warfare Test Station in Solomons, Maryland. He was then sent to the Naval Mine Warfare Station in Yorktown, Virginia where he was assigned to a team that received an additional ten weeks of training. The team was then assigned to the USS Bogue (CVE-9). He worked with torpedoes and bombs for use by the carrier based planes for anti-submarine warfare. He recalls that planes from the Bogue sunk thirteen German submarines while he was assigned to the ship. Following the end of World War II, Estes was assigned to shore patrol duties in San Francisco.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bailey Salmon. Salmon joined the Marine Corps in March of 1943. He completed advanced training with landing craft vehicles, and was placed in the V-12 Navy College Training Program. He traveled to a transit center in Hawaii, and practiced for the invasion of Japan. He was transferred to Guam, and joined the 3rd Marine Division. Shortly thereafter, the bombs were dropped and the war ended. He was ranked as Acting 1st Sergeant and worked on patrol missions. His discharge date is not noted, though likely around late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bailey Salmon. Salmon joined the Marine Corps in March of 1943. He completed advanced training with landing craft vehicles, and was placed in the V-12 Navy College Training Program. He traveled to a transit center in Hawaii, and practiced for the invasion of Japan. He was transferred to Guam, and joined the 3rd Marine Division. Shortly thereafter, the bombs were dropped and the war ended. He was ranked as Acting 1st Sergeant and worked on patrol missions. His discharge date is not noted, though likely around late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Callanan. Callanan joined the Army in March of 1942. He trained in California, building airstrips, hangars, temporary bridges, Quonset huts and worked on other construction projects. Callanan served as a master sergeant with the 1876th Engineer Aviation Battalion in New Guinea and in the Philippines. He returned to the US in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Callanan. Callanan joined the Army in March of 1942. He trained in California, building airstrips, hangars, temporary bridges, Quonset huts and worked on other construction projects. Callanan served as a master sergeant with the 1876th Engineer Aviation Battalion in New Guinea and in the Philippines. He returned to the US in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Covill Schneider. " " In February 1943, he began his ground education. By the time he earned his wings, he had witnessed several fatal crashes, prompting him to become a churchgoer. In August 1944 he narrowly qualified for carrier landings in an SBD. He then volunteered for night training in Corsairs. Flying at night over tremendous ocean swells during his training was terrifying. He made his first high-altitude flights in Hawaii off of the USS Saratoga (CV-3), making an emergency landing when a section of cowl broke off and punctured his canopy. When he deployed to Saipan in July 1945, he was met with the sobering sight of human remains in caves that had been burned out by flamethrowers. Schneider returned home and was discharged soon after.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Covill Schneider. " " In February 1943, he began his ground education. By the time he earned his wings, he had witnessed several fatal crashes, prompting him to become a churchgoer. In August 1944 he narrowly qualified for carrier landings in an SBD. He then volunteered for night training in Corsairs. Flying at night over tremendous ocean swells during his training was terrifying. He made his first high-altitude flights in Hawaii off of the USS Saratoga (CV-3), making an emergency landing when a section of cowl broke off and punctured his canopy. When he deployed to Saipan in July 1945, he was met with the sobering sight of human remains in caves that had been burned out by flamethrowers. Schneider returned home and was discharged soon after.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Ira. Ira joined the Navy in 1943 at the age of 17. He completed boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Chicago. Ira served as a deckhand and gunner aboard USS Texas (BB-35). He tells of the ship accompanying convoys through the North Atlantic. He recalls his admiration for General Eisenhower who visited the ship prior to the Normandy Invasion and of the actions of the Texas during the invasion. This action was followed by participation in the Battle of Cherbourg. He relates his experiences there and tells of the damage to the Texas by German shore batteries. After returning to the States, the ship proceeded through the Panama Canal into the Pacific. There, the ship participated in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He returned to US in 1946 and received his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Ira. Ira joined the Navy in 1943 at the age of 17. He completed boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Chicago. Ira served as a deckhand and gunner aboard USS Texas (BB-35). He tells of the ship accompanying convoys through the North Atlantic. He recalls his admiration for General Eisenhower who visited the ship prior to the Normandy Invasion and of the actions of the Texas during the invasion. This action was followed by participation in the Battle of Cherbourg. He relates his experiences there and tells of the damage to the Texas by German shore batteries. After returning to the States, the ship proceeded through the Panama Canal into the Pacific. There, the ship participated in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He returned to US in 1946 and received his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clarence Wolgemuth. Wolgemuth joined the Army Air Forces in September 1942 and received basic training at Fort Meade. He received flight training in California and Arizona. He was sent to Port Moresby in April 1944 and crash landed in a jungle while on a training mission there. Natives took him in until he was rescued by his unit four days later. While there, he contracted malaria, experiencing his first symptoms several months later. Upon completion of his training, he was assigned to the 80th Fighter Squadron. He participated in 108 combat missions throughout the Pacific, both escorting B-17s and dropping bombs out of his P-38. On the night of 26 December 1944, Wolgemuth was one of 70 pilots sent on an impromptu strafing mission after a Japanese naval force was sighted off Mindoro. During the Battle of Manila, he dropped napalm to drive the Japanese out of the mountains. By the end of the war he had a total of 650 flying hours. His longest flight was over 8 hours, which was made possible after Charles Lindbergh came and gave demonstrations on maximizing the range of the P-38. …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clarence Wolgemuth. Wolgemuth joined the Army Air Forces in September 1942 and received basic training at Fort Meade. He received flight training in California and Arizona. He was sent to Port Moresby in April 1944 and crash landed in a jungle while on a training mission there. Natives took him in until he was rescued by his unit four days later. While there, he contracted malaria, experiencing his first symptoms several months later. Upon completion of his training, he was assigned to the 80th Fighter Squadron. He participated in 108 combat missions throughout the Pacific, both escorting B-17s and dropping bombs out of his P-38. On the night of 26 December 1944, Wolgemuth was one of 70 pilots sent on an impromptu strafing mission after a Japanese naval force was sighted off Mindoro. During the Battle of Manila, he dropped napalm to drive the Japanese out of the mountains. By the end of the war he had a total of 650 flying hours. His longest flight was over 8 hours, which was made possible after Charles Lindbergh came and gave demonstrations on maximizing the range of the P-38. …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Clinton Shoppe. Shoppe joined the Navy in 1943. In early 1944 he served on the deck force and the 14-inch guns aboard the USS California (BB-44). They traveled to Pearl Harbor, and participated in bombardments during the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign, the Philippines Campaign, and the Battles of Leyte Gulf and Lingayen Gulf. Shoppe shares his experiences through a kamikaze attack on the California. He returned to the US and received his discharge in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Clinton Shoppe. Shoppe joined the Navy in 1943. In early 1944 he served on the deck force and the 14-inch guns aboard the USS California (BB-44). They traveled to Pearl Harbor, and participated in bombardments during the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign, the Philippines Campaign, and the Battles of Leyte Gulf and Lingayen Gulf. Shoppe shares his experiences through a kamikaze attack on the California. He returned to the US and received his discharge in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Donald Hanlon. Hanlon was born and raised in Bronx, New York, and joined the Navy at age seventeen. Following boot camp, he served aboard USS Texas (BB-35) from December 1941 through May 1947. The Texas served as a support ship during the invasion of Normandy and Hanlon describes the death and destruction he observed at Omaha Beach. He also recalls the ship being damaged by shore artillery during the landing at Cherbourg. The ship then traveled to the Pacific where it participated in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He recollects the attacks on the fleet by kamikazes and the recovery of an injured kamikaze pilot. Hanlon was discharged in 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Donald Hanlon. Hanlon was born and raised in Bronx, New York, and joined the Navy at age seventeen. Following boot camp, he served aboard USS Texas (BB-35) from December 1941 through May 1947. The Texas served as a support ship during the invasion of Normandy and Hanlon describes the death and destruction he observed at Omaha Beach. He also recalls the ship being damaged by shore artillery during the landing at Cherbourg. The ship then traveled to the Pacific where it participated in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He recollects the attacks on the fleet by kamikazes and the recovery of an injured kamikaze pilot. Hanlon was discharged in 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Hillyer. Hillyer joined the Marine Corps in 1942 and received basic training at Parris Island and further training at Camp Lejeune. Upon completion, he was sent to Kwajalein and Roi-Namur. During a rest period at Hickam Field, he was brought aboard the USS Texas (BB-35) along with a detachment of Marines. He manned an M1 rifle from the crow’s nest at Okinawa, shooting down kamikazes and detonating floating bombs disguised as ammunition cans. He watched as the flag was raised on Mount Suribachi, and recalls the beauty of all the ships lit against the night sky when the war ended and blackouts were lifted. Hillyer returned home and was discharged in September 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Hillyer. Hillyer joined the Marine Corps in 1942 and received basic training at Parris Island and further training at Camp Lejeune. Upon completion, he was sent to Kwajalein and Roi-Namur. During a rest period at Hickam Field, he was brought aboard the USS Texas (BB-35) along with a detachment of Marines. He manned an M1 rifle from the crow’s nest at Okinawa, shooting down kamikazes and detonating floating bombs disguised as ammunition cans. He watched as the flag was raised on Mount Suribachi, and recalls the beauty of all the ships lit against the night sky when the war ended and blackouts were lifted. Hillyer returned home and was discharged in September 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Everett Smiley. Smiley volunteered for service in the Army Air Forces in January 1943 and trained as a pilot. He earned a commission and his wings in December. After flight training, he reported for duty in Hobbs, New Mexico to learn to fly B-17s. Once he was stationed in Italy in July, 1944, he flew 51 combat missions before returning to the US in May. Smiley flew missions over Italy, Austria, Germany and other points in Europe and shares anecdotes about his experiences.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Everett Smiley. Smiley volunteered for service in the Army Air Forces in January 1943 and trained as a pilot. He earned a commission and his wings in December. After flight training, he reported for duty in Hobbs, New Mexico to learn to fly B-17s. Once he was stationed in Italy in July, 1944, he flew 51 combat missions before returning to the US in May. Smiley flew missions over Italy, Austria, Germany and other points in Europe and shares anecdotes about his experiences.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Floyd Trogdon. Trogdon joined the Army Air Forces in October 1942 and went through the aviation cadet training program to train as a navigator. He earned his commission in December 1943 and reported t oB-24 flight crew duty the following January. He arrived in Italy in April, 1944 and began flying combat missions. Trogdon describes various missions he flew, including one over Ploesti. He flew 50 missions by October and returned to the US to attend an advanced navigation course. Trogdon also underwent pilot training. He graduated as a pilot in October, 1945. He stayed in the Air Force and worked on nuclear weapons systems.