The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral Interview with Paul Bonilla. Bonilla was born on 18 September 1921 in San Luis Obispo, California. He enlisted in the Navy in May, 1942 and took boot training in San Diego. He trained to be an aviation ordnanceman in San Diego and Millington, Tennessee. After training he was assigned to an SBD Dauntless dive bomber flying anti-submarine patrols from the air craft carrier USS Lexington (CV-16). He was aboard the Lexington when a Japanese attack damaged the ship’s steering mechanism, jamming the rudder and forcing the ship to sail in a circle while still under attack. He participated in attacks on Mille Island, Tarawa, Wake Island, Truk Island, Saipan, Hollandia and Guam. During an attack on Guam, his plane was damaged and crashed into the ocean. He was picked up by the submarine USS Skate (SS-305). While on board, Bonilla stood watch. He returned home in July 1944 and was assigned to flight school, from which he was discharged in 1945. Fifty years later when attending a Skate reunion he was presented with a submarine pin and was considered a member of the crew.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral Interview with Paul Bonilla. Bonilla was born on 18 September 1921 in San Luis Obispo, California. He enlisted in the Navy in May, 1942 and took boot training in San Diego. He trained to be an aviation ordnanceman in San Diego and Millington, Tennessee. After training he was assigned to an SBD Dauntless dive bomber flying anti-submarine patrols from the air craft carrier USS Lexington (CV-16). He was aboard the Lexington when a Japanese attack damaged the ship’s steering mechanism, jamming the rudder and forcing the ship to sail in a circle while still under attack. He participated in attacks on Mille Island, Tarawa, Wake Island, Truk Island, Saipan, Hollandia and Guam. During an attack on Guam, his plane was damaged and crashed into the ocean. He was picked up by the submarine USS Skate (SS-305). While on board, Bonilla stood watch. He returned home in July 1944 and was assigned to flight school, from which he was discharged in 1945. Fifty years later when attending a Skate reunion he was presented with a submarine pin and was considered a member of the crew.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Elbert L. Buegeler. Buegeler was born in New Ulm, Texas 18 May 1918. He quit school after the 7th grade and worked for his father. Drafted in 1940, he went to Fort Knox, Kentucky for basic training. Upon completing basic, he was sent to the Mojave Desert and assigned to a reconnaissance company in the 703rd Tank Destroyer Battalion. After additional training a Camp Pickett, Virginia and Indian Gap, Pennsylvania the battalion boarded a ship and went by convoy to England. Landing on Omaha Beach several days after the initial invasion of France, they were attached to the 3rd Armored Division. Buegeler discusses his activities in a recon unit consisting of a jeep, a driver, an observer and a gunner. He recalls one occasion when four German soldiers surrendered and others continued to join the group until there were thirty prisoners. On 30 March 1944, Buegler was shot in the back by a sniper. He describes his wound and the surgeries he had in Scotland. After spending a month in hospital in Scotland he was flown to the Army Hospital in Temple, Texas. After nine months of recovery …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Elbert L. Buegeler. Buegeler was born in New Ulm, Texas 18 May 1918. He quit school after the 7th grade and worked for his father. Drafted in 1940, he went to Fort Knox, Kentucky for basic training. Upon completing basic, he was sent to the Mojave Desert and assigned to a reconnaissance company in the 703rd Tank Destroyer Battalion. After additional training a Camp Pickett, Virginia and Indian Gap, Pennsylvania the battalion boarded a ship and went by convoy to England. Landing on Omaha Beach several days after the initial invasion of France, they were attached to the 3rd Armored Division. Buegeler discusses his activities in a recon unit consisting of a jeep, a driver, an observer and a gunner. He recalls one occasion when four German soldiers surrendered and others continued to join the group until there were thirty prisoners. On 30 March 1944, Buegler was shot in the back by a sniper. He describes his wound and the surgeries he had in Scotland. After spending a month in hospital in Scotland he was flown to the Army Hospital in Temple, Texas. After nine months of recovery …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Burdrick. Burdrick joined the Navy in December 1942 through the V-12 program at UCLA. He was then assigned to midshipmen’s school at Columbia University. Upon completion, he was sent aboard the USS Dickens (APA-161), his battle station at a 40-millimeter gun. Burdrick and his crew set a record for embarking troops, capable of getting 26 boats into the water and ready to go ashore in just 22 minutes. At Iwo Jima, by the time he had returned to the ship after embarking the first wave of Marines, casualties were already returning to the Dickens. Particularly disheartening was the loss of a doctor from their beach party. Throughout his interview, Burdrick reads from his detailed and reflective diary, which includes his eyewitness account of the signing of the surrender. He returned home and was discharged in 1946, resuming his studies at UCLA.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Burdrick. Burdrick joined the Navy in December 1942 through the V-12 program at UCLA. He was then assigned to midshipmen’s school at Columbia University. Upon completion, he was sent aboard the USS Dickens (APA-161), his battle station at a 40-millimeter gun. Burdrick and his crew set a record for embarking troops, capable of getting 26 boats into the water and ready to go ashore in just 22 minutes. At Iwo Jima, by the time he had returned to the ship after embarking the first wave of Marines, casualties were already returning to the Dickens. Particularly disheartening was the loss of a doctor from their beach party. Throughout his interview, Burdrick reads from his detailed and reflective diary, which includes his eyewitness account of the signing of the surrender. He returned home and was discharged in 1946, resuming his studies at UCLA.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arnold Cole. Cole was born in Beulah, North Dakota 9 October 1924. Joining the Navy in January 1942 he attended boot camp at Farragut, Idaho then was assigned to the Hospital Corps School. Upon completing training, he went to Camp Elliott, California to join the Fleet Marine Force as a combat medic with the 5th Marine Division, 26th Marine Regiment. On 19 February 1945 he was in the third wave of the invasion of Iwo Jima. He mentions the high casualty rate suffered during the invasion and he recalls that the corpsmen removed any type of markings indicating they were medical personnel in an effort to thwart the efforts of Japanese snipers to single them out. Cole was on Iwo Jima for thirty-three days before being severely wounded. After receiving initial treatment at the battalion aid station he was put aboard the USS Queens (APA-103) and taken to Guam. He was taken off the ship on a gurney, identified with a green toe tag (dead) and placed in the morgue. A morgue attendant heard him moaning and contacted medical personnel. He was taken to the hospital and given …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arnold Cole. Cole was born in Beulah, North Dakota 9 October 1924. Joining the Navy in January 1942 he attended boot camp at Farragut, Idaho then was assigned to the Hospital Corps School. Upon completing training, he went to Camp Elliott, California to join the Fleet Marine Force as a combat medic with the 5th Marine Division, 26th Marine Regiment. On 19 February 1945 he was in the third wave of the invasion of Iwo Jima. He mentions the high casualty rate suffered during the invasion and he recalls that the corpsmen removed any type of markings indicating they were medical personnel in an effort to thwart the efforts of Japanese snipers to single them out. Cole was on Iwo Jima for thirty-three days before being severely wounded. After receiving initial treatment at the battalion aid station he was put aboard the USS Queens (APA-103) and taken to Guam. He was taken off the ship on a gurney, identified with a green toe tag (dead) and placed in the morgue. A morgue attendant heard him moaning and contacted medical personnel. He was taken to the hospital and given …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Cook. Cook joined the Marine Corps in September 1941 and received basic training in San Diego. In January 1942, he was assigned to the USS Helena (CL-50) as an orderly to the captain. His battle station was below deck, hoisting powder cases for six-inch guns. He describes in detail the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, which he believes could have been fought more effectively had the fleet taken advantage of readings from state-of-the-art radar equipment aboard the Helena. In March 1943, Cook was transferred to the States and began flight training. He joined the Black Sheep aboard the USS Rendova (CVE-114) in San Diego before being discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Cook. Cook joined the Marine Corps in September 1941 and received basic training in San Diego. In January 1942, he was assigned to the USS Helena (CL-50) as an orderly to the captain. His battle station was below deck, hoisting powder cases for six-inch guns. He describes in detail the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, which he believes could have been fought more effectively had the fleet taken advantage of readings from state-of-the-art radar equipment aboard the Helena. In March 1943, Cook was transferred to the States and began flight training. He joined the Black Sheep aboard the USS Rendova (CVE-114) in San Diego before being discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wayne Cripe. Cripe was born in Camden, Indiana 22 March 1926. Drafted into the US Marine Corps in June 1944 he went to boot camp at Parris Island. After twelve weeks he was sent to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He describes the training he underwent. During November 1944 he was sent to Camp Banyan, Hilo, Hawaii where he was assigned to the 5th Marine Division, 32nd Replacement Battalion. He tells of landing on Iwo Jima and seeing the American flag flying over Mount Suribachi as he was unloading supplies on the beach. He was on Iwo Jima seventeen days before he was severely wounded by fragments from a Japanese grenade. After being tended by a hospital corpsman he was evacuated to the US Samaritan (AH-10) and taken to Aiea Naval Hospital at Pearl Harbor. After spending six months at the hospital he was sent to San Diego where he received a physical evaluation and was discharged 5 May 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wayne Cripe. Cripe was born in Camden, Indiana 22 March 1926. Drafted into the US Marine Corps in June 1944 he went to boot camp at Parris Island. After twelve weeks he was sent to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He describes the training he underwent. During November 1944 he was sent to Camp Banyan, Hilo, Hawaii where he was assigned to the 5th Marine Division, 32nd Replacement Battalion. He tells of landing on Iwo Jima and seeing the American flag flying over Mount Suribachi as he was unloading supplies on the beach. He was on Iwo Jima seventeen days before he was severely wounded by fragments from a Japanese grenade. After being tended by a hospital corpsman he was evacuated to the US Samaritan (AH-10) and taken to Aiea Naval Hospital at Pearl Harbor. After spending six months at the hospital he was sent to San Diego where he received a physical evaluation and was discharged 5 May 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward G. Denzler. Denzler volunteered for the Army on 8 December 1941. He served at Fort Riley as a riding instructor and then trained as a Ranger at Fort Ord. Denzler was sent to Burma to serve as a replacement with Merrill’s Marauders. He describes his experiences in combat particularly leading patrols and taking part in an ambush on a Japanese convoy. Denzler was them assigned to duty in China as a weapons training officer with the Chinese. He describes his experiences through the end of the war. Denzler returned to the US in November of 1945 and left active duty soon afterwards.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward G. Denzler. Denzler volunteered for the Army on 8 December 1941. He served at Fort Riley as a riding instructor and then trained as a Ranger at Fort Ord. Denzler was sent to Burma to serve as a replacement with Merrill’s Marauders. He describes his experiences in combat particularly leading patrols and taking part in an ambush on a Japanese convoy. Denzler was them assigned to duty in China as a weapons training officer with the Chinese. He describes his experiences through the end of the war. Denzler returned to the US in November of 1945 and left active duty soon afterwards.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harry Ferrier. Ferrier joined the Navy in January 1941 and received basic training in Newport. He attended aviation radio school in Jacksonville was and assigned to an Avenger crew as a radioman. On 4 June 1942 his plane was attacked at the Battle of Midway by enemy fighters while targeting the Japanese fleet. His turret gunner was killed, his pilot wounded, and all five accompanying airplanes were shot down. He was reassigned to Torpedo Squadron 3 on the USS Enterprise (CV-6) and then to an SBD squadron attached to the USS Yorktown (CV-10). After attending Aviation Electronics Officer School, he participated in nuclear weapons tests and taught nuclear weapons firing. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars as an aircraft maintenance officer. At the time of his retirement in 1970, he was overseeing 2,000 maintenance personnel. Ferrier is also known for his involvement in finding the Titanic and searching for the Yorktown (CV-5) and other sunken Japanese carriers.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harry Ferrier. Ferrier joined the Navy in January 1941 and received basic training in Newport. He attended aviation radio school in Jacksonville was and assigned to an Avenger crew as a radioman. On 4 June 1942 his plane was attacked at the Battle of Midway by enemy fighters while targeting the Japanese fleet. His turret gunner was killed, his pilot wounded, and all five accompanying airplanes were shot down. He was reassigned to Torpedo Squadron 3 on the USS Enterprise (CV-6) and then to an SBD squadron attached to the USS Yorktown (CV-10). After attending Aviation Electronics Officer School, he participated in nuclear weapons tests and taught nuclear weapons firing. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars as an aircraft maintenance officer. At the time of his retirement in 1970, he was overseeing 2,000 maintenance personnel. Ferrier is also known for his involvement in finding the Titanic and searching for the Yorktown (CV-5) and other sunken Japanese carriers.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Guidone. In 1940, Guidone was kicked out of his family’s home for wanting to join the Navy; his father was staunchly anti-military. When the Navy told Guidone there would be a three-week waiting period, he joined the Marine Corps rather than be homeless. He reported to Guantanamo Bay and joined the 1st Marine Division. After training, he volunteered for the 1st Raider Battalion. His first assignment was the invasion of Tulagi, where his unit was separated from its company at the bottom of a ridge in enemy territory, something Guidone felt he had not been trained to handle. He waited for the right moment to launch a grenade attack and successfully led his group to safety. At the start of the campaign for Guadalcanal, despite lacking artillery and naval support, and running low on rations and ammunition, his unit held off the enemy at Henderson Field. At Cape Esperance he captured enemy plans and supplies, including General Kawaguchi’s white dress suit, and dug in at Bloody Ridge before engaging in hand-to-hand combat at Matanikau. On a trip back to New Caledonia, his unit discontinued Atabrine, and many …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Guidone. In 1940, Guidone was kicked out of his family’s home for wanting to join the Navy; his father was staunchly anti-military. When the Navy told Guidone there would be a three-week waiting period, he joined the Marine Corps rather than be homeless. He reported to Guantanamo Bay and joined the 1st Marine Division. After training, he volunteered for the 1st Raider Battalion. His first assignment was the invasion of Tulagi, where his unit was separated from its company at the bottom of a ridge in enemy territory, something Guidone felt he had not been trained to handle. He waited for the right moment to launch a grenade attack and successfully led his group to safety. At the start of the campaign for Guadalcanal, despite lacking artillery and naval support, and running low on rations and ammunition, his unit held off the enemy at Henderson Field. At Cape Esperance he captured enemy plans and supplies, including General Kawaguchi’s white dress suit, and dug in at Bloody Ridge before engaging in hand-to-hand combat at Matanikau. On a trip back to New Caledonia, his unit discontinued Atabrine, and many …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Hanley. Hanley joined the Navy in April of 1942. He trained as a storekeeper and completed midshipman’s school at Navy Pier in Chicago. In December of 1944 he was transferred to Hawaii and served on the CINCPAC staff of Admiral Chester Nimitz. He traveled to Guam in early 1945, working as head over all the stores. He shares a number of anecdotes of his encounters with Nimitz. His discharge was around late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Hanley. Hanley joined the Navy in April of 1942. He trained as a storekeeper and completed midshipman’s school at Navy Pier in Chicago. In December of 1944 he was transferred to Hawaii and served on the CINCPAC staff of Admiral Chester Nimitz. He traveled to Guam in early 1945, working as head over all the stores. He shares a number of anecdotes of his encounters with Nimitz. His discharge was around late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Margaret Heard. Heard was born in New Jersey and graduated from Nursing School in November 1939, passing the state board exam for Surgical Nurse. She traveled to Hawaii on in February 1941 and took a nursing job at the Dole Pineapple Plantation on the island of Lanai. She was attending a wedding in Honolulu on 7 December 1941 and was awakened by the sound of bombing at Pearl Harbor. She and another nurse drove to Schofield Barracks, and along the way observed the second wave of Japanese planes attacking the base. She remembers volunteering for duty with the Bureau of Nursing and being assigned to a group of surgeons on Punchbowl Street in Honolulu. She was given charge of the X-ray department due to a shortage of technicians. She provides anecdotes of her time on Lanai and Oahu, including driving without lights, and on one occasion rolling the car. She describes her uneventful interaction with Japanese-Americans. She took a leave of absence in the fall of 1944 and returned to the States for several months. When she was ready to return, she was tasked to pick up a …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Margaret Heard. Heard was born in New Jersey and graduated from Nursing School in November 1939, passing the state board exam for Surgical Nurse. She traveled to Hawaii on in February 1941 and took a nursing job at the Dole Pineapple Plantation on the island of Lanai. She was attending a wedding in Honolulu on 7 December 1941 and was awakened by the sound of bombing at Pearl Harbor. She and another nurse drove to Schofield Barracks, and along the way observed the second wave of Japanese planes attacking the base. She remembers volunteering for duty with the Bureau of Nursing and being assigned to a group of surgeons on Punchbowl Street in Honolulu. She was given charge of the X-ray department due to a shortage of technicians. She provides anecdotes of her time on Lanai and Oahu, including driving without lights, and on one occasion rolling the car. She describes her uneventful interaction with Japanese-Americans. She took a leave of absence in the fall of 1944 and returned to the States for several months. When she was ready to return, she was tasked to pick up a …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Otis Kight. Kight was born in Georgia in 1924 and joined the Navy in July, 1941. Prior to the attack on Pearl harbor, Kight was assigned to the USS Yorktown (CV-5) as a plane pusher. Kight was aboard during the Battle of the Coral Sea, was wounded, and describes the damage done to the carrier. He also describes the hurried repair job done at Pearl Harbor prior to heading for Midway. Kight was present when the Yorktown was damaged at Midway and recalls abandoning ship and being rescued by the USS Astoria (CA-34). While at gunnery school at Kaneohe, he overheard some chiefs at a club telling jokes to each other in Morse code. Kight was an amatuer radio operator before the war and knew the code, so the chiefs recruited him for radio school. He seemed not to need to go to radio school, so he was sent to radar school, instead. Kight also went to parachute school where he learned to rig and pack parachutes. He eventually was assigned to the USS Cowpens (CVL-25) where he was a member of Torpedo Squadron 22 (VT-22). He served …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Otis Kight. Kight was born in Georgia in 1924 and joined the Navy in July, 1941. Prior to the attack on Pearl harbor, Kight was assigned to the USS Yorktown (CV-5) as a plane pusher. Kight was aboard during the Battle of the Coral Sea, was wounded, and describes the damage done to the carrier. He also describes the hurried repair job done at Pearl Harbor prior to heading for Midway. Kight was present when the Yorktown was damaged at Midway and recalls abandoning ship and being rescued by the USS Astoria (CA-34). While at gunnery school at Kaneohe, he overheard some chiefs at a club telling jokes to each other in Morse code. Kight was an amatuer radio operator before the war and knew the code, so the chiefs recruited him for radio school. He seemed not to need to go to radio school, so he was sent to radar school, instead. Kight also went to parachute school where he learned to rig and pack parachutes. He eventually was assigned to the USS Cowpens (CVL-25) where he was a member of Torpedo Squadron 22 (VT-22). He served …