The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carl Crandall. Crandall joined the Navy at age 17. After basic training at Great Lakes, he was trained on running ship’s boilers. Crandall was then assigned to USS Warrick (AKA-89) as a third class watertender. While running the boilers, he would occasionally clean the insides, which required holding his breath for up to three minutes. Crandall was in battle zones in the Philippines for a year and suffered hearing damage from a kamikaze attack on a nearby destroyer. While ashore, he traded with the natives to acquire fresh coconuts. At Iwo Jima, Crandall sat atop the smokestack and watched the flag being raised on Mount Suribachi. After the war, Crandall participated in disarmament of the Japanese by dumping their arms and ammunition into the ocean. While in Japan, he was surprised by the hospitality of the Japanese, having been invited into their homes. Crandall returned to the States after occupation duty and returned home to finish high school.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carl Crandall. Crandall joined the Navy at age 17. After basic training at Great Lakes, he was trained on running ship’s boilers. Crandall was then assigned to USS Warrick (AKA-89) as a third class watertender. While running the boilers, he would occasionally clean the insides, which required holding his breath for up to three minutes. Crandall was in battle zones in the Philippines for a year and suffered hearing damage from a kamikaze attack on a nearby destroyer. While ashore, he traded with the natives to acquire fresh coconuts. At Iwo Jima, Crandall sat atop the smokestack and watched the flag being raised on Mount Suribachi. After the war, Crandall participated in disarmament of the Japanese by dumping their arms and ammunition into the ocean. While in Japan, he was surprised by the hospitality of the Japanese, having been invited into their homes. Crandall returned to the States after occupation duty and returned home to finish high school.

Transcript of an oral interview with James H. Goemmer. Goemmer begins by describing a three-month trip he took with his family in 1930 in which they traveled all over the US in a Chevrolet. After finishing high school in Yakima, Washington, Goemmer worked various odd jobs before joining the Navy in October, 1942 and going to Farragut, Idaho for basic training. Afterwards, he went to aviation radio school and aerial gunnery school. He qualified as an aircrew member at the naval air station in Daytona, Florida. Eventually, he became a member of a dive bomber unit, VB-3, and was assigned to the USS Yorktown (CV-10) in 1944. While attacking targets in the Philippines, his aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire and was forced to land on the USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), which proceeded to Ulithi. Two weeks later, he and his pilot were back aboard the Yorktown. Before the war ended, Goemmer was stationed to the seaplane base at Kanehoe Bay where he was in charge of repairing radio equipment. He was there when the war ended. He earned enough points by November and returned home, got discharged and became an insurance claims adjuster in Washington state.

Transcript of an oral interview with James H. Goemmer. Goemmer begins by describing a three-month trip he took with his family in 1930 in which they traveled all over the US in a Chevrolet. After finishing high school in Yakima, Washington, Goemmer worked various odd jobs before joining the Navy in October, 1942 and going to Farragut, Idaho for basic training. Afterwards, he went to aviation radio school and aerial gunnery school. He qualified as an aircrew member at the naval air station in Daytona, Florida. Eventually, he became a member of a dive bomber unit, VB-3, and was assigned to the USS Yorktown (CV-10) in 1944. While attacking targets in the Philippines, his aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire and was forced to land on the USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), which proceeded to Ulithi. Two weeks later, he and his pilot were back aboard the Yorktown. Before the war ended, Goemmer was stationed to the seaplane base at Kanehoe Bay where he was in charge of repairing radio equipment. He was there when the war ended. He earned enough points by November and returned home, got discharged and became an insurance claims adjuster in Washington state.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Graef. Graef joined the Marine Corps in 1942 and was called to active duty in July 1943. He received basic training in San Diego and was served as an MP attached to various divisions. He landed at Saipan in the third wave, wading ashore under enemy fire, the sharp coral cutting his boots away. He later sustained a concussion during a kamikaze attack, and much of his memory as to the details of his service were clouded as a result. He recalls detaining an Army general who disobeyed orders to advance. At Okinawa, he witnessed the mass suicide of natives. After serving in China with the 3rd Marine Regiment, Graef returned home and was discharged in January 1946. When he visited his best friend's parents to tell them that their son had been killed in action, they were overcome with grief and lashed out in anger. Graef himself was traumatized by the war and experienced lasting PTSD.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Graef. Graef joined the Marine Corps in 1942 and was called to active duty in July 1943. He received basic training in San Diego and was served as an MP attached to various divisions. He landed at Saipan in the third wave, wading ashore under enemy fire, the sharp coral cutting his boots away. He later sustained a concussion during a kamikaze attack, and much of his memory as to the details of his service were clouded as a result. He recalls detaining an Army general who disobeyed orders to advance. At Okinawa, he witnessed the mass suicide of natives. After serving in China with the 3rd Marine Regiment, Graef returned home and was discharged in January 1946. When he visited his best friend's parents to tell them that their son had been killed in action, they were overcome with grief and lashed out in anger. Graef himself was traumatized by the war and experienced lasting PTSD.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Morris. Morris joined the Army in 1939. He served with the 369th Infantry Division, also known as the Harlem Hellfighters, consisting mainly of African Americans. He served in the motor pool, during the European and Pacific Theaters. In May of 1942, Morris and his united worked in labor and security operations in the Southwest Pacific Area. He returned to the U.S. and was discharged in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Morris. Morris joined the Army in 1939. He served with the 369th Infantry Division, also known as the Harlem Hellfighters, consisting mainly of African Americans. He served in the motor pool, during the European and Pacific Theaters. In May of 1942, Morris and his united worked in labor and security operations in the Southwest Pacific Area. He returned to the U.S. and was discharged in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kenneth Niles. Niles joined the Marine Corps in 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. He received radio operator and repairman training at Texas A&M. Upon completion, he was assigned to VMF-155, working on the F4U Corsair. At Midway he serviced John Glenn’s plane but didn’t meet him until years later at reunions. Niles served at the Marshall Islands and gathered rainwater off his tent for showers. Seabees fashioned a spear for Niles so that he could hunt fish to be cooked in the galley. He returned to the States and was awaiting further assignment when the war ended. Niles later served in Korea and retired from the Marine Corps in 1963.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kenneth Niles. Niles joined the Marine Corps in 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. He received radio operator and repairman training at Texas A&M. Upon completion, he was assigned to VMF-155, working on the F4U Corsair. At Midway he serviced John Glenn’s plane but didn’t meet him until years later at reunions. Niles served at the Marshall Islands and gathered rainwater off his tent for showers. Seabees fashioned a spear for Niles so that he could hunt fish to be cooked in the galley. He returned to the States and was awaiting further assignment when the war ended. Niles later served in Korea and retired from the Marine Corps in 1963.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Potter. Potter joined the Marine Corps in August 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to VMF-124 and sent to Guadalcanal. His duty was to replenish oxygen in the cockpits of the F4U-1 Corsairs. The island was mostly secured by the time he arrived in February 1943, but there were still snipers in the trees, and Potter saw Japanese POWs being marched to secured areas. He remembers intense rain, mud, and mosquitoes on the island. When the Seabees arrived, conditions improved, and they shared their freshly baked bread with the Marines, who didn’t have comparable rations. He returned to the States and worked in supplies at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. During the Korean War, he was stationed in Japan, coordinating supplies sent to Korea. He left the Marine Corps in 1956 and managed manufacturing services for a steel company. There he cultivated strong relationships with distributors and ultimately opened his own trucking company to serve their needs. Potter retired in 2009.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Potter. Potter joined the Marine Corps in August 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to VMF-124 and sent to Guadalcanal. His duty was to replenish oxygen in the cockpits of the F4U-1 Corsairs. The island was mostly secured by the time he arrived in February 1943, but there were still snipers in the trees, and Potter saw Japanese POWs being marched to secured areas. He remembers intense rain, mud, and mosquitoes on the island. When the Seabees arrived, conditions improved, and they shared their freshly baked bread with the Marines, who didn’t have comparable rations. He returned to the States and worked in supplies at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. During the Korean War, he was stationed in Japan, coordinating supplies sent to Korea. He left the Marine Corps in 1956 and managed manufacturing services for a steel company. There he cultivated strong relationships with distributors and ultimately opened his own trucking company to serve their needs. Potter retired in 2009.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Audrey Sigrist. Sigrist joined the Coast Guard in June 1944. She attended boot camp in Palm Beach, Florida and radio school in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Sigrist describes her training and daily life as a SPAR. She was stationed in Port Angeles, Washington and discusses he duties as a radioman receiving calls for ship pilots. Sigrist describes celebrating the end of the war and her departure from the service in November 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Audrey Sigrist. Sigrist joined the Coast Guard in June 1944. She attended boot camp in Palm Beach, Florida and radio school in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Sigrist describes her training and daily life as a SPAR. She was stationed in Port Angeles, Washington and discusses he duties as a radioman receiving calls for ship pilots. Sigrist describes celebrating the end of the war and her departure from the service in November 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Sigrist. Sigrist was born in Rochester, Missouri 7 September 1921 and entered the Navy V-7 program while in college. After graduating from Midshipman’s school he went to Raleigh, North Carolina to attend electrical engineering school. This was followed by three months of intensive training at the General Motors Institute of Technology specializing in marine Diesel engines. He then reported aboard USS LCI-677 at Norfolk, Virginia, as the Diesel electrical engineer and supply officer. The ship proceeded to San Diego where the crew made practice landings with the 4th Marines. They then were ordered to Pearl Harbor where they transported liberty parties from Pearl Harbor to and from Maui for six months. In 1944, USS LCI-677, along with twenty-one other LCIs transported the 204th General Hospital to Guam. They then went to Saipan, where they encountered a typhoon. They then proceeded to Ulithi where they were subjected to attacks by Japanese kamikazes. After the surrender of Japan, USS LCI-677 was sent to the island of Yap. Sigrist describes the natives and their way of life. In 1946, he returned to the United States and was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Sigrist. Sigrist was born in Rochester, Missouri 7 September 1921 and entered the Navy V-7 program while in college. After graduating from Midshipman’s school he went to Raleigh, North Carolina to attend electrical engineering school. This was followed by three months of intensive training at the General Motors Institute of Technology specializing in marine Diesel engines. He then reported aboard USS LCI-677 at Norfolk, Virginia, as the Diesel electrical engineer and supply officer. The ship proceeded to San Diego where the crew made practice landings with the 4th Marines. They then were ordered to Pearl Harbor where they transported liberty parties from Pearl Harbor to and from Maui for six months. In 1944, USS LCI-677, along with twenty-one other LCIs transported the 204th General Hospital to Guam. They then went to Saipan, where they encountered a typhoon. They then proceeded to Ulithi where they were subjected to attacks by Japanese kamikazes. After the surrender of Japan, USS LCI-677 was sent to the island of Yap. Sigrist describes the natives and their way of life. In 1946, he returned to the United States and was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Loy Smith. Smith joined the Navy in 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. He then attended gunnery school and further training in electrical and hydraulic systems. Upon completion, he was assigned to an attack cargo auxiliary ship as a gunner’s mate. Smith recounts that his ship would pick up supplies on New Guinea and Guam and deliver them to invasions. At Lingayen Gulf, there were so many kamikazes and so many ships that it was impossible to know who was responsible for shooting a plane down. At Iwo Jima, the ship was anchored close to shore for five weeks, sending equipment in LCVPs and LSMs that were often lost in the soft sand and large swells. The ship was loaded for the invasion of Japan when the war ended. They brought supplies instead to the occupation forces. Smith felt the younger Japanese civilians appeared frightened of Americans, probably due to propaganda, whereas the older generation was friendly and eager to ask about their relatives in the States. The ship sailed on to Okinawa, which had been devastated by a typhoon. So desperate for supplies were the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Loy Smith. Smith joined the Navy in 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. He then attended gunnery school and further training in electrical and hydraulic systems. Upon completion, he was assigned to an attack cargo auxiliary ship as a gunner’s mate. Smith recounts that his ship would pick up supplies on New Guinea and Guam and deliver them to invasions. At Lingayen Gulf, there were so many kamikazes and so many ships that it was impossible to know who was responsible for shooting a plane down. At Iwo Jima, the ship was anchored close to shore for five weeks, sending equipment in LCVPs and LSMs that were often lost in the soft sand and large swells. The ship was loaded for the invasion of Japan when the war ended. They brought supplies instead to the occupation forces. Smith felt the younger Japanese civilians appeared frightened of Americans, probably due to propaganda, whereas the older generation was friendly and eager to ask about their relatives in the States. The ship sailed on to Okinawa, which had been devastated by a typhoon. So desperate for supplies were the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frederick Waigand. Waigand joined the Marine Corps just after the attack on Pearl Harbor and received basic training at Parris Island. Upon completion of mechanic training, he became a plane captain and was assigned to VMO-155. After serving on Midway, he transferred to VMF-311 as the executive officer’s crew chief for the invasion of Okinawa. There he shot a Japanese soldier who charged him in a banzai attack springing from an enemy bomber that crash-landed near the flight line. After the island was secured, Waigand oversaw Okinawan work crews, noting that the natives were incredibly jovial. When it came time for his return to the States, he transferred ships after the first one was struck by a kamikaze. Waigand remained in the Marine Corps into the 1950s and retired as a master sergeant.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frederick Waigand. Waigand joined the Marine Corps just after the attack on Pearl Harbor and received basic training at Parris Island. Upon completion of mechanic training, he became a plane captain and was assigned to VMO-155. After serving on Midway, he transferred to VMF-311 as the executive officer’s crew chief for the invasion of Okinawa. There he shot a Japanese soldier who charged him in a banzai attack springing from an enemy bomber that crash-landed near the flight line. After the island was secured, Waigand oversaw Okinawan work crews, noting that the natives were incredibly jovial. When it came time for his return to the States, he transferred ships after the first one was struck by a kamikaze. Waigand remained in the Marine Corps into the 1950s and retired as a master sergeant.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas Walton. Walton joined the Navy in December 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion in August 1943, he was then assigned to USS Neches (AO-47) as a seaman. At Okinawa he saw an ammunition ship explode after a kamikaze hit. On the way back to the States, the Neches hit a mine that blew a 15-by-22-foot hole in the side of the ship. After it was repaired, Walton returned to sea until the end of the war. The Neches was in Tokyo Bay during the signing of the armistice, and Walton was close enough to see the Japanese boarding USS Missouri (BB-63). He recalls being treated well by Japanese civilians after the surrender. Walton returned home and was discharged in January 1946. There he finally met for the first time the woman with whom he had been corresponding during the war, and they were soon married.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas Walton. Walton joined the Navy in December 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion in August 1943, he was then assigned to USS Neches (AO-47) as a seaman. At Okinawa he saw an ammunition ship explode after a kamikaze hit. On the way back to the States, the Neches hit a mine that blew a 15-by-22-foot hole in the side of the ship. After it was repaired, Walton returned to sea until the end of the war. The Neches was in Tokyo Bay during the signing of the armistice, and Walton was close enough to see the Japanese boarding USS Missouri (BB-63). He recalls being treated well by Japanese civilians after the surrender. Walton returned home and was discharged in January 1946. There he finally met for the first time the woman with whom he had been corresponding during the war, and they were soon married.