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[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - November 20, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - November 20, 1944]

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including a fish supper at Joyce's house, a war bond rally that raised $21,00, Jenny's crush on Walter, and plans to go to the post office.
Date: November 20, 1944
Creator: Davis, Catherine Dawe
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - November 20, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - November 20, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the rainy weather, playing poker, good meals, taking a shower, and planning to write letters to his friends back home.
Date: November 20, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with A. W. McCasker (open access)

Oral History Interview with A. W. McCasker

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with A. W. McCasker. McCasker joined the Royal Australian Navy and at the end of 1942 was stationed on Guadalcanal. He took a small party behind enemy lines to Lord Howe Island on a reconnaissance mission, accompanied by two American soldiers and a Javanese guide. There he was greeted by a Polynesian king who held a formal ceremony declaring war on the Japanese. McCasker brought along a radio that could reach several hundred miles; however, moving its heavy battery chargers required the labor of 12 natives. For nine months they moved from island to island, observing aircraft, reporting to headquarters at Guadalcanal. At one point they found two islanders who had drifted over 700 miles off course in a canoe. When enemy forces landed in August 1943 and McCasker was evacuated by PBY, he brought with him the two displaced islanders, who were eventually flown back to their homeland.
Date: November 20, 2014
Creator: McCasker, A. W.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Carl Braddock, November 20, 2005 transcript

Oral History Interview with Carl Braddock, November 20, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carl Braddock. Braddock was born 1 February 1919 in Big Spring, Texas. Joining the Navy during May 1942, he took boot training in San Diego. He was assigned to range finding school and describes the training he received. Upon graduation he was assigned to the USS Saufley (DD-465), which went to Guadalcanal in December, 1942. He describes the bombardment of the island. In May 1943 he was sent to several schools for additional training. Braddock was assigned to the USS Franklin (CV-13) in January 1944 and he describes various battles in which he participated. He recalls the ship being subjected to attack and damaged by kamikaze aircraft on 9 October 1944 and 30 October 1944 which resulted in many casualties. He tells of being evacuated to the USS Santa Fe (CL-60). The Franklin returned to Bremerton, Washington for repairs and he was sent to school again. While in school he was notified that the ship was hit by several bombs with over 700 killed.
Date: November 20, 2005
Creator: Braddock, Carl
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Carl Braddock, November 20, 2005 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Carl Braddock, November 20, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carl Braddock. Braddock was born 1 February 1919 in Big Spring, Texas. Joining the Navy during May 1942, he took boot training in San Diego. He was assigned to range finding school and describes the training he received. Upon graduation he was assigned to the USS Saufley (DD-465), which went to Guadalcanal in December, 1942. He describes the bombardment of the island. In May 1943 he was sent to several schools for additional training. Braddock was assigned to the USS Franklin (CV-13) in January 1944 and he describes various battles in which he participated. He recalls the ship being subjected to attack and damaged by kamikaze aircraft on 9 October 1944 and 30 October 1944 which resulted in many casualties. He tells of being evacuated to the USS Santa Fe (CL-60). The Franklin returned to Bremerton, Washington for repairs and he was sent to school again. While in school he was notified that the ship was hit by several bombs with over 700 killed.
Date: November 20, 2005
Creator: Braddock, Carl
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Eugene Riester, November 20, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Eugene Riester, November 20, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Riester where he discusses his childhood and education and what led him to joining the Navy. He describes his experiences in the attack on Peral harbor and his service in the Pacific Theatre that followed.
Date: November 20, 2004
Creator: Riester, Eugene; Tombaugh, John & Meter, Peg Van
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Frank McGuinn, November 20, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Frank McGuinn, November 20, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank McGuinn. McGuinn trained with the Navy as a part of the V-12 program. He was commissioned in early 1945 and joined the crew of USS Saratoga (CV-3). McGuinn describes the preparations being made for the invasion of Japan and life aboard ship. He also details an incident that he witnessed when a plane caught fire on the flight deck during training. McGuinn took part in Operation Magic Carpet and then traveled with the Saratoga for the bomb testing at Bikini Atoll. He describes seeing the two bombs go off and the effects of the test on the Saratoga.
Date: November 20, 2003
Creator: McGuinn, Frank
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Frank McGuinn, November 20, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Frank McGuinn, November 20, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank McGuinn. McGuinn trained with the Navy as a part of the V-12 program. He was commissioned in early 1945 and joined the crew of USS Saratoga (CV-3). McGuinn describes the preparations being made for the invasion of Japan and life aboard ship. He also details an incident that he witnessed when a plane caught fire on the flight deck during training. McGuinn took part in Operation Magic Carpet and then traveled with the Saratoga for the bomb testing at Bikini Atoll. He describes seeing the two bombs go off and the effects of the test on the Saratoga.
Date: November 20, 2003
Creator: McGuinn, Frank
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Franklin B. Murphy, November 20, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Franklin B. Murphy, November 20, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Franklin B. Murphy of Milford, Maine. He discusses enlisting in the U.S. Marines and going through basic training in South Carolina before completing his communications training in North Carolina. He also talks about his journey from Hawaii to Tarawa and the horrors he saw when they arrived and started to set up communication lines. Mr. Murphy was assigned to the twenty-fourth marines as their communication before being sent to Iwo Jima. He was in Guam for some recreational time when the bombs were dropped on Japan and the war ended, he was then discharged December of 1945.
Date: November 20, 2003
Creator: Murphy, Franklin B.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Franklin B. Murphy, November 20, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Franklin B. Murphy, November 20, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Franklin B. Murphy of Milford, Maine. He discusses enlisting in the U.S. Marines and going through basic training in South Carolina before completing his communications training in North Carolina. He also talks about his journey from Hawaii to Tarawa and the horrors he saw when they arrived and started to set up communication lines. Mr. Murphy was assigned to the twenty-fourth marines as their communication before being sent to Iwo Jima. He was in Guam for some recreational time when the bombs were dropped on Japan and the war ended, he was then discharged December of 1945.
Date: November 20, 2003
Creator: Murphy, Franklin B.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Franklin Murphy, November 20, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Franklin Murphy, November 20, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Franklin Murphy. Murphy joined the Marine Corps and completed Communications School. In late 1943, he deployed to Hawaii, then participated in the Battle of Tarawa, setting up communications. He continued this same work on the Marshall Islands, the Solomon Islands, Iwo Jima and Guam. He was discharged in December of 1945.
Date: November 20, 2003
Creator: Murphy, Franklin
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Harold Mainer, November 20, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Harold Mainer, November 20, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with O. Harold Mainer. Mainer joined the Navy in October, 1940 and trained at San Diego. He was then assigned as a deckhand to USS Helena (CL-50) and caught the ship in Hawaii in late 1940 and was still aboard during the attack on Pearl Harbor, which he describes. Mainer was aboard when Helena sank at Kula Gulf. Then, Mainer was transferred to USS Munsee (ATF-107), an ocean going tug, for the remainder of the war. He was discharged in January 1947.
Date: November 20, 2019
Creator: Mainer, Harold
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Harold Mainer, November 20, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Harold Mainer, November 20, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with O. Harold Mainer. Mainer joined the Navy in October, 1940 and trained at San Diego. He was then assigned as a deckhand to USS Helena (CL-50) and caught the ship in Hawaii in late 1940 and was still aboard during the attack on Pearl Harbor, which he describes. Mainer was aboard when Helena sank at Kula Gulf. Then, Mainer was transferred to USS Munsee (ATF-107), an ocean going tug, for the remainder of the war. He was discharged in January 1947.
Date: November 20, 2019
Creator: Mainer, Harold
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Harvey L. Harvey, November 20, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Harvey L. Harvey, November 20, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harvey L. Harvey. Right after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Harvey left the oil fields in South Texas and joined the Army Air Corps. Harvey discusses training to be a pilot and then going to New Caledonia. He also shares anecdotes about aerial combat over Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands. Harvey participated in the mission to shoot down Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto in 1943 and describes his role and what he witnessed. Harvey also shartes several anecdotes from his time in combat and in the service while overseas.
Date: November 20, 2004
Creator: Harvey, Harvey L.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Harvey L. Harvey, November 20, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Harvey L. Harvey, November 20, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harvey L. Harvey. Right after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Harvey left the oil fields in South Texas and joined the Army Air Corps. Harvey discusses training to be a pilot and then going to New Caledonia. He also shares anecdotes about aerial combat over Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands. Harvey participated in the mission to shoot down Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto in 1943 and describes his role and what he witnessed. Harvey also shartes several anecdotes from his time in combat and in the service while overseas.
Date: November 20, 2004
Creator: Harvey, Harvey L.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Schneider, November 20, 2012 transcript

Oral History Interview with James Schneider, November 20, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Schneider. Schneider joined the Navy in January 1945. He describes his training at radio school including how he was taught Morse Code and typing. Schneider was assigned to PC-1244 and was based in Guam. He briefly discusses going through two typhoons with his tight-knit crew. Schneider was discharged from the Navy in July 1946.
Date: November 20, 2012
Creator: Schneider, James
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Schneider, November 20, 2012 (open access)

Oral History Interview with James Schneider, November 20, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Schneider. Schneider joined the Navy in January 1945. He describes his training at radio school including how he was taught Morse Code and typing. Schneider was assigned to PC-1244 and was based in Guam. He briefly discusses going through two typhoons with his tight-knit crew. Schneider was discharged from the Navy in July 1946.
Date: November 20, 2012
Creator: Schneider, James
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John M. Olsen, November 20, 2014 transcript

Oral History Interview with John M. Olsen, November 20, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John M Olsen. Olsen joined a reserve program with the Army Air Forces in February of 1944. In mid-1945, he deployed to the Philippines and joined a Recovered Personnel Detachment, processing allied prisoners of war. He transferred to Japan, continuing his work. Olsen returned to the US and received his discharge in December of 1946.
Date: November 20, 2014
Creator: Olsen, John M
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John M. Olsen, November 20, 2014 (open access)

Oral History Interview with John M. Olsen, November 20, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John M Olsen. Olsen joined a reserve program with the Army Air Forces in February of 1944. In mid-1945, he deployed to the Philippines and joined a Recovered Personnel Detachment, processing allied prisoners of war. He transferred to Japan, continuing his work. Olsen returned to the US and received his discharge in December of 1946.
Date: November 20, 2014
Creator: Olsen, John M
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Karl Everitt, November 20, 2000 transcript

Oral History Interview with Karl Everitt, November 20, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Karl Everitt. Everitt joined the Navy in June of 1942. He served aboard the USS Electra (AKA-4), and worked on a salvage boat. They participated in the invasion landings on North Africa. He was transferred to shore in England, and assigned to the USS LST-48. Everitt participated in the Normandy landings. He was then assigned to join the 3rd Army, and participated with them through the Battle of the Bulge. He returned to the US in the spring of 1945, and was discharged in November.
Date: November 20, 2000
Creator: Everitt, Karl
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Karl Everitt, November 20, 2000 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Karl Everitt, November 20, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Karl Everitt. Everitt joined the Navy in June of 1942. He served aboard the USS Electra (AKA-4), and worked on a salvage boat. They participated in the invasion landings on North Africa. He was transferred to shore in England, and assigned to the USS LST-48. Everitt participated in the Normandy landings. He was then assigned to join the 3rd Army, and participated with them through the Battle of the Bulge. He returned to the US in the spring of 1945, and was discharged in November.
Date: November 20, 2000
Creator: Everitt, Karl
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Linton Estes, November 20, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Linton Estes, November 20, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Linton “Pete” Estes. Born in Clayton, New Mexico 19 December 1920, Estes graduated from the University of Texas. He and his brother John took Civilian Pilot Training courses together. The brothers then took advanced training and upon receiving their licenses, became instructors for Wichita Falls (Texas) Air Transport Company training pilots for the military. Through the fall of 1941 Estes taught and graduated one class of future Army pilots and one class of future Navy pilots. Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the brothers signed on to The Central Instructor School at Kelly Field, Texas and upon completing the course, were commissioned and became military flight instructors. Later, by coincidence, both were ordered to report to Anchorage, Alaska. Upon arrival the brothers were assigned as operations officers in the Aleutians. Estes was sent to Adak and his brother John to Amchitka. While on Adak, Estes flew mail and supplies to outlying islands. After a few months both were transferred back to Anchorage, from which they flew various staff members and supplies to different destinations. While the brothers were on leave, Japan surrendered and soon thereafter, both were …
Date: November 20, 2002
Creator: Estes, Linton
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Linton Estes, November 20, 2002 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Linton Estes, November 20, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Linton “Pete” Estes. Born in Clayton, New Mexico 19 December 1920, Estes graduated from the University of Texas. He and his brother John took Civilian Pilot Training courses together. The brothers then took advanced training and upon receiving their licenses, became instructors for Wichita Falls (Texas) Air Transport Company training pilots for the military. Through the fall of 1941 Estes taught and graduated one class of future Army pilots and one class of future Navy pilots. Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the brothers signed on to The Central Instructor School at Kelly Field, Texas and upon completing the course, were commissioned and became military flight instructors. Later, by coincidence, both were ordered to report to Anchorage, Alaska. Upon arrival the brothers were assigned as operations officers in the Aleutians. Estes was sent to Adak and his brother John to Amchitka. While on Adak, Estes flew mail and supplies to outlying islands. After a few months both were transferred back to Anchorage, from which they flew various staff members and supplies to different destinations. While the brothers were on leave, Japan surrendered and soon thereafter, both were …
Date: November 20, 2002
Creator: Estes, Linton
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Pete Vasquez, November 20, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Pete Vasquez, November 20, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Pedro Alvarez Vasquez. Vasquez was drafted into the Army around 1943 and assigned to the 87th Armored Field Artillery. In 1944, they were deployed to England. Vasquez traveled throughout France and Germany with the tanks, in charge of gasoline, ammunition, serving as an assistant driver and working the machine guns. He recalls his experiences during the Battle of the Bulge. He returned to the US in November of 1945 and received his discharge.
Date: November 20, 2019
Creator: Vasquez, Pete
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History