Interview with Earl Smyth, Jr., a serviceman during World War II. He discusses his time aboard the USS Saratoga at the Battle of Midway and at Guadalcanal, where the ship sustained two torpedo attacks. He saw Pearl Harbor three days after the attack.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas Burke. Burke was born in Kendall, Kentucky 26 March 1917. After graduating from Monroe High School in Rochester, New York in 1935 he attended Union College, Schenectady, New York majoring in electrical engineering. He graduated in 1939. On 1 December 1941 he entered the US Navy at New London, Connecticut. He entered Submarine Officer’s School at New London with three months training on the submarine USS O-6. Upon graduation he was assigned to the USS Flasher (SS-249) as the communications officer. Burke describes four of the six combat patrols the Flasher made while he was aboard and mentions the shipping tonnage sunk by the boat. He also tells an interesting story involving two Chinese seamen who were picked up after the Flasher sank their sampan. After returning to San Francisco for an overhaul, the submarine made a seventh and uneventful patrol from which they were recalled, as Japan had surrendered. The submarine was taken to the New Orleans Navy Depot and Burke was discharged soon thereafter.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas Burke. Burke was born in Kendall, Kentucky 26 March 1917. After graduating from Monroe High School in Rochester, New York in 1935 he attended Union College, Schenectady, New York majoring in electrical engineering. He graduated in 1939. On 1 December 1941 he entered the US Navy at New London, Connecticut. He entered Submarine Officer’s School at New London with three months training on the submarine USS O-6. Upon graduation he was assigned to the USS Flasher (SS-249) as the communications officer. Burke describes four of the six combat patrols the Flasher made while he was aboard and mentions the shipping tonnage sunk by the boat. He also tells an interesting story involving two Chinese seamen who were picked up after the Flasher sank their sampan. After returning to San Francisco for an overhaul, the submarine made a seventh and uneventful patrol from which they were recalled, as Japan had surrendered. The submarine was taken to the New Orleans Navy Depot and Burke was discharged soon thereafter.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Cain. Cain joined the Indiana national Guard and earned a commission. Cain speaks of following General MacArthur into the Philippines in 1944. Cain was an armored artillery battery commander. He describes the surrender of several hundred Japanese toorps. Apparently, after the war, Cain got into some trouble with a Filipino woman and was transferred out o fthe Philippines to Seoul, Korea, where he ran the officer's club. When Cain got out of the Army, he became an insurance broker.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Cain. Cain joined the Indiana national Guard and earned a commission. Cain speaks of following General MacArthur into the Philippines in 1944. Cain was an armored artillery battery commander. He describes the surrender of several hundred Japanese toorps. Apparently, after the war, Cain got into some trouble with a Filipino woman and was transferred out o fthe Philippines to Seoul, Korea, where he ran the officer's club. When Cain got out of the Army, he became an insurance broker.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Billie Campbell. Campbell was born on 10 June 1926 in Oklahoma. He joined the Navy in 1944 and served as a signalman aboard USS Calvert (APA-32) and USS Montour (APA-101). He tells of crossing the equator and undergoing the King Neptune ritual. He recalls arriving at Manus Island and observing the aftermath of the USS Mount Hood (AE-11) explosion. He describes ships being hit by Japanese planes and observing the American flag-raising on Mount Suribachi. He also tells of seeing American dead being buried in trenches near the beaches on Iwo Jima.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Billie Campbell. Campbell was born on 10 June 1926 in Oklahoma. He joined the Navy in 1944 and served as a signalman aboard USS Calvert (APA-32) and USS Montour (APA-101). He tells of crossing the equator and undergoing the King Neptune ritual. He recalls arriving at Manus Island and observing the aftermath of the USS Mount Hood (AE-11) explosion. He describes ships being hit by Japanese planes and observing the American flag-raising on Mount Suribachi. He also tells of seeing American dead being buried in trenches near the beaches on Iwo Jima.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Campbell. Campbell joined the Merchant Marine in March of 1942. He began as a wiper working in the engine room. Campbell soon found work on the North Atlantic convoy. His ship was torpedoed and sunk on the way to Murmansk. His next ship hit a mine and was forced to run aground. Campbell was a crewman on a ship that arrived at Cherbourg after the storm that destroyed the Mulberry Harbor. He also manned a diesel engine on a barque that made runs to France. Campbell was forced to spend time in a Naval hospital upon his return to the States for convoy fatigue. Next, he traveled to the Mediterranean where his ship transported a chemical warfare unit. Campbell eventually ended up in the Pacific near the end of the war to transport munitions for the invasion of Japan. He made one final voyage to Brazil after the surrender.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Campbell. Campbell joined the Merchant Marine in March of 1942. He began as a wiper working in the engine room. Campbell soon found work on the North Atlantic convoy. His ship was torpedoed and sunk on the way to Murmansk. His next ship hit a mine and was forced to run aground. Campbell was a crewman on a ship that arrived at Cherbourg after the storm that destroyed the Mulberry Harbor. He also manned a diesel engine on a barque that made runs to France. Campbell was forced to spend time in a Naval hospital upon his return to the States for convoy fatigue. Next, he traveled to the Mediterranean where his ship transported a chemical warfare unit. Campbell eventually ended up in the Pacific near the end of the war to transport munitions for the invasion of Japan. He made one final voyage to Brazil after the surrender.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Julius Casarez. Casarez was born in Austin, Texas on 9 May 1920. Upon joining the Army in December 1941, he had basic training in El Paso, Texas. Assigned to a machine gun anti-aircraft unit, he tells of sailing in convoy to Karachi, India. During July 1942, the unit moved to New Delhi. After six months they flew to Kunming, China. He describes traveling on the Burma Road to the Mekong River where they engaged in combat with the Japanese. In February 1945, Casarez returned to the United States.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Julius Casarez. Casarez was born in Austin, Texas on 9 May 1920. Upon joining the Army in December 1941, he had basic training in El Paso, Texas. Assigned to a machine gun anti-aircraft unit, he tells of sailing in convoy to Karachi, India. During July 1942, the unit moved to New Delhi. After six months they flew to Kunming, China. He describes traveling on the Burma Road to the Mekong River where they engaged in combat with the Japanese. In February 1945, Casarez returned to the United States.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Cashin. Cashin passed his Foreign Service Officer examinations and was awaiting assignment when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in December of 1941. In July of 1942 he joined the Army, 17th Infantry Division. He began Officer Candidate School in December. Upon completion of school he was assigned Platoon Leader in the Cavalry Replacement Training Center. He later served as a lieutenant in the Military Intelligence Center at Fort Ritchie, Maryland. In the fall of 1943 Cashin was stationed in Knutsford, England with the headquarters of the 3rd Army, relaying some anecdotal stories of General Patton. In July of 1944 Cashin went to Utah Beach and Sainte-Mère-Église in France and through Belgium to Bastogne in December. They moved into Renne, Brittany and Paris, France, where he took a job as a military liaison officer after the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Cashin. Cashin passed his Foreign Service Officer examinations and was awaiting assignment when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in December of 1941. In July of 1942 he joined the Army, 17th Infantry Division. He began Officer Candidate School in December. Upon completion of school he was assigned Platoon Leader in the Cavalry Replacement Training Center. He later served as a lieutenant in the Military Intelligence Center at Fort Ritchie, Maryland. In the fall of 1943 Cashin was stationed in Knutsford, England with the headquarters of the 3rd Army, relaying some anecdotal stories of General Patton. In July of 1944 Cashin went to Utah Beach and Sainte-Mère-Église in France and through Belgium to Bastogne in December. They moved into Renne, Brittany and Paris, France, where he took a job as a military liaison officer after the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eunice Marie Valencia Cavajeh. Cavajeh was born 16 October 1927 in Oskosura on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Her father was a Filipino doctor who was trained in the United States and her mother was an American nurse. They were married in the Philippines in 1919. Cavajeh recalls the Japanese invasion beginning 8 December 1941. She also recalls the confusion encountered upon leaving the city. She tells of the Japanese occupying the hospital her father managed. She joined a guerilla group and was assigned the duty of typing up reports that were sent to other guerilla units by runner. She mentions that a number of friends were executed for supporting the guerillas and of the Japanese burning houses as they retreated once the Allies invaded. She also recalls hearing of the surrender of Japan.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eunice Marie Valencia Cavajeh. Cavajeh was born 16 October 1927 in Oskosura on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Her father was a Filipino doctor who was trained in the United States and her mother was an American nurse. They were married in the Philippines in 1919. Cavajeh recalls the Japanese invasion beginning 8 December 1941. She also recalls the confusion encountered upon leaving the city. She tells of the Japanese occupying the hospital her father managed. She joined a guerilla group and was assigned the duty of typing up reports that were sent to other guerilla units by runner. She mentions that a number of friends were executed for supporting the guerillas and of the Japanese burning houses as they retreated once the Allies invaded. She also recalls hearing of the surrender of Japan.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ray Christensen. Christensen was born in Henry, South Dakota in December 1917. He joined the Navy in September 1941 and went to Great lakes Naval Training Station, Chicago, Illinois for boot training. Upon completion he reported aboard the USS Colorado (BB-45) at Bremerton, Washington. He tells of the ship taking part in the bombardment of Tarawa. After returning to the United States for overhaul, the ship took part in the invasion of several islands including Tinian. While bombarding Tinian, the ship was hit by Japanese shore batteries resulting in numerous casualties. Christensen recalls that after being repaired in the United States the Colorado participated in the invasion of Leyte. During this time the ship was hit by two kamikaze aircraft, which resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. After repairs at Manus Island the ship participated in the bombardment of Lingayen Gulf. During this operation the ship was hit by accidental shelling by the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) resulting in many casualties. The ship also participated in the invasion of Okinawa and Christensen saw people jumping off cliffs to avoid capture during this operation.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ray Christensen. Christensen was born in Henry, South Dakota in December 1917. He joined the Navy in September 1941 and went to Great lakes Naval Training Station, Chicago, Illinois for boot training. Upon completion he reported aboard the USS Colorado (BB-45) at Bremerton, Washington. He tells of the ship taking part in the bombardment of Tarawa. After returning to the United States for overhaul, the ship took part in the invasion of several islands including Tinian. While bombarding Tinian, the ship was hit by Japanese shore batteries resulting in numerous casualties. Christensen recalls that after being repaired in the United States the Colorado participated in the invasion of Leyte. During this time the ship was hit by two kamikaze aircraft, which resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. After repairs at Manus Island the ship participated in the bombardment of Lingayen Gulf. During this operation the ship was hit by accidental shelling by the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) resulting in many casualties. The ship also participated in the invasion of Okinawa and Christensen saw people jumping off cliffs to avoid capture during this operation.

Letter sent from Mrs. F. M. Cochrane to Cecelia McKie thanking her for the message from her daughter, Mrs. Cadwallader, and stating they have had no word from her since Manila fell to the Japanese. She explains the names were twisted around in the letter, as she is Mrs. F.M. Cochrane, and her daughter is Mrs. Cadwallader. She states she is enclosing a newspaper clipping from the Charlotte, North Carolina Observer. Newspaper clipping from Charlotte, North Carolina Observer sent with letter from Mrs. F. M. Cochrane to Cecelia McKie titled 'Word Received from Prisoner: Colonel and Mrs. Cochran get message from daughter held by Japanese.' Envelope addressed to Mrs. W. L. McKie, Sacramento, California from Mrs. F. M. Cochran, Davidson, North Carolina. Reverse side of envelope has been removed by creator.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jetty Cook. Cook enlisted in the Army Air Corps in the aviation cadet program soon after his 18th birthday in 1942. They promised him that if he enlisted he would not be called to active duty until after he finished high school; this didn't turn out to be the case. He was sent to aviation cadet training in California but 'washed out' because of poor eyesight. He still wanted to fly so they said he could be a gunner. After B-17 flight mechanic school in Amarillo, Texas he was sent to aerial gunnery school in Kingman, Arizona, finishing just before Christmas 1943. Afterwards, he went to MacDill Army Airfield for two months of combat crew training. This is where the B-17 crews were formed up. He was selected by the pilot of this aircraft to be the flight engineer and top turret gunner. From there, the crew went to Hunter Army Airfiled, picked up a brand new B-17 out of the factory and received orders to deploy to Bangor, Maine. After arriving at a RAF base in Northern Ireland (after a grueling flight across the North Atlantic) their …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jetty Cook. Cook enlisted in the Army Air Corps in the aviation cadet program soon after his 18th birthday in 1942. They promised him that if he enlisted he would not be called to active duty until after he finished high school; this didn't turn out to be the case. He was sent to aviation cadet training in California but 'washed out' because of poor eyesight. He still wanted to fly so they said he could be a gunner. After B-17 flight mechanic school in Amarillo, Texas he was sent to aerial gunnery school in Kingman, Arizona, finishing just before Christmas 1943. Afterwards, he went to MacDill Army Airfield for two months of combat crew training. This is where the B-17 crews were formed up. He was selected by the pilot of this aircraft to be the flight engineer and top turret gunner. From there, the crew went to Hunter Army Airfiled, picked up a brand new B-17 out of the factory and received orders to deploy to Bangor, Maine. After arriving at a RAF base in Northern Ireland (after a grueling flight across the North Atlantic) their …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Cooper. Cooper was working for the Indianapolis Fire Department when he was drafted into the Army in 1943. From there, he volunteered for the paratroopers and trained at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. He was assigned to the 517th Parachute Combat Team. Cooper describes much of his training, equipment and uniform. In May, 1944, his unit landed in Italy. He jumped with his unit into Southern France in August, 1944 and served as a scout. Cooper also mentions some about the Battle of the Bulge. He returned home and was discharged in October, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Cooper. Cooper was working for the Indianapolis Fire Department when he was drafted into the Army in 1943. From there, he volunteered for the paratroopers and trained at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. He was assigned to the 517th Parachute Combat Team. Cooper describes much of his training, equipment and uniform. In May, 1944, his unit landed in Italy. He jumped with his unit into Southern France in August, 1944 and served as a scout. Cooper also mentions some about the Battle of the Bulge. He returned home and was discharged in October, 1945.

Letter sent from Shaffe T. Courey, State Commander, American Ex-Prisoners of War, Inc., to Cecelia McKie regarding National Citation award.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Cox. Cox was born in Bismarck, Illinois on 3 November 1917. He joined the Army Air Corps in December 1939. Upon completing basic training he was sent to Nichols Field, Manila, Philippines, arriving there in May 1940. Soon after his arrival he was assigned to the 27th Materials Squadron and trained in an aircraft mechanics school. He was selected for a special mission to Port Moresby, New Guinea and was there when the Japanese attacked the Philippines. He was then ordered to report to Townsville, Australia. Cox recalls various experiences while working with the Australian forces. Returning to the United States in 1943 he was promoted to Warrant Officer and assigned as Aircraft Maintenance Officer at Sedalia Army Air Field, Missouri in December 1943. In March 1944, he was sent to Fulbeck, England where he joined the 303rd Troop Carrier Squadron. He describes the loading of the squadron’s planes with troops prior to the launching of Operation Overlord, 6 June 1944. He concludes the interview describing the unit’s involvement in Operation Dragoon August 1944.