The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harry Akune. Akune was born in Turlock, California. He served as a translator and interrogator for the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Service in the Pacific Theater. The Akune family had 4 brothers, all of whom served in World War II, though two served with the U.S. and two served with Japan. Upon their mother???s death in 1933, the brothers and their father moved to Japan to live with relatives. Once old enough, Harry Akune and his brother Ken returned to California to work. Shortly thereafter, the war started. In 1942 Harry and Ken were relocated to an internment camp in Colorado, where they were recruited by the U.S. Army, using their Japanese language to provide translations, question Japanese prisoners and create propaganda used to encourage opposing forces to surrender. Harry was assigned to the 33rd Infantry Division, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regimental Combat Team. He traveled to New Guinea, Leyte, Corregidor and Mindoro in the Philiippines. Unbeknownst to Harry and Ken, their younger brothers Saburo and Shiro were serving in the war for Imperial Japan. Harry was discharged in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harry Akune. Akune was born in Turlock, California. He served as a translator and interrogator for the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Service in the Pacific Theater. The Akune family had 4 brothers, all of whom served in World War II, though two served with the U.S. and two served with Japan. Upon their mother???s death in 1933, the brothers and their father moved to Japan to live with relatives. Once old enough, Harry Akune and his brother Ken returned to California to work. Shortly thereafter, the war started. In 1942 Harry and Ken were relocated to an internment camp in Colorado, where they were recruited by the U.S. Army, using their Japanese language to provide translations, question Japanese prisoners and create propaganda used to encourage opposing forces to surrender. Harry was assigned to the 33rd Infantry Division, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regimental Combat Team. He traveled to New Guinea, Leyte, Corregidor and Mindoro in the Philiippines. Unbeknownst to Harry and Ken, their younger brothers Saburo and Shiro were serving in the war for Imperial Japan. Harry was discharged in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Albert. Albert joined the Navy in 1941. Growing up in poverty with 12 siblings, enlisting was a way to ensure three square meals a day and to finally have his own bed. Albert was assigned to the USS Enterprise (CV-6) as a shipfitter, involved in routine maintenance and damage control. As such, he was appreciated by many people and often repaid with alcohol, which he would share with others before stowing the remainder inside the ship’s walls, welding the makeshift cubby shut each time. At Pearl Harbor, he conducted shore patrol and once broke up an altercation involving his own brother. The two of them, along with about 15 other pairs of brothers, worked together on the Enterprise, in the early days. Albert encountered many dangerous events, particularly surviving a weeklong typhoon, and watching from the crow’s nest as a kamikaze approached and blew out the number two elevator. In the aftermath, part of his duties in damage control included administering morphine to the wounded. Albert was discharged shortly before the war ended, having spent four years in the service. For a time thereafter, he suffered from …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Albert. Albert joined the Navy in 1941. Growing up in poverty with 12 siblings, enlisting was a way to ensure three square meals a day and to finally have his own bed. Albert was assigned to the USS Enterprise (CV-6) as a shipfitter, involved in routine maintenance and damage control. As such, he was appreciated by many people and often repaid with alcohol, which he would share with others before stowing the remainder inside the ship’s walls, welding the makeshift cubby shut each time. At Pearl Harbor, he conducted shore patrol and once broke up an altercation involving his own brother. The two of them, along with about 15 other pairs of brothers, worked together on the Enterprise, in the early days. Albert encountered many dangerous events, particularly surviving a weeklong typhoon, and watching from the crow’s nest as a kamikaze approached and blew out the number two elevator. In the aftermath, part of his duties in damage control included administering morphine to the wounded. Albert was discharged shortly before the war ended, having spent four years in the service. For a time thereafter, he suffered from …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Barnhill. Barnhill joined the Navy after graduating from high school in 1940. Upon completion of bugle school, he was a regimental bugler until receiving orders to board the USS Enterprise (CV-6). He was assigned a second station as assistant photographer. Barnhill’s first voyage was to Hawaii in March 1941 for training. When news of the attack on Pearl Harbor arrived, Barnhill recalls sounding general quarters from the bridge with his bugle. His first mission was at the Marshall Islands, where the ship came under attack. As the war developed, Barnhill volunteered to fuse bombs, a task he performed with his younger brother, who had requested to be assigned with him. There were no less than a dozen sets of brothers on the ship at that time. At the Battle of Rennell Island, Barnhill remembers the ship was under strict orders to leave behind any men in the water, leaving them to be rescued by other ships. He left the Enterprise in July 1944 and enjoyed easy duty in Oregon, where his unit worked part-time civilian jobs at local factories, which was appreciated by the community as the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Barnhill. Barnhill joined the Navy after graduating from high school in 1940. Upon completion of bugle school, he was a regimental bugler until receiving orders to board the USS Enterprise (CV-6). He was assigned a second station as assistant photographer. Barnhill’s first voyage was to Hawaii in March 1941 for training. When news of the attack on Pearl Harbor arrived, Barnhill recalls sounding general quarters from the bridge with his bugle. His first mission was at the Marshall Islands, where the ship came under attack. As the war developed, Barnhill volunteered to fuse bombs, a task he performed with his younger brother, who had requested to be assigned with him. There were no less than a dozen sets of brothers on the ship at that time. At the Battle of Rennell Island, Barnhill remembers the ship was under strict orders to leave behind any men in the water, leaving them to be rescued by other ships. He left the Enterprise in July 1944 and enjoyed easy duty in Oregon, where his unit worked part-time civilian jobs at local factories, which was appreciated by the community as the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John L. bates, Jr. where he discusses his childhood and education and what led him to join the Army. He describes his experiences working for the Counterintelligence Corps in China during World War two.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Brecount. Brecount joined the Navy in 1942 and received basic training at Farragut. He attended radio technician school at Texas A&M and Corpus Christi. Upon completion, he was sent to the Special Projects School for Air, where he learned to jam enemy radars. He joined the USS Enterprise (CV-6) in December 1944. His duty was so secretive that only one person aboard ship knew to expect his arrival. At Okinawa he survived several kamikaze attacks and lost one chief petty officer to friendly fire. Brecount was transferred to VT(N)-90 and then was reassigned to a radar repair shop in Norfolk. He was discharged at the end of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Brecount. Brecount joined the Navy in 1942 and received basic training at Farragut. He attended radio technician school at Texas A&M and Corpus Christi. Upon completion, he was sent to the Special Projects School for Air, where he learned to jam enemy radars. He joined the USS Enterprise (CV-6) in December 1944. His duty was so secretive that only one person aboard ship knew to expect his arrival. At Okinawa he survived several kamikaze attacks and lost one chief petty officer to friendly fire. Brecount was transferred to VT(N)-90 and then was reassigned to a radar repair shop in Norfolk. He was discharged at the end of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bryce Brown. Brown joined the Army around 1942. He trained with the Medical Corps and served as a Medical Clerk. Brown was stationed in China, in the field of malaria control. He returned to the US and was discharged in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bryce Brown. Brown joined the Army around 1942. He trained with the Medical Corps and served as a Medical Clerk. Brown was stationed in China, in the field of malaria control. He returned to the US and was discharged in 1945.

Transcript of an oral interview with Ben Carson. Carson enlisted in the Marine Corps shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Shortly after finishing boot camp in San Diego, Carson volunteered to join Major Evans Carlson's Marine Raider Battalion. Carson describes training with the Raiders prior to their first mission. He also discusses more training in Hawaii prior to the Battle of Midway. Carson describes being aboard the USS Argonaut (SM-1) with his unit and steaming for Makin Atoll to conduct a raid on a Japanese base there. He provides descriptions of getting off the submarine and into the rubber boats, getting to shore and beginning their raid. Carson also describes is activities during the raid: capturing the government house, dealing with snipers, and getting off the island. From there, Carson describes his unit's role at Guadalcanal.

Transcript of an oral interview with Ben Carson. Carson enlisted in the Marine Corps shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Shortly after finishing boot camp in San Diego, Carson volunteered to join Major Evans Carlson's Marine Raider Battalion. Carson describes training with the Raiders prior to their first mission. He also discusses more training in Hawaii prior to the Battle of Midway. Carson describes being aboard the USS Argonaut (SM-1) with his unit and steaming for Makin Atoll to conduct a raid on a Japanese base there. He provides descriptions of getting off the submarine and into the rubber boats, getting to shore and beginning their raid. Carson also describes is activities during the raid: capturing the government house, dealing with snipers, and getting off the island. From there, Carson describes his unit's role at Guadalcanal.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Roy Carter. Carter enlisted in the Navy in January 1942 and went into the V-7 program until he finished college. He trained to be a motor machinist’s mate and went aboard USS LST-543 in February 1944 in Illinois. They took the ship down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. He was aboard during the Normandy invasion and rode USS LST-543 to the Pacific in April 1945 to deliver troops to Saipan, the Philippines and Okinawa. After returning to the US, Carter was discharged in February 1946. Carter describes several aspects of life aboard an LST and relates several anecdotes.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including supper at Tooter's, the improvement of the financial situation at her work, and a party being planned for Pinkie Brown.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing seeing the movie "True to Life," having completed two missions, the mail service, and the time difference between him and Catherine.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ora Bull Durham. After initially volunteering for the Army Air Forces after high school and being rejected for high blood pressure, Durham was drafted in 1942 by the Navy. His basic training in Farragut was held indoors because of snow. He came down with rheumatic fever and the mumps, and upon recovery went aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6) in July 1943. He became a barrier operator for VF(N)-90, using a wheel to control one of the four barriers that stopped inbound planes that failed to latch to the arresting gear. At Okinawa he recalled seeing 70 kamikazes in the air around the time the Enterprise was hit. In Bremerton for repairs, the crew began celebrating the end of the war one week before it was officially declared, sensing its inevitability. Afterward, they traveled to San Francisco to pick up sailors bound for Hawaii. Durham stayed on for further troop transports and was soon discharged, retiring with the rank of aviation boatswain’s mate.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ora Bull Durham. After initially volunteering for the Army Air Forces after high school and being rejected for high blood pressure, Durham was drafted in 1942 by the Navy. His basic training in Farragut was held indoors because of snow. He came down with rheumatic fever and the mumps, and upon recovery went aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6) in July 1943. He became a barrier operator for VF(N)-90, using a wheel to control one of the four barriers that stopped inbound planes that failed to latch to the arresting gear. At Okinawa he recalled seeing 70 kamikazes in the air around the time the Enterprise was hit. In Bremerton for repairs, the crew began celebrating the end of the war one week before it was officially declared, sensing its inevitability. Afterward, they traveled to San Francisco to pick up sailors bound for Hawaii. Durham stayed on for further troop transports and was soon discharged, retiring with the rank of aviation boatswain’s mate.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with David Ellis. Ellis was born on 8 March 1918 in Big Spring, Texas and enlisted in the Army in 1936. He went to Officer Candidate School, where he was trained in intelligence. His first duty station was in Hawaii, where he was assigned to the Navy’s Central Pacific Command by mistake. Next he was sent to Okinawa as a platoon leader in the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. On Okinawa, Ellis was wounded and evacuated to a hospital ship and ultimately a field hospital in Saipan. His wounds left him unfit to return to combat and to be returned to the US due to the shell fragments embedded in his chest. Ellis walked away from the hospital and managed to get on a flight back to Okinawa and returned to his unit. The war ended shortly after he was given command of the regiment’s Intelligence and Reconnaissance (IR) platoon. The regiment then embarked on ships to Korea. During the transit, he was summoned to the flag bridge on the ship and assigned an intelligence gathering mission by Major General Archibald Arnold, 7th Infantry Division’s Commanding Officer. Ellis …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with David Ellis. Ellis was born on 8 March 1918 in Big Spring, Texas and enlisted in the Army in 1936. He went to Officer Candidate School, where he was trained in intelligence. His first duty station was in Hawaii, where he was assigned to the Navy’s Central Pacific Command by mistake. Next he was sent to Okinawa as a platoon leader in the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. On Okinawa, Ellis was wounded and evacuated to a hospital ship and ultimately a field hospital in Saipan. His wounds left him unfit to return to combat and to be returned to the US due to the shell fragments embedded in his chest. Ellis walked away from the hospital and managed to get on a flight back to Okinawa and returned to his unit. The war ended shortly after he was given command of the regiment’s Intelligence and Reconnaissance (IR) platoon. The regiment then embarked on ships to Korea. During the transit, he was summoned to the flag bridge on the ship and assigned an intelligence gathering mission by Major General Archibald Arnold, 7th Infantry Division’s Commanding Officer. Ellis …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Glass. Glass was born in Forsyth, Georgia on 27 March 1924. Upon graduation from high school in 1941, he joined the Navy. After completing boot camp in Norfolk, Virginia he attended a radio operator school in Alameda, California. In June 1942, he was assigned to VF-6 aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6). He was later assigned as to Bombing Squadron 10 (United States. Navy. Bombing Squadron 10 (VB-10)) as a radio operator aboard SBD dive bombers. Glass participated in various battles including Guadalcanal and the Battle of the Philippine Sea. In 1944 he was transferred off the ship and flew as the radio operator on PBYs. He was discharged in 1947 and enlisted in the Air Force. He briefly tells of the time spent in the Air Force.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Glass. Glass was born in Forsyth, Georgia on 27 March 1924. Upon graduation from high school in 1941, he joined the Navy. After completing boot camp in Norfolk, Virginia he attended a radio operator school in Alameda, California. In June 1942, he was assigned to VF-6 aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6). He was later assigned as to Bombing Squadron 10 (United States. Navy. Bombing Squadron 10 (VB-10)) as a radio operator aboard SBD dive bombers. Glass participated in various battles including Guadalcanal and the Battle of the Philippine Sea. In 1944 he was transferred off the ship and flew as the radio operator on PBYs. He was discharged in 1947 and enlisted in the Air Force. He briefly tells of the time spent in the Air Force.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Hamlin. Hamlin was born in Tacoma, Washington on 13 February 1923. He joined the Navy in December 1941 and went to San Diego for boot training. In February 1942 he went aboard the USS Crescent City (APA-21) bound for Pearl Harbor. Soon after his arrival he was assigned to the deck force aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6). He recalls the Enterprise accompanying the USS Hornet (CV-12) and describes seeing Doolittle’s B-25s take off for the bombing mission over Japan. He remembers being in the Battle of Midway as well as the Battle of Santa Cruz and mentions the wounds he received when a bomb hit the ship. Hamlin left the ship in December 1944 and was discharged in 1945. He tells of having nightmares related to his experiences for some time after his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Hamlin. Hamlin was born in Tacoma, Washington on 13 February 1923. He joined the Navy in December 1941 and went to San Diego for boot training. In February 1942 he went aboard the USS Crescent City (APA-21) bound for Pearl Harbor. Soon after his arrival he was assigned to the deck force aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6). He recalls the Enterprise accompanying the USS Hornet (CV-12) and describes seeing Doolittle’s B-25s take off for the bombing mission over Japan. He remembers being in the Battle of Midway as well as the Battle of Santa Cruz and mentions the wounds he received when a bomb hit the ship. Hamlin left the ship in December 1944 and was discharged in 1945. He tells of having nightmares related to his experiences for some time after his discharge.