The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Heyer. Heyer joined the Navy in March 1945. He went to Great Lakes in Chicago for boot camp. He provides detail of his boot camp experience. From there he went to the U.S. Navy Receiving Station in Seattle where he received and dispatched Army personnel. He then served aboard the USS Clamour (AM-160) beginning October 1945. They were working to put the ship out of commission. His work aboard the ship was clerical, office work, and bringing the crews’ personnel records up-to-date and other duties to de-commission the ship. He was discharged in July 1946. He later re-enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve program December 1946, and was recalled to active duty in January 1947. He was assigned as a station keeper at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Millington, Tennessee. He worked in a school for veterans assisting with automotive repair, clerical work and helping veterans organize their service activities. He was released from active duty in August 1948, and released from the Naval Reserve in July 1950.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Heyer. Heyer joined the Navy in March 1945. He went to Great Lakes in Chicago for boot camp. He provides detail of his boot camp experience. From there he went to the U.S. Navy Receiving Station in Seattle where he received and dispatched Army personnel. He then served aboard the USS Clamour (AM-160) beginning October 1945. They were working to put the ship out of commission. His work aboard the ship was clerical, office work, and bringing the crews’ personnel records up-to-date and other duties to de-commission the ship. He was discharged in July 1946. He later re-enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve program December 1946, and was recalled to active duty in January 1947. He was assigned as a station keeper at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Millington, Tennessee. He worked in a school for veterans assisting with automotive repair, clerical work and helping veterans organize their service activities. He was released from active duty in August 1948, and released from the Naval Reserve in July 1950.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edwin V. ""Bud"" Niewehuis. Niewenhuis left the family farm in South Dakota and went looking for work in California in December, 1941. He was drafted into the Army in June, 1942. He trained with an anti-aircraft artillery unit before shipping to New Guinea. Niewenhuis participated in the invasion of Morotai and describes defending a captured airfield with the 389th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. From Morotai, his unit went to Luzon to prepare for the invasion of Japan that never occurred. He returned home in late 1945 and was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edwin V. ""Bud"" Niewehuis. Niewenhuis left the family farm in South Dakota and went looking for work in California in December, 1941. He was drafted into the Army in June, 1942. He trained with an anti-aircraft artillery unit before shipping to New Guinea. Niewenhuis participated in the invasion of Morotai and describes defending a captured airfield with the 389th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. From Morotai, his unit went to Luzon to prepare for the invasion of Japan that never occurred. He returned home in late 1945 and was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al Jowdy. Jowdy enlisted in the Navy in July 1942 at the age of 15, with his parents’ consent. His first assignment was pulling bodies out of sunken ships in Pearl Harbor. At Guadalcanal, his ship was torpedoed. Due to the presence of enemy subs, he could not be rescued initially and spent two weeks floating in a raft. Then he joined a rescue effort to aid the USS Wasp (CV-7), only to be torpedoed again, spending another four days in the water. Jowdy was then assigned to the USS Salt Lake City (CA-25), patrolling the Bering Sea and participating in the Battle of the Komandorski Islands as a second loader on a 40-millimeter. After witnessing the Marianas Turkey Shoot and also seeing MacArthur film his famous return, Jowdy participated in the bombardment of Iwo Jima, amidst kamikazes and suicide boats. After the war, he survived a typhoon and served occupation duty in Japan, later transporting troops as part of the demobilization effort before being discharged in January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al Jowdy. Jowdy enlisted in the Navy in July 1942 at the age of 15, with his parents’ consent. His first assignment was pulling bodies out of sunken ships in Pearl Harbor. At Guadalcanal, his ship was torpedoed. Due to the presence of enemy subs, he could not be rescued initially and spent two weeks floating in a raft. Then he joined a rescue effort to aid the USS Wasp (CV-7), only to be torpedoed again, spending another four days in the water. Jowdy was then assigned to the USS Salt Lake City (CA-25), patrolling the Bering Sea and participating in the Battle of the Komandorski Islands as a second loader on a 40-millimeter. After witnessing the Marianas Turkey Shoot and also seeing MacArthur film his famous return, Jowdy participated in the bombardment of Iwo Jima, amidst kamikazes and suicide boats. After the war, he survived a typhoon and served occupation duty in Japan, later transporting troops as part of the demobilization effort before being discharged in January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Eleanor Schneider. Schneider was born in November of 1932 in New Braunfels, Texas. She grew up in a German-American community, and speaks on some of the difficulties she faced on the homefront during World War II. She speaks about her family history, education and the impact of war on her town. She recalls her family being questioned by the FBI regarding communications they had with relatives in Germany. Schneider speaks of other families of Lebanese, Mexican and Czech descent living in New Braunfels and how discrimination played a role in her community.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Eleanor Schneider. Schneider was born in November of 1932 in New Braunfels, Texas. She grew up in a German-American community, and speaks on some of the difficulties she faced on the homefront during World War II. She speaks about her family history, education and the impact of war on her town. She recalls her family being questioned by the FBI regarding communications they had with relatives in Germany. Schneider speaks of other families of Lebanese, Mexican and Czech descent living in New Braunfels and how discrimination played a role in her community.

Transcript of an oral interview with Glenn McDole. McDole begins with some anecdotes about homesteading in Nebraska with his parents and siblings in the 1930s. In 1940, after finishing high school, McDole enlisted in the Marine Corps. He trained in San Diego and then shipped out to the Philippines aboard the USS Chaumont (AP-5). When he arrived in the Philippines, McDole was assigned to a security detachment at Cavite Navy Yard. McDole describes his experiences during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. He ended up on Corregidor manning a machine gun and was present for the surrender. McDole describes being taken back to Manila by the Japanese before being transported to the POW camp at Cabanatuan. After a while, McDole went to Palawan with a large group of POWs to build an airstrip. He also relates the story about when his appendix ruptured while a prisoner of war, the surgery and his recovery.

Transcript of an oral interview with Glenn McDole. McDole begins with some anecdotes about homesteading in Nebraska with his parents and siblings in the 1930s. In 1940, after finishing high school, McDole enlisted in the Marine Corps. He trained in San Diego and then shipped out to the Philippines aboard the USS Chaumont (AP-5). When he arrived in the Philippines, McDole was assigned to a security detachment at Cavite Navy Yard. McDole describes his experiences during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines. He ended up on Corregidor manning a machine gun and was present for the surrender. McDole describes being taken back to Manila by the Japanese before being transported to the POW camp at Cabanatuan. After a while, McDole went to Palawan with a large group of POWs to build an airstrip. He also relates the story about when his appendix ruptured while a prisoner of war, the surgery and his recovery.

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.

Transcript of an oral interview with Jack Ward. Ward moved quickly through school and enlisted in the Navy at 17 in March, 1945. He caught scarlet fever in training and was held back. As a result, the war ended while he was still in training. Ward recalls working in an office in the San Francisco Bay Area where orders were typed out. He implies that he wrote his own orders to get aboard a refridgerated merchant vessel hauling cold supplies to various points in the Pacific. Ward recalls several anecdotes about serving aboard his merchant vessel. One was a stroy about smuggling booze aboard to sell to sailors at an inflated price. Ward finished by speaking about his post war careers.

Transcript of an oral interview with Jack Ward. Ward moved quickly through school and enlisted in the Navy at 17 in March, 1945. He caught scarlet fever in training and was held back. As a result, the war ended while he was still in training. Ward recalls working in an office in the San Francisco Bay Area where orders were typed out. He implies that he wrote his own orders to get aboard a refridgerated merchant vessel hauling cold supplies to various points in the Pacific. Ward recalls several anecdotes about serving aboard his merchant vessel. One was a stroy about smuggling booze aboard to sell to sailors at an inflated price. Ward finished by speaking about his post war careers.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jim Tuttle. Tuttle joined the Army in October of 1940. He served as an infantry Sergeant with Company G, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. He participated in the New Guinea Campaign and the Philippines Campaign. He was discharged in August of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jim Tuttle. Tuttle joined the Army in October of 1940. He served as an infantry Sergeant with Company G, 127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. He participated in the New Guinea Campaign and the Philippines Campaign. He was discharged in August of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ken Wiley. Wiley was born in Hillsboro, Texas 18 July 1925 and joined the US Coast Guard in 1942. He underwent basic training at St. Augustine, Florida for six weeks before being sent to landing craft school at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for training in LCVPs. Upon completion of the training he was assigned as a coxswain of a four man boat crew. After arriving in Hawaii he began making practice landing with the 22nd Marine Regiment in preparation for the invasion of Kwajalein. He tells of participating in the invasions of Kwajalein, Eniwetok, Saipan, Leyte and Okinawa. He describes the various landings and tells of seeing men killed. In recalling landing in the Philippines, he tells of the landing craft being met by Filipinos in their outrigger canoes and of the joy they had in meeting the Americans. In recalling the invasion of Okinawa he mentions attacks by kamikazes. He also describes an incident involving Jack Dempsey that took place on the beach of Okinawa after the initial invasion. Soon after the Okinawa invasion, Wiley returned to the United States and was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ken Wiley. Wiley was born in Hillsboro, Texas 18 July 1925 and joined the US Coast Guard in 1942. He underwent basic training at St. Augustine, Florida for six weeks before being sent to landing craft school at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for training in LCVPs. Upon completion of the training he was assigned as a coxswain of a four man boat crew. After arriving in Hawaii he began making practice landing with the 22nd Marine Regiment in preparation for the invasion of Kwajalein. He tells of participating in the invasions of Kwajalein, Eniwetok, Saipan, Leyte and Okinawa. He describes the various landings and tells of seeing men killed. In recalling landing in the Philippines, he tells of the landing craft being met by Filipinos in their outrigger canoes and of the joy they had in meeting the Americans. In recalling the invasion of Okinawa he mentions attacks by kamikazes. He also describes an incident involving Jack Dempsey that took place on the beach of Okinawa after the initial invasion. Soon after the Okinawa invasion, Wiley returned to the United States and was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Paul Hilliard. Hilliard was 17 years old when he joined the Marine Corps in February 1943. Upon completion of aviation radio and gunnery training, he joined Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 341 (VMSB-341), as an SBD rear-seat replacement. There he had an opportunity to chat with pilot and Yankee infielder Jerry Coleman. En route to Luzon, he was terrified by a typhoon as nearby ammunition barges were being tossed around by the waves. Once in the Philippines, Hilliard flew over 50 missions as support for the Army. At night he slept in a tent or took cover in a foxhole. When the war ended, Hilliard was reassigned to a C-47 squadron as a radio operator, flying with actor and pilot Tyrone Power, transporting entertainment acts to military bases. After being discharged in June 1946, he attended law school and bought a house on the G.I. Bill.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Paul Hilliard. Hilliard was 17 years old when he joined the Marine Corps in February 1943. Upon completion of aviation radio and gunnery training, he joined Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 341 (VMSB-341), as an SBD rear-seat replacement. There he had an opportunity to chat with pilot and Yankee infielder Jerry Coleman. En route to Luzon, he was terrified by a typhoon as nearby ammunition barges were being tossed around by the waves. Once in the Philippines, Hilliard flew over 50 missions as support for the Army. At night he slept in a tent or took cover in a foxhole. When the war ended, Hilliard was reassigned to a C-47 squadron as a radio operator, flying with actor and pilot Tyrone Power, transporting entertainment acts to military bases. After being discharged in June 1946, he attended law school and bought a house on the G.I. Bill.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Mrs. Tula Augusta Hickman Shook. Born in 1929, she discusses life on a farm in Texas during the Great Depression and the war. She talks about learning of the attack on Pearl Harbor. She describes rationing, scrap metal drives, war bonds, and blackouts. She recounts how she met her husband, Leon J. Shook, as the result of corresponding with him while he was serving as a Machinist?s Mate on the USS Colorado. She shares the story of her underage elopement. She talks about leaving high school at age fifteen to travel to San Diego where her husband was stationed. After the war, the couple returned to Texas.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Mrs. Tula Augusta Hickman Shook. Born in 1929, she discusses life on a farm in Texas during the Great Depression and the war. She talks about learning of the attack on Pearl Harbor. She describes rationing, scrap metal drives, war bonds, and blackouts. She recounts how she met her husband, Leon J. Shook, as the result of corresponding with him while he was serving as a Machinist?s Mate on the USS Colorado. She shares the story of her underage elopement. She talks about leaving high school at age fifteen to travel to San Diego where her husband was stationed. After the war, the couple returned to Texas.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carlyle Herring. Herring joined the Navy after high school, in 1937. His initial assignment was as a boatswain’s mate, in charge of anchors and small boats. Herring was aboard the Enterprise (CV-6) when Pearl Harbor was attacked. While sailing to Wake Island in the weeks before the Pearl Harbor attack, Herring was stationed at an anti-aircraft gun mount as Admiral Halsey announced that he anticipated imminent Japanese aggression, putting the ship at general quarters. While on the Enterprise, he was sent to work on the flight deck, pulling chocks from aircraft, putting him in dangerously close proximity to moving propellers. For a time, he worked with a dive bomber squadron until being erroneously court martialed for his buddies’ antics. During combat, Herring witnessed the sinking of other ships in his group, yet he never was afraid for his own life. Herring ended his service as an aviation machinist’s mate.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carlyle Herring. Herring joined the Navy after high school, in 1937. His initial assignment was as a boatswain’s mate, in charge of anchors and small boats. Herring was aboard the Enterprise (CV-6) when Pearl Harbor was attacked. While sailing to Wake Island in the weeks before the Pearl Harbor attack, Herring was stationed at an anti-aircraft gun mount as Admiral Halsey announced that he anticipated imminent Japanese aggression, putting the ship at general quarters. While on the Enterprise, he was sent to work on the flight deck, pulling chocks from aircraft, putting him in dangerously close proximity to moving propellers. For a time, he worked with a dive bomber squadron until being erroneously court martialed for his buddies’ antics. During combat, Herring witnessed the sinking of other ships in his group, yet he never was afraid for his own life. Herring ended his service as an aviation machinist’s mate.