The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with J.L. Summers. While attending college, Summers entered the Army in November, 1940 when his unit, the headquarters battery in the 131st Field Artillery, was mobilized. Prior to that, Summers had been in the National Guard. En route to the Philippines, Summers' unit was redirected to Australia after the Japanese attack. From there, they went to Java. In March, 1942, Summers became a prisoner of war and wound up at Bicycle Camp in Batavia (Jakarta today). Summers describes life as a POW at Bicycle Camp. He was shipped out to the POW camp at Changi, Singapore in September, 1942 aboard the Dai Nichi Maru. In January a train trip and another hell ship ride occurred to Burma. Once there, Japanese trucks took Summers and the other POWs to 18 Kilo Camp where they were to build the railroad to Thailand. From there, he went to the 40 Kilo Camp in March, the 80 Kilo Camp in June, and the 100 Kilo Camp in late August. Throughout this time, Summers suffered from tropical ulcers on his legs, malaria, wet beriberi, dysentery and dengue fever. When the railroad was completed, Summers …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edwin Dubose. Dubose was born in Waxahachie, Texas on 8 August 1917 and after graduating from Texas A&M, received his commission as ensign in the Navy in 1941. He interviewed with Lieutenant John D. Bulkeley while at Midshipman School in Chicago and was selected for Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron School in Melville, Rhode Island. After training, Dubose was assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 15. His squadron was the first to be sent to the Mediterranean in April 1943. The squadron was originally based in Algeria and Tunisia. Their mission was to interdict German and Italian boats leaving Sicily attempting to evacuate the Afrika Corps from the Tunisian Peninsula. His squadron’s role during the invasion of Sicily was keeping German fast attack boats, known as E-boats, away from the Allied landing craft. During the following year, his squadron was based at Bastia, Corsica and interdicted German barges, known as Flak-lighters, attempting to supply the German army fighting in Italy. Dubose’s squadron also supported the invasion at Salerno. During this time he met General George S. Patton. His squadron served as an anti-E-boat screen in the Nice-Cannes area during …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edwin Dubose. Dubose was born in Waxahachie, Texas on 8 August 1917 and after graduating from Texas A&M, received his commission as ensign in the Navy in 1941. He interviewed with Lieutenant John D. Bulkeley while at Midshipman School in Chicago and was selected for Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron School in Melville, Rhode Island. After training, Dubose was assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 15. His squadron was the first to be sent to the Mediterranean in April 1943. The squadron was originally based in Algeria and Tunisia. Their mission was to interdict German and Italian boats leaving Sicily attempting to evacuate the Afrika Corps from the Tunisian Peninsula. His squadron’s role during the invasion of Sicily was keeping German fast attack boats, known as E-boats, away from the Allied landing craft. During the following year, his squadron was based at Bastia, Corsica and interdicted German barges, known as Flak-lighters, attempting to supply the German army fighting in Italy. Dubose’s squadron also supported the invasion at Salerno. During this time he met General George S. Patton. His squadron served as an anti-E-boat screen in the Nice-Cannes area during …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hugh Robinson. Robinson was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on 31 January 1916 and graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1938. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the USS Yorktown (CV-5). After a one year tour on the Yorktown he was transferred to the USS Bainbridge (DD-246) as a junior engineering officer. In March 1941 he was assigned to Motor Boat Submarine Chaser Squadron 1. He recalls after a three month testing of the boats, equipment and procedures, the squadron was disbanded and he was assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 2. Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor the squadron was sent to Panama, operating there until the end of the summer of 1942 at which time a number of the boats were assigned to newly formed Squadron 3 with Robinson as the executive officer. He arrived at Tulagi during October 1942 and was made squadron commander. He recalls various actions in which the squadron was involved until he was attached to the flotilla commander’s staff in February 1943. He served on the staff until July when he was sent to the Motor Torpedo Boat Training Center …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hugh Robinson. Robinson was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on 31 January 1916 and graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1938. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the USS Yorktown (CV-5). After a one year tour on the Yorktown he was transferred to the USS Bainbridge (DD-246) as a junior engineering officer. In March 1941 he was assigned to Motor Boat Submarine Chaser Squadron 1. He recalls after a three month testing of the boats, equipment and procedures, the squadron was disbanded and he was assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 2. Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor the squadron was sent to Panama, operating there until the end of the summer of 1942 at which time a number of the boats were assigned to newly formed Squadron 3 with Robinson as the executive officer. He arrived at Tulagi during October 1942 and was made squadron commander. He recalls various actions in which the squadron was involved until he was attached to the flotilla commander’s staff in February 1943. He served on the staff until July when he was sent to the Motor Torpedo Boat Training Center …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Pleasants. Pleasants was born in Canon City, Colorado in 1919. He graduated from the University of California in 1942 and enlisted in the United States Navy. After training, Pleasants applied for and received a commission. He was assigned to Patrol Torpedo Boat Squadron 22 (RON 22) based on the island of Corsica. He served as the executive officer aboard PT-309 [this boat is on display at the museum]. He tells of participating in 75 combat patrols during the period of April 1944 through May 1945 with the primary mission of attacking enemy shipping along the coasts of Italy and France. He transported French commandos to the shore two days before the invasion of Southern France where he was wounded by shell fire from German shore batteries. Pleasants also delivered General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny to a destroyer for a secret meeting. He also mentions participating in the capture of Italian MAS boats.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Pleasants. Pleasants was born in Canon City, Colorado in 1919. He graduated from the University of California in 1942 and enlisted in the United States Navy. After training, Pleasants applied for and received a commission. He was assigned to Patrol Torpedo Boat Squadron 22 (RON 22) based on the island of Corsica. He served as the executive officer aboard PT-309 [this boat is on display at the museum]. He tells of participating in 75 combat patrols during the period of April 1944 through May 1945 with the primary mission of attacking enemy shipping along the coasts of Italy and France. He transported French commandos to the shore two days before the invasion of Southern France where he was wounded by shell fire from German shore batteries. Pleasants also delivered General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny to a destroyer for a secret meeting. He also mentions participating in the capture of Italian MAS boats.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gregorio Borja. Borja lived a tranquil life under American governance in Sumay until the Japanese invaded. Borja’s family home was seized and occupied for over a year. Natives' travel was restricted and Borja was treated harshly in school. His father and brother were forced into labor, and his brother along with several of his family and friends were killed in the Fena Massacre. Other relatives of Borja were taken to Japan as prisoners. Borja and his surviving family members were placed in a concentration camp in Manenggon, with little food or water, but were soon liberated by the 77th Infantry Division. With their homes destroyed during the preceding bombardment, they were relocated to the new village of Santa Rita. Under post-war military rule, Borja lived a happy life.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gregorio Borja. Borja lived a tranquil life under American governance in Sumay until the Japanese invaded. Borja’s family home was seized and occupied for over a year. Natives' travel was restricted and Borja was treated harshly in school. His father and brother were forced into labor, and his brother along with several of his family and friends were killed in the Fena Massacre. Other relatives of Borja were taken to Japan as prisoners. Borja and his surviving family members were placed in a concentration camp in Manenggon, with little food or water, but were soon liberated by the 77th Infantry Division. With their homes destroyed during the preceding bombardment, they were relocated to the new village of Santa Rita. Under post-war military rule, Borja lived a happy life.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Wade Holcomb. Holcomb joined the Navy in 1938. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, he was in the radio shack on the USS Crosby (DD-164) at San Diego copying code. He was transferred to the Electronics Material School in late 1943. Upon completion of the course, Holcomb became an instructor at various locations throughout the US. When the war ended, Holcomb stayed in the Reserves, serving during the Korean War.