Interview with Al Flocke, a radio operator during World War II. He discusses his flight training and being the radio operator on a B-24 bomber which did raids on Guam, Turk, Iwo Jima and other islands. He also relates anecdotes about food, rations, and living conditions on the islands.

Transcript of an oral interview with Al Flocke. He discusses his flight training and being the radio operator on a B-24 bomber which did raids on Guam, Turk, Iwo Jima and other islands. He also ancedotes about food, rations and living conditions on the islands.

Transcript of an oral interview with Al Flocke. He discusses his flight training and being the radio operator on a B-24 bomber which did raids on Guam, Turk, Iwo Jima and other islands. He also ancedotes about food, rations and living conditions on the islands.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alex Taylor. Taylor was born April 3, 1921 in Scott, Louisiana. He worked in the rice and cane fields during his youth before joining the Navy in 1939. He was sent to Norfolk, Virginia for boot camp and recalls being in a segregated navy. He was assigned as mess attendant on the USS Dobbin (AD-3). He recalls the attack on Pearl Harbor and his role as an ammunition handler below decks. Taylor was assigned to the USS Enterprise (CV-6) in 1942 as a mess cook 3rd class. He was later assigned as the officers cook and eventually promoted to chief cook. Taylor tells of two friends that died in battle aboard ship. He describes visiting Nagasaki after the Japanese surrender. He discusses the changes that occurred after desegregation of the Armed Forces was ordered. Mrs. Taylor tells of being a young woman traveling to Bremerton, Washington by train to be with her husband and then returning home when Alex’s ship went to sea. She tells of buying a home with the money out of an allotment check she received each month.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alex Taylor. Taylor was born April 3, 1921 in Scott, Louisiana. He worked in the rice and cane fields during his youth before joining the Navy in 1939. He was sent to Norfolk, Virginia for boot camp and recalls being in a segregated navy. He was assigned as mess attendant on the USS Dobbin (AD-3). He recalls the attack on Pearl Harbor and his role as an ammunition handler below decks. Taylor was assigned to the USS Enterprise (CV-6) in 1942 as a mess cook 3rd class. He was later assigned as the officers cook and eventually promoted to chief cook. Taylor tells of two friends that died in battle aboard ship. He describes visiting Nagasaki after the Japanese surrender. He discusses the changes that occurred after desegregation of the Armed Forces was ordered. Mrs. Taylor tells of being a young woman traveling to Bremerton, Washington by train to be with her husband and then returning home when Alex’s ship went to sea. She tells of buying a home with the money out of an allotment check she received each month.

Transcript of a simultaneous oral interview with Archie L. Sherman and Ray Magro. Both served in the Navy. Sherman served for a while on patrol craft in Alaska before transferring to the USS Cummings (DD-365). He was released from the Cummings due to excessive seasickness, but eventually was assigned tothe USS Smith (DD-378). Magro joined the Navy in 1940 and served aboard the USS Mahan (DD-364) and the USS Cummings before being assigned to the USS Smith. Magro describes his actions and impressions when the Smith was attacked in 1942 by Japanese torpedo bombers and when one crashed into Smith's forecastle. Sherman joined the Smith in 1943. The men describe the collision of the Smith with the USS Hutchins (DD-476) in January 1944. After a while, Magro got sick, was sent to the US to recover after which he was assigned to a patorl gunboat, the USS Tenacity (PG-71) bound for England. As a result, he was in England when the war with Germany came to an end. Sherman goes on to describe the landings in the Philippines, and witnessing the destruction in Nagasaki after the atomic bomb was dropped.

Transcript of a simultaneous oral interview with Archie L. Sherman and Ray Magro. Both served in the Navy. Sherman served for a while on patrol craft in Alaska before transferring to the USS Cummings (DD-365). He was released from the Cummings due to excessive seasickness, but eventually was assigned tothe USS Smith (DD-378). Magro joined the Navy in 1940 and served aboard the USS Mahan (DD-364) and the USS Cummings before being assigned to the USS Smith. Magro describes his actions and impressions when the Smith was attacked in 1942 by Japanese torpedo bombers and when one crashed into Smith's forecastle. Sherman joined the Smith in 1943. The men describe the collision of the Smith with the USS Hutchins (DD-476) in January 1944. After a while, Magro got sick, was sent to the US to recover after which he was assigned to a patorl gunboat, the USS Tenacity (PG-71) bound for England. As a result, he was in England when the war with Germany came to an end. Sherman goes on to describe the landings in the Philippines, and witnessing the destruction in Nagasaki after the atomic bomb was dropped.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Atys Daniel Brunson. He discusses his family history, childhood, education and what led him to joining the US Navy. He describes his experiences during bootcamp and in the Pacific Theatre during World War Two.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bill Sheehan. Sheehan joined the Navy in June of 1933. Beginning October of 1943, he served as Quartermaster aboard USS Porterfield (DD-682). In February of 1944, they provided shore bombardment in the Marshalls. In April, they screened escort carriers during the Marianas invasion, and participated in the Guam Campaign in August. Sheehan provides details of their invasion of Saipan in June and Okinawa in April of 1945. He returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bill Sheehan. Sheehan joined the Navy in June of 1933. Beginning October of 1943, he served as Quartermaster aboard USS Porterfield (DD-682). In February of 1944, they provided shore bombardment in the Marshalls. In April, they screened escort carriers during the Marianas invasion, and participated in the Guam Campaign in August. Sheehan provides details of their invasion of Saipan in June and Okinawa in April of 1945. He returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Martin Burl. Burl joined the Army in 1943. He served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. In late 1943, Burl participated in the New Guinea Campaign. In February of 1945, he served in the Battle of Corregidor. He was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Martin Burl. Burl joined the Army in 1943. He served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. In late 1943, Burl participated in the New Guinea Campaign. In February of 1945, he served in the Battle of Corregidor. He was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Mellon. Mellon joined the Army in March of 1944. He was assigned to the 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division, and participated in active duty through France and into the Siegfried Line in December. They continued their combat duty into Germany, and served on occupation duty after the war ended. Mellon returned to the US and was discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Mellon. Mellon joined the Army in March of 1944. He was assigned to the 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division, and participated in active duty through France and into the Siegfried Line in December. They continued their combat duty into Germany, and served on occupation duty after the war ended. Mellon returned to the US and was discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Daryl Haerther. Haerther joined the Army in 1944 and was assigned to the 96th Infantry Division a few days after the beginning of the invasion of Okinawa. He was assigned to A Company, 383rd Infantry Regiment. While there, Haerther qualified as a medic and shares several anecdotes from his combat experiences. Eventaully, Haerther was wounded and evacuated to Guam. He was still in the hospital when the war ended and Haerther elected to be discharged in December 1945. Haerther indicates he continues to struggle later in life as a result of some of his combat experiences.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Daryl Haerther. Haerther joined the Army in 1944 and was assigned to the 96th Infantry Division a few days after the beginning of the invasion of Okinawa. He was assigned to A Company, 383rd Infantry Regiment. While there, Haerther qualified as a medic and shares several anecdotes from his combat experiences. Eventaully, Haerther was wounded and evacuated to Guam. He was still in the hospital when the war ended and Haerther elected to be discharged in December 1945. Haerther indicates he continues to struggle later in life as a result of some of his combat experiences.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Don Lamanna. Lamanna joined the Navy in November 1942 and was transferred to hospital corps school in Alabama, where he tended to casualties of flight training. He then attended field medical school at Camp Elliot. Upon completion, he was assigned to a medical battalion in the V Amphibious Corps where he worked as an orderly in hospitals. He landed on Saipan on the eighth day of the invasion and worked at an abandoned Japanese hospital there. He recalls the staff worked 96 hours straight, triaging the wounded before they were sent aboard hospital ships. Natives were also enlisted to help at the hospital. Lamanna returned to Maui and tended to the 4th Marine Division casualties at a hospital there. Next, he went to Iwo Jima and landed four days after the invasion. There the wounded were treated in tents on the beach. After working at a hospital in Sasebo, Japan, supporting the occupation forces, Lamanna boarded the ATA 197, picking up troops from the Philippines and China. He returned to the States and worked at the naval hospital in Oakland until his discharge in 1948.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Don Lamanna. Lamanna joined the Navy in November 1942 and was transferred to hospital corps school in Alabama, where he tended to casualties of flight training. He then attended field medical school at Camp Elliot. Upon completion, he was assigned to a medical battalion in the V Amphibious Corps where he worked as an orderly in hospitals. He landed on Saipan on the eighth day of the invasion and worked at an abandoned Japanese hospital there. He recalls the staff worked 96 hours straight, triaging the wounded before they were sent aboard hospital ships. Natives were also enlisted to help at the hospital. Lamanna returned to Maui and tended to the 4th Marine Division casualties at a hospital there. Next, he went to Iwo Jima and landed four days after the invasion. There the wounded were treated in tents on the beach. After working at a hospital in Sasebo, Japan, supporting the occupation forces, Lamanna boarded the ATA 197, picking up troops from the Philippines and China. He returned to the States and worked at the naval hospital in Oakland until his discharge in 1948.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Donald O. Dencker. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 25, 1924. Upon graduation from high school in February, 1943 he joined the Army. In March 1944 after attending Army Corps of Engineers school, he was assigned to the 96th Infantry Division. He witnessed the explosion of a munition ship in Port Chicago, California. Eventually he departed Pearl Harbor embarked upon USS LST-745 sailing to Leyte Island in the Philippines. He recalls several anecdotes during the transit and landing on Leyte Island in October, 1944. He recalls gunfire support from a destroyer that was off target, resulting in six casualties from white phosphorus as well as a Japanese suicide attack on his company that resulted in 75 enemy killed. His unit was then sent to Okinawa on April 1, 1945. He remembers that his 3rd Battalion had so many casualties that it was relieved and sent to guard Kadena Airfield. He recounts the many nights of shelling at the airfield followed by assaults on Japanese positions in which he lost four company commanders and many of his fellow soldiers, including several close friends. His company had sustained over …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Donald O. Dencker. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 25, 1924. Upon graduation from high school in February, 1943 he joined the Army. In March 1944 after attending Army Corps of Engineers school, he was assigned to the 96th Infantry Division. He witnessed the explosion of a munition ship in Port Chicago, California. Eventually he departed Pearl Harbor embarked upon USS LST-745 sailing to Leyte Island in the Philippines. He recalls several anecdotes during the transit and landing on Leyte Island in October, 1944. He recalls gunfire support from a destroyer that was off target, resulting in six casualties from white phosphorus as well as a Japanese suicide attack on his company that resulted in 75 enemy killed. His unit was then sent to Okinawa on April 1, 1945. He remembers that his 3rd Battalion had so many casualties that it was relieved and sent to guard Kadena Airfield. He recounts the many nights of shelling at the airfield followed by assaults on Japanese positions in which he lost four company commanders and many of his fellow soldiers, including several close friends. His company had sustained over …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ed Harrell. Harrell grew up in Kentucky and joined the Marine Corps in 1943. Once he finished training, he was assigned to the USS Indianapolis in 1944. His first encounter was in the Carolina Islands. He then went to Eniwetok Islands, Kwajalein Islands, Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. The next battle was the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot. Then the ship went on to Peleliu until the island was secured, and onto Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The ship protected other ships as well as invasion troops during the battles. At Okinawa, the ship was damaged by a kamikaze plane and went back to the United States for repairs. He discusses the kamikaze culture and his experience at a forty-millimeter gun when the kamikaze hit the USS Indianapolis. At the point, while in the United States, the ship was chosen to take the atomic bomb parts to Tinian. At San Francisco, he describes the acquiring of the atomic bomb materials without the knowledge of the Captain of the ship or the soldiers. Next, he describes the bombing of the USS Indianapolis and the aftermath. Harrell witnessed other soldiers drink salt water, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ed Harrell. Harrell grew up in Kentucky and joined the Marine Corps in 1943. Once he finished training, he was assigned to the USS Indianapolis in 1944. His first encounter was in the Carolina Islands. He then went to Eniwetok Islands, Kwajalein Islands, Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. The next battle was the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot. Then the ship went on to Peleliu until the island was secured, and onto Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The ship protected other ships as well as invasion troops during the battles. At Okinawa, the ship was damaged by a kamikaze plane and went back to the United States for repairs. He discusses the kamikaze culture and his experience at a forty-millimeter gun when the kamikaze hit the USS Indianapolis. At the point, while in the United States, the ship was chosen to take the atomic bomb parts to Tinian. At San Francisco, he describes the acquiring of the atomic bomb materials without the knowledge of the Captain of the ship or the soldiers. Next, he describes the bombing of the USS Indianapolis and the aftermath. Harrell witnessed other soldiers drink salt water, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Bale. Bale was born in Dallas, Texas on 19 March 1920. He attended Texas A & M University and upon graduation received a commission in the United States Marine Corps. In 1943 he was assigned to 1st Medium Tank Battalion as commanding officer of Company C. Bale expresses criticism of the training received in tank maneuvers for it lacked liaison with infantry and artillery units, which led to difficulties during actual combat. In November 1943 the battalion was loaded onto the USS Ashland (LSD-1) and embarked on the invasion of Tarawa. He discusses the difficulties in landing the tanks, combat conditions and heavy casualties encountered at Tarawa. Following refit and training on the island of Hawaii, the unit was assigned to the 8th Marine Regiment and landed on Saipan June 1944. He describes the civilians committing suicide by jumping off the cliffs of the island. Following action in the Mariana Islands, Bale’s unit was assigned to the 1st Marine Division during the Okinawa campaign. Bale tells of the death of General Simon B. Buckner. After the surrender of Japan he was transferred to division headquarters as Provost …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Bale. Bale was born in Dallas, Texas on 19 March 1920. He attended Texas A & M University and upon graduation received a commission in the United States Marine Corps. In 1943 he was assigned to 1st Medium Tank Battalion as commanding officer of Company C. Bale expresses criticism of the training received in tank maneuvers for it lacked liaison with infantry and artillery units, which led to difficulties during actual combat. In November 1943 the battalion was loaded onto the USS Ashland (LSD-1) and embarked on the invasion of Tarawa. He discusses the difficulties in landing the tanks, combat conditions and heavy casualties encountered at Tarawa. Following refit and training on the island of Hawaii, the unit was assigned to the 8th Marine Regiment and landed on Saipan June 1944. He describes the civilians committing suicide by jumping off the cliffs of the island. Following action in the Mariana Islands, Bale’s unit was assigned to the 1st Marine Division during the Okinawa campaign. Bale tells of the death of General Simon B. Buckner. After the surrender of Japan he was transferred to division headquarters as Provost …