The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joe Triolo. Triolo joined the US Navy 9 December 1937 and served in China from 1938 to 1940. Upon returning to the United States he was assigned to the USS Tangier (AV-8), still under construction. While waiting for the ship to launch, he was temporarily assigned to Tiburon, California where mine nets were made. Once the Tangier was put to sea they proceeded to Pearl Harbor. Triolo tells of the attack by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941 and recalls seeing the faces of some Japanese pilots as he fired at them with a machine gun. He describes seeing the USS Monahan (DD-354) depth charging a Japanese two man submarine that was sighted while guns on the Tangier were also firing at the submarine. Seven days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Tangier set sail for Wake Island with US Marines and supplies on board. Before reaching Wake Island, the ship was diverted to Midway Island to assist in the evacuation of personnel. He tells of Admiral John S. McCain, Sr. using the Tangier (AV-8) as the command ship a task force on one occasion.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Leo Schmittgens. Schmittgens joined the Marine Corps in April of 1944. He completed training as an 81mm mortar man, and served with the 1st Marine Division. He traveled to Guadalcanal and Ulithi for additional training, and participated in the Battle of Okinawa. They remained on the island through the end of the war. He was discharged in April of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Leo Schmittgens. Schmittgens joined the Marine Corps in April of 1944. He completed training as an 81mm mortar man, and served with the 1st Marine Division. He traveled to Guadalcanal and Ulithi for additional training, and participated in the Battle of Okinawa. They remained on the island through the end of the war. He was discharged in April of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Leon Spencer. Spencer joined the Army Air Corps in October of 1940. He completed schooling in Aviation Medicine in 1941, working as a flight surgeon’s assistant through June of 1942. He graduated in mid-1943 from Advanced Glider Training in Lubbock, Texas and served as a Flight Officer. After surviving an aircraft accident in September, Spencer became a glider pilot instructor at Sedalia, Missouri and Blytheville, Arkansas. He continued his service after the war ended, retiring from the Air Force in 1964.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Leon Spencer. Spencer joined the Army Air Corps in October of 1940. He completed schooling in Aviation Medicine in 1941, working as a flight surgeon’s assistant through June of 1942. He graduated in mid-1943 from Advanced Glider Training in Lubbock, Texas and served as a Flight Officer. After surviving an aircraft accident in September, Spencer became a glider pilot instructor at Sedalia, Missouri and Blytheville, Arkansas. He continued his service after the war ended, retiring from the Air Force in 1964.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lyall Dean. Dean was born in Westchester, New York on 19 October 1918. He attended Deerfield Academy prior to attending Union College until June 1941. Joining the US Marine Corps 2 February 1942 he attended boot camp at Parris Island. He went to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for additional training at which time he was assigned to the 1st Marine Division, H Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. He recalls boarding the USS George Elliott (AP-105) for a 21 day trip to Wellington, New Zealand. Upon their arrival the unit was put to work unloading the ship so it could be combat loaded for the landing on Guadalcanal. Upon landing on Guadalcanal on 7 August 1942 he was assigned to the headquarters company. While not directly involved in the 21 August 1942 battle of the Tenaru River he witnessed the sounds and sights of the battle. Several days later he was removed from the headquarters company and assigned to the 2nd platoon as one of the replacements for those lost in the battle. He tells of daily bombings and bombardment by Japanese ships. Dean recalls being relieved by …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lyall Dean. Dean was born in Westchester, New York on 19 October 1918. He attended Deerfield Academy prior to attending Union College until June 1941. Joining the US Marine Corps 2 February 1942 he attended boot camp at Parris Island. He went to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for additional training at which time he was assigned to the 1st Marine Division, H Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. He recalls boarding the USS George Elliott (AP-105) for a 21 day trip to Wellington, New Zealand. Upon their arrival the unit was put to work unloading the ship so it could be combat loaded for the landing on Guadalcanal. Upon landing on Guadalcanal on 7 August 1942 he was assigned to the headquarters company. While not directly involved in the 21 August 1942 battle of the Tenaru River he witnessed the sounds and sights of the battle. Several days later he was removed from the headquarters company and assigned to the 2nd platoon as one of the replacements for those lost in the battle. He tells of daily bombings and bombardment by Japanese ships. Dean recalls being relieved by …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Mal Garcia. Garcia joined the Navy in 1941 and received basic training in San Diego. He was assigned to USS Argonne (AG-31) where he served as a radioman striker. During the attack on Pearl Harbor he assumed duty as coxswain of a whaleboat, transporting injured survivors to the dock. He also helped to rescue men trapped inside USS Oklahoma (BB-37). Garcia gives details of radio communication protocol, including codes and frequencies that were used. He was assigned to the radio station at Honolulu Bay when he received a battery of contact reports, which turned out to be the beginning of the Battle of Midway. He was then reassigned to USS Constant (AM-86) and conducted shore patrol in the Solomon Islands, the Russell Islands, and New Hebrides. The Constant also escorted 12 LCTs loaded with Marines to Bougainville. After a Japanese bomber damaged a radio tower on the Treasury Islands, Garcia sent the shore station’s messages out from his ship. At Kula Gulf the Constant had a close encounter with three Japanese destroyers. While escorting a ship to New Zealand, Garcia briefly communicated with a Japanese radioman masquerading as …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Mal Garcia. Garcia joined the Navy in 1941 and received basic training in San Diego. He was assigned to USS Argonne (AG-31) where he served as a radioman striker. During the attack on Pearl Harbor he assumed duty as coxswain of a whaleboat, transporting injured survivors to the dock. He also helped to rescue men trapped inside USS Oklahoma (BB-37). Garcia gives details of radio communication protocol, including codes and frequencies that were used. He was assigned to the radio station at Honolulu Bay when he received a battery of contact reports, which turned out to be the beginning of the Battle of Midway. He was then reassigned to USS Constant (AM-86) and conducted shore patrol in the Solomon Islands, the Russell Islands, and New Hebrides. The Constant also escorted 12 LCTs loaded with Marines to Bougainville. After a Japanese bomber damaged a radio tower on the Treasury Islands, Garcia sent the shore station’s messages out from his ship. At Kula Gulf the Constant had a close encounter with three Japanese destroyers. While escorting a ship to New Zealand, Garcia briefly communicated with a Japanese radioman masquerading as …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Michael Natt. Natt joined the Army Air Corps in April of 1941. He served with the 95th Bomb Group as a waist gunner in a B-17. In August of 1944 on a bombing mission over Romania his plane was shot down and Natt was wounded. He was taken prisoner by German soldiers and survived an 8-month imprisonment in Stalag Luft III and a 90-day forced road march during the bitter cold winter. After being liberated, he was honorably discharged in October of 1945. Natt re-enlisted in the military in August of 1948 and completed a 30-year career with the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1974.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Michael Natt. Natt joined the Army Air Corps in April of 1941. He served with the 95th Bomb Group as a waist gunner in a B-17. In August of 1944 on a bombing mission over Romania his plane was shot down and Natt was wounded. He was taken prisoner by German soldiers and survived an 8-month imprisonment in Stalag Luft III and a 90-day forced road march during the bitter cold winter. After being liberated, he was honorably discharged in October of 1945. Natt re-enlisted in the military in August of 1948 and completed a 30-year career with the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1974.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Michael Silan. Silan joined the Marine Corps in February of 1943. He trained as an airplane mechanic, and provides details of his training, including the type of airplanes and engines he worked on. In December of 1943 he traveled to New Caledonia aboard the USS Mintaka (AK-94), and shares experiences of his travels. He was assigned to Marine Scout Dive Bomber Squadron 241 (VMSB-241), and served as a Marine plane captain. In the spring of 1944 they traveled to New Georgia Island, Efate, New Hebrides and Rendova Island. In January of 1945 they were assigned to the Philippines, where Silan operated planes amidst the battle as an artillery spotter. He shares experiences through several missions. Silan was honorably discharged in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Michael Silan. Silan joined the Marine Corps in February of 1943. He trained as an airplane mechanic, and provides details of his training, including the type of airplanes and engines he worked on. In December of 1943 he traveled to New Caledonia aboard the USS Mintaka (AK-94), and shares experiences of his travels. He was assigned to Marine Scout Dive Bomber Squadron 241 (VMSB-241), and served as a Marine plane captain. In the spring of 1944 they traveled to New Georgia Island, Efate, New Hebrides and Rendova Island. In January of 1945 they were assigned to the Philippines, where Silan operated planes amidst the battle as an artillery spotter. He shares experiences through several missions. Silan was honorably discharged in November of 1945.

Transcript of an oral interview with Norman E. Carroll. When Carroll reached 18, he joined the Navy in December, 1942. After basic training at Great Lakes, Illinois, Carroll volunteered for submarines and went to submarine school in New London, Connecticut in June, 1943. When he finished submarine school, Carroll was assigned to the USS Guitarro (SS-363). Carroll was aboard the Guitarro for five war patrols in enemy waters. Carroll describes being attacked with depth charges, making repairs, a burial at sea of shipmate and being attacked by aircraft.

Transcript of an oral interview with Norman E. Carroll. When Carroll reached 18, he joined the Navy in December, 1942. After basic training at Great Lakes, Illinois, Carroll volunteered for submarines and went to submarine school in New London, Connecticut in June, 1943. When he finished submarine school, Carroll was assigned to the USS Guitarro (SS-363). Carroll was aboard the Guitarro for five war patrols in enemy waters. Carroll describes being attacked with depth charges, making repairs, a burial at sea of shipmate and being attacked by aircraft.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Norman Wilmeth. Wilmeth signed up for the Citizens’ Military Training Camp in 1937 and obtained his pilot’s license through the Civilian Pilot Training Program in 1940. He was called into active duty in 1942 and attended Officer Training School. He was transferred to the glider program and received CG-4A training in Lubbock. Upon completion, he joined the 91st Troop Carrier Squadron, 439th Troop Carrier Group. Wilmeth transported troops to the Normandy invasion in a Horsa glider and then returned to England. For his next mission, he brought a medical unit to the invasion of Southern France. He witnessed a beautiful candlelit parade in Casablanca on the day that Paris was liberated. In October he flew troops and heavy equipment to Holland amidst antiaircraft fire, relying on Dutch families to hide him after landings. He was transferred to a special combat control team and participated in Operation Varsity, communicating with the battlefield from General Ridgway’s headquarters. After the war he accepted the surrender of German flight crews and arranged for the evacuation of wounded GIs. He returned home and joined the Texas National Guard, later becoming a nuclear weapons …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Norman Wilmeth. Wilmeth signed up for the Citizens’ Military Training Camp in 1937 and obtained his pilot’s license through the Civilian Pilot Training Program in 1940. He was called into active duty in 1942 and attended Officer Training School. He was transferred to the glider program and received CG-4A training in Lubbock. Upon completion, he joined the 91st Troop Carrier Squadron, 439th Troop Carrier Group. Wilmeth transported troops to the Normandy invasion in a Horsa glider and then returned to England. For his next mission, he brought a medical unit to the invasion of Southern France. He witnessed a beautiful candlelit parade in Casablanca on the day that Paris was liberated. In October he flew troops and heavy equipment to Holland amidst antiaircraft fire, relying on Dutch families to hide him after landings. He was transferred to a special combat control team and participated in Operation Varsity, communicating with the battlefield from General Ridgway’s headquarters. After the war he accepted the surrender of German flight crews and arranged for the evacuation of wounded GIs. He returned home and joined the Texas National Guard, later becoming a nuclear weapons …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Otto Lyons. Lyons joined the Army Air Forces around 1943. He served as a glider pilot and shares details of his flight training. In early 1944, he deployed to England, participating in Operation Market Garden. He completed additional missions over Paris, France, and participated with American ground troops in combat going into Germany. He returned to the US in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Otto Lyons. Lyons joined the Army Air Forces around 1943. He served as a glider pilot and shares details of his flight training. In early 1944, he deployed to England, participating in Operation Market Garden. He completed additional missions over Paris, France, and participated with American ground troops in combat going into Germany. He returned to the US in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Paul Weiblen. Weiblen signed up to be a flying cadet in the Army Air Forces when he was almost finished with high school. In May 1945, he was inducted into the Army and trained as an artilleryman. He was still in training when the war ended and was sent to Germany with occupation forces in November, 1945 and worked in a medical dispensary around Nuremburg. Weiblen managed to visit the war crimes trial at Nuremburg one afternoon and heard Russians reading evidence into the record. He was discharged in 1947 and went to school. Before the Korean War ended, Weiblen served as a case officer in Korea for the Central Intelligence Agency.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Paul Weiblen. Weiblen signed up to be a flying cadet in the Army Air Forces when he was almost finished with high school. In May 1945, he was inducted into the Army and trained as an artilleryman. He was still in training when the war ended and was sent to Germany with occupation forces in November, 1945 and worked in a medical dispensary around Nuremburg. Weiblen managed to visit the war crimes trial at Nuremburg one afternoon and heard Russians reading evidence into the record. He was discharged in 1947 and went to school. Before the Korean War ended, Weiblen served as a case officer in Korea for the Central Intelligence Agency.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Peter Lecce. Lecce joined the Army Air Forces in December 1941 and received basic training in California. He washed out of flight training in Arizona. He volunteered for glider school and received training in Lubbock and Laurinburg-Maxton. Upon completion he was sent to England with the 310th Troop Carrier Squadron, 315th Troop Carrier Group. He was scheduled to participate in Operation Market Garden, but his mission was canceled due to poor weather. Lecce transported newly assembled CG-A4 gliders to Orleans and delivered supplies to stranded troops in Brussels. He was discharged just after V-E Day.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Peter Lecce. Lecce joined the Army Air Forces in December 1941 and received basic training in California. He washed out of flight training in Arizona. He volunteered for glider school and received training in Lubbock and Laurinburg-Maxton. Upon completion he was sent to England with the 310th Troop Carrier Squadron, 315th Troop Carrier Group. He was scheduled to participate in Operation Market Garden, but his mission was canceled due to poor weather. Lecce transported newly assembled CG-A4 gliders to Orleans and delivered supplies to stranded troops in Brussels. He was discharged just after V-E Day.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Phillip Kruzick. Kruzick joined the Army Air Forces in May of 1942. He trained as a mechanic in the Signal Corps, working in the truck division until he joined the 73rd Bomb Wing, 20th Air Force. In August of 1944, they deployed to newly constructed airfields on Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands. Kruzick served as a rifleman on the runway during raids on the island. He shares details of some of the bombing missions the pilots flew. He returned to the U.S. and was discharged in Augusto f 1945.