Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including Kelly having a nervous breakdown and plans for dinner with Mae and Lorraine. Catherine also celebrates that Joe has completed 36 missions, and looks forward to his homecoming.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Truman Hedding. Hedding was born in Morrisdale, Pennsylvania 14 July 1902. Graduating from the Naval Academy in 1924 he served on the USS Maryland (BB-46) until January 1926 at which time he went to the Naval Air Station at Pensacola for flight training. Upon receiving his wings, he was assigned to Fighting Squadron One of the Aircraft Squadron Battle Fleet. In 1931 Hedding received a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also served in the Naval Flight Test Section in Washington, D.C.; on the USS Saratoga (CV-3); as a naval aide to the White House; and as a member of Fighting Squadron 2-B aboard the USS Lexington (CV-2). When WWII started he was stationed at Pensacola. He assisted in outfitting the USS Essex (CV-9) and upon her commissioning he served as the air officer and executive officer until July 1943. While serving on the staff of Air Pacific, he helped develop the circular formation for task force movement and various task force tactics. He served as chief of staff to Admiral Mark Mitscher and gives planning details of the Marianas invasion …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frederick W. Rosen. Rosen was born in Kings County, New York 9 September 1917. Graduating from the University of Georgia in 1939 he entered the US Navy in 1941. In October 1942 he reported for duty at the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Center, Melville, Rhode Island, where he met John F. Kennedy. Upon completion of the limited training he was assigned captain of PT-207 in Squadron 15. He tells of the boats being loaded onto the USS Housatonic (AO-35) and taken to Gibraltar. Rosen relates his experiences while based in Bizerte, Tunisia, Palermo, Sicily and Maddalena, Sardinia. He describes in detail participating in a multi-boat attack on a German convoy which resulted in damage to his boat. In May 1944, Rosen returned to the United States. He was then assigned as gunnery officer on the USS Randolph (CV-15) and he tells of the ship being hit by a kamikaze. His next assignment was to the USS Noble (APA-218), which participated in the invasion of Okinawa. Following the Japanese surrender, the ship was sent to Korea and China to pick up Allied prisoners of war and he relates several …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frederick W. Rosen. Rosen was born in Kings County, New York 9 September 1917. Graduating from the University of Georgia in 1939 he entered the US Navy in 1941. In October 1942 he reported for duty at the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Center, Melville, Rhode Island, where he met John F. Kennedy. Upon completion of the limited training he was assigned captain of PT-207 in Squadron 15. He tells of the boats being loaded onto the USS Housatonic (AO-35) and taken to Gibraltar. Rosen relates his experiences while based in Bizerte, Tunisia, Palermo, Sicily and Maddalena, Sardinia. He describes in detail participating in a multi-boat attack on a German convoy which resulted in damage to his boat. In May 1944, Rosen returned to the United States. He was then assigned as gunnery officer on the USS Randolph (CV-15) and he tells of the ship being hit by a kamikaze. His next assignment was to the USS Noble (APA-218), which participated in the invasion of Okinawa. Following the Japanese surrender, the ship was sent to Korea and China to pick up Allied prisoners of war and he relates several …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Keresey. Keresey was born in Delaware on 8 May 1916. Graduating from Dartmouth in 1938 he attended Columbia Law School. Upon joining the Navy, he reported for duty at Northwestern University Midshipman School in September, 1941. Upon completion of the four month course, he was assigned to torpedo school at Newport, Rhode Island. In January 1942 he volunteered for torpedo boat training at Melville, Rhode Island. Following eight weeks there, he was assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 5. Two months later the squadron was sent to Panama, staying there until February 1943 at which time the PT boats were loaded on a tanker and taken to New Caledonia. Squadron 5 was based at Tulagi until June 1943 and they moved to Rendova in the New Georgia Islands. He describes actions against Japanese shipping involving his boat, USS PT-105. He recounts the experience of landing under fire on Choiseul with a marine force. He tells of being on board PT-59, which was captained by John F. Kennedy at the time and comments on his relationship with the future president. Leaving the combat zone in December 1943 he …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Keresey. Keresey was born in Delaware on 8 May 1916. Graduating from Dartmouth in 1938 he attended Columbia Law School. Upon joining the Navy, he reported for duty at Northwestern University Midshipman School in September, 1941. Upon completion of the four month course, he was assigned to torpedo school at Newport, Rhode Island. In January 1942 he volunteered for torpedo boat training at Melville, Rhode Island. Following eight weeks there, he was assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 5. Two months later the squadron was sent to Panama, staying there until February 1943 at which time the PT boats were loaded on a tanker and taken to New Caledonia. Squadron 5 was based at Tulagi until June 1943 and they moved to Rendova in the New Georgia Islands. He describes actions against Japanese shipping involving his boat, USS PT-105. He recounts the experience of landing under fire on Choiseul with a marine force. He tells of being on board PT-59, which was captained by John F. Kennedy at the time and comments on his relationship with the future president. Leaving the combat zone in December 1943 he …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Louis Imfeld. Imfeld joined the Marines in January of 1942. He served as a machine gunner on the 30-caliber light machine gun with G Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines. In June he traveled to New Zealand for additional training, and participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign, the Battle of Cape Gloucester and the Battle of Peleliu. In late 1944 he returned to the US and served as a math instructor at the Marine Corps Institute.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Louis Imfeld. Imfeld joined the Marines in January of 1942. He served as a machine gunner on the 30-caliber light machine gun with G Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines. In June he traveled to New Zealand for additional training, and participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign, the Battle of Cape Gloucester and the Battle of Peleliu. In late 1944 he returned to the US and served as a math instructor at the Marine Corps Institute.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Horton. Horton was born in Oklahoma 14 October 1920. Graduating from high school in 1939 he enlisted in the Army and was given a choice of joining a horse drawn artillery unit or the 4th Artillery Battalion, which was a pack mule outfit. Soon after joining the 4th Artillery, at Fort Bragg, he was selected to be a pitcher with the base baseball team. Having been selected, he never had basic training. He was transferred into the 79th Field Artillery and continued to play baseball. He was selected to be in the Instrument Survey Section and after two years he was promoted to Staff Sergeant. Soon after war was declared, he was selected to attend Officers Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was commissioned 21 January 1942 and assigned as Athletic Officer for the 97th Division being organized at Camp Swift, Texas. Within six months he joined class number 51 at Fort Benning, Georgia and began parachute training. Horton graduated from jump school and was assigned to the 462nd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion. He describes the train trip to Camp Stoneman, and the ocean voyage …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Horton. Horton was born in Oklahoma 14 October 1920. Graduating from high school in 1939 he enlisted in the Army and was given a choice of joining a horse drawn artillery unit or the 4th Artillery Battalion, which was a pack mule outfit. Soon after joining the 4th Artillery, at Fort Bragg, he was selected to be a pitcher with the base baseball team. Having been selected, he never had basic training. He was transferred into the 79th Field Artillery and continued to play baseball. He was selected to be in the Instrument Survey Section and after two years he was promoted to Staff Sergeant. Soon after war was declared, he was selected to attend Officers Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was commissioned 21 January 1942 and assigned as Athletic Officer for the 97th Division being organized at Camp Swift, Texas. Within six months he joined class number 51 at Fort Benning, Georgia and began parachute training. Horton graduated from jump school and was assigned to the 462nd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion. He describes the train trip to Camp Stoneman, and the ocean voyage …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ed Llewellyn. Llewellyn joined the paratroopers after joining the Army. He trained at Fort Benning. He was scheduled to jump on Corregidor, but his transport ship could not keep up with the convoy. He joined his unit elsewhere in the Philippines. He contracted hepatitis and was evacuated from combat to a hospital. When the war ended, Llewellyn went to Japan for occupation duty.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ed Llewellyn. Llewellyn joined the paratroopers after joining the Army. He trained at Fort Benning. He was scheduled to jump on Corregidor, but his transport ship could not keep up with the convoy. He joined his unit elsewhere in the Philippines. He contracted hepatitis and was evacuated from combat to a hospital. When the war ended, Llewellyn went to Japan for occupation duty.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Clay. Clay joined the Army in 1940. Beginning August of 1941, he served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, serving in the Pacific Theater. In September of 1943, they participated in the New Guinea Campaign. Clay served until late 1943, early 1944. His discharge date is not noted.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Clay. Clay joined the Army in 1940. Beginning August of 1941, he served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, serving in the Pacific Theater. In September of 1943, they participated in the New Guinea Campaign. Clay served until late 1943, early 1944. His discharge date is not noted.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Guy Lary. Lary enlisted in the Army in 1943. He discusses his training as a paratrooper at Fort Benning. Lary joined the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment as a replacement. He details the jump on Corregidor and the fighting that followed. Lary was then sent to Negros Island where he remained until the surrender of Japan. He went to Japan for the occupation duty and left the service soon after his return to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Guy Lary. Lary enlisted in the Army in 1943. He discusses his training as a paratrooper at Fort Benning. Lary joined the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment as a replacement. He details the jump on Corregidor and the fighting that followed. Lary was then sent to Negros Island where he remained until the surrender of Japan. He went to Japan for the occupation duty and left the service soon after his return to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Nelson Gatewood. Gatewood joined the Army in January of 1943. He served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. In late 1943, Gatewood 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 Nelson Gatewood. Gatewood joined the Army in January of 1943. He served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. In late 1943, Gatewood 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 oral interview with Philip M. Grass. Grass was born in Mark, Louisiana 5 April 1924. He dropped out of high school and enlisted in the Army in 1942. After basic training at Camp Roberts, California he went to Ft. Benning, Georgia for airborne training, from which he graduated in 1942. Injuring his knee, he was incapacitated for a period of time. Upon recovering, he attended ordnance school at Camp Connelly, Georgia. His knee problem resulted in surgery requiring lengthy recovery time. Upon being returned to active duty in 1943 he went aboard the USS Sea Snipe (APA) and went to Brisbane, Australia. He arrived at Port Moresby and was assigned to F Company, 503rd Army Parachute Infantry Regiment and recalls his experiences while in Australia and Hollandia. The Regiment traveled by LCIs to Noemfoor, New Guinea at which time he was assigned to Headquarters Company and became a wireman and a runner. He recalls parachuting onto Corregidor and describes combat casualties that occurred. He returned to the United States in 1945 and was discharged. He tells of reenlisting in the army, receiving a commission and describes some of his experiences during …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Philip M. Grass. Grass was born in Mark, Louisiana 5 April 1924. He dropped out of high school and enlisted in the Army in 1942. After basic training at Camp Roberts, California he went to Ft. Benning, Georgia for airborne training, from which he graduated in 1942. Injuring his knee, he was incapacitated for a period of time. Upon recovering, he attended ordnance school at Camp Connelly, Georgia. His knee problem resulted in surgery requiring lengthy recovery time. Upon being returned to active duty in 1943 he went aboard the USS Sea Snipe (APA) and went to Brisbane, Australia. He arrived at Port Moresby and was assigned to F Company, 503rd Army Parachute Infantry Regiment and recalls his experiences while in Australia and Hollandia. The Regiment traveled by LCIs to Noemfoor, New Guinea at which time he was assigned to Headquarters Company and became a wireman and a runner. He recalls parachuting onto Corregidor and describes combat casualties that occurred. He returned to the United States in 1945 and was discharged. He tells of reenlisting in the army, receiving a commission and describes some of his experiences during …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Roscoe Corder. Corder joined the Army in March of 1940. He completed Officer Candidate School and Parachute School. He served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. In late 1943, Corder participated in the New Guinea Campaign. In February of 1945, he served in the Battle of Corregidor. He was discharged in June of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Roscoe Corder. Corder joined the Army in March of 1940. He completed Officer Candidate School and Parachute School. He served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. In late 1943, Corder participated in the New Guinea Campaign. In February of 1945, he served in the Battle of Corregidor. He was discharged in June of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Victor Erdahl. Erdahl joined the Army in 1942. He completed Parachute School. He served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. In late 1943, Erdahl participated in the New Guinea Campaign. In February of 1945, he served in the Battle of Corregidor. He was discharged in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Victor Erdahl. Erdahl joined the Army in 1942. He completed Parachute School. He served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. In late 1943, Erdahl participated in the New Guinea Campaign. In February of 1945, he served in the Battle of Corregidor. He was discharged in January of 1946.