The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glenn Oliver. Oliver was born in Brainerd, Minnesota 25 April 1919 and graduated from high school in 1937. He joined the Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Tank Company in October 1940. The unit (194th Tank Battalion) was called to active duty 10 February 1941 and was sent to Ft. Lewis, Washington for further training. Oliver was ordered to Fort Knox, Kentucky to attend the radio and repair school, from which he graduated in June. On 8 September 1941 he went aboard the SS President Coolidge (1931) and sailed for the Philippines. The tank battalion was stationed at Fort Stotsenberg, Philippines. Oliver witnessed the Japanese attack on Clark Field on 8 December 1941 and describes in detail combat in which he was involved and subsequently wounded. After surrendering, he witnessed the atrocities committed by the Japanese during a forced march. He describes being put aboard boxcars and sent to Camp O’Donnell and of the conditions which caused the death of many of the prisoners. He was assigned to a grave detail. On 24 October 1944 while at Bilibid Prison, he was in a group of 1869 men put aboard the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ray Thomas. Thomas joined the Army in 1943. He completed Gas School, learning how to recognize mustard gas, tear gas and chlorine gas. He served with the 96th Reconnaissance Troop, 96th Division. They worked with half-tracks, armored cars and jeeps. They participated in the Battles of Leyte and Okinawa. Thomas returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Melvin Grant. Grant served in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1940 to 1941. He provides detail of the CCC program, including accommodations, pay and food. Grant went to California and helped build Camp Cook, now Vandenberg Air Force Base, where he was on 7 December 1941. He was assigned to Company E, 7th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Division. He was a demolition specialist and a flame thrower and describes both of these jobs. He went to the Russell Islands aboard the USS General Harry Taylor (AP-145). He details life on board the troop ship. From Russell Island they went on maneuvers to Guadalcanal and conducted training exercises. He participated in the Battle of Okinawa and discusses his experiences. Then they traveled to China and remained there until February of 1946. He was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glenn Oliver. Oliver was born in Brainerd, Minnesota 25 April 1919 and graduated from high school in 1937. He joined the Minnesota National Guard’s 34th Tank Company in October 1940. The unit (194th Tank Battalion) was called to active duty 10 February 1941 and was sent to Ft. Lewis, Washington for further training. Oliver was ordered to Fort Knox, Kentucky to attend the radio and repair school, from which he graduated in June. On 8 September 1941 he went aboard the SS President Coolidge (1931) and sailed for the Philippines. The tank battalion was stationed at Fort Stotsenberg, Philippines. Oliver witnessed the Japanese attack on Clark Field on 8 December 1941 and describes in detail combat in which he was involved and subsequently wounded. After surrendering, he witnessed the atrocities committed by the Japanese during a forced march. He describes being put aboard boxcars and sent to Camp O’Donnell and of the conditions which caused the death of many of the prisoners. He was assigned to a grave detail. On 24 October 1944 while at Bilibid Prison, he was in a group of 1869 men put aboard the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ray Thomas. Thomas joined the Army in 1943. He completed Gas School, learning how to recognize mustard gas, tear gas and chlorine gas. He served with the 96th Reconnaissance Troop, 96th Division. They worked with half-tracks, armored cars and jeeps. They participated in the Battles of Leyte and Okinawa. Thomas returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.