Interview with John Wilson, an officer in the U. S. Army during World War II. Wilson was born in Illinois but attended high school in the Philippines after his father accepted an engineering position there. He graduated from high school in 1939 and then enrolled in the University of Wisconsin, where he participated in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program. He graduated and took his commission in the Army in 1943. After Officer Candidate School (OCS), he was assigned to an engineering unit slated to participate in the invasion of the Philippines. He eventually landed on Luzon. On Luzon he was assigned temporary duty with a small Philippine Civil Affairs unit that was made up of officers and men who had relatives interned by the Japanese in the Philippines. His small unit made their way to Santo Tomas where he liberated many friends and old school mates. A few weeks later, Wilson liberated his father, a civilian internee at Los Banos. Wilson remained with his unit constructing hospitals in the Philippines in anticipation of the casualties expected from the invasion of the Japanese home islands.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Lawrence Wile. Wile joined the Army in 1943. He completed Cook School, and worked as a cook at Fort Meade and Fort Eustis. In late 1944, he traveled to Cherbourg, France and Belgium, working with the 1591st Labor Supervision Company. He assisted with coordinating German companies in cleaning up after the war, rebuilding roads and picking up artillery shells. Wile continued in the Army after the war, completing 30 years of service in the military.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Lawrence Wile. Wile joined the Army in 1943. He completed Cook School, and worked as a cook at Fort Meade and Fort Eustis. In late 1944, he traveled to Cherbourg, France and Belgium, working with the 1591st Labor Supervision Company. He assisted with coordinating German companies in cleaning up after the war, rebuilding roads and picking up artillery shells. Wile continued in the Army after the war, completing 30 years of service in the military.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing eating French stew for dinner, seeing a Donald Duck short, the captain having someone come to photograph his crew's plane, "Texas Kate," and getting lights put up in their tent.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing expecting to get a pass to go into Honolulu the next day, mailing her his watch, and getting to know the men in his squadron.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing seeing the movie "Gung Ho," looking at the moon and missing her, and plans to request a package from her.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including coffee with Lorraine and Crockett, playing Tripoli with Evelyn, Elaine, and Baby, purchasing him a Christmas present, and the weather.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including making cotton clothes to wear to work, seeing a movie with Mr. Figart, and receiving a letter from Bob with photos take on them in Tonopah.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including Baker complaining about his job at the post office, the weather, and Maxine's plans to throw a party for Corrine.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing her New Year's Eve celebration with Dan, Corrine, Bea, Joe, and Emma. On the last page of the letter, there are notes from Emma and Dan sending their well wishes.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service, receiving his paycheck, responding to the news from home Catherine shared, and seeing the movie "Double Indemnity."

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Rose Dern. Dern enlisted in the WAVES and went to Madison Wisconsin to train in communications. After training, Dern was stationed close to home at Floyd Bennett Field in New York City. She then went to a communications station on Maui. Dern was discharged when the war ended.

Postcard sent from Mary Shirley to Cecelia McKie thanking her for the message. Postcard is postmarked Yorktown Heights, New York.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including going for a drive with Mother, mailing a package to him that will serve as a birthday present, and her coworker Lorraine quitting due to her pregnancy.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz relates news from Fort Sam Houston about having passed his physical examination required for service in the military. He also contemplates entering Robert Werntz's Preparatory Academy in Annapolis prior to arriving at the Naval Academy. Also included is a copy of the examining Army physician's report.

Photograph of Admiral Chester W. Nimitz standing in front of seven men in uniform during change of command ceremony. Chester W. Nimitz stands on the right with his hands clasped in front of him wearing a white Naval uniform with a high collar, ribbon bars pinned above his pocket, epaulettes and a brimmed hat with the Navy's emblem. Another man in a white Naval uniform is standing beside Chester W. Nimitz with his hands behind his back.

Photograph of Chester W. Nimitz standing at a wooden podium with a standing microphone beside it, giving speech at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. He is wearing a dark Naval Uniform with stripes on the sleeves, ribbon bars pinned above his pocket and a dark die. There is some type of palm or fern plant behind Chester Nimitz.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John G. Solis of Irving, Texas. He discusses enlisting in the U.S. Navy on September 17, 1942, and was sent to the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas for bootcamp. In bootcamp Mr. Solis talks about learning to shoot rifles by shooting clay pigeons and presentations held to teach how to identify enemy aircraft. While learning to fly, Mr. Solis was assigned to Bombing Squadron 1. In 1944 Mr. Solis ended up with the Torpedo Squadron 100 flying torpedo planes in Oahu, Hawaii. His squadron never saw combat, but he did witness U.S. ships getting destroyed by Kamikaze planes during the Okinawa invasion. He helped in some Naval strikes in Japan from March to June of 1945 before returning to the states for leave. Mr. Solis was still at home on leave when the war officially ended, and he was discharged on September 14th of 1948 due to signing up for a 6-year contract instead of the normal 4-year one.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John G. Solis of Irving, Texas. He discusses enlisting in the U.S. Navy on September 17, 1942, and was sent to the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas for bootcamp. In bootcamp Mr. Solis talks about learning to shoot rifles by shooting clay pigeons and presentations held to teach how to identify enemy aircraft. While learning to fly, Mr. Solis was assigned to Bombing Squadron 1. In 1944 Mr. Solis ended up with the Torpedo Squadron 100 flying torpedo planes in Oahu, Hawaii. His squadron never saw combat, but he did witness U.S. ships getting destroyed by Kamikaze planes during the Okinawa invasion. He helped in some Naval strikes in Japan from March to June of 1945 before returning to the states for leave. Mr. Solis was still at home on leave when the war officially ended, and he was discharged on September 14th of 1948 due to signing up for a 6-year contract instead of the normal 4-year one.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz discusses the results of his exams and indicates about 25 people failed. He also mentions one cadet was caught cheating and describes what happened to him. He comments on the weather and mentions that German naval cadets will visit in February.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz provides his opinion on the Russian navy. He also mentions the prospect of going to China and being able to visit various cities there. He anticipates staying aboard the USS Ohio (BB-12) until the next summer when new passed midshipmen arrive to fill posts and he is moved to a smaller ship. Nimitz mentions fishing for sharks in Manila Bay and recalls all the various pets aboard the ship. Nimitz also mentions that the USS Brooklyn (CA-3) was bringing John Paul Jones back to the USA from France.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz indicates he has changed his leave plans again to include a visit to Washington DC and West Point. He summarizes the final few days aboard the Hartford and recalls his standing in his class after the cruise.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz, writing from China, mentions being ashore in a camp in the Philippines for some target practice. He also mentions that he suspects his time on the USS Ohio (BB-12) is coming to a close because the Academy graduates are due to arrive aboard in early April. Nimitz expects to be sent to a smaller gunboat, but admits he would rather stay on the Ohio and be overlooked in all the shuffling.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz relates news from Fort Sam Houston about having passed his physical examination required for service in the military. He also contemplates entering Robert Werntz's Preparatory Academy in Annapolis prior to arriving at the Naval Academy. Also included is a copy of the examining Army physician's report.