Resource Type

Oral History Interview with P. T. Allison, July 31, 2008 transcript

Oral History Interview with P. T. Allison, July 31, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with P T Allison. Allison joined the Army in June 1942 and received basic training in Virginia, having spent three years in the Civilian Conservation Corps prior to enlisting. He was assigned to the 1470th Engineer Maintenance Company, where he procured parts for a group of mobile machine shops and welding shops. He arrived in France during the Battle of the Bulge, where his unit repaired tractors, chain saws, and anything else that was brought in. After V-E Day, he returned to the States and was preparing for deployment to the South Pacific when the atomic bombs were dropped. Allison was discharged and returned home; he and his wife spent the next 17 years as campground hosts for the National Park Service at Yellowstone.
Date: July 31, 2008
Creator: Allison, P. T.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with P. T. Allison, July 31, 2008 (open access)

Oral History Interview with P. T. Allison, July 31, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with P T Allison. Allison joined the Army in June 1942 and received basic training in Virginia, having spent three years in the Civilian Conservation Corps prior to enlisting. He was assigned to the 1470th Engineer Maintenance Company, where he procured parts for a group of mobile machine shops and welding shops. He arrived in France during the Battle of the Bulge, where his unit repaired tractors, chain saws, and anything else that was brought in. After V-E Day, he returned to the States and was preparing for deployment to the South Pacific when the atomic bombs were dropped. Allison was discharged and returned home; he and his wife spent the next 17 years as campground hosts for the National Park Service at Yellowstone.
Date: July 31, 2008
Creator: Allison, P. T.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Bargsley, October 31, 2007 transcript

Oral History Interview with James Bargsley, October 31, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Bargsley. Bargsley joined the Navy in February of 1942. He completed communication school and served as radioman aboard the USS Fowler (DE-222), beginning in May of 1944. Bargsley describes life aboard the ship, as they made numerous voyages between New York, Africa and England escorting convoys. They delivered men and supplies for the operations in Italy and Southern France. In February of 1945 he was transferred to the USS Bassett (APD-73) for duty in the Pacific Theater. They picked up Navy frogmen in San Diego and traveled to Hawaii for training in preparation for the planned invasion of Japan later that year. In August of 1945 they rescued survivors from the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). He provides details of this rescue. Bargsley was discharged in December of 1945.
Date: October 31, 2007
Creator: Bargsley, James
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Bargsley, October 31, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with James Bargsley, October 31, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Bargsley. Bargsley joined the Navy in February of 1942. He completed communication school and served as radioman aboard the USS Fowler (DE-222), beginning in May of 1944. Bargsley describes life aboard the ship, as they made numerous voyages between New York, Africa and England escorting convoys. They delivered men and supplies for the operations in Italy and Southern France. In February of 1945 he was transferred to the USS Bassett (APD-73) for duty in the Pacific Theater. They picked up Navy frogmen in San Diego and traveled to Hawaii for training in preparation for the planned invasion of Japan later that year. In August of 1945 they rescued survivors from the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). He provides details of this rescue. Bargsley was discharged in December of 1945.
Date: October 31, 2007
Creator: Bargsley, James
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Helen Beattie, January 31, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Helen Beattie, January 31, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Helen Beattie. Beattie was born in the Philippines, where her parents were missionaries. She provides details of her family history. She and her family lived in Lugazpi, Philippines. When the Japanese invaded the Philippines, they landed five miles from her home. Beattie provides vivid details of her family and friends attempts to run and hide from the Japanese. They were captured in January and allowed to live in a compound of houses, not an internment camp. Sometime in 1942 they were taken to Santo Tomas Internment Camp in Manila. Beattie shares her experiences there as a fifteen-year-old girl, separated from her family. They were later transferred to Los Baños Internment Camp and rescued in February of 1945. They returned to the US in May of that same year.
Date: January 31, 2002
Creator: Beattie, Helen
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Helen Beattie, January 31, 2002 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Helen Beattie, January 31, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Helen Beattie. Beattie was born in the Philippines, where her parents were missionaries. She provides details of her family history. She and her family lived in Lugazpi, Philippines. When the Japanese invaded the Philippines, they landed five miles from her home. Beattie provides vivid details of her family and friends attempts to run and hide from the Japanese. They were captured in January and allowed to live in a compound of houses, not an internment camp. Sometime in 1942 they were taken to Santo Tomas Internment Camp in Manila. Beattie shares her experiences there as a fifteen-year-old girl, separated from her family. They were later transferred to Los Baños Internment Camp and rescued in February of 1945. They returned to the US in May of that same year.
Date: January 31, 2002
Creator: Beattie, Helen
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Richard Bischoff, July 31, 2001 transcript

Oral History Interview with Richard Bischoff, July 31, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Bischoff. Bischoff joined the Army in December of 1942. He served with the 607th Tank Destroyer Battalion. They arrived in England in April of 1944. They invaded Normandy on D-Day plus 2. Bischoff and his unit fought across France and into Germany during the summer and early winter of 1944. In December they participated in the Ardennes Campaign, ending the war near the Czechoslovakian border. Bischoff returned to the US and was discharged in December of 1945.
Date: July 31, 2001
Creator: Bischoff, Richard
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Richard Bischoff, July 31, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Richard Bischoff, July 31, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Bischoff. Bischoff joined the Army in December of 1942. He served with the 607th Tank Destroyer Battalion. They arrived in England in April of 1944. They invaded Normandy on D-Day plus 2. Bischoff and his unit fought across France and into Germany during the summer and early winter of 1944. In December they participated in the Ardennes Campaign, ending the war near the Czechoslovakian border. Bischoff returned to the US and was discharged in December of 1945.
Date: July 31, 2001
Creator: Bischoff, Richard
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Henry Bucher, January 31, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Henry Bucher, January 31, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Henry Bucher. Bucher was born on Hainan Island, in the South China Sea, in March 1936. When the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred, Bucher was 5 years old living with his family in Manila, Philippines. He describes the events that followed in Manila. Bucher and his family were allowed to stay in their home, though not leave their compound, until the summer of 1944. They were all then transferred to Los Baños Internment Camp. His father was under forced labor in the camp, while his mother would teach school to Bucher, his siblings and other children. He describes their living conditions, food accommodations, what he was allowed and not allowed to do as a child in the camp, his interactions with the Japanese guards and their rescue in February of 1945.
Date: January 31, 2002
Creator: Bucher, Henry
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Henry Bucher, January 31, 2002 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Henry Bucher, January 31, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Henry Bucher. Bucher was born on Hainan Island, in the South China Sea, in March 1936. When the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred, Bucher was 5 years old living with his family in Manila, Philippines. He describes the events that followed in Manila. Bucher and his family were allowed to stay in their home, though not leave their compound, until the summer of 1944. They were all then transferred to Los Baños Internment Camp. His father was under forced labor in the camp, while his mother would teach school to Bucher, his siblings and other children. He describes their living conditions, food accommodations, what he was allowed and not allowed to do as a child in the camp, his interactions with the Japanese guards and their rescue in February of 1945.
Date: January 31, 2002
Creator: Bucher, Henry
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Norman Cates, May 31, 2008 transcript

Oral History Interview with Norman Cates, May 31, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Norman Cates. Cates was born in San Antonio, Texas on 19 January 1927 and joined the Navy in 1944. Upon enlisting he was sent to San Diego for boot camp. Upon completion of the training he was sent to Astoria, Washington where he reported aboard the USS Clinton (APA-144). His experiences aboard the Clinton included evacuating the wounded from Guam, picking up a large group of Japanese prisoners on Okinawa for delivery to Pearl Harbor and traveling to Haiphong, French Indochina to pick up Chinese National Revolutionary Army troops to be delivered to the Manchurian border. Cates received his discharge after serving twenty-two months in the Navy.
Date: May 31, 2008
Creator: Cates, Norman
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Norman Cates, May 31, 2008 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Norman Cates, May 31, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Norman Cates. Cates was born in San Antonio, Texas on 19 January 1927 and joined the Navy in 1944. Upon enlisting he was sent to San Diego for boot camp. Upon completion of the training he was sent to Astoria, Washington where he reported aboard the USS Clinton (APA-144). His experiences aboard the Clinton included evacuating the wounded from Guam, picking up a large group of Japanese prisoners on Okinawa for delivery to Pearl Harbor and traveling to Haiphong, French Indochina to pick up Chinese National Revolutionary Army troops to be delivered to the Manchurian border. Cates received his discharge after serving twenty-two months in the Navy.
Date: May 31, 2008
Creator: Cates, Norman
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Edith Chamberlin, January 31, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Edith Chamberlin, January 31, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edith Chamberlin. Chamberlin’s mother was from Poland, her father was from England, and she was born in Shanghai, China. Her father was a cinematographer and was offered a job in the movie industry in the Philippines. She speaks of their life in the Philippines prior to the war. After the Japanese invaded the Philippines, she and her family were taken to Santo Tomas Internment Camp in Manila. They remained there from January of 1942 through their liberation in February of 1945. After the war, their family re-established their life in the Philippines.
Date: January 31, 2002
Creator: Chamberlin, Edith
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Edith Chamberlin, January 31, 2002 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Edith Chamberlin, January 31, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edith Chamberlin. Chamberlin’s mother was from Poland, her father was from England, and she was born in Shanghai, China. Her father was a cinematographer and was offered a job in the movie industry in the Philippines. She speaks of their life in the Philippines prior to the war. After the Japanese invaded the Philippines, she and her family were taken to Santo Tomas Internment Camp in Manila. They remained there from January of 1942 through their liberation in February of 1945. After the war, their family re-established their life in the Philippines.
Date: January 31, 2002
Creator: Chamberlin, Edith
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Dwight Clark, January 31, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Dwight Clark, January 31, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dwight Clark. Clark was born into a family of ten children in New Carlisle, Indiana. Upon being drafted into the Army in February 1943 he underwent basic training, which was followed by attending weapons school at Camp Hood, Texas. In school he learned to be a gunsmith and artillery mechanic. After eighteen months of training, his unit, the 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion, was sent to Fort Ord, California where they had amphibious training in Monterey Bay. They were sent to Bougainville from which they participated in the invasion of Luzon. On 23 February 1945, the unit was attached to the 11th Airborne, participating in the raid on the Los Banos Internment Camp. Clark tells of the raid and the aftermath. He expresses his admiration for General MacArthur. Clark returned to the United States in December 1945, and received his discharge a month later. Clark concludes with details about his life as a minister and teacher until his retirement.
Date: January 31, 2002
Creator: Clark, Dwight
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Dwight Clark, January 31, 2002 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Dwight Clark, January 31, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dwight Clark. Clark was born into a family of ten children in New Carlisle, Indiana. Upon being drafted into the Army in February 1943 he underwent basic training, which was followed by attending weapons school at Camp Hood, Texas. In school he learned to be a gunsmith and artillery mechanic. After eighteen months of training, his unit, the 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion, was sent to Fort Ord, California where they had amphibious training in Monterey Bay. They were sent to Bougainville from which they participated in the invasion of Luzon. On 23 February 1945, the unit was attached to the 11th Airborne, participating in the raid on the Los Banos Internment Camp. Clark tells of the raid and the aftermath. He expresses his admiration for General MacArthur. Clark returned to the United States in December 1945, and received his discharge a month later. Clark concludes with details about his life as a minister and teacher until his retirement.
Date: January 31, 2002
Creator: Clark, Dwight
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with J. L. Cunningham, May 31, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with J. L. Cunningham, May 31, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with J L Cunningham. Cunningham joined the Marine Corps in late 1942. He served in combat infantry with the 4th Marine Division, and participated in amphibious assaults in the battles of Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. Cunningham was discharged in late 1945.
Date: May 31, 2004
Creator: Cunningham, J. L.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with J. L. Cunningham, May 31, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with J. L. Cunningham, May 31, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with J L Cunningham. Cunningham joined the Marine Corps in late 1942. He served in combat infantry with the 4th Marine Division, and participated in amphibious assaults in the battles of Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. Cunningham was discharged in late 1945.
Date: May 31, 2004
Creator: Cunningham, J. L.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Thomas B. Dabney, October 31, 2005 transcript

Oral History Interview with Thomas B. Dabney, October 31, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas B. Dabney. Dabney wanted to go to the Naval Academy, but was denied entry as a second alternate. Undaunted, he enlisted in the Navy, working toward receiving an appointment to the Academy from the ranks, which he achieved in May 1932, after serving aboard the USS Texas (BB-35). He graduated from the Academy in 1936 and served aboard surface ships: USS New York (BB-34), USS Chester (CA-27), USS Indianapolis (CA-35). During this period, Dabney befriended Joe Rochefort. In May, 1940, he was transferred to the USS Bernadou (DD-153) and began escorting supplies across the Atlantic to Iceland. Dabney was assigned to submarine school in September, 1941 and was graduated early after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He joined the Pacific Fleet in January 1942. At first, he was assigned to the USS Pompano (SS-181), but was in the hospital when it sailed. He instead boarded the USS Plunger (SS-179) and describes some of its war patrols while he was aboard. In May, 1944, Dabney was assigned to the USS Becuna (SS-319) before being called to command the USS Guitarro (SS-363) in December in Fremantle, Australia. After the …
Date: October 31, 2005
Creator: Dabney, Thomas B.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Thomas B. Dabney, October 31, 2005 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Thomas B. Dabney, October 31, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas B. Dabney. Dabney wanted to go to the Naval Academy, but was denied entry as a second alternate. Undaunted, he enlisted in the Navy, working toward receiving an appointment to the Academy from the ranks, which he achieved in May 1932, after serving aboard the USS Texas (BB-35). He graduated from the Academy in 1936 and served aboard surface ships: USS New York (BB-34), USS Chester (CA-27), USS Indianapolis (CA-35). During this period, Dabney befriended Joe Rochefort. In May, 1940, he was transferred to the USS Bernadou (DD-153) and began escorting supplies across the Atlantic to Iceland. Dabney was assigned to submarine school in September, 1941 and was graduated early after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He joined the Pacific Fleet in January 1942. At first, he was assigned to the USS Pompano (SS-181), but was in the hospital when it sailed. He instead boarded the USS Plunger (SS-179) and describes some of its war patrols while he was aboard. In May, 1944, Dabney was assigned to the USS Becuna (SS-319) before being called to command the USS Guitarro (SS-363) in December in Fremantle, Australia. After the …
Date: October 31, 2005
Creator: Dabney, Thomas B.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Susan Magnuson DeVoe, January 31, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Susan Magnuson DeVoe, January 31, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Susan Magnuson DeVoe. DeVoe completes this interview with her sister Karen Magnuson. She shares her family’s story of residing in an internment camp in Manila for 2 years. Her parents were citizens of the United States, and traveled to Manila, where her father was manager for Know Brothers Uber Alles, an import/export company in 1938. Susan and Karen were both born in the Philippines. Her mother was 7 months pregnant with Susan when the Japanese invaded the Philippines, and shortly thereafter they were all taken to the Santo Tomas Internment Camp. She provides some details of their time in and liberation from the camp. Additionally, she shares what life was like getting settled back in the US and how her mother came to write a book on their experiences in the camp.
Date: January 31, 2002
Creator: DeVoe, Susan Magnuson
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Susan Magnuson DeVoe, January 31, 2002 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Susan Magnuson DeVoe, January 31, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Susan Magnuson DeVoe. DeVoe completes this interview with her sister Karen Magnuson. She shares her family’s story of residing in an internment camp in Manila for 2 years. Her parents were citizens of the United States, and traveled to Manila, where her father was manager for Know Brothers Uber Alles, an import/export company in 1938. Susan and Karen were both born in the Philippines. Her mother was 7 months pregnant with Susan when the Japanese invaded the Philippines, and shortly thereafter they were all taken to the Santo Tomas Internment Camp. She provides some details of their time in and liberation from the camp. Additionally, she shares what life was like getting settled back in the US and how her mother came to write a book on their experiences in the camp.
Date: January 31, 2002
Creator: DeVoe, Susan Magnuson
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ann Drake, January 31, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Ann Drake, January 31, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ann Drake. Drake was born in the Philippines on 31 August 1937. Her mother was from North Borneo and her father was an American. In 1941 the family lived to Manila and she recalls 8 December 1941 when the Japanese began bombing the city. She fondly remembers her father saying goodbye to the family for it was the last time they ever spoke to him. She recalls the Japanese taking her mother and siblings to Santo Tomas internment camp. Drake and her two sisters were placed in the Holy Ghost Convent for children while her brothers remained at Santo Tomas. In January 1944 the girls and their mother were again sent to Santo Tomas where they were united with the boys. Drake describes the living conditions and the scarcity of food. Internees were supposed to receive Red Cross packages monthly, but received only three packages during their confinement. Drake comments on the day they were freed and how she presently feels about the Japanese. After the surrender of Japan, Drake learned her father had been interned at Cabanatuan concentration camp for several years before being put on a …
Date: January 31, 2002
Creator: Drake, Ann
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ann Drake, January 31, 2002 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Ann Drake, January 31, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ann Drake. Drake was born in the Philippines on 31 August 1937. Her mother was from North Borneo and her father was an American. In 1941 the family lived to Manila and she recalls 8 December 1941 when the Japanese began bombing the city. She fondly remembers her father saying goodbye to the family for it was the last time they ever spoke to him. She recalls the Japanese taking her mother and siblings to Santo Tomas internment camp. Drake and her two sisters were placed in the Holy Ghost Convent for children while her brothers remained at Santo Tomas. In January 1944 the girls and their mother were again sent to Santo Tomas where they were united with the boys. Drake describes the living conditions and the scarcity of food. Internees were supposed to receive Red Cross packages monthly, but received only three packages during their confinement. Drake comments on the day they were freed and how she presently feels about the Japanese. After the surrender of Japan, Drake learned her father had been interned at Cabanatuan concentration camp for several years before being put on a …
Date: January 31, 2002
Creator: Drake, Ann
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History