Oral History Interview with H. G. Eastwood, December 31, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with H. G. Eastwood, December 31, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with H.G. Eastwood. Eastwood was attending Eastern New Mexico University in 1941. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he joined the Navy and trained at Farragut, Idaho where he graduated from the navigator school. He was sent to New Caledonia and assigned to PT boats (USS PT-247). He describes the armament and propulsion of the 70 foot Higgins boat and the actions and procedures of the navigator during a torpedo attack run. He tells of working with code talkers concerning downed flyers, probable targets, etc. Eastwood also describes PT-247 being hit by Japanese shore batteries on 5 May 1943 resulting in fatalities, the sinking of the boat and his recovery by a sister boat. He was sent to the Samson Naval Hospital in Geneva, New York for recovery. Upon recovering, he was send to Colgate University to attend classes in PT boat operations. Upon completion of the course he was commissioned an ensign. Soon thereafter he received a medical discharge as a result of wounds.
Date: December 31, 2002
Creator: Eastwood, H. G.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Wendell Tombaugh, December 31, 2005 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Wendell Tombaugh, December 31, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Wendell C. Tombaugh. Tombaugh joined the Navy in November of 1944. He was trained in radar and provides some detail of his training experiences. He served aboard the USS Perkins (DD-877). His rank was Seaman First Class, and he shares stories of life aboard the destroyer. He was discharged in February of 1946.
Date: December 31, 2005
Creator: Tombaugh, Wendell
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Peter Terpstra, December 31, 2005 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Peter Terpstra, December 31, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Peter Terpstra. Terpstra joined the Navy in February of 1944. He served in the Pacific aboard the USS Ara (AK-136). They traveled to Pearl Harbor with Seabees and Marines on board. They stopped at a staging area at Eniwetok where they collected all the ships heading out to invade Guam. Terpstra provides detail of the ship and equipment and weapons aboard. They went to Guam and he provides detail of some of the battle. He discusses life in the Navy in general and working up to 3rd Class Petty Officer. He manned the captain’s gig as helmsman. They made stops at Kwajalein, Leyte, Auckland, New Zealand, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian Island delivering troops and supplies.
Date: December 31, 2005
Creator: Terpstra, Peter
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with H. G. Eastwood, December 31, 2002 (open access)

Oral History Interview with H. G. Eastwood, December 31, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with H.G. Eastwood. Eastwood was attending Eastern New Mexico University in 1941. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he joined the Navy and trained at Farragut, Idaho where he graduated from the navigator school. He was sent to New Caledonia and assigned to PT boats (USS PT-247). He describes the armament and propulsion of the 70 foot Higgins boat and the actions and procedures of the navigator during a torpedo attack run. He tells of working with code talkers concerning downed flyers, probable targets, etc. Eastwood also describes PT-247 being hit by Japanese shore batteries on 5 May 1943 resulting in fatalities, the sinking of the boat and his recovery by a sister boat. He was sent to the Samson Naval Hospital in Geneva, New York for recovery. Upon recovering, he was send to Colgate University to attend classes in PT boat operations. Upon completion of the course he was commissioned an ensign. Soon thereafter he received a medical discharge as a result of wounds.
Date: December 31, 2002
Creator: Eastwood, H. G.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - December 31, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - December 31, 1944]

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.
Date: December 31, 1944
Creator: Davis, Catherine Dawe
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History

[Admiral Chester W. Nimitz During Change of Command Ceremony]

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.
Date: December 31, 1941
Creator: United States. Navy
Object Type: Photograph
System: The Portal to Texas History
[School for Bakers and Cooks Proficiency Certificate] (open access)

[School for Bakers and Cooks Proficiency Certificate]

Certificate of proficiency from the United States Army Quartermaster Corps in a course for baker's award to Clifford R. Baird at Fort Benning, GA.
Date: December 31, 1931
Creator: United States. Army. School for Bakers and Cooks
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History