Oral History Interview with Melvin R. Baird, 1998

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Interview with Navy veteran Melvin R. "Pancho" Baird. It includes a combination of interviewing and reading from Baird's personal correspondence about his pre-World War II experiences with the U.S. Asiatic Fleet and his later experiences in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Baird talks about his stationing aboard the destroyer USS Alden as a radioman, the grounding of the SS President Hoover off of Hoishito Island, the Sino-Japanese War, liberty ashore various Asian port cities, events on the South China Patrol, civilian activities after his discharge, activities as a radio technician on Blue Beach during the Okinawan Campaign, kamikaze actions on Okinawa, and typical shipboard routine.
Date: August 18, 1998
Creator: Baird, James & Baird, Melvin R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Nipawan Teepanont, February 17, 1984 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Nipawan Teepanont, February 17, 1984

Audio interview with Nipawan Teepanont, a graduate student from Thailand studying education at North Texas State University. Teepanont discusses his background, comparisons between education in Thailand and the United States, adjusting, the international community at the university, and his job.
Date: February 17, 1984
Creator: Bohlcke, Diane & Teepanont, Nipawan
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Geoffrey Bryson Fisken, May 1, 1993

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Interview with Geoffrey Fisken, a veteran of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, concerning his experiences as a combat pilot in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Fisken discusses the fall of Singapore, Guadalcanal operations, air combat against Japanese Zeros, and his release from duty in December of 1943.
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Daniels, John & Fisken, Geoffrey Bryson
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Thomas Jenny, April 3, 2013

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Interview with Thomas Jenny, a Marine Corps and Air America pilot from Miami, Florida, who served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Jenny discusses his interest in aviation, entering the Naval Flight Training Program, flight training, joining the Marine Corps, assignment to Korea, working for Pan-Am, joining Air America, and flying a variety of aircraft and missions from Thailand and Laos.
Date: April 3, 2013
Creator: Ferguson, J. Michael & Jenny, Thomas
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with John Stiles, May 5, 2013

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Interview with John Stiles, a US Air Force navigator and Vietnam War veteran from Memphis, Tennessee. Stiles discusses joining the Air Force, the RF-4 Phantom II, deployment to Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, flying reconnaissance missions over North Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos, being shot down and later meeting the Vietnamese pilot who did it, and Air America.
Date: May 5, 2013
Creator: Ferguson, J. Michael & Stiles, John
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with William "Jake" Wehrell, April 23, 2013

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Interview with William "Jake" Wehrell, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and Air America Pilot conducted for the Air America Oral History Project. He discusses his childhood and education in New Jersey and Central College; decision to enlist in the Marine Corps during the Korean War; experiences while stationed at El Toro, California, Japan, Cherry Point, NC, Parris Island, SC, and Beaufort, SC, and aboard an aircraft carrier; decision to join Air America; experiences while stationed in Taiwan, Bangkok, Saigon, and Phnom Penh; opinions on the Vietnam War and Air America’s role in it.
Date: April 23, 2013
Creator: Ferguson, J. Michael & Wehrell, William
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with C. L. Pryor, December 5, 1987 (open access)

Oral History Interview with C. L. Pryor, December 5, 1987

Interview with Charley Pryor, a Marine WWII veteran and POW from Elmore City, Oklahoma. Pryor discusses joining the Marine Corps, operations with the North China Marines in Tsingtao, interactions with Japanese troops before the war, surviving the sinking of the USS Houston (CA-30), being captured and participating in a Japanese landing on Java, thoughts on Japanese soldiers and military life, experiences working on the Burma Railway in Thailand, experiences in internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia and a camp at Kachanaburi in Thailand, liberation, and postwar service.
Date: December 5, 1987
Creator: Jones, Waller F. & Pryor, Charley L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with B. D. Fillmore, October 9, 1973 (open access)

Oral History Interview with B. D. Fillmore, October 9, 1973

Interview with B. D. Fillmore, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Jacksboro, Texas, who was captured with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion") by Japanese forces on Java. Fillmore discusses joining the Guard and mobilization, deployment to the Pacific, diversion to Java and operations at Malang, the Japanese invasion and American surrender, internment at Tanjung Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, transfer to Changi Camp in Singapore, transfer to Thanbyuzayat and work on the Burma Railway, and liberation. In appendix are Fillmore's Japanese prisoner records, and War Department reports on his missing status and health.
Date: October 9, 1973
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Keith Naylor, April 2, 1971 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Keith Naylor, April 2, 1971

Interview with Keith Naylor, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Vernon, Texas, who was captured with 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion") on Java by the Japanese. Naylor discusses joining the Guard, deployment to the Pacific and the war's start, operations at Malang on Java, the American surrender, experiences in internment at Tanjung Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, transfer to Changi Camp in Singapore, work on the Burma Railway, internment at Chungkai and Linson in Thailand, and liberation. In appendix are an excerpt from a radio broadcast of Norton McGriffin in the News, three letters to Naylor's mother regarding his MIA status, and two cards from Naylor while interned.
Date: April 2, 1971
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with W. W. Baer, Jr., July 8, 1986 (open access)

Oral History Interview with W. W. Baer, Jr., July 8, 1986

Interview with W.W. Baer, Jr., an executive at the Caltex Petroleum Corporation from Illinois, discussing his World War II experiences, training at Texaco, work with Caltex in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand, the establishment of Caltex East, and his appointment as managing director in Tanzania.
Date: July 8, 1986
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Baer, W. W., Jr.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Lawrence Brown, March 13, 1974 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Lawrence Brown, March 13, 1974

Interview with Lawrence Brown, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Decatur, Texas. Brown was a captured member of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery Regiment (the "Lost Battalion"): he recounts working during the Depression; mobilization; deployment to the Philippines and diversion to Brisbane after December 7th, 1941; arrival at Sangosari, Java; the Japanese invasion and American surrender; experiences in internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi Camp in Singapore, several work camps on the Burma "Death" Railway, and Saigon; and liberation.
Date: March 13, 1974
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Brown, Lawrence
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with George Burns, March 12, 1974 (open access)

Oral History Interview with George Burns, March 12, 1974

Interview with George Burns, a postal worker, farmer, U.S. Army WWII veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard), and a member of the "Lost Battalion," about his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Burns talks about the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), Bangkok, Thailand (1945), and his liberation.
Date: March 12, 1974
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Burns, George, 1917-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Charles A. Cates, March 14, 1974 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles A. Cates, March 14, 1974

Interview with Charles A. Cates, a businessman, U.S. Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard), and a member of the "Lost Battalion," concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Cates talks about the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1943-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), Bangkok, Thailand (1945), and his liberation.
Date: March 14, 1974
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Cates, Charles A., 1908-
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Arthur B. Clark, September 29, 2000

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Interview with Arhtur B. Clark, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Abilene, Texas, who was captured with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery. Clark discusses joining the National Guard, training and maneuvers, deployment to the Pacific, the fall of Java and surrender to the Japanese, experiences in internment at Tanjong Priok in Batavia, internment at Changi Camp in Singapore, labor on the Burma "Death" Railway, and liberation. The interview includes an appendix with a reference page and a written flight log by Col. Tom Sledge.
Date: September 29, 2000
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Clark, Arthur B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with George Detre, August 17, 1978 (open access)

Oral History Interview with George Detre, August 17, 1978

Transcript of an interview with George Detre, a Navy veteran from Warren, Ohio, and a survivor of the sinking of the USS Houston. Detre discusses concerning his experiences during World War II, including as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese.
Date: August 17, 1978
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Detre, George
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with E. Benjamin Dunn, November 16, 1999

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Interview with E. Benjamin Dunn, a Army WWII veteran and POW from Gorham, Illinois, who was captured by the Japanese on Java with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion.") Dunn discusses training in the Army, transfer to 2-131 and deployment to the Pacific, the fall of Java and being captured, experiences in internment in Batavia and later Changi Prison Camp in Singapore, building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway, and liberation.
Date: November 16, 1999
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Dunn, E. Benjamin
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Frank W. Ficklin, January 16, 1987 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Frank W. Ficklin, January 16, 1987

Transcript of an interview with Frank Ficklin, a businessman, an Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard) and a member of the "Lost Battalion." Ficklin discusses his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Ficklin discusses the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), Changi Jail (1944), and his liberation.
Date: January 16, 1987
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Ficklin, Frank W., 1922-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with James W. Gee, March 13 and March 19, 1972 (open access)

Oral History Interview with James W. Gee, March 13 and March 19, 1972

Interview with James W. Gee, a sales executive, a Marine Corps veteran, and a survivor of the sinking of the U.S.S. Houston, concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Gee talks about the sinking of the Houston (1942), his capture and imprisonment at Serang, Java, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), the hell ship to Japan (1944), coal mining near Nagasaki (1944-1945), and his liberation.
Date: [1972-03-13,1972-03-19]
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Gee, James Wallace
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Robert Gregg, March 24, 1971 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Gregg, March 24, 1971

Interview with Robert Gregg, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Decatur, Texas, who was captured with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion"). Gregg discusses mobilization and deployment to the Pacific, the fall of Java and his capture, internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia and Changi Camp in Singapore, building the Burma-Thailand "Death" Railway, and liberation.
Date: March 24, 1971
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Gregg, Robert
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Ilo B. Hard, March 26, 1980 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Ilo B. Hard, March 26, 1980

Interview with Colonel Ilo Hard, an Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard) and a member of the "Lost Battalion," concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Hard talks about the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), Singapore (1944-1945), and his liberation.
Date: March 26, 1980
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Hard, Ilo B., 1923-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with J. B. Heinen, Jr., October 29, 1973 (open access)

Oral History Interview with J. B. Heinen, Jr., October 29, 1973

Interview with J. B. Heinen Jr., an independent oilman, U. S. Army WWII veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard), and a member of the "Lost Battalion." Heinen discusses his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II, including the fall of Java and capture; Bicycle Camp, Batavia, 1942; Changi Prison Camp, Singapore, 1942; building the Burma Thailand Death Railway, 1942-44; Kanchanaburi, Thailand, 1944; and his liberation in Bangkok.
Date: October 29, 1973
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Heinen, J. B., Jr.
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with James W. Huffman, April 11, 1990

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Interview with James W. Huffman, a Navy WWII veteran and POW from Los Angeles, California, who survived the sinking of the USS Houston (CA-30). Huffman discusses joining the Navy; service aboard the Houston and changes in training as war neared; early operations in the war; the Battle of Sundra Strait and sinking; surviving in Java; capture by the Japanese; various experiences in internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi Camp in Singapore, Thanbyuzayat, several camps on the Burma Railway, and Tamarkan in Thailand; and liberation.
Date: April 11, 1990
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Huffman, James W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Willie V. Jordan, June 1987 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Willie V. Jordan, June 1987

Interview with Willie Jordan, an Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard) and a member of the "Lost Battalion," concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Jordan talks about the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Bangkok, Thailand (1944-1945), and his liberation.
Date: 1987-06-01/1987-06-03
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Jordan, Willie V., 1922-
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Sidney C. Matlock, September 9, 1981 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Sidney C. Matlock, September 9, 1981

Interview with Sidney Matlock, an Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard) and a member of the "Lost Battalion," concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Matlock discusses the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), railroad maintenance work in Burma (1944), Phet Buri, Thailand (1945), and his liberation.
Date: September 9, 1981
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Matlock, Sidney C., 1917-
System: The UNT Digital Library