Resource Type

Oral History Interview with Abelino Alviar, March 14, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Abelino Alviar, March 14, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Abelino Alviar. Alviar joined the Army in May of 1944. In early 1945, he joined the 778th Anti-aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. They deployed to Le Havre, France, and traveled to Munich, Germany, arriving after the Battle of the Ardennes. Alviar provided guard duty, and served as a gunner on the half-track supporting the 1st Infantry Division as they fought into Germany. He also worked as a translator and helped transport supplies to the front line. He returned home and was discharged in May of 1946.
Date: March 14, 2003
Creator: Alviar, Abelino
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Macia, July 21, 2000 transcript

Oral History Interview with James Macia, July 21, 2000

Interview with James "Herb" Macia of San Antonio, Texas, who is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces during World War Two. In the interview, Mr. Macia recalls memories about growing up as well as his days as a mining engineer, the Doolittle Raid, North Africa, Normandy, and D-Day.
Date: July 21, 2000
Creator: Cox, Floyd & Macia, James
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Andrew Brosh, Sr., March 31, 2001 transcript

Oral History Interview with Andrew Brosh, Sr., March 31, 2001

Interview with Andrew Brosh, Sr., a veteran of the U.S. Army from Karnes County, Texas who served in World War II. Brosh describes his time in basic training and experiences serving in Europe, as well as seeing American prisoners of war.
Date: March 31, 2001
Creator: Eakin, Elizabeth & Brosh, Andrew, Sr.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Bean, November 15, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Bean, November 15, 2004

Interview with Robert Bean, a veteran who was wounded in action during World War II from Kirbyville, Texas. The transcript includes a list of questions, which focus on Bean's service with the 12th Armored Infantry Division of the U.S. Army in France and Germany, including his injuries and experience liberating two concentration camps.
Date: June 20, 2005
Creator: Gammon, Robert & Bean, Robert
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Louis Belk, April 22, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Louis Belk, April 22, 2003

Interview with Louis Belk, a B-17 Waist Gunner who served with the U.S. Army Air Corps (Air Force) in World War II from San Antonio, Texas. Belk describes his time training in Texas and experiences serving in England. He also talks about what it was like returning home to the United States from the war.
Date: April 22, 2003
Creator: Heath, Amanda & Belk, Louis
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alan Hildebrandt, November 12, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with Alan Hildebrandt, November 12, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alan Hildebrandt. Hildebrandt enlisted in the Army Air Forces in July of 1942. He describes the planes he flew during training, including the PT-19, the BT-13 and the UC-78. Hildebrandt was commissioned and received his pilot rating in November of 1943. Upon graduation he trained on the B-26 at Laughlin Field. Hildebrandt served as a pilot in the 95th Bomb Squadron, 17th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force. They first traveled to Morocco, North Africa, then to northern Italy and Southern France. Their job was to bomb Marshaling yards, bridges and troop replacements. Hildebrandt describes some of his missions. He flew a total of 64 missions and was discharged in July of 1945.
Date: November 12, 2009
Creator: Hildebrandt, Alan
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Glenn E. McDuffie, January 21, 2008 transcript

Oral History Interview with Glenn E. McDuffie, January 21, 2008

Interview with Glenn E. McDuffie, an Armed Guard in the U. S. Navy during World War II. He discusses lying about his age in order to join the navy at 15 and his experience in boot camp. He served as an Armed Guard on merchant ships that transported supplies across the Atlantic and remembers being in London while German bombers flew overhead. He transported German prisoners out of Marseilles and Naples shortly after the liberation of those cities. He remembers going to Times Square upon hearing that the Japanese had surrendered. He claims to have been the sailor in the iconic photo of the sailor kissing the nurse in Times Square on V-J Day. He describes how he proved he was the sailor in the photo, what he did after the war, and how he learned that his brother survived the Bataan Death March.
Date: January 21, 2008
Creator: Misenhimer, Richard & McDuffie, Glenn E.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Herman Berges, April 4, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Herman Berges, April 4, 2002

Interview with Herman Berges, a veteran of the U.S. Army who served as a medic in World War II. Berges describes his time in basic training in Texas, service in Germany and France, and general feelings on war and life after. He also talks about receiving the Silver Star, the third highest medal in the Army, from General Anthony McAuliffe.
Date: April 4, 2002
Creator: Sheldon, Jessica & Berges, Herman E.
System: The Portal to Texas History