Resource Type

Oral History Interview with Fred Vogel, August 8, 2001

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
Interview with Fred Vogel, a Army WWII veteran from Austin, Minnesota. Vogel discusses his family and upbringing, football and college, working as a lawyer, joining the Army and basic training, attending Officer Candidate School, infantry training, deployment to New Guinea with the 33rd Infantry Division, the invasion of Morotai, combat around Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines, and occupation duty in Japan.
Date: June 13, 2001
Creator: Alexander, William J. & Vogel, Fred
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

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

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
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.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

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

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
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
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Gale E. Nevill, March 23, 1999

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Interview with Gale E. Nevill, a Army WWII veteran from Houston, Texas. Nevill discusses his family background and upbringing, jobs in the oil business, joining the National Guard, attending Rice University, getting commissioned, overseeing a Civilian Conservation Corps camp, working through the Depression, activation and assignment to 6th Army HQ, deployment to Brisbane, 6th Army operations in the South Pacific and Philippines, the end of the war and life afterwards.
Date: March 23, 1999
Creator: Alexander, William J. & Nevill, Gale Erwin
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Howard L. Patton, January 5, 1999

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
Interview with Howard L. Patton, a Army WWII veteran from Flora, Illinois. Patton discusses his family background, commissioning into the Army through ROTC, training with anti-air artillery, his marriage, deployment to New Guinea, the assault on Wakde Island, the battle of Leyte, operations at Zamboanga, and the end of the war.
Date: January 5, 1999
Creator: Alexander, William J. & Patton, Howard L.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with John C. Reas, June 23, 1998

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Interview with John Reas, a Navy WWII veteran and POW from New Albany, Indiana, who survived the sinking of the USS Houston (CA-30). Reas discusses his assignment to the Houston and prewar operations in the Pacific, the start of the war and convoy duty, being bombed by 54 Japanese planes, the Battle of Sunda Strait, the sinking, capture by the Japanese, experiences in internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, transfer to Thanbyuzayat, work on the Burma Railway, the USS Houston Survivors List, liberation, and life after the war. In appendix is the USS Houston Survivors list, letters of his regarding the list, brief accounts written by Reas of different experiences in the war, a letter by Lanson H. Harris confirming how the list was given to OSS officers, and a photo of Reas' wallet that he carried through the war.
Date: June 23, 1998
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Reas, John C.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Howard Charles, March 25, 1998

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
Interview with Howard Charles, a Marine WWII veteran and POW from Partridge, Kansas. Charles discusses growing up in the Great Depression; joining the Marine Corps and training; assignment to the USS Houston (CA-30) at Manila as a heavy machine gunner and events before the war; the Battle of Sunda Strait and sinking of the Houston; capture by the Japanese and being held at Serang, Java; experiences in internment and forced labor at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi Camp in Singapore, various camps along the Burma Railway, and Saigon; liberation; psychological treatment, trauma, and adjusting to civilian life. In appendix is a letter written by Charles to Marcello including additional information for the interview.
Date: March 25, 1998
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Charles, Howard R.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Lanson B. Ditto, October 11, 1996

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Interview with Lanson B. Ditto, clothier and Navy veteran regarding personal experiences about the Pacific, Atlantic, and Mediterranean Theaters during World War II. Ditto talks about his education, enlistment in the Navy V-7 Program, midshipman training, assignment to the USS Langley, pre-war duty in the Philippines, coming of war and combat around the Philippines and Netherlands East Indies, the sinking of the Langley and his transfer to the USS Pecos, the sinking of the Pecos and his rescue by the USS Whipple, various naval battles and assignments, antisubmarine patrols off the Solomons, various escort duties, and his promotion to captain of the O'Toole.
Date: October 11, 1996
Creator: Alexander, William J. & Ditto, Lanson B.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Ralph W. Nelson, April 18, 1996

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Transcript of an interview with Ralph W. Nelson, a Navy veteran, concerning his experiences while aboard the submarines USS Batfish and USS Parche in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Submarine School, San Francisco, California, 1942; early torpedo problems; his responsibilities as a fire controlman; assignment to the Batfish, 1944; various patrols in the Luzon Strait and Makassar Strait; lifeguard duty off Palau for downed airmen; transfer to the Parche, 1945.
Date: April 18, 1996
Creator: Maglaughlin, Barry & Nelson, Ralph W.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

Oral History Interview with Cleon Stewart, March 18, 1993

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
Interview with Cleon Stewart, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Tulia, Texas, who served and was captured with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (known as the "Lost Battalion"). Stewart discusses joining the National Guard, training and the Louisiana Maneuvers, deployment to the Pacific in November, 1941, diversion to Java after December 7th, Japanese air strikes and the invasion, the American surrender and initial internement by the Japanese, experiences in internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, transfer to Changi Camp, Singapore, and life in captivity there, and liberation.
Date: March 18, 1993
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Stewart, Cleon
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library

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

Access: Use of this item is restricted to the UNT Community
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.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Herbert R. Morris, May 8, 1989 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Herbert R. Morris, May 8, 1989

Transcript of an interview with Herbert Morris, 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. Morris 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), Changi Jail (1944-1945), and his liberation.
Date: May 8, 1989
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Morris, Herbert R., 1919-
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Paul E. Papish, January 30, 1989 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Paul E. Papish, January 30, 1989

Interview with Paul E. Papish, a Navy WWII veteran and POW from Denver, Colorado, who survived the sinking of the USS Houston (CA-30). Papish discusses joining the Navy in 1939 and training, assignment to the Houston and operations in the Pacific, the start of war and initial engagements, the Battle of the Java Sea, getting sunk at Sundra Strait, surviving on a raft and reaching shore on Java, capture, initial internment, transfer to and experiences in Bicycle Camp in Batavia, transfer to Changi Camp in Singapore, and liberation.
Date: January 30, 1989
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Papish, Paul E.
Object Type: Book
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.
Object Type: Book
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-
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Weldon O. Western, February 16, 1987 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Weldon O. Western, February 16, 1987

Interview with Weldon Western, 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. Western 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), Saigon, French Indo-China (1945), American air raids, and his liberation.
Date: February 16, 1987
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Western, Weldon O., 1914-
Object Type: Book
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-
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with M. T. Harrelson, May 9, 1985 (open access)

Oral History Interview with M. T. Harrelson, May 9, 1985

Interview with M. T. Harrelson, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Wichita Falls, Texas, who was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion"). Harrelson discusses National Guard training and operations before the war, deployment to the Pacific and diversion to Java, the Japanese invasion, surrender and initial confinement, internment at Tanjong Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, transfer to Changi Camp in Singapore, and the end of the war.
Date: May 9, 1985
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Harrelson, M. T., 1919-
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Jess Stanbrough, April 15, 1985 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Jess Stanbrough, April 15, 1985

Interview with Jess Stanbrough, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran from Wichita Falls, Texas, who served and was captured with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion.") Stanbrough discusses his time in the Guard before the war, deployment to the Pacific, the fall of Java and being captured, experiences in internment at Tanjong Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, operating a clandestine radio, transfer to Japan, being an iron smelter at Kamaishi, Honshu, American air and naval bombardment, and liberation.
Date: April 15, 1985
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Stanbrough, Jess
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Cecil Minshew, February 18, 1983 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Cecil Minshew, February 18, 1983

Interview with Cecil T. Minshew regarding his experiences in the military and as a prisoner of war of the Japanese during World War II. He was part of the Texas National Guard, 36th Division, 131st Field Artillery, 2nd Battalion, also known as the "Lost Battalion." He was captured on the island of Java in March of 1942 and spent the duration of the war thereafter as a prison of war in camps in South East Asia and in Japan.
Date: February 18, 1983
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Minshew, Cecil T.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Ben Kelley, March 26, 1982 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Ben Kelley, March 26, 1982

Interview with Ben Kelley regarding his experiences in the military and as a prisoner of war of the Japanese during World War II. He was part of the 36th Division, Texas National Guard, 131st Field Artillery, 2nd Battalion. He was captured on the island of Java in March of 1942 and spent the duration of the war thereafter as a prison of war in camps in South East Asia and in Japan.
Date: March 26, 1982
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Kelley, Ben
Object Type: Book
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-
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Granville T. Summerlin, June 9, 1981 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Granville T. Summerlin, June 9, 1981

Interview with Granville T. Summerlin, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Hughes Springs, Texas. Summerlin discusses his experiences as a captured member of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, or the "Lost Battalion" of the 36th Infantry Division, including: being drafted in 1940 and training; deployment to East Asia and diversion to Brisbane after December 7th; assignment to Sangosari Airfield, Malang, Java; the Japanese assault and American surrender; internment and labor at Tanjong Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi in Singapore, Thanbyuzayat and several camps on the Burma "Death" Railway, and Bangkok; liberation, and recovery in Calcutta.
Date: June 9, 1981
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Summerlin, Granville T.
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library
Oral History Interview with Paul Kempff, October 13, 1980 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Paul Kempff, October 13, 1980

Interview with Paul Kempff regarding his experiences in the military and as a prisoner of war of the Japanese during World War II. He was a member of the Royal Dutch Navy and was later transferred the Marines before being captured on the Island of Java. During his time, he came into contact with members of the "Lost Battalion", the 2nd Battalion of the 131st Field Artillery in the 36th Division.
Date: October 13, 1980
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Kempff, Paul
Object Type: Book
System: The UNT Digital Library