Oral History Interview with Earl Smyth, Jr., October 20, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Earl Smyth, Jr., October 20, 2003

Interview with Earl Smyth, Jr., a serviceman during World War II. He discusses his time aboard the USS Saratoga at the Battle of Midway and at Guadalcanal, where the ship sustained two torpedo attacks. He saw Pearl Harbor three days after the attack.
Date: October 20, 2003
Creator: Bryk, Clarence & Smyth, Earl, Jr.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James F. Sansom, October 8, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with James F. Sansom, October 8, 2004

Interview with James F. Sansom, an officer in the U. S. Army during World War II. Sansom joined the Army in 1940 and began training on anti-aircraft guns in Florida. He was selected for Officer Candidate School (OCS) and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1942. He was assigned to the 843rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Air Warning Battalion, which made its way to India via the Panama Canal and Australia. Shortly after reaching Calcutta, the unit moved to Myitkyina, Burma. After the war, Sansom was assigned to Sagumo Prison outside Tokyo where Japanese war criminals were being held while on trial for war crimes. He describes some of the routines and residents in the prison. Sansom taught Hideki Tojo how to play card games like gin rummy. Sansom also describes the process of executing convicted prisoners as he carried out some sentences. In all, he executed nine convicted war criminals.
Date: October 8, 2004
Creator: Cox, Floyd & Sansom, James F.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Al Flocke, October 22, 2000 transcript

Oral History Interview with Al Flocke, October 22, 2000

Interview with Al Flocke, a radio operator during World War II. He discusses his flight training and being the radio operator on a B-24 bomber which did raids on Guam, Turk, Iwo Jima and other islands. He also relates anecdotes about food, rations, and living conditions on the islands.
Date: October 22, 2000
Creator: Nichols, Chuck & Flocke, Al
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alan W. Saunders, October 8, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Alan W. Saunders, October 8, 2004

Interview with Alan W. "Buck" Saunders, a pilot during World War II. He discusses joining the Army Air Corps, becoming an airplane mechanic, and going to flight school for pilot training. He was stationed in India and flew supplies into China over the Himalayas (known by pilots as "the Hump"). In China, he traded items such as jewelry or opium for information on Japanese troop placements in Burma. He also discusses his meetings with native Burmese and talks about later experiences he had after the war and during the Vietnam War.
Date: October 8, 2004
Creator: Cox, Floyd & Saunders, Alan W.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Joyce E. Sarvey, October 21, 2000 transcript

Oral History Interview with Joyce E. Sarvey, October 21, 2000

Interview with Joyce E. Sarvey discussing her work with Western Union in San Antonio, Texas during World War II.
Date: October 21, 2000
Creator: Pickard, Hesty & Sarvey, Joyce E.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Al Quackenbush, October 10, 1999 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Al Quackenbush, October 10, 1999

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Al Quackenbush. Quackenbush joined the Navy in 1931. He served as a First Class Ships Cook on the USS Tangier (AV-8). He is a plank owner of the Tangier and provides details of starting up the crew when it was first commissioned. His battle station was the .50 caliber gun on the forward mount. He discusses the training on the ship and activities prior to and on 7 December 1941. On the day of the attack, Quackenbush helped pull sailors out of the water, including a Japanese aviator.
Date: October 10, 1999
Creator: Quackenbush, Al
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Buck Gibson, October 19, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Buck Gibson, October 19, 2002

Interview with Buck Gibson of Waco, Texas, a veteran from the United States Navy during World War Two. The interview includes some of Mr. Gibson's background before and after the war as well as his personal experiences while in the Navy, including memories of his training, life in the Navy, the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, and what happened after he was rescued.
Date: October 19, 2002
Creator: Cox, Bill & Gibson, Buck
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Dale R. Walker, October 4, 2007 transcript

Oral History Interview with Dale R. Walker, October 4, 2007

Interview with Dale R. Walker, a U. S. Marine during World War II. He joined the Marine Corps in 1944 and was trained in mortars at Camp Pendleton, California. He then went to Camp Tarawa at Hawaii for further training with the Fifth Marine Division. Walker landed with the sixth wave on D-day at Iwo Jima. While working with mortars supporting the infantry, he was called on to be a stretcher-bearer on occasion. Walker spent 36 days on Iwo Jima. After the Japanese surrendered, Walker served in the occupation of Japan.
Date: October 4, 2007
Creator: Misenhimer, Richard & Walker, Dale R.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with A. J. Durham, October 12, 2013 transcript

Oral History Interview with A. J. Durham, October 12, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with A J Durham. Durham joined the Navy in February of 1943. He served with Composite Squadron 55 (VC-55). After basic training, Durham worked at the Naval Air Station in Astoria, Oregon and unloaded ammunition ships. He later served with the Ordnance Department, synchronizing 30 caliber machine guns aboard TBMs. Durham transferred to Composite Squadron 4 (VC-4), and completed Torpedo School, and served as a Torpedo man and an Aviation Ordnance Mate aboard a TBF Avenger. In April of 1944, he began serving aboard USS White Plains (CVE-66) and recalls his experiences aboard the carrier during invasions of the Mariana and Palau Islands, and through the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Durham remained aboard during Operation MAGIC CARPET, returning troops back to the US. He continued his service in the Reserves, receiving his discharge in the early 1950s.
Date: October 12, 2013
Creator: Durham, A. J.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with A. J. Durham, October 12, 2013 (open access)

Oral History Interview with A. J. Durham, October 12, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with A J Durham. Durham joined the Navy in February of 1943. He served with Composite Squadron 55 (VC-55). After basic training, Durham worked at the Naval Air Station in Astoria, Oregon and unloaded ammunition ships. He later served with the Ordnance Department, synchronizing 30 caliber machine guns aboard TBMs. Durham transferred to Composite Squadron 4 (VC-4), and completed Torpedo School, and served as a Torpedo man and an Aviation Ordnance Mate aboard a TBF Avenger. In April of 1944, he began serving aboard USS White Plains (CVE-66) and recalls his experiences aboard the carrier during invasions of the Mariana and Palau Islands, and through the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Durham remained aboard during Operation MAGIC CARPET, returning troops back to the US. He continued his service in the Reserves, receiving his discharge in the early 1950s.
Date: October 12, 2013
Creator: Durham, A. J.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Adanto D'Amore, October 8, 2005 transcript

Oral History Interview with Adanto D'Amore, October 8, 2005

Transcript of an oral interview with Dr. Adanto D'Amore. D'Amore describes his education briefly at Ohio State University where he graduated from medical school. Shortly thereafter, he joined the US Army Air Corps, where he examined candidates for jump school. He eventually was assigned as flight surgeon to the 19th Bomb Group and sent with them to Clark Field in the Philippines in October, 1941. After the Japanese invaded, D'Amore and elements of the 19th Bomb Group moved to Mindanao. After the surrender, D'Amore went with fellow prisoners of war to the Davao Internment Camp. Eventually, he was relocated to Cabanatuan where he spent 12 months before leaving aboard a hell ship for Omori Prison Camp in Japan. Upon being liberated after the war, D'Amore was sent to Okinawa, Manila and finally San Francisco. D'Amore also discusses the condition of the returning POWs.
Date: October 8, 2005
Creator: D'Amore, Dr. Adanto A. S.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Adanto D'Amore, October 8, 2005 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Adanto D'Amore, October 8, 2005

Transcript of an oral interview with Dr. Adanto D'Amore. D'Amore describes his education briefly at Ohio State University where he graduated from medical school. Shortly thereafter, he joined the US Army Air Corps, where he examined candidates for jump school. He eventually was assigned as flight surgeon to the 19th Bomb Group and sent with them to Clark Field in the Philippines in October, 1941. After the Japanese invaded, D'Amore and elements of the 19th Bomb Group moved to Mindanao. After the surrender, D'Amore went with fellow prisoners of war to the Davao Internment Camp. Eventually, he was relocated to Cabanatuan where he spent 12 months before leaving aboard a hell ship for Omori Prison Camp in Japan. Upon being liberated after the war, D'Amore was sent to Okinawa, Manila and finally San Francisco. D'Amore also discusses the condition of the returning POWs.
Date: October 8, 2005
Creator: D'Amore, Dr. Adanto A. S.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 11, 1943] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 11, 1943]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing how much he hated to see her leave, passing his physical exam, writing a letter to Pat, and expecting to go on a nine mile hike the next day. A portion of text has been removed from the letter.
Date: October 11, 1943
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 27, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 27, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service, seeing the movie " The Wife Takes a Flyer" the night before, and listening to the radio.
Date: October 27, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 12, 1943] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 12, 1943]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing Catherine's trip back to Luling, looking forward to her next visit, sympathy for Mrs. Seay after her heart attack, receiving a letter from Nell, and being sore after a hike.
Date: October 12, 1943
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 23, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 23, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service, getting an air mattress, and seeing the movie "The Hairy Ape."
Date: October 23, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 24, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 24, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service, the weather, discouraging Catherine from mowing the lawn, his excitement for Christmas packages, his thoughts on Johnnie Reed shooting J.C. Norwood, and receiving his beer ration.
Date: October 24, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 29, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 29, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing drinking beer the night before, the improvement of the food, noting that it has been five months since he shipped out, and the weather.
Date: October 29, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 25, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 25, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service, his surprise at Floy and Worth's visiting Luling, and his thoughts on all the babies that have been born.
Date: October 25, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 19, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 19, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service, plans for when he returns home, the weather, and finishing reading "The Good Earth."
Date: October 19, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 21, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 21, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing his support for Catherine befriending Williams' wife, encouraging her not to spend too much on his Christmas presents, and missing Nell's cooking.
Date: October 21, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 22, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 22, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing missing church, having completed ten missions, and sympathizing with Bob's money troubles.
Date: October 22, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 20, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 20, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing exploring the island, taking pictures, and supporting Elaine coming to live with Catherine.
Date: October 20, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 17, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - October 17, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service, receiving his beer ration, remembering the loafing that occurred in Catherine's office fondly, writing Pat a letter, and trying to make plans with Walter.
Date: October 17, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History