The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al D’Agostino. D’Agostino joined the Merchant Marine in 1945 and received training in Brooklyn. Upon completion, he was assigned to the SS Monterey where he worked as a butcher. His first trip to the Pacific was transporting European troops, who were unhappy about the looming invasion of Japan. The war ended while the Monterey was in transit, and the soldiers returning home were a much happier bunch. Even more joyful was the reunion of families when the Monterey picked up war brides and their babies from all over the Pacific and brought them back to the States. He transferred to a Liberty ship that brought German war criminals back to the States from South America, although he believes that the majority of the passengers were actually concentration camp survivors. D’Agostino was discharged but was drafted again during the Korean War and served as a radio relay operator atop a mountain in dangerous and harsh winter conditions. When he was discharged a second time, he applied his kitchen experience and attended Cornell’s hotel school. D’Agostino became the director of food service for Trans World Airlines. Before retiring, he moved …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al D’Agostino. D’Agostino joined the Merchant Marine in 1945 and received training in Brooklyn. Upon completion, he was assigned to the SS Monterey where he worked as a butcher. His first trip to the Pacific was transporting European troops, who were unhappy about the looming invasion of Japan. The war ended while the Monterey was in transit, and the soldiers returning home were a much happier bunch. Even more joyful was the reunion of families when the Monterey picked up war brides and their babies from all over the Pacific and brought them back to the States. He transferred to a Liberty ship that brought German war criminals back to the States from South America, although he believes that the majority of the passengers were actually concentration camp survivors. D’Agostino was discharged but was drafted again during the Korean War and served as a radio relay operator atop a mountain in dangerous and harsh winter conditions. When he was discharged a second time, he applied his kitchen experience and attended Cornell’s hotel school. D’Agostino became the director of food service for Trans World Airlines. Before retiring, he moved …

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz describes some trouble with native Moro tribesmen in the southern Philippines. He also mentions that he has been able to visit several islands in the Philippines and encountered an Army officer who knew the Nimitz family in Fredericksburg and Kerrville.

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz discusses preparing for target practice in Manila Bay. He mentions the ship's cat being thrown overboard by the concussion of the 12-inch guns being fired. The cat was recovered. He also mentions entertaining officers of the British fleet.

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz discusses his activities on the USS Ohio (BB-12) since arriving in Manila. Nimitz mentions seeing in Manila Bay the damaged Russian ships Aurora and Oleg after the Battle of Tsushima. Nimitz expresses dismay that the Russians were defeated. He also mentions that he has been assigned as the torpedo officer aboard the Ohio. This letter is on USS Ohio stationery.

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz, writing from China, mentions being ashore in a camp in the Philippines for some target practice. He also mentions that he suspects his time on the USS Ohio (BB-12) is coming to a close because the Academy graduates are due to arrive aboard in early April. Nimitz expects to be sent to a smaller gunboat, but admits he would rather stay on the Ohio and be overlooked in all the shuffling.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz describes some trouble with native Moro tribesmen in the southern Philippines. He also mentions that he has been able to visit several islands in the Philippines and encountered an Army officer who knew the Nimitz family in Fredericksburg and Kerrville.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz discusses preparing for target practice in Manila Bay. He mentions the ship's cat being thrown overboard by the concussion of the 12-inch guns being fired. The cat was recovered. He also mentions entertaining officers of the British fleet.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz discusses his activities on the USS Ohio (BB-12) since arriving in Manila. Nimitz mentions seeing in Manila Bay the damaged Russian ships Aurora and Oleg after the Battle of Tsushima. Nimitz expresses dismay that the Russians were defeated. He also mentions that he has been assigned as the torpedo officer aboard the Ohio.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz, writing from China, mentions being ashore in a camp in the Philippines for some target practice. He also mentions that he suspects his time on the USS Ohio (BB-12) is coming to a close because the Academy graduates are due to arrive aboard in early April. Nimitz expects to be sent to a smaller gunboat, but admits he would rather stay on the Ohio and be overlooked in all the shuffling.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with with William R. Sanchez. Born in Texas in 1918, Sanchez joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1938. He was drafted into the Army in 1940 and elected to serve in the Philippines. He was assigned to the 59th Regiment, Coast Artillery, Battery D and later Battery H at Fort Mills (Corregidor). He was then assigned to Army Intelligence in the Harbor Defense Headquarters. He recounts how the Army Intelligence at Corregidor provided advance notification of the Japanese force on its way to attack Pearl Harbor. He describes participating in the battle for Corregidor, being taken prisoner in the Malinta Tunnel, and his role in disposing of an American flag after the surrender to the Japanese. He discusses the treatment and living conditions he experienced as a prisoner of war. He was held captive at Bilibid Prison and Cabanatuan in the Philippines. He was transported aboard the Totorri Maru, a hell ship, to Formosa. He was then relocated to Camp Omori near Tokyo, Japan where he befriended Gregory “Pappy” Boyington and Louis Zamperini; was beaten by “the Wiley Bird” (Mutsuhiro Watanabe); and encountered Premier Tojo. He discusses his …

Transcript of an oral interview with William R. Sanchez. Born in Texas in 1918, Sanchez joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1938. He was drafted into the Army in 1940 and elected to serve in the Philippines. He was assigned to the 59th Regiment, Coast Artillery, Battery D and later Battery H at Fort Mills (Corregidor). He was then assigned to Army Intelligence in the Harbor Defense Headquarters. He recounts how the Army Intelligence at Corregidor provided advance notification of the Japanese force on its way to attack Pearl Harbor. He describes participating in the battle for Corregidor, being taken prisoner in the Malinta Tunnel, and his role in disposing of an American flag after the surrender to the Japanese. He discusses the treatment and living conditions he experienced as a prisoner of war. He was held captive at Bilibid Prison and Cabanatuan in the Philippines. He was transported aboard the Totorri Maru, a hell ship, to Formosa. He was then relocated to Camp Omori near Tokyo, Japan where he befriended Gregory “Pappy” Boyington and Louis Zamperini; was beaten by “the Wiley Bird” (Mutsuhiro Watanabe); and encountered Premier Tojo. He discusses his release when the war ended, return to …