Resource Type

Oral History Interview with Junior Pruneda, February 4, 2015 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Junior Pruneda, February 4, 2015

Transcript of an interview with Jose Maria Pruneda, Jr. called Junior a Country Western musician. He played several instruments including guitar, fiddle, bass, and steel guitar. He was hired by Bob Wills and played with the Poverty Playboys, played at the Grand Ole Opry, toured throughout the United States, and was inducted into the Western Swing Hall of Fame. In addition to his career, the interview discusses his parents, growing up in the Mexican-American community of Kerrville, and his grandparents lives in Del Rio and Villa Acuna, Coahuila, Mexico. Junior's wife Bobbie and son Joe contribute to the interview. Several photos follow the transcript text.
Date: February 4, 2015
Creator: Collins, Francelle Robison; Flory, Bonnie Pipes & Pruneda, Jose Maria, Jr.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Al D'Agostino, April 19, 2012 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Al D'Agostino, April 19, 2012

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 …
Date: April 19, 2012
Creator: D'Agostino, Al
System: The Portal to Texas History