Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz, aboard the USS Indiana (BB-1), describes cruising in Chesapeake Bay to Newport News, Virginia. He discusses his typical day filled with drills, instruction and recitation. Nimitz provides a list of those standing at the top of his class, including himself standing in eighth of 118. He describes some adventures he had ashore in Virginia while on liberty. He mentions seeing several ships under construction. This letter is on US Naval Academy stationery.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz, aboard the USS Indiana (BB-1), describes cruising in Chesapeake Bay to Newport News, Virginia. He discusses his typical day filled with drills, instruction and recitation. Nimitz provides a list of those standing at the top of his class, including himself standing in eighth of 118. He describes some adventures he had ashore in Virginia while on liberty. He mentions seeing several ships under construction.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz describes his activities at the Academy such as rowing boats, drilling and tying knots. He also mentions going aboard the training ship, the Chesapeake. Nimitz also mentions attending a worship service in the chapel at the Academy.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz describes the rigors his first week at the Academy: rowing and drilling from six in the morning until ten at night. He mentions a problem with his feet. He asks about Otto and Dora.

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz relates what he believes his standing in his class will be. He also expresses an interest in trying out for the crew team because he likes the exercise of rowing. He also discusses some happenings at the Academy and a visit by the Secretary of the Navy. Nimitz also relates the facts of a hazing incident that ended up being reported in the newspapers. This letter is on US Naval Academy stationery.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz relates what he believes his standing in his class will be. He also expresses an interest in trying out for the crew team because he likes the exercise of rowing. He also discusses some happenings at the Academy and a visit by the Secretary of the Navy. Nimitz also relates the facts of a hazing incident that ended up being reported in the newspapers.

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz describes the rigors his first week at the Academy: rowing and drilling from six in the morning until ten at night. He mentions a problem with his feet. He asks about Otto and Dora.

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz describes his activities at the Academy such as rowing boats, drilling and tying knots. He also mentions going aboard the training ship, the Chesapeake. Nimitz also mentions attending a worship service in the chapel at the Academy.

Video footage from a symposium sponsored by the National Museum of the Pacific War entitled "The Lessons Learned" discussing United States military preparedness from 1941 to 1988. This video features remarks given by Merl Youngs, Tom Wilkerson, Genral Folgrum, Marty Steel, Denny Connally, Patrick J. Slader and Dick Graves as well as time for audience questions.

Video footage from a symposium sponsored by the National Museum of the Pacific War entitled "The Lessons Learned" discussing United States military preparedness from 1941 to 1988. This video contains remarks given by Dick Graves and questions from the audience.

Video footage from a symposium sponsored by the National Museum of the Pacific War entitled "The Lessons Learned" discussing United States military preparedness from 1941 to 1988. This recording features the opening of the second day of the symposium and remarks given by Paul Stillwell, Tom Wilkerson, Frank Truemane, Patrick Corrigan, Bill Fisher and Merl Youngs.

Video footage from a symposium sponsored by the National Museum of the Pacific War entitled "The Lessons Learned" discussing United States military preparedness from 1941 to 1988. This video contains remarks given by Tex Hill, Joseph H. Moore, Donald Showers, Caption Fisher and Robert Harrys.

Video footage from a symposium sponsored by the National Museum of the Pacific War entitled "The Lessons Learned" discussing United States military preparedness from 1941 to 1988. This recording features remarks given by General Gayla, Admiral Abbot, Joe Alexander, General Bowser, John Olson, John Lunstrum and Tex Hill before being opened up to audience questions.

Video footage from a symposium sponsored by the National Museum of the Pacific War entitled "The Lessons Learned" discussing United States military preparedness from 1941 to 1988. This recording features the opening of the symposium and remarks given by Charles Grojean, Robert Cook, Thomas M. Patrick, Paul Stillwell, Admiral Atkins, Victor Delono, Ned Beach, John Lungstead and General Gayla.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Floyd Thorn. He discusses his childhood and family and what led him to start flying planes for the US Navy. He describes his experiences in the Pacific Theatre of World War Two, including witnessing the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and fighting in the battle of Midway.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Donaldson. Donaldson talks about how the Great Depression affected his family. He joined the Navy in 1944 and provides details of his training. He traveled aboard the USS Buckingham (APA-141). They traveled to Pearl Harbor, which he describes along with his responsibilities with work parties unloading and reloading ships. He assisted with trading out old ammunition for new ammunition. He was transferred to the John Rodgers Naval Air Station in Hawaii. He worked on the Martin Mars seaplanes, repairing and test flying them. He also flew C-54s and the J-3 Piper Cub and shares his experiences. He spent the remainder of his Navy career in Hawaii and was discharged in August of 1946 and joined the reserves. While in the service he made storekeeper 3rd class. In the 1950s he was commissioned into the Air Force.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Donaldson. Donaldson talks about how the Great Depression affected his family. He joined the Navy in 1944 and provides details of his training. He traveled aboard the USS Buckingham (APA-141). They traveled to Pearl Harbor, which he describes along with his responsibilities with work parties unloading and reloading ships. He assisted with trading out old ammunition for new ammunition. He was transferred to the John Rodgers Naval Air Station in Hawaii. He worked on the Martin Mars seaplanes, repairing and test flying them. He also flew C-54s and the J-3 Piper Cub and shares his experiences. He spent the remainder of his Navy career in Hawaii and was discharged in August of 1946 and joined the reserves. While in the service he made storekeeper 3rd class. In the 1950s he was commissioned into the Air Force.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William C. Beyer. Beyer grew up in Texas and joined the Marines in January 1942. After training, he was assigned to the third division in artillery. He departed on the USS Mount Vernon for New Zealand. He anecdotes about meeting with some Maori people. Then he departed on the Cresent City for Guadalcanal in May 1943. From Guadalcanal he left for Bougainville in November 1943. He describes being caught in a foxhole for two days without communication. He also listened to Tokyo Rose on the radio. The Army relieved the Marines January 15, 1944, and his unit returned to Guadalcanal. On July 21, 1944, they landed on Guam and went into battle. Next Beyer left for Iwo Jima. The Third Marine Division was assigned to the central area of the island. He witnessed the raising of the flag. On the 50th anniversary of the war, Beyer and his wife returned to New Zealand and Guam.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including visiting Jenny the previous evening, plans for a quiet night in, and Mammy's new habit of sleeping late.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including supper at the Kopper Kettle with friends, Elaine starting school, and Teddy, their dog, courting another dog.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including breakfast with Nellie, lunch with Emma, the weather, and elections, both local and national.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including visiting Aunt O with Jessie, Annie Laura, and Doug, Jessie being accepted into the medical corps, and Dan Jr. returning to the states. Catherine encourages Joe to write to Dan Jr. while he is in Luling.