Interview with Oral interview with Hermi Salas, a U. S. Marine during World War II. Salas was assigned to the Third Marine Division and was present for the invasion of Guam in the Mariana Islands. He was wounded on Guam and evacuated to a hospital ship, the USS Solace. He also participated in the Iwo Jima landings. After a few weeks at Iwo Jima, Salas was wounded again and placed aboard the USS Solace. He discusses his experiences in the hospital recovering from the wounds he received in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Eventually, he made his way back to San Antonio. He also discusses a brief leave at home before he reported to prison guard duty in Corpus Christi. Upon being discharged after the war, Salas went to radio school and worked at Kelly Air Force Base in the Civil Service.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing getting a haircut, sending Catherine some money, playing a game of poker, and watching the movie "Janie."

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service, Catherine's knowledge of the geography of the islands, and Joe looking forward to eating her stew when he returns home.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing his most recent mission, being placed in the position of nose gunner, Christmas plans, and his return to Honolulu. A portion of text has been removed from the letter.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing completing a gunnery mission, watching a baseball game, and seeing a performance from the comedian Bob Hope.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing early morning guard duty, listening to the radio while flying, the mail service, and having a good supper.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the card she sent him for Valentine's Day, his joy at Catherine's frequent bridge games, and sending her some snapshots of men in his crew.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service and worrying about Catherine taking flying lessons, though he has faith in her ability.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe wishing him a happy St. Valentine's Day. Catherine discusses news from home, including dinner with Mammy and playing with Julie Kate, and asks after Joe's crew on the plane.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including visiting an oil well with Lorraine, plans to go swimming at Sue Merle's with Baker, Nell, Allen, and Jim Joe, as well as Mr. Graham offering to buy their car.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including Honey's military physical exam on December 18, a busy day at work, a visit with Sally, Toots, and little Tom, plans to make a trip home for the weekend, and a reminder for Joe to take his vitamins.

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.

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 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 visiting Jenny the previous evening, plans for a quiet night in, and Mammy's new habit of sleeping late.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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 video contains remarks given by Tex Hill, Joseph H. Moore, Donald Showers, Caption Fisher and Robert Harrys.