The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Michael Silan. Silan joined the Marine Corps in February of 1943. He trained as an airplane mechanic, and provides details of his training, including the type of airplanes and engines he worked on. In December of 1943 he traveled to New Caledonia aboard the USS Mintaka (AK-94), and shares experiences of his travels. He was assigned to Marine Scout Dive Bomber Squadron 241 (VMSB-241), and served as a Marine plane captain. In the spring of 1944 they traveled to New Georgia Island, Efate, New Hebrides and Rendova Island. In January of 1945 they were assigned to the Philippines, where Silan operated planes amidst the battle as an artillery spotter. He shares experiences through several missions. Silan was honorably discharged in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert C. Edgar. Edgar was born 30 March 1924 in Santa Ana, California. Upon entering the Army Air Forces in February 1943 he was sent to a college training detachment in La Grande, Oregon. After thirty days of pilot training he was sent to Santa Ana Air Base classification center for testing. Qualifying for bombardier training, he was sent to Kingman, Arizona to gunnery school. He also trained in Albuquerque as a bombardier. He graduated 18 March 1944 and received his bombardier wings and commission as a second lieutenant. Edgar then went to Fresno, California where his crew was assembled. They were then sent to Walla Walla, Washington for transition into B-24s. Upon completing their crew training they flew a new B-24 to Townsville, Australia. Leaving the plane, they were transported to Wakde, where they joined the 307th Bomb Group, 424th Bomb Squadron. His first combat mission over Balikpapan, Borneo lasted seventeen hours. Japanese fighters were encountered as well as heavy flak resulting in the loss of some planes. Edgar recalls one combat mission when Japanese aircraft flew above the B -24 formation and dropped phosphorus bombs and …

Transcript of an oral interview with Norman E. Carroll. When Carroll reached 18, he joined the Navy in December, 1942. After basic training at Great Lakes, Illinois, Carroll volunteered for submarines and went to submarine school in New London, Connecticut in June, 1943. When he finished submarine school, Carroll was assigned to the USS Guitarro (SS-363). Carroll was aboard the Guitarro for five war patrols in enemy waters. Carroll describes being attacked with depth charges, making repairs, a burial at sea of shipmate and being attacked by aircraft.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Everett Fulton. Fulton joined the Navy in 1936 serving as a machinist mate. He details the work and equipment used in the metal shop. Fulton was discharged in 1940 only to rejoin the Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He describes training as a dive-bomber pilot and what it was like to fly a SB-2C Helldiver. Fulton joined VB-14 on the USS Wasp (CV-18) and flew missions over the Philippine Islands. Formosa, and Iwo Jima. He goes into detail describing his mission during the Marianas Turkey Shoot and expresses his frustration with the decisions that led to so many planes having to ditch afterwards. Fulton spent the end of the war as an instructor in Florida. He remained in the reserves and was called back for Korea where he also served as an instructor.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Jean Adams. Adams recalls visiting her brother in the Philippines before the war started. On the way, she visited Japan. She was evacuated back to the US before hostilities started in the Philippines. After the war started, Adams joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps and was in the Inspector General’s office in Des Moines. She recalls meeting Eleanor Roosevelt and had some interaction with Oveta Culp Hobby.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glenn Grote. Born 11 November 1922 in St. Louis, Missouri, Grote was drafted 4 January 1943 and sent to Miami Beach, Florida for basic training. Upon completing basic he went to radio school at Scott Field, Illinois and aerial gunnery training at Wendover, Utah. From there, Grote went to a base in Colorado where he joined a new B-24 crew. He recalls going to Langley Field, Virginia for advanced crew training. Upon completion of the training they flew the B-24 to Hethel, England where they joined the 389th Bomb Group, 567th Bomb Squadron. He flew thirty missions and describes his activities as a radio operator and gunner. Recalling 6 June 1944 he tells of bombing missions over the beaches of Normandy and of the sight of the invasion forces from the air. Grote returned to the United States in October 1944 aboard RMS Queen Mary. Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire put on an impromptu show using tables in the mess hall area of the ship as a stage. After arriving in the U.S. he was sent to Romulus, Michigan to become part of a plane crew that ferried …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Eugene Morgan. Morgan joined the Navy in December of 1941. Beginning in January of 1942 he served as Boatswain’s Mate Second Class and Master of Arms, aboard the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). They participated in the New Guinea and Aleutian Islands Campaigns. From late 1942 into early 1945 they bombarded for invasions of Kwajalein, Guam, Saipan, Tinian, Peleliu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. In July of 1945 they successfully delivered atomic bomb components to Tinian. Morgan describes their fateful event of 30 July, when the Indianapolis was sunk, and his survival and rescue on 2 August. He was discharged in November of 1945.

Transcript of an oral monologue by John A. Hugghins. Hugghins finished high school in Bryan, Texas in May, 1041, and went to Baylor University that fall on a football scholarship. He joined the Navy and was called to active duty in July, 1943. In the meantime, he stayed in school. Once he received the call, he reported to stations in Mississippi and New York for training. When he finished midshipman school in Plattsburgh, New York, he was commissioned an ensign in June, 1944. He immediately reported to Charleston, South Carolina, where LSM-152 was under construciton. Before long, he was made gunnery and supply officer assigned to USS LSM-201, which became his home for the duration of the war. Aboard USS LSM-201, Hugghins passed through the Panama Canal on the way to Pearl Harbor, where tanks were loaded aboard the vessel for transport to Iwo Jima. Hugghins speaks about his first impression of Iwo Jima, the naval bombardment prior to the invasion and making a landing there. He also discusses the flag-raising and what it felt like to witness that. Hugghins visited the island one day and got a tour from a Marine in a jeep. He also visited the Marine …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Zapalac. Zapalac was born in Pasadena, California 27 April 1923. He joined the US Army in 1940 and received his basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas. Upon volunteering for parachute training he was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia where he qualified as a paratrooper. He then went to Fort Bragg, Kentucky and was assigned to the 506th Parachute infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. In 1943 the unit went to England and continued training. On 6 June 1944 his division participated in Operation Neptune. He describes the procedure of boarding the plane with full combat gear and weapons. He also tells of preparing for bailout. After jumping from 700 hundred feet and landing, he recalls using a cricket device to indentify one’s self with other members of the unit. On 11 June while advancing on bridges at Carentan, France, Zapalac was severely wounded. He was treated by a medic and returned to a hospital in England. After three months in the hospital he was sent to a replacement depot. He was unable to return to combat due to the lack of mobility of his right arm. Requiring frequent …

Transcript of an oral interview with Norman E. Carroll. When Carroll reached 18, he joined the Navy in December, 1942. After basic training at Great Lakes, Illinois, Carroll volunteered for submarines and went to submarine school in New London, Connecticut in June, 1943. When he finished submarine school, Carroll was assigned to the USS Guitarro (SS-363). Carroll was aboard the Guitarro for five war patrols in enemy waters. Carroll describes being attacked with depth charges, making repairs, a burial at sea of shipmate and being attacked by aircraft.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Everett Fulton. Fulton joined the Navy in 1936 serving as a machinist mate. He details the work and equipment used in the metal shop. Fulton was discharged in 1940 only to rejoin the Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He describes training as a dive-bomber pilot and what it was like to fly a SB-2C Helldiver. Fulton joined VB-14 on the USS Wasp (CV-18) and flew missions over the Philippine Islands. Formosa, and Iwo Jima. He goes into detail describing his mission during the Marianas Turkey Shoot and expresses his frustration with the decisions that led to so many planes having to ditch afterwards. Fulton spent the end of the war as an instructor in Florida. He remained in the reserves and was called back for Korea where he also served as an instructor.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Brown. Brown was drafted into the Army Air Forces in 1942. He completed airplane mechanic school in Wichita Falls, Texas at Sheppard Field. His first assignment was at Tyndall Field, Florida working on the B-26 line as an engineer and mechanic. In 1943 or 1944 Brown was assigned to the 43rd Bomb Group and sent to New Guinea and served as a flight engineer, assisting the pilot in flight, including transferring gasoline and keeping the logbook. He describes living conditions in New Guinea. After Brown was discharged from the Army Air Forces he worked for Exxon for 30 years.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Jean Adams. Adams recalls visiting her brother in the Philippines before the war started. On the way, she visited Japan. She was evacuated back to the US before hostilities started in the Philippines. After the war started, Adams joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps and was in the Inspector General’s office in Des Moines. She recalls meeting Eleanor Roosevelt and had some interaction with Oveta Culp Hobby.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Zapalac. Zapalac was born in Pasadena, California 27 April 1923. He joined the US Army in 1940 and received his basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas. Upon volunteering for parachute training he was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia where he qualified as a paratrooper. He then went to Fort Bragg, Kentucky and was assigned to the 506th Parachute infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. In 1943 the unit went to England and continued training. On 6 June 1944 his division participated in Operation Neptune. He describes the procedure of boarding the plane with full combat gear and weapons. He also tells of preparing for bailout. After jumping from 700 hundred feet and landing, he recalls using a cricket device to indentify one’s self with other members of the unit. On 11 June while advancing on bridges at Carentan, France, Zapalac was severely wounded. He was treated by a medic and returned to a hospital in England. After three months in the hospital he was sent to a replacement depot. He was unable to return to combat due to the lack of mobility of his right arm. Requiring frequent …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Michael Silan. Silan joined the Marine Corps in February of 1943. He trained as an airplane mechanic, and provides details of his training, including the type of airplanes and engines he worked on. In December of 1943 he traveled to New Caledonia aboard the USS Mintaka (AK-94), and shares experiences of his travels. He was assigned to Marine Scout Dive Bomber Squadron 241 (VMSB-241), and served as a Marine plane captain. In the spring of 1944 they traveled to New Georgia Island, Efate, New Hebrides and Rendova Island. In January of 1945 they were assigned to the Philippines, where Silan operated planes amidst the battle as an artillery spotter. He shares experiences through several missions. Silan was honorably discharged in November of 1945.

Transcript of an oral monologue by John A. Hugghins. Hugghins finished high school in Bryan, Texas in May, 1041, and went to Baylor University that fall on a football scholarship. He joined the Navy and was called to active duty in July, 1943. In the meantime, he stayed in school. Once he received the call, he reported to stations in Mississippi and New York for training. When he finished midshipman school in Plattsburgh, New York, he was commissioned an ensign in June, 1944. He immediately reported to Charleston, South Carolina, where LSM-152 was under construciton. Before long, he was made gunnery and supply officer assigned to USS LSM-201, which became his home for the duration of the war. Aboard USS LSM-201, Hugghins passed through the Panama Canal on the way to Pearl Harbor, where tanks were loaded aboard the vessel for transport to Iwo Jima. Hugghins speaks about his first impression of Iwo Jima, the naval bombardment prior to the invasion and making a landing there. He also discusses the flag-raising and what it felt like to witness that. Hugghins visited the island one day and got a tour from a Marine in a jeep. He also visited the Marine …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert C. Edgar. Edgar was born 30 March 1924 in Santa Ana, California. Upon entering the Army Air Forces in February 1943 he was sent to a college training detachment in La Grande, Oregon. After thirty days of pilot training he was sent to Santa Ana Air Base classification center for testing. Qualifying for bombardier training, he was sent to Kingman, Arizona to gunnery school. He also trained in Albuquerque as a bombardier. He graduated 18 March 1944 and received his bombardier wings and commission as a second lieutenant. Edgar then went to Fresno, California where his crew was assembled. They were then sent to Walla Walla, Washington for transition into B-24s. Upon completing their crew training they flew a new B-24 to Townsville, Australia. Leaving the plane, they were transported to Wakde, where they joined the 307th Bomb Group, 424th Bomb Squadron. His first combat mission over Balikpapan, Borneo lasted seventeen hours. Japanese fighters were encountered as well as heavy flak resulting in the loss of some planes. Edgar recalls one combat mission when Japanese aircraft flew above the B -24 formation and dropped phosphorus bombs and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glenn Grote. Born 11 November 1922 in St. Louis, Missouri, Grote was drafted 4 January 1943 and sent to Miami Beach, Florida for basic training. Upon completing basic he went to radio school at Scott Field, Illinois and aerial gunnery training at Wendover, Utah. From there, Grote went to a base in Colorado where he joined a new B-24 crew. He recalls going to Langley Field, Virginia for advanced crew training. Upon completion of the training they flew the B-24 to Hethel, England where they joined the 389th Bomb Group, 567th Bomb Squadron. He flew thirty missions and describes his activities as a radio operator and gunner. Recalling 6 June 1944 he tells of bombing missions over the beaches of Normandy and of the sight of the invasion forces from the air. Grote returned to the United States in October 1944 aboard RMS Queen Mary. Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire put on an impromptu show using tables in the mess hall area of the ship as a stage. After arriving in the U.S. he was sent to Romulus, Michigan to become part of a plane crew that ferried …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Eugene Morgan. Morgan joined the Navy in December of 1941. Beginning in January of 1942 he served as Boatswain’s Mate Second Class and Master of Arms, aboard the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). They participated in the New Guinea and Aleutian Islands Campaigns. From late 1942 into early 1945 they bombarded for invasions of Kwajalein, Guam, Saipan, Tinian, Peleliu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. In July of 1945 they successfully delivered atomic bomb components to Tinian. Morgan describes their fateful event of 30 July, when the Indianapolis was sunk, and his survival and rescue on 2 August. He was discharged in November of 1945.