Oral History Interview with Dewey Holden, January 8, 2021 transcript

Oral History Interview with Dewey Holden, January 8, 2021

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Dewey A. Holden. Holden joined the Navy Coast Guard on December 15, 1941. He was stationed in Mobile, Alabama and served aboard the HMS Larkspur (K82). In 1942, he was assigned to bosun mate training at Manhattan Beach, New York. Later, Holden was assigned to Picket Boat #3836 in New Orleans, LA. He transported bar pilots and ship supplies from the Gulf of Mexico up through the Mississippi River to stations located in Southwest Pass and South Pass. He speaks of the activity and threat of German submarines in this area during late 1942. He continued this service throughout the war, and was discharged on October 26, 1945.
Date: January 8, 2021
Creator: Holden, Dewey
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Dewey Holden, January 8, 2021 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Dewey Holden, January 8, 2021

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Dewey A. Holden. Holden joined the Navy Coast Guard on December 15, 1941. He was stationed in Mobile, Alabama and served aboard the HMS Larkspur (K82). In 1942, he was assigned to bosun mate training at Manhattan Beach, New York. Later, Holden was assigned to Picket Boat #3836 in New Orleans, LA. He transported bar pilots and ship supplies from the Gulf of Mexico up through the Mississippi River to stations located in Southwest Pass and South Pass. He speaks of the activity and threat of German submarines in this area during late 1942. He continued this service throughout the war, and was discharged on October 26, 1945.
Date: January 8, 2021
Creator: Holden, Dewey
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Dietrich Braun, January 1, 2021 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Dietrich Braun, January 1, 2021

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Dietrich Braun. Braun was born in Germany in 1932 and resided there during the war. He tells of housing and shortages during the war years. At age six, Braun was recruited into the Hitler Youth. At the conclusion of the war, his father, a German Rocket scientist, was selected to be a part of Operation Paperclip, a secret United States intelligence program that brought him to the United States. In November of 1946, Braun and his remaining family were smuggled into the US, aboard USNS Henry Gibbins (T-AP-183), to join his father at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base through 1951.
Date: January 1, 2021
Creator: Braun, Dietrich
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Dietrich Braun, January 1, 2021 transcript

Oral History Interview with Dietrich Braun, January 1, 2021

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Dietrich Braun. Braun was born in Germany in 1932 and resided there during the war. He tells of housing and shortages during the war years. At age six, Braun was recruited into the Hitler Youth. At the conclusion of the war, his father, a German Rocket scientist, was selected to be a part of Operation Paperclip, a secret United States intelligence program that brought him to the United States. In November of 1946, Braun and his remaining family were smuggled into the US, aboard USNS Henry Gibbins (T-AP-183), to join his father at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base through 1951.
Date: January 1, 2021
Creator: Braun, Dietrich
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Kenneth Smith, January 29, 2020 transcript

Oral History Interview with Kenneth Smith, January 29, 2020

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Kenneth Smith. Smith joined the Navy and was in boot training when the war ended. After training, he was assigned to USS Rutland (APA-192). He recalls a few anecdotes about being aboard ship, seeing part of Japan and hauling troops home after the war. Smith shares some of his Christian testimony and entered the seminary after returning to college after the war.
Date: January 29, 2020
Creator: Smith, Kenneth
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Kenneth Smith, January 29, 2020 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Kenneth Smith, January 29, 2020

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Kenneth Smith. Smith joined the Navy and was in boot training when the war ended. After training, he was assigned to USS Rutland (APA-192). He recalls a few anecdotes about being aboard ship, seeing part of Japan and hauling troops home after the war. Smith shares some of his Christian testimony and entered the seminary after returning to college after the war.
Date: January 29, 2020
Creator: Smith, Kenneth
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Johnson, January 24, 2020 transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles Johnson, January 24, 2020

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Johnson. Johnson joined the Navy as soon as he finished high school in 1943. After training at Farragut, he was assigned to USS Colorado (BB-45). He boarded the Colorado in time for the Marshall Islands campaign and was still aboard for the Mariana Islands campaign. He was aboard when Colorado got hit by shore batteries off Tinian and kamikazes off Leyte. His duty station was in a bloier room or a powder room so he was well below decks at the time of these incidents. He was still aboard during the Okinawa campaign and the surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay. He also describes being in a typhoon. Johnson was dicharged in March, 1946 and went to work for the Rock Island Railroad. Johnson describes his experiences around his Honor Flight in May 2011.
Date: January 24, 2020
Creator: Johnson, Charles
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Johnson, January 24, 2020 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles Johnson, January 24, 2020

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Johnson. Johnson joined the Navy as soon as he finished high school in 1943. After training at Farragut, he was assigned to USS Colorado (BB-45). He boarded the Colorado in time for the Marshall Islands campaign and was still aboard for the Mariana Islands campaign. He was aboard when Colorado got hit by shore batteries off Tinian and kamikazes off Leyte. His duty station was in a bloier room or a powder room so he was well below decks at the time of these incidents. He was still aboard during the Okinawa campaign and the surrender ceremony in Tokyo Bay. He also describes being in a typhoon. Johnson was dicharged in March, 1946 and went to work for the Rock Island Railroad. Johnson describes his experiences around his Honor Flight in May 2011.
Date: January 24, 2020
Creator: Johnson, Charles
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Norris Jernigan, January 15, 2020 transcript

Oral History Interview with Norris Jernigan, January 15, 2020

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Norris Jernigan. Jernigan enlisted in the Army Air Forces in June 1943. After basic training and being eliminated from flight training, Jernigan was assigned to the intelligence section of the 393rd Bomb Squadron in Nebraska before it was attached to the 509th Composite Group. He spent time in Wendover, Utah before going with the group to Tinian prior to the atomic bombs being dropped on Japan. Though he was in the intelligence section of the bomb group that dropped the atomic bomb, Jernigan had no idea about the atomic bomb until after it was dropped. He mentined those in his group referred to it as the gimmick or the gadget until they understood what it was. When the war ended, Jernigan returned to the US and was discharged in March 1946.
Date: January 15, 2020
Creator: Jernigan, Norris
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Norris Jernigan, January 15, 2020 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Norris Jernigan, January 15, 2020

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Norris Jernigan. Jernigan enlisted in the Army Air Forces in June 1943. After basic training and being eliminated from flight training, Jernigan was assigned to the intelligence section of the 393rd Bomb Squadron in Nebraska before it was attached to the 509th Composite Group. He spent time in Wendover, Utah before going with the group to Tinian prior to the atomic bombs being dropped on Japan. Though he was in the intelligence section of the bomb group that dropped the atomic bomb, Jernigan had no idea about the atomic bomb until after it was dropped. He mentined those in his group referred to it as the gimmick or the gadget until they understood what it was. When the war ended, Jernigan returned to the US and was discharged in March 1946.
Date: January 15, 2020
Creator: Jernigan, Norris
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Elaine Osborn, January 31, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Elaine Osborn, January 31, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Elaine Osborn. Osborn was born in 1932 in Freeman, South Dakota and had just turned 9 years old when World War II began. She shares memories of civilian life during the war, and living in a Mennonite Community during the Great Depression. She had 5 uncles and 2 cousins in the service. Osborn recalls community building between farmers to help feed and care for one another. Additionally, she notes that her Japanese American college roommate was encamped in California during the war. Osborn provides vivid descriptions of the sacrifices made by the civilians to support the men and women serving their country.
Date: January 31, 2019
Creator: Osborn, Elaine
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Elaine Osborn, January 31, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Elaine Osborn, January 31, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Elaine Osborn. Osborn was born in 1932 in Freeman, South Dakota and had just turned 9 years old when World War II began. She shares memories of civilian life during the war, and living in a Mennonite Community during the Great Depression. She had 5 uncles and 2 cousins in the service. Osborn recalls community building between farmers to help feed and care for one another. Additionally, she notes that her Japanese American college roommate was encamped in California during the war. Osborn provides vivid descriptions of the sacrifices made by the civilians to support the men and women serving their country.
Date: January 31, 2019
Creator: Osborn, Elaine
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Julius Spelce, January 15, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Julius Spelce, January 15, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Julius Spelce. Spelce joined the Navy in May of 1944. On Manus Island, he was assigned to a floating dry dock, USS ABSD-2. Spelce served as Petty Officer Third Class with the deck force, conducting repair work and serving as a cook, where he remained through the end of the war. They provided service repairs to large and small ships. Spelce recalls their vessel being torpedoed in April of 1945. He received his discharge in July of 1946.
Date: January 15, 2019
Creator: Spelce, Julius
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Julius Spelce, January 15, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Julius Spelce, January 15, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Julius Spelce. Spelce joined the Navy in May of 1944. On Manus Island, he was assigned to a floating dry dock, USS ABSD-2. Spelce served as Petty Officer Third Class with the deck force, conducting repair work and serving as a cook, where he remained through the end of the war. They provided service repairs to large and small ships. Spelce recalls their vessel being torpedoed in April of 1945. He received his discharge in July of 1946.
Date: January 15, 2019
Creator: Spelce, Julius
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Elias, January 30, 2018 transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles Elias, January 30, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Elias. Elias joined the Navy in 1943. He completed hospital corpsman school, trained in treating traumatic injuries. He transferred over to the Marine Corps and served as a medical corpsman. In the summer of 1944 he was sent to Guam to join the 21st Regiment of the 3rd Marine Division. He describes his experiences there, including patrolling the island and combat with the Japanese. In February of 1945 they traveled to Iwo Jima, where he describes their work on the island and getting shot. He was discharged in the winter of 1945.
Date: January 30, 2018
Creator: Elias, Charles
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Elias, January 30, 2018 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles Elias, January 30, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Elias. Elias joined the Navy in 1943. He completed hospital corpsman school, trained in treating traumatic injuries. He transferred over to the Marine Corps and served as a medical corpsman. In the summer of 1944 he was sent to Guam to join the 21st Regiment of the 3rd Marine Division. He describes his experiences there, including patrolling the island and combat with the Japanese. In February of 1945 they traveled to Iwo Jima, where he describes their work on the island and getting shot. He was discharged in the winter of 1945.
Date: January 30, 2018
Creator: Elias, Charles
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Arnold Abbott, January 20, 2018 transcript

Oral History Interview with Arnold Abbott, January 20, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Arnold Abbott. Abbott was born in 1924. He dropped out of college to join the US Army in 1942. While undergoing basic training at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, Abbott witnessed practiced segregation and consequently became involved in civil rights issues. He recalls that he did not finish basic training, and was sent to Newport News, Virginia where he was assigned to the 34th Infantry Division. He tells of being involved in action in North Africa, and Italy. Abbott returned to the US after the war.
Date: January 20, 2018
Creator: Abbott, Arnold
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Arnold Abbott, January 20, 2018 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Arnold Abbott, January 20, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Arnold Abbott. Abbott was born in 1924. He dropped out of college to join the US Army in 1942. While undergoing basic training at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, Abbott witnessed practiced segregation and consequently became involved in civil rights issues. He recalls that he did not finish basic training, and was sent to Newport News, Virginia where he was assigned to the 34th Infantry Division. He tells of being involved in action in North Africa, and Italy. Abbott returned to the US after the war.
Date: January 20, 2018
Creator: Abbott, Arnold
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Clarence Bohanan, January 17, 2018 transcript

Oral History Interview with Clarence Bohanan, January 17, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Clarence Bohanan. Bohanan joined the Army in December, 1943 and trained in San Antonio. Once he was assigned to the 724th Railway Operating Battalion, his unit was rushed to France after the invasion of Normandy. He shares several anecdotes about his time in France. He also recalls operating during the Battle of the Bulge and after the war during the occupation. Bohanan was discharged in April 1946 and stayed in Germany working for a decade.
Date: January 17, 2018
Creator: Bohanan, Clarence
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Clarence Bohanan, January 17, 2018 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Clarence Bohanan, January 17, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Clarence Bohanan. Bohanan joined the Army in December, 1943 and trained in San Antonio. Once he was assigned to the 724th Railway Operating Battalion, his unit was rushed to France after the invasion of Normandy. He shares several anecdotes about his time in France. He also recalls operating during the Battle of the Bulge and after the war during the occupation. Bohanan was discharged in April 1946 and stayed in Germany working for a decade.
Date: January 17, 2018
Creator: Bohanan, Clarence
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Morris, January 16, 2018 transcript

Oral History Interview with James Morris, January 16, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Morris. Morris joined the Navy in November of 1942. He describes his boot camp experiences, including his amphibious training on Coronado Island, California. He trained as a coxswain. In November of 1944 he boarded the USS Highlands (APA-119) to Hawaii. Beginning in January of 1945 he served aboard the USS LST-678. They traveled to Iwo Jima. Morris was in the fifth wave and landed on Yellow Beach and he vividly explains his experiences there. In April of 1946 he received a three-day pass to visit Japan and provides some detail of his travels. He was discharged in May of 1946.
Date: January 16, 2018
Creator: Morris, James
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Morris, January 16, 2018 (open access)

Oral History Interview with James Morris, January 16, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Morris. Morris joined the Navy in November of 1942. He describes his boot camp experiences, including his amphibious training on Coronado Island, California. He trained as a coxswain. In November of 1944 he boarded the USS Highlands (APA-119) to Hawaii. Beginning in January of 1945 he served aboard the USS LST-678. They traveled to Iwo Jima. Morris was in the fifth wave and landed on Yellow Beach and he vividly explains his experiences there. In April of 1946 he received a three-day pass to visit Japan and provides some detail of his travels. He was discharged in May of 1946.
Date: January 16, 2018
Creator: Morris, James
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Hartzell, Sherrill, January 10, 2018 transcript

Oral History Interview with Hartzell, Sherrill, January 10, 2018

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an interview with Hartzell Sherrill. Sherrill joined the Navy in December of 1941 and trained in San Diego before going to communications school. He was then sent aboard the SS Hadnot (1919) with the Navy Armed Guard personnel. Sherrill delivered fuel oil to North Africa, India, Australia and other points in the Pacific. He recalls hauling ammunition to Saipan, watching the invasion of Normandy and dodging typhoons at Okinawa. He also served aboard the SS Colgate Victory (1945). He was discharged in December, 1945.
Date: January 10, 2018
Creator: Sherrill, Hartzell
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Hartzell, Sherrill, January 10, 2018 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Hartzell, Sherrill, January 10, 2018

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an interview with Hartzell Sherrill. Sherrill joined the Navy in December of 1941 and trained in San Diego before going to communications school. He was then sent aboard the SS Hadnot (1919) with the Navy Armed Guard personnel. Sherrill delivered fuel oil to North Africa, India, Australia and other points in the Pacific. He recalls hauling ammunition to Saipan, watching the invasion of Normandy and dodging typhoons at Okinawa. He also served aboard the SS Colgate Victory (1945). He was discharged in December, 1945.
Date: January 10, 2018
Creator: Sherrill, Hartzell
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History