[Letter from Jeanne Abramson to Lt. Comdr. E. E. Roberts Jr. - February 12, 1945] (open access)

[Letter from Jeanne Abramson to Lt. Comdr. E. E. Roberts Jr. - February 12, 1945]

Typed letter from Jeanne Abramson to Lt. Comdr. E. E. Roberts, February 12, 1945. She writes to thank Roberts for his letter about the fate of her husband, Albert L. Abramson, who died in action during the Battle of Samar on the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts. She mentions she enlisted in the WAVES and asks for the names and addresses of any men who survived and knew Albert.
Date: February 12, 1945
Creator: Abramson, Jeanne
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Transcript of Letter from Jeanne Abramson to Lt. Comdr. E. E. Roberts Jr. - February 12, 1945] (open access)

[Transcript of Letter from Jeanne Abramson to Lt. Comdr. E. E. Roberts Jr. - February 12, 1945]

Typed letter from Jeanne Abramson to Lt. Comdr. E. E. Roberts, February 12, 1945. She writes to thank Roberts for his letter about the fate of her husband, Albert L. Abramson, who died in action during the Battle of Samar on the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts. She mentions she enlisted in the WAVES and asks for the names and addresses of any men who survived and knew Albert.
Date: February 12, 1945
Creator: Abramson, Jeanne
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charlie Adams, February 17, 2005 transcript

Oral History Interview with Charlie Adams, February 17, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charlie Adams. Adams enlisted in the Marine Corps in March, 1943 and after training was assigned to the Fifth Marine Division. He landed late on the first day of the invasion of Iwo Jima. He remained there for 36 days. He served as a radio operator and describes much of the combat conditions he encountered on the island as well as some of the Japanese tactics. He was one of 13 of his original company of 248 men to walk off Iwo Jima unhurt. Adams also describes some of his experiences in Nagasaki, Japan during the occupation. He returned to the US and was discharged in March, 1946.
Date: February 17, 2005
Creator: Adams, Charlie
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charlie Adams, February 17, 2005 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charlie Adams, February 17, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charlie Adams. Adams enlisted in the Marine Corps in March, 1943 and after training was assigned to the Fifth Marine Division. He landed late on the first day of the invasion of Iwo Jima. He remained there for 36 days. He served as a radio operator and describes much of the combat conditions he encountered on the island as well as some of the Japanese tactics. He was one of 13 of his original company of 248 men to walk off Iwo Jima unhurt. Adams also describes some of his experiences in Nagasaki, Japan during the occupation. He returned to the US and was discharged in March, 1946.
Date: February 17, 2005
Creator: Adams, Charlie
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John Adams, February 18, 2005 transcript

Oral History Interview with John Adams, February 18, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Adams. Adams enlisted in the Marines Corps Officer’s Procurement Program in March 1942. He went into a V-12 detachment in July 1943, and was sent to Notre Dame University. From there he went to Quantico, then into OCS, then to New River, North Carolina where he was in the 67th Replacement Battalion. This battalion served as guards on a train transporting prisoners from Portsmouth Naval Prison to California, then on a ship to Pearl Harbor. Adams was placed in a 60mm mortar platoon. His first action was Iwo Jima. He landed in the fifth wave. He worked with the mortars, carried out many wounded men, and carried ammo. Adams describes the terrain on Iwo Jima. He talks at length about his 27 days on Iwo. After Iwo he went to Maui and upon being discharged, Adams became a self-employed farmer, married and raised 11 children.
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Adams, John
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John Adams, February 18, 2005 (open access)

Oral History Interview with John Adams, February 18, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Adams. Adams enlisted in the Marines Corps Officer’s Procurement Program in March 1942. He went into a V-12 detachment in July 1943, and was sent to Notre Dame University. From there he went to Quantico, then into OCS, then to New River, North Carolina where he was in the 67th Replacement Battalion. This battalion served as guards on a train transporting prisoners from Portsmouth Naval Prison to California, then on a ship to Pearl Harbor. Adams was placed in a 60mm mortar platoon. His first action was Iwo Jima. He landed in the fifth wave. He worked with the mortars, carried out many wounded men, and carried ammo. Adams describes the terrain on Iwo Jima. He talks at length about his 27 days on Iwo. After Iwo he went to Maui and upon being discharged, Adams became a self-employed farmer, married and raised 11 children.
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Adams, John
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Christine Adler, February 1, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Christine Adler, February 1, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Christine Adler. Adler was born in New York City in 1931 to Filipino and American parents. She tells of living in an orphanage until 1938 at which time she went to the Philippines to live with her father. Upon arriving in the Philippines she attended private schools. She recalls December 1941 when she was awakened by the sound of tanks and Japanese soldiers entering homes and taking anything of value. As her father worked with a guerilla group they left their home. Adler tells of fleeing with no shoes, few clothes and very little personal belongings and moving place to place to avoid detection. She recounts an incident where Japanese soldiers picked her up and took her to Fort Santiago. She and her father were later released. She describes seeing piles of bodies and witnessing torture being done by the Japanese during the occupation and of seeing the fires as Manila was set ablaze. She tells of the joy felt by the population upon seeing the American tanks and soldiers roll into the city and of the return of her and her father to the United States aboard …
Date: February 1, 2002
Creator: Adler, Christine
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Christine Adler, February 1, 2002 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Christine Adler, February 1, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Christine Adler. Adler was born in New York City in 1931 to Filipino and American parents. She tells of living in an orphanage until 1938 at which time she went to the Philippines to live with her father. Upon arriving in the Philippines she attended private schools. She recalls December 1941 when she was awakened by the sound of tanks and Japanese soldiers entering homes and taking anything of value. As her father worked with a guerilla group they left their home. Adler tells of fleeing with no shoes, few clothes and very little personal belongings and moving place to place to avoid detection. She recounts an incident where Japanese soldiers picked her up and took her to Fort Santiago. She and her father were later released. She describes seeing piles of bodies and witnessing torture being done by the Japanese during the occupation and of seeing the fires as Manila was set ablaze. She tells of the joy felt by the population upon seeing the American tanks and soldiers roll into the city and of the return of her and her father to the United States aboard …
Date: February 1, 2002
Creator: Adler, Christine
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Chester Ahr, February 18, 2005 transcript

Oral History Interview with Chester Ahr, February 18, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Chester Ahr. Ahr joined the Marine Corps in December, 1941. He trained in San Diego and shipped overseas in October, 1942 to Guadalcanal where he was attached to a base services unit, which assisted the Seabees and Army engineers in construction projects. He also was in the invasion of Guam, where he was wounded and evacuated. Once he returned to his unit, Ahr got very sick and missed the invasion of Iwo Jima. Shortly afterwards, he was discharged.
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Ahr, Chester
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Chester Ahr, February 18, 2005 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Chester Ahr, February 18, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Chester Ahr. Ahr joined the Marine Corps in December, 1941. He trained in San Diego and shipped overseas in October, 1942 to Guadalcanal where he was attached to a base services unit, which assisted the Seabees and Army engineers in construction projects. He also was in the invasion of Guam, where he was wounded and evacuated. Once he returned to his unit, Ahr got very sick and missed the invasion of Iwo Jima. Shortly afterwards, he was discharged.
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Ahr, Chester
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Ahr, February 18, 2005 transcript

Oral History Interview with James Ahr, February 18, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Ahr. Ahr joined the Marine Corps at 16 years old in November, 1942. He lied about his age. After training, he went overseas and was assigned to the 9th Marine Regiment. He arrived in time for the invasion of Guam. Ahr also was at Iwo Jima and shares several impressions and anecdotes of the battle.
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Ahr, James P.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Ahr, February 18, 2005 (open access)

Oral History Interview with James Ahr, February 18, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Ahr. Ahr joined the Marine Corps at 16 years old in November, 1942. He lied about his age. After training, he went overseas and was assigned to the 9th Marine Regiment. He arrived in time for the invasion of Guam. Ahr also was at Iwo Jima and shares several impressions and anecdotes of the battle.
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Ahr, James P.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with George Alden, February 18, 2005 transcript

Oral History Interview with George Alden, February 18, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Alden. Alden had just finished Marine Corps boot training in San Diego when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He began clerking in the recruit depot office in San Diego shortly after the war started because he could type. In 1944, Alden was assigned to Company A, 27th Marines at Camp Pendleton. He was in the first wave to land on Iwo Jima. He was wounded and evacuated to USS Pinkney (APH-2), which, when it was full a few days later, shaped course for Guam, the Hawaii. Once recovered, Alden went to Saipan to serve in a military police unit in May, 1945. He returned to the US and was discharged in November, 1945. While attending Southern Methodist University, Alden participated in the Air Force ROTC and took a commission upon graduating. He worked as a procurement officer all over the world retiring as a lieutenant colonel.
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Alden, George
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with George Alden, February 18, 2005 (open access)

Oral History Interview with George Alden, February 18, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Alden. Alden had just finished Marine Corps boot training in San Diego when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He began clerking in the recruit depot office in San Diego shortly after the war started because he could type. In 1944, Alden was assigned to Company A, 27th Marines at Camp Pendleton. He was in the first wave to land on Iwo Jima. He was wounded and evacuated to USS Pinkney (APH-2), which, when it was full a few days later, shaped course for Guam, the Hawaii. Once recovered, Alden went to Saipan to serve in a military police unit in May, 1945. He returned to the US and was discharged in November, 1945. While attending Southern Methodist University, Alden participated in the Air Force ROTC and took a commission upon graduating. He worked as a procurement officer all over the world retiring as a lieutenant colonel.
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Alden, George
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Alma, February 4, 2014 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Alma, February 4, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Alma. Alma went into the Army Air Forces in March 1943 and trained in Florida before training as an engine mechanic. He went overseas in March, 1946 to Germany. There he repaired aircraft engines.
Date: February 4, 2014
Creator: Alma, Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Alma, February 4, 2014 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Alma, February 4, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Alma. Alma went into the Army Air Forces in March 1943 and trained in Florida before training as an engine mechanic. He went overseas in March, 1946 to Germany. There he repaired aircraft engines.
Date: February 4, 2014
Creator: Alma, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Tom Anderson, February 3, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Tom Anderson, February 3, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Tom Anderson. Anderson dropped out of college in 1941 and hitchhiked from Texas to San Diego. There he worked for Consolidated Aircraft, drafting plans for the B-32, B-36, and C-99. He then transferred to the Fort Worth plant, where he stayed until 1944, when he enlisted in the Navy. He was selected for radar technician training, and after boot camp he studied electronics in Chicago, followed by airborne radar training in Corpus Christi. He had a lifelong interest in flying and looked forward to his first duty assignment. But when the war ended in Japan, his radar conning class was cancelled and he was reassigned to the radar shop of CASU-5 at the Naval Air Station in San Diego. Anderson was discharged into the Armed Guard in March 1946, taking up work at the Fiscal and Disbursement Office of the Adjutant General at Camp Mabry. In 1950 he returned to school and joined the Army Reserves, retiring in 1966 as a lieutenant colonel.
Date: February 3, 2004
Creator: Anderson, Tom
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Tom Anderson, February 3, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Tom Anderson, February 3, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Tom Anderson. Anderson dropped out of college in 1941 and hitchhiked from Texas to San Diego. There he worked for Consolidated Aircraft, drafting plans for the B-32, B-36, and C-99. He then transferred to the Fort Worth plant, where he stayed until 1944, when he enlisted in the Navy. He was selected for radar technician training, and after boot camp he studied electronics in Chicago, followed by airborne radar training in Corpus Christi. He had a lifelong interest in flying and looked forward to his first duty assignment. But when the war ended in Japan, his radar conning class was cancelled and he was reassigned to the radar shop of CASU-5 at the Naval Air Station in San Diego. Anderson was discharged into the Armed Guard in March 1946, taking up work at the Fiscal and Disbursement Office of the Adjutant General at Camp Mabry. In 1950 he returned to school and joined the Army Reserves, retiring in 1966 as a lieutenant colonel.
Date: February 3, 2004
Creator: Anderson, Tom
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Felix Appleton, February 17, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Felix Appleton, February 17, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Felix “George” Appleton. Appleton was born in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, 21 July 1924. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 and following boot camp, entered the hospital corps school. Later he went aboard USS LST-523 and sailed in convoy to England and witnessed submarine attacks and a number of ships being lost. He tells of participating in Operation Overlord with Omaha Beach being USS LST-523’s objective. He describes the carnage he witnessed both in the water and on the beach. After off-loading supplies, the ship was designated a hospital ship and he describes the various combat injuries he treated. The ship made numerous trips between England and the Normandy beaches until the ship struck a mine and sank. Numerous fatalities occurred among the doctors and medical staff. He was treated for minor wounds and ultimately returned to the United States on HMS Queen Elizabeth. He was assigned to the Lambert Naval Air Station at St. Louis, Missouri until his discharge in 1946.
Date: February 17, 2004
Creator: Appleton, Felix
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Felix Appleton, February 17, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Felix Appleton, February 17, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Felix “George” Appleton. Appleton was born in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, 21 July 1924. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 and following boot camp, entered the hospital corps school. Later he went aboard USS LST-523 and sailed in convoy to England and witnessed submarine attacks and a number of ships being lost. He tells of participating in Operation Overlord with Omaha Beach being USS LST-523’s objective. He describes the carnage he witnessed both in the water and on the beach. After off-loading supplies, the ship was designated a hospital ship and he describes the various combat injuries he treated. The ship made numerous trips between England and the Normandy beaches until the ship struck a mine and sank. Numerous fatalities occurred among the doctors and medical staff. He was treated for minor wounds and ultimately returned to the United States on HMS Queen Elizabeth. He was assigned to the Lambert Naval Air Station at St. Louis, Missouri until his discharge in 1946.
Date: February 17, 2004
Creator: Appleton, Felix
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Maintenance Management Certificate] (open access)

[Maintenance Management Certificate]

A certificate award to 1st Lt. Clifford R. Baird for completion of a Maintenance Management course at Special Staff School at the AAF center in Orlando, Florida.
Date: February 21, 1946
Creator: Army Air Forces Special Staff School
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Barry Atkins, February 20, 1997 transcript

Oral History Interview with Barry Atkins, February 20, 1997

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Barry Atkins. In 1928, Atkins was appointed to the Naval Academy and graduated in 1932 and was assigned to the USS Tennessee (BB-43). He was aboard at Long Beach, California during the 1933 earthquake. After that, he was transferred to the USS New Mexico (BB-40). his next assignment took him aboard the USS Mahan (DD-364). In 1941, Atkins was assigned to the USS Parrott (DD-218) in Manila Bay. He was aboard the Parrott during the Battle of Balikpapan in January 1942. When Atkins returned to the US in August, 1942, he was assigned as commander of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 8 and sent to New Caledonia that November. His squadron became operational in New Guinea in December. He recalls setting up the PT base at the Morobe River and several patrols and encounters with Japanese shipping. In late 1943, Atkins returned to the US and asked for a destroyer. In October 1944, Atkins was given command of the USS Melvin (DD-680) at Manus Island. From there, the Melvin escorted the Leyte landing forces to the Philippines, then took up station guarding the Surigao Strait. He made a torpedo …
Date: February 20, 1997
Creator: Atkins, Barry
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Barry Atkins, February 20, 1997 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Barry Atkins, February 20, 1997

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Barry Atkins. In 1928, Atkins was appointed to the Naval Academy and graduated in 1932 and was assigned to the USS Tennessee (BB-43). He was aboard at Long Beach, California during the 1933 earthquake. After that, he was transferred to the USS New Mexico (BB-40). his next assignment took him aboard the USS Mahan (DD-364). In 1941, Atkins was assigned to the USS Parrott (DD-218) in Manila Bay. He was aboard the Parrott during the Battle of Balikpapan in January 1942. When Atkins returned to the US in August, 1942, he was assigned as commander of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 8 and sent to New Caledonia that November. His squadron became operational in New Guinea in December. He recalls setting up the PT base at the Morobe River and several patrols and encounters with Japanese shipping. In late 1943, Atkins returned to the US and asked for a destroyer. In October 1944, Atkins was given command of the USS Melvin (DD-680) at Manus Island. From there, the Melvin escorted the Leyte landing forces to the Philippines, then took up station guarding the Surigao Strait. He made a torpedo …
Date: February 20, 1997
Creator: Atkins, Barry
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Gilberto S. Trevino, February 18, 2005 transcript

Oral History Interview with Gilberto S. Trevino, February 18, 2005

Interview with Gilberto S. Trevino, a U. S. Marine during World War II. He attended Texas A&M before serving in the Marine Corps. He was in the 28th Replacement Battalion when he was assigned to the 3d Marine Division and deployed to Iwo Jima. He discusses his first impressions of landing on the island. He describes the constructed Japanese defenses on the island and the use of Japanese Nisei interpreters to convince defenders to surrender. He returned to Texas A&M where he was in the Corps of Cadets (ROTC) and accepted his commission in the Army in time to serve in Korea. He eventually earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Texas A&M and a doctorate degree in pathology from Michigan State University. He retired from service in 1976 with the rank of colonel.
Date: February 18, 2005
Creator: Atkinson, Scott & Trevino, Gilberto S.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History