Oral History Interview with Joseph B. Brown, March 23, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Joseph B. Brown, March 23, 2001

Interview with Joseph B. Brown of Abilene, Texas, who is a World War Two veteran of the United States Marine Corps. In the interview, Mr. Brown recalls memories of growing up and his time in the Marines, particularly from training, being wounded, and working campaigns in the South Pacific.
Date: March 23, 2001
Creator: Cox, William G. & Brown, Joseph B.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James A. Laux, March 23, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with James A. Laux, March 23, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James A. Laux. Born in 1925, he was drafted into the Navy in 1943. He was accepted into the submarine service. He describes his training at sub school. He reached New Guinea in 1944 and was assigned to his first submarine, the USS Pintado (SS-387), in 1945. He served as a 3rd Class Motor Machinist Mate. He describes sinking two floating mines while off the coast of Java as well as a near-miss with depth charges dropped by Japanese planes. They also rescued downed American pilots while on patrol off the coast of Japan. He describes the living conditions on the submarine. He shares an anecdote about celebrating the end of the war on the way back to the U.S. with a concoction of alcohol called depth charge rum. He was discharged in May 1946. He shares an anecdote about hitchhiking home to Ohio from California. The conning tower of the Pintado is on display at the National Museum of the Pacific War.
Date: March 23, 2001
Creator: Laux, James A.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Iris Zwanenberg, March 23, 1974 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Iris Zwanenberg, March 23, 1974

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Iris Zwanenberg. Zwanenberg was born to German parents in the Netherlands East-Indies. She was a young girl when the Japanese invaded. Her family was separated and sent to live in camps while their home was occupied by Japanese troops. While they once lived comfortably, they were suddenly faced with extreme food scarcity, living on rice alone. After the war, she immigrated to Europe, where living conditions were better but still harsh. Ultimately, she settled in Quebec and lived a full life, but the experience scarred her family permanently.
Date: March 23, 1974
Creator: Zwanenberg, Iris
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ralph Byler, March 23, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Ralph Byler, March 23, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ralph Byler. Byler joined the Army in early 1941. He served as the Commanding Officer of the 965th Field Artillery Battalion, in the European Theater, during the Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, where he was wounded. Byler was discharged in March of 1946.
Date: March 23, 2004
Creator: Byler, Ralph
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Carey, March 23, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Carey, March 23, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Carey. Carey joined the Marine Corps in an officer candidate class in November of 1942. In July of 1943 he was transferred to the Navy V-12 Program, completing midshipman and landing craft school. He was stationed aboard the USS Venango (AKA-82) beginning June of 1944. In the spring of 1945 they transported cargo for the impending assault on Okinawa, carrying troops, landing craft vehicles and gear of the Army’s 82nd Signal Construction Battalion. Carey was aboard when they participated in the Battle of Okinawa, returning to the US in November of 1945. He was discharged in March of 1946.
Date: March 23, 2004
Creator: Carey, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Atkinson, March 23, 2006 (open access)

Oral History Interview with James Atkinson, March 23, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James E. Atkinson. Atkinson was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas in 1921. His younger brother was killed in Europe during the war. Atkinson attended Vanderbilt University with a football scholarship in 1940. In 1942 he joined the Navy Reserves and entered the V-12 Navy College Training Program. Soon afterwards, he entered Midshipman’s school at Notre Dame. Upon graduating 20 June 1944, he was commissioned an ensign. He then entered submarine school at New London, Connecticut. He describes the characteristics of a fleet submarine. After completing four months of school, he flew to Brisbane, Australia and reported aboard the USS Flasher (SS-249). Atkinson served during the boat’s fourth, fifth and sixth combat patrols. He describes sinking two Japanese destroyers and four tankers. On the sixth combat patrol, they sank two Japanese ships and returned to Pearl Harbor for overhaul in April 1945. Afterwards, the boat was at sea bound for Guam when the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan. Returning to New London, Connecticut, the crew decommissioned the boat.
Date: March 23, 2006
Creator: Atkinson, James
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John Turner, March 23, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with John Turner, March 23, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Turner. Turner joined the Navy in early 1942. He completed his flight training and received his commission in December of 1943. In March of 1944 he traveled to Pearl Harbor, where he joined the Grim Reapers of Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10) aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6). Turner served as a F6F pilot. They completed escort and strafing missions, and participated in the Marianas Turkey Shoot in June. He later joined Composite Squadron 10 (United States. Navy. Composite Squadron 10 (VC-10)) aboard the USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73), where they participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Turner was discharged in August of 1945.
Date: March 23, 2007
Creator: Turner, John
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Marshall Harris, March 23, 2010 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Marshall Harris, March 23, 2010

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Marshall Harris. Harris provides his family???s experiences through the Great Depression. Harris joined the Marine Corps in July of 1943. He completed radio school and volunteered to work with amphibious tanks. He was assigned to the 2nd Armored Amphibious Tank Battalion, driving the LVT-A4. He provides details of the LVT. They traveled to Hawaii, where he trained and played on a baseball team. In June of 1944 they participated in the Battle of Saipan, then the Battle of Tinian in July. He served as a radioman and machine gunner. In February of 1945 they participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima. He provides vivid details of his experiences through each of these battles. Harris was discharged in November of 1945.
Date: March 23, 2010
Creator: Harris, Marshall
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Thomas S. Hura, March 23, 2012 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Thomas S. Hura, March 23, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas S. Hura. Hura begins by speaking of life in Youngstown, Ohio, during the Great Depression. As soon as Hura graduated from high school in 1943, he was drafted into the Navy and sent for training at Great Lakes, Illinois. When Hura finished training, he was shipped to California and assigned to the gunnery and deck division aboard the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38). Hura's job aboard ship was loading the 40mm guns and operating a 20mm gun. When the Pennsylvania arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hura reported for a week of gunnery school. Hura describes the Pennsylvania in action at Makin Atoll in November, 1943. From there, Hura speaks about being attacked by Japanese aircraft at Eniwetok. He also describes leave in Australia, supporting the invasions at Saipan and at Guam, night fighting at Surigao Strait, and covering the landings at Lingayen Gulf on Luzon and at Okinawa. At Okinawa, Pennsylvania was torpedoed. She was pulled to Guam for repairs and managed to survive a typhoon in route. From Guam, Pennsylvania went to Seattle for major repairs. Hura travelled to Toledo and was discharged in March, 1946. He went to …
Date: March 23, 2012
Creator: Hura, Thomas s.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alvin Lebsack, March 23, 2018 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Alvin Lebsack, March 23, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvin Lebsack. Lebsack joined the Army Air Corps in November of 1940. He trained in aircraft mechanics, and served with the 58th Bomb Wing as a B-29 Crew Chief and Flight Chief. They participated in the China Burma India Theater, and were stationed at a base in India. Lebsack completed bombing missions over Japan in 1944. He returned to the US and received his discharge in late 1945.
Date: March 23, 2018
Creator: Lebsack, Alvin
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James A. Laux, March 23, 2001 transcript

Oral History Interview with James A. Laux, March 23, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James A. Laux. Born in 1925, he was drafted into the Navy in 1943. He was accepted into the submarine service. He describes his training at sub school. He reached New Guinea in 1944 and was assigned to his first submarine, the USS Pintado (SS-387), in 1945. He served as a 3rd Class Motor Machinist Mate. He describes sinking two floating mines while off the coast of Java as well as a near-miss with depth charges dropped by Japanese planes. They also rescued downed American pilots while on patrol off the coast of Japan. He describes the living conditions on the submarine. He shares an anecdote about celebrating the end of the war on the way back to the U.S. with a concoction of alcohol called depth charge rum. He was discharged in May 1946. He shares an anecdote about hitchhiking home to Ohio from California. The conning tower of the Pintado is on display at the National Museum of the Pacific War.
Date: March 23, 2001
Creator: Laux, James A.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Iris Zwanenberg, March 23, 1974 transcript

Oral History Interview with Iris Zwanenberg, March 23, 1974

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Iris Zwanenberg. Zwanenberg was born to German parents in the Netherlands East-Indies. She was a young girl when the Japanese invaded. Her family was separated and sent to live in camps while their home was occupied by Japanese troops. While they once lived comfortably, they were suddenly faced with extreme food scarcity, living on rice alone. After the war, she immigrated to Europe, where living conditions were better but still harsh. Ultimately, she settled in Quebec and lived a full life, but the experience scarred her family permanently.
Date: March 23, 1974
Creator: Zwanenberg, Iris
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ralph Byler, March 23, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Ralph Byler, March 23, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ralph Byler. Byler joined the Army in early 1941. He served as the Commanding Officer of the 965th Field Artillery Battalion, in the European Theater, during the Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, where he was wounded. Byler was discharged in March of 1946.
Date: March 23, 2004
Creator: Byler, Ralph
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Carey, March 23, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Carey, March 23, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Carey. Carey joined the Marine Corps in an officer candidate class in November of 1942. In July of 1943 he was transferred to the Navy V-12 Program, completing midshipman and landing craft school. He was stationed aboard the USS Venango (AKA-82) beginning June of 1944. In the spring of 1945 they transported cargo for the impending assault on Okinawa, carrying troops, landing craft vehicles and gear of the Army’s 82nd Signal Construction Battalion. Carey was aboard when they participated in the Battle of Okinawa, returning to the US in November of 1945. He was discharged in March of 1946.
Date: March 23, 2004
Creator: Carey, Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Atkinson, March 23, 2006 transcript

Oral History Interview with James Atkinson, March 23, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James E. Atkinson. Atkinson was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas in 1921. His younger brother was killed in Europe during the war. Atkinson attended Vanderbilt University with a football scholarship in 1940. In 1942 he joined the Navy Reserves and entered the V-12 Navy College Training Program. Soon afterwards, he entered Midshipman’s school at Notre Dame. Upon graduating 20 June 1944, he was commissioned an ensign. He then entered submarine school at New London, Connecticut. He describes the characteristics of a fleet submarine. After completing four months of school, he flew to Brisbane, Australia and reported aboard the USS Flasher (SS-249). Atkinson served during the boat’s fourth, fifth and sixth combat patrols. He describes sinking two Japanese destroyers and four tankers. On the sixth combat patrol, they sank two Japanese ships and returned to Pearl Harbor for overhaul in April 1945. Afterwards, the boat was at sea bound for Guam when the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan. Returning to New London, Connecticut, the crew decommissioned the boat.
Date: March 23, 2006
Creator: Atkinson, James
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John Turner, March 23, 2007 transcript

Oral History Interview with John Turner, March 23, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Turner. Turner joined the Navy in early 1942. He completed his flight training and received his commission in December of 1943. In March of 1944 he traveled to Pearl Harbor, where he joined the Grim Reapers of Fighting Squadron 10 (VF-10) aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6). Turner served as a F6F pilot. They completed escort and strafing missions, and participated in the Marianas Turkey Shoot in June. He later joined Composite Squadron 10 (United States. Navy. Composite Squadron 10 (VC-10)) aboard the USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73), where they participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Turner was discharged in August of 1945.
Date: March 23, 2007
Creator: Turner, John
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Marshall Harris, March 23, 2010 transcript

Oral History Interview with Marshall Harris, March 23, 2010

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Marshall Harris. Harris provides his family???s experiences through the Great Depression. Harris joined the Marine Corps in July of 1943. He completed radio school and volunteered to work with amphibious tanks. He was assigned to the 2nd Armored Amphibious Tank Battalion, driving the LVT-A4. He provides details of the LVT. They traveled to Hawaii, where he trained and played on a baseball team. In June of 1944 they participated in the Battle of Saipan, then the Battle of Tinian in July. He served as a radioman and machine gunner. In February of 1945 they participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima. He provides vivid details of his experiences through each of these battles. Harris was discharged in November of 1945.
Date: March 23, 2010
Creator: Harris, Marshall
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Thomas S. Hura, March 23, 2012 transcript

Oral History Interview with Thomas S. Hura, March 23, 2012

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas S. Hura. Hura begins by speaking of life in Youngstown, Ohio, during the Great Depression. As soon as Hura graduated from high school in 1943, he was drafted into the Navy and sent for training at Great Lakes, Illinois. When Hura finished training, he was shipped to California and assigned to the gunnery and deck division aboard the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38). Hura's job aboard ship was loading the 40mm guns and operating a 20mm gun. When the Pennsylvania arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hura reported for a week of gunnery school. Hura describes the Pennsylvania in action at Makin Atoll in November, 1943. From there, Hura speaks about being attacked by Japanese aircraft at Eniwetok. He also describes leave in Australia, supporting the invasions at Saipan and at Guam, night fighting at Surigao Strait, and covering the landings at Lingayen Gulf on Luzon and at Okinawa. At Okinawa, Pennsylvania was torpedoed. She was pulled to Guam for repairs and managed to survive a typhoon in route. From Guam, Pennsylvania went to Seattle for major repairs. Hura travelled to Toledo and was discharged in March, 1946. He went to …
Date: March 23, 2012
Creator: Hura, Thomas s.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alvin Lebsack, March 23, 2018 transcript

Oral History Interview with Alvin Lebsack, March 23, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvin Lebsack. Lebsack joined the Army Air Corps in November of 1940. He trained in aircraft mechanics, and served with the 58th Bomb Wing as a B-29 Crew Chief and Flight Chief. They participated in the China Burma India Theater, and were stationed at a base in India. Lebsack completed bombing missions over Japan in 1944. He returned to the US and received his discharge in late 1945.
Date: March 23, 2018
Creator: Lebsack, Alvin
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History