The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gordon W Jones. Jones joined the Navy in late 1943. Through 1944, he worked at the Norfolk Naval Base as an assistant to the Provost Marshal, and served on base security patrol. Beginning in October, Jones served aboard the USS Texas (BB-35) as Seaman First Class. He worked as a deckhand and with the fire crew. Jones participated in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He continued his service after the war ended, serving in the Naval Reserve.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gus Cargile. Cargile entered the Navy as an aviation cadet in May 1942. After graduation in August 1943 he took a Marine commission. Cargile trained in Georgia, Kansas, Texas and Florida before he became an instructor. He taught bombing, shooting and night flying in Florida and Texas. He flew the SNV in basic and a North American SNJ in advanced, and went on to fly the F4U Corsair, F6F, F7F, SBD. He made landings on the USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60). He was discharged as captain in September 1946 and went into the Reserves.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Herb Smith. Smith was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1920. In 1940 he entered Centenary College in Shreveport and participated in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. After completing the course he joined the Navy. After receiving his wings in July 1943 he went to Melbourne, Florida where he began training in the Grumman F6F fighter plane. Upon qualifying in carrier landings on Lake Michigan, he was sent to Guadalcanal in May 1944. He flew various combat missions from there. He then went to Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides and was assigned to Carrier Aircraft Service Unit 39. After several months he was assigned to VF-80 aboard the USS Ticonderoga (CV-14). Smith, with another Hellcat, was returning from an airstrike to the Ticonderoga and encountered fifteen Japanese planes. Smith and his wingman employed the Thach Weave, resulting in them shooting down several of the enemy. In December 1944 the Ticonderoga was caught in Typhoon Cobra. During a mission over Formosa, Smith’s group commander was forced to bail out. Smith protected him from the air until he was picked by an American submarine. On 21 January 1945, while Smith was airborne, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Herman Stoner. Stoner joined the Navy in July 1945 and received basic training in San Diego. After the war, Stoner was assigned to the USS Texas (BB-35) as a carpenter as part of Operation Magic Carpet. There were only three carpenters aboard ship, and Stoner was on call for damage control 24 hours a day. He did odd jobs such as plugging a hole in the admiral’s barge, replacing boards on deck, building crates for officers’ belongings, and attaching ammunition to barges so that it wouldn’t be lost in a storm. He made six round trips to Hawaii, transporting troops back to the States. Stoner helped prepare the ship for decommissioning before he was discharged in August 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Money Mills. Mills was drafted into the Navy in August 1943 and received basic training at Bainbridge. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Texas (BB-35), where he served as a shell handler beneath turret four. At Normandy, he reported a sniper to the captain, who called in a P-38 to eradicate him. Mills looked on as rangers struggled up the cliffs, many of them brought back to the Texas for medical care. At Cherbourg, the helmsman was killed and others were wounded, but Mills was too busy to be afraid. At the invasion of Southern France there was little resistance, but en route he encountered children living in extreme poverty. At the start of 1945, Mills became an engine-oiler and headed to Leyte, where natives lived amidst rubble. At Iwo Jima, he saw Marines wielding flamethrowers against the enemy. Plagued by kamikazes at Okinawa, he managed to shoot one down. Heartily celebrating V-J Day aboard ship, he returned home and was discharged in November 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Howard Stoneley. Stoneley joined the Navy around mid-1943. From 1943 through mid-1945, he served with the deck force aboard the USS Texas (BB-35). Stoneley shares his experiences through the Normandy Invasion, the Battle of Cherbourg, Operation Dragoon, the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa. He returned home after the war, and received his discharge around January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jack Nebelsick. Nebelsick joined the Navy in December 1942 and trained at Great Lakes. After basic training, he attended fire control school. Later in 1943, he was assigned to USS Wesson (DE-184). He was among the commissioning crew and was present for the shakedown cruise before heading for the Pacific. He discusses his role aboard ship as well as the ship's role in the fleet. Nebelsick recalls a few anecdotes from his time aboard. Nebelsick recalls the time a kamikaze struck his ship. Nebelsick was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Eddleman. Eddleman joined the Navy in January of 1942. He completed Bugle Master School. He served aboard the USS Texas (BB-35), and participated in the invasions of North Africa, Normandy, Cherbourg, Italy, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Eddleman witnessed numerous battles atop the navigation bridge. He returned to the US in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kenneth Matthews. Matthews joined the Marine Corps in 1943 and trained at Parris Island. Then he went to Quantico and earned a commission. He was assigned to the regimental intelligence section of the 1st Marines, 1st marine Division and went to Okinawa. After the war, Matthews went to China briefly before returning to the US and being discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lewis Morgan. Morgan joined the Navy toward the end of 1942 and received basic training in Maryland. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Texas (BB-35), where he served as a rangefinder operator. At Normandy he went ashore with Army Rangers, and at Cherbourg he was standing one deck above where the Texas was hit. At Iwo Jima, he saw the raising of the flag on Mt. Suribachi, and at Okinawa he manned his battle station for 52 days straight. After the war, he made two round trips to Hawaii as part of Operation Magic Carpet before being discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Nolan Donop. Donop joined the Army and eventually shipped out to Italy, where he volunteered to cook before being assigned to the 34th Infantry Divivsion and making his way to northern Italy to the Apennine Mountains. Donop recalls a few anecdotes from his combat experiences.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Orlan Scott. Scott joined the Navy in 1944. He completed amphibious force training. Scott served aboard USS Texas (BB-35) beginning in March of 1945, participating in the Battle of Okinawa. He returned to the US and received a discharge in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Phyllis Mullins. Mullins was born in Conneautville, Pennsylvania on 20 June 1921. She attended nursing school at the Episcopal Hospital in Philadelphia and graduated in 1942. In 1943, she joined the United States Army Air Forces Nursing unit as a first lieutenant and was sent to Langley Air Force Base, Virginia for basic training. Upon completion, she was sent to Orlando Army Air Base in Florida. She got married in 1943 and obtained her discharge in conjunction with her husband’s discharge from the Army Air Forces.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Raymond Schramm. Schramm joined the Navy in November of 1942. From early 1943 through mid-1945, he served as a leading Petty Officer aboard the USS Texas (BB-35) conducting watch in the crow’s nest and playing in the band. Schramm shares his experiences through the Normandy Invasion, the Battle of Cherbourg, Operation Dragoon, the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa. Schramm returned home after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Fischman. Fischman was born in 1925 in Alexandria, Virginia. Dropping out of high school, he joined the Navy in 1942 and was sent to Newport, Rhode Island for boot camp. He was assigned to USS Texas (BB-35). He recalls the ship being involved in convoy duties prior to the invasion of North Africa. He also tells of being involved in Operation OVERLORD and his duties as a powder handler as well as being assigned to the captain’s gig. He describes evacuating the wounded from Point du Hoc at Normandy and the Texas being damaged by German shore batteries. He also recalls participation in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was discharged soon after the ship returned to the US in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Virgil Haley. Haley joined the Navy in June 1944 and trained at San Diego. After training as a quartermaster and signalman, Haley joined the USS Williams (DE-372). His job aboard ship was to steer and work in the chart room. The Williams provided escort duty in the New Guinea and the Solomon Islands area. He also describes being caught in a typhoon. Haley returned to the US and was discharged in June, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wilbur Vantine. In June, 1943, Vantine joined the Merchant Marine. He delivered aviation fuel to Milne Bay in New Guinea on his first voyage and bombs to New Caledonia before returning to the Merchant Marine Academy in New York and earning a commission in the Navy Reserve in April, 1945. Once he graduated, Vantine was assigned to a liberty ship and went to Liverpool. He was in New York on VJ Day. In 1957, he became a Panama Canal pilot and retired in 1997.

A senior recital presented at the UNT College of Music Kenton Hall.

A senior recital presented at the UNT College of Music Voertman Hall.

A senior recital presented at the UNT College of Music Kenton Hall.

A senior recital presented at the UNT College of Music Kenton Hall.

A senior recital presented at the UNT College of Music Recital Hall.

A senior recital presented at the UNT College of Music Recital Hall.

A joint senior recital presented at the UNT College of Music Kenton Hall.