The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Bishop. Bishop was born in January of 1927. He graduated from high school in 1944, at the age of 17. He provides vivid recollections of life during wartime, with bomb drills, blackouts and living in a farming community in Wellington, Kansas. After graduation, Bishop worked for the US Department of Agriculture, and later served as an Emergency Wartime Carrier Clerk with the US Post Office. When he turned 18 in January of 1945, Bishop applied to join the Army, though was classified as 4-F and sent back home where he continued working for the Post Office.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Bishop. Bishop was born in January of 1927. He graduated from high school in 1944, at the age of 17. He provides vivid recollections of life during wartime, with bomb drills, blackouts and living in a farming community in Wellington, Kansas. After graduation, Bishop worked for the US Department of Agriculture, and later served as an Emergency Wartime Carrier Clerk with the US Post Office. When he turned 18 in January of 1945, Bishop applied to join the Army, though was classified as 4-F and sent back home where he continued working for the Post Office.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Blythe. Blythe joined the Navy in September 1942. He was assigned to the USS Sandpiper (AVP-9) and describes some of the missions performed as a part of convoy escort along the northeastern US. Blythe then joined the commissioning crew of the USS Ticonderoga (CV-14). He describes the commissioning and the journey through the Panama Canal. Blythe talks of life aboard ship, his duties as a machinist mate, and how the crew interacted with the aviators. He discusses a kamikaze attack and the damage control efforts that followed including a story about Lieutenant Patrick Fleming, the ship’s leading ace, helping to pass ammunition in a damaged area. Blythe describes visiting Yokahama after the surrender and the condition and demeanor of the Japanese people he encountered. He tells of several stories that occurred on the way back to the US and his eventual discharge in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Blythe. Blythe joined the Navy in September 1942. He was assigned to the USS Sandpiper (AVP-9) and describes some of the missions performed as a part of convoy escort along the northeastern US. Blythe then joined the commissioning crew of the USS Ticonderoga (CV-14). He describes the commissioning and the journey through the Panama Canal. Blythe talks of life aboard ship, his duties as a machinist mate, and how the crew interacted with the aviators. He discusses a kamikaze attack and the damage control efforts that followed including a story about Lieutenant Patrick Fleming, the ship’s leading ace, helping to pass ammunition in a damaged area. Blythe describes visiting Yokahama after the surrender and the condition and demeanor of the Japanese people he encountered. He tells of several stories that occurred on the way back to the US and his eventual discharge in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Judson Brodie. Brodie was born on 28 February 1922 in Aiken County, South Carolina. He grew up during the Depression and enlisted in the Navy in June 1940, attending boot camp in Norfolk, Virginia. After training he attended Aviation Machinist School. He graduated in March 1941, and was assigned to VS-41, a scouting squadron attached to the USS Ranger (CV-4). He changed his rating to Aviation Ordnanceman in June 1941 and was assigned to VF-42, a squadron of F4F-3 Wildcats on USS Yorktown (CV-5). After Pearl Harbor, the ship left Norfolk and sailed through the Panama Canal. The Yorktown then took part in the first carrier raid of the Marshall and Gilbert Islands. Brodie was aboard Yorktown for raids on the Solomon Islands and during the Battle of the Coral Sea. He saw the Lexington sink after the crew abandoned ship. Brodie describes the action during the Battle of Midway, including the fatal attack on Yorktown by Japanese planes. He returned to Pearl Harbor in late June 1942. He returned to the Mainland and enrolled in the V-12 Program at a small college in Missouri hoping to become …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Judson Brodie. Brodie was born on 28 February 1922 in Aiken County, South Carolina. He grew up during the Depression and enlisted in the Navy in June 1940, attending boot camp in Norfolk, Virginia. After training he attended Aviation Machinist School. He graduated in March 1941, and was assigned to VS-41, a scouting squadron attached to the USS Ranger (CV-4). He changed his rating to Aviation Ordnanceman in June 1941 and was assigned to VF-42, a squadron of F4F-3 Wildcats on USS Yorktown (CV-5). After Pearl Harbor, the ship left Norfolk and sailed through the Panama Canal. The Yorktown then took part in the first carrier raid of the Marshall and Gilbert Islands. Brodie was aboard Yorktown for raids on the Solomon Islands and during the Battle of the Coral Sea. He saw the Lexington sink after the crew abandoned ship. Brodie describes the action during the Battle of Midway, including the fatal attack on Yorktown by Japanese planes. He returned to Pearl Harbor in late June 1942. He returned to the Mainland and enrolled in the V-12 Program at a small college in Missouri hoping to become …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Victor Delano. Delano was appointed to the Naval Academy in June of 1937 and graduated with distinction in February of 1941 and was commissioned ensign. He was assigned to the gunnery department of the Fire Control Division aboard the USS West Virginia (BB-48), where he was stationed during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The ship was moored in the Harbor, and Delano provides vivid details of the attack and sinking of the West Virginia. Next, he served aboard the USS San Juan (CL-54) from 1942 to 1943. They participated in the Battle of Savo Island, the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands, around Guadalcanal and provided gunfire support for the landings at Tulagi. From 1944 to 1945 he was assigned to the USS Wedderburn (DD-684). They participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, in the Philippines, at Iwo Jima and at Okinawa. He came back to the States in the fall of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Victor Delano. Delano was appointed to the Naval Academy in June of 1937 and graduated with distinction in February of 1941 and was commissioned ensign. He was assigned to the gunnery department of the Fire Control Division aboard the USS West Virginia (BB-48), where he was stationed during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The ship was moored in the Harbor, and Delano provides vivid details of the attack and sinking of the West Virginia. Next, he served aboard the USS San Juan (CL-54) from 1942 to 1943. They participated in the Battle of Savo Island, the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands, around Guadalcanal and provided gunfire support for the landings at Tulagi. From 1944 to 1945 he was assigned to the USS Wedderburn (DD-684). They participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, in the Philippines, at Iwo Jima and at Okinawa. He came back to the States in the fall of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Fencik. Fencik was born in Port Vue, Pennsylvania in 1925. After dropping out of high school in 1942, he joined the Navy. Upon completing boot training, he was sent to St. Albans Naval Hospital, Long Island, to train as a Navy Corpsman. In 1943, he went aboard USS Texas (BB-35). He recalls the Texas participating in the Normandy invasion and of the ship being damaged by a German shore battery. Fenick also recalls participating in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Fencik. Fencik was born in Port Vue, Pennsylvania in 1925. After dropping out of high school in 1942, he joined the Navy. Upon completing boot training, he was sent to St. Albans Naval Hospital, Long Island, to train as a Navy Corpsman. In 1943, he went aboard USS Texas (BB-35). He recalls the Texas participating in the Normandy invasion and of the ship being damaged by a German shore battery. Fenick also recalls participating in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

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 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 Theodore Gruhn. Gruhn joined the Navy in September 1941 after working as a carpenter. He was en route to Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. Once at Hawaii, Gruhn did shore patrol for a year until he was assigned to the USS Farenholt (DD-491) as a carpenter's mate in December 1942. In May, 1944, Gruhn transferred to the USS Abercrombie (DE-343). When the war ended, Gruhn had enough points to be discharged in October, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Theodore Gruhn. Gruhn joined the Navy in September 1941 after working as a carpenter. He was en route to Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. Once at Hawaii, Gruhn did shore patrol for a year until he was assigned to the USS Farenholt (DD-491) as a carpenter's mate in December 1942. In May, 1944, Gruhn transferred to the USS Abercrombie (DE-343). When the war ended, Gruhn had enough points to be discharged in October, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvin W Hall. Hall graduated from the Naval Academy in June of 1942. He was commissioned as ensign and assigned to the USS Texas (BB-35). Hall participated in convoy duty and the North African invasion. He then served aboard the USS Quincy (CA-71) as senior officer of turret 2, participating in the battles of Normandy and Cherbourg, and the invasion of Southern France. Hall then returned to the US to complete flight training and photographic school. He was later stationed as a B-24 pilot on Guam and Hawaii. Hall continued his service after the war ended, retiring from the Navy as a commander in 1962.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvin W Hall. Hall graduated from the Naval Academy in June of 1942. He was commissioned as ensign and assigned to the USS Texas (BB-35). Hall participated in convoy duty and the North African invasion. He then served aboard the USS Quincy (CA-71) as senior officer of turret 2, participating in the battles of Normandy and Cherbourg, and the invasion of Southern France. Hall then returned to the US to complete flight training and photographic school. He was later stationed as a B-24 pilot on Guam and Hawaii. Hall continued his service after the war ended, retiring from the Navy as a commander in 1962.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Hayes. Hayes joined the Navy in March 1943 and received basic training in Illinois and received further training with Navy commandos in San Francisco. Upon completion, he was assigned to CUB 7 as a rifleman and sent to Bougainville but instead diverted to Australia due to a storm. He was assigned to Gamadodo, a supply depot in New Guinea, where he refueled ships. During his year-long stay there, he was bombed daily until a P-38 base was installed nearby. His next assignment was in the Philippines. Hayes was then transferred to USS Waller (DD-466) where he was assigned to the engine room until the end of the war. He was onboard when the Waller destroyed a surfaced Japanese submarine, and provides graphic details of the fate of the crew. While patrolling the Yangtze River, the Waller hit a mine and was repaired in Shanghai. He recounts the poverty and destitution he witnessed in China. After the ship was repaired, Hayes returned home and was discharged in March 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Hayes. Hayes joined the Navy in March 1943 and received basic training in Illinois and received further training with Navy commandos in San Francisco. Upon completion, he was assigned to CUB 7 as a rifleman and sent to Bougainville but instead diverted to Australia due to a storm. He was assigned to Gamadodo, a supply depot in New Guinea, where he refueled ships. During his year-long stay there, he was bombed daily until a P-38 base was installed nearby. His next assignment was in the Philippines. Hayes was then transferred to USS Waller (DD-466) where he was assigned to the engine room until the end of the war. He was onboard when the Waller destroyed a surfaced Japanese submarine, and provides graphic details of the fate of the crew. While patrolling the Yangtze River, the Waller hit a mine and was repaired in Shanghai. He recounts the poverty and destitution he witnessed in China. After the ship was repaired, Hayes returned home and was discharged in March 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Jackson. Jackson was born in 1924. At age 16, he joined the US Navy and underwent boot training at the Naval Training Center in Chicago. Upon graduation, he was assigned to USS Texas (BB-35) as a member of Gun Fire Control. Later, he was transferred to an LST.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Jackson. Jackson was born in 1924. At age 16, he joined the US Navy and underwent boot training at the Naval Training Center in Chicago. Upon graduation, he was assigned to USS Texas (BB-35) as a member of Gun Fire Control. Later, he was transferred to an LST.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joseph Moore. Moore joined the Army Air Corps in June 1937 and received flight training at Randolph and Kelly fields. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 77th Pursuit Squadron and arrived at Nichols Field in October 1940 as squadron commander. His squadron relocated to Clark Field, and on 8 December 1941 Moore was among the first pilots to fight Zeros, quickly learning that the P-40’s only advantage was speed. His squadron relocated to Bataan and lost all its planes in battle. His mechanics refurbished an abandoned J2F-2 so that Moore could fly to Cebu and Mindanao for desperately needed supplies. He was away when Bataan fell. Moore was transferred as an instructor to a combat training school in Brisbane and then to a day-fighter school at Drew Field with the 90th Fighter Squadron. He was then sent to the Philadelphia Fighter Wing. With the 84th Fighter Wing he arrived at Normandy and ran a mobile combat operations and intelligence center, moving across France, through Belgium, and into Germany. In December 1944 he was transferred to the 98th Combat Bombardment Wing (Medium) at MacDill and then reassigned to …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joseph Moore. Moore joined the Army Air Corps in June 1937 and received flight training at Randolph and Kelly fields. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 77th Pursuit Squadron and arrived at Nichols Field in October 1940 as squadron commander. His squadron relocated to Clark Field, and on 8 December 1941 Moore was among the first pilots to fight Zeros, quickly learning that the P-40’s only advantage was speed. His squadron relocated to Bataan and lost all its planes in battle. His mechanics refurbished an abandoned J2F-2 so that Moore could fly to Cebu and Mindanao for desperately needed supplies. He was away when Bataan fell. Moore was transferred as an instructor to a combat training school in Brisbane and then to a day-fighter school at Drew Field with the 90th Fighter Squadron. He was then sent to the Philadelphia Fighter Wing. With the 84th Fighter Wing he arrived at Normandy and ran a mobile combat operations and intelligence center, moving across France, through Belgium, and into Germany. In December 1944 he was transferred to the 98th Combat Bombardment Wing (Medium) at MacDill and then reassigned to …

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 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.