The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Louis Jendrusch. Jendrusch joined the Navy in mid-1941 and trained in San Diego as a radioman. He was then assigned to Patrol Bombing Squadron 206 (VPB-206) and travelled with that outfit to Panama to patrol for U-boats around the Panama Canal. Jendrusch recalls several anecdotes, including leave in Jamaica, patrolling in the Pacific and the Caribbean, and aspects about the PBM Mariner aircraft. Jendrusch was transferred out of the squadron and assigned to a radio station in North Carolina. Before long, a squadron was assigned to his base and it turned out to be his old VPB-206, which had a new designation (VPB-216). He also trained on radar and sonar. His group went to the Pacific in time for the invasion of Saipan. He also describes a typhoon. Jendrusch returned to the US in December, 1944 and was discharged the following December.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Louis Jendrusch. Jendrusch joined the Navy in mid-1941 and trained in San Diego as a radioman. He was then assigned to Patrol Bombing Squadron 206 (VPB-206) and travelled with that outfit to Panama to patrol for U-boats around the Panama Canal. Jendrusch recalls several anecdotes, including leave in Jamaica, patrolling in the Pacific and the Caribbean, and aspects about the PBM Mariner aircraft. Jendrusch was transferred out of the squadron and assigned to a radio station in North Carolina. Before long, a squadron was assigned to his base and it turned out to be his old VPB-206, which had a new designation (VPB-216). He also trained on radar and sonar. His group went to the Pacific in time for the invasion of Saipan. He also describes a typhoon. Jendrusch returned to the US in December, 1944 and was discharged the following December.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Vernon E. Tucker. Born in 1919, he joined the Coast Guard in July 1942. He served on Galveston Island, Texas where he was a motor machinist. He was transferred to New York where he was assigned to the USS Might, an escort ship operating between New York to Cuba. As a Machinist Mate, he was in charge of the engine room. He describes the living conditions on the ship. He and his wife, Ethel Tucker, discuss life and entertainment in New York City. He shares anecdotes about ?the black gang? and food in the engine room; a general quarters drill; a near-collision with an ammunition building; assisting with an impromptu appendectomy at sea; and experiencing a storm en route from Cuba to New York. After twenty escort trips, he was transferred back to Galveston Island. He relates stories about a German submarine near New Jersey; a Japanese submarine on Bolivar Peninsula, Texas; and four German soldiers coming ashore in Galveston, Texas. He also describes rescuing stranded civilians during a hurricane. He was discharged in 1945. The interview also contains information about his parents and siblings.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Vernon E. Tucker. Born in 1919, he joined the Coast Guard in July 1942. He served on Galveston Island, Texas where he was a motor machinist. He was transferred to New York where he was assigned to the USS Might, an escort ship operating between New York to Cuba. As a Machinist Mate, he was in charge of the engine room. He describes the living conditions on the ship. He and his wife, Ethel Tucker, discuss life and entertainment in New York City. He shares anecdotes about ?the black gang? and food in the engine room; a general quarters drill; a near-collision with an ammunition building; assisting with an impromptu appendectomy at sea; and experiencing a storm en route from Cuba to New York. After twenty escort trips, he was transferred back to Galveston Island. He relates stories about a German submarine near New Jersey; a Japanese submarine on Bolivar Peninsula, Texas; and four German soldiers coming ashore in Galveston, Texas. He also describes rescuing stranded civilians during a hurricane. He was discharged in 1945. The interview also contains information about his parents and siblings.

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.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ernest J. Zellmer. Zellmer was appointed to the Naval Academy in 1940. When Zellmer received his commission in 1943, he opted for submarines and was sent to submarine school. Upon completion of the school in December 1943, Zellmer was assigned as the communications officer aboard the USS Cavalla (SS-244). Zellmer provides a thorough description of the interior of a Gato-calss submarine. He describes the action of the first war patrol in June 1944 arund the Mariana Islands and a torpedo attack on HIJMS Shōkaku. Zellmer describes several of the other war patrols and, in April 1945, was able to visit the San Miguel Brewery in Manila. Also, on one patrol, Zellmer describes how Cavalla assisted a damaged HMS Terrapin (P323) back to Fremantle, Australia. He married an Australian woman and was reassigned to the USS Cusk (SS-348) later in May. When the war ended, Zellmer resigned his commission and took one in the reserves. He began teaching engineering drawing at Washington University near St. Louis before joining the the CIA as a Soviet submarine analyst in 1950. He made a career of the CIA and retired in the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ernest J. Zellmer. Zellmer was appointed to the Naval Academy in 1940. When Zellmer received his commission in 1943, he opted for submarines and was sent to submarine school. Upon completion of the school in December 1943, Zellmer was assigned as the communications officer aboard the USS Cavalla (SS-244). Zellmer provides a thorough description of the interior of a Gato-calss submarine. He describes the action of the first war patrol in June 1944 arund the Mariana Islands and a torpedo attack on HIJMS Shōkaku. Zellmer describes several of the other war patrols and, in April 1945, was able to visit the San Miguel Brewery in Manila. Also, on one patrol, Zellmer describes how Cavalla assisted a damaged HMS Terrapin (P323) back to Fremantle, Australia. He married an Australian woman and was reassigned to the USS Cusk (SS-348) later in May. When the war ended, Zellmer resigned his commission and took one in the reserves. He began teaching engineering drawing at Washington University near St. Louis before joining the the CIA as a Soviet submarine analyst in 1950. He made a career of the CIA and retired in the …

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an interview with Ira Zautner. Zautner joined the Navy Reserves in late 1939 and went to radio school. He reported aboard USS Wichita (CA-45) in October, 1940. He rode to Iceland a few times on convoy duty before war was declared and recalls operating with the British Home Fleet. He shares stories from the invasions of North Africa, operating around the Solomon Islands and the Aleutian Islands. By this time, Zautner was serving in the aviation section aboard the Wichita, operating the radio on the reconnaissance plane. He shares several anecdotes about his encounters with other people during the war that he met again later in life. In January 1945, Zautner transferred to Kansas to teach at a radio school. He was discharged at the end of 1945.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an interview with Ira Zautner. Zautner joined the Navy Reserves in late 1939 and went to radio school. He reported aboard USS Wichita (CA-45) in October, 1940. He rode to Iceland a few times on convoy duty before war was declared and recalls operating with the British Home Fleet. He shares stories from the invasions of North Africa, operating around the Solomon Islands and the Aleutian Islands. By this time, Zautner was serving in the aviation section aboard the Wichita, operating the radio on the reconnaissance plane. He shares several anecdotes about his encounters with other people during the war that he met again later in life. In January 1945, Zautner transferred to Kansas to teach at a radio school. He was discharged at the end of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Warren McLellan. McLellan learned to fly as a civilian before joining the Navy in July 1941. Once in the Navy, he qualified for pilot training and went to Pensacola. After training, he was assigned to Torpedo Squadron 16 (VT-16) in January 1943. They reported aboard USS Lexington (CV-16) later in June in time for her shakedown cruise. He describes attacking targets at Tarawa. He crash landed in the water at the Palau Islands and was rescued and returned to the Lexington. He also ended up in the water during the Marianas Turkey Shoot. He describes being in the water prior to rescue and has great admiration for Admiral Marc Mitscher. He returned to the US later in 1944 and had shore duty in Rhode Island.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Warren McLellan. McLellan learned to fly as a civilian before joining the Navy in July 1941. Once in the Navy, he qualified for pilot training and went to Pensacola. After training, he was assigned to Torpedo Squadron 16 (VT-16) in January 1943. They reported aboard USS Lexington (CV-16) later in June in time for her shakedown cruise. He describes attacking targets at Tarawa. He crash landed in the water at the Palau Islands and was rescued and returned to the Lexington. He also ended up in the water during the Marianas Turkey Shoot. He describes being in the water prior to rescue and has great admiration for Admiral Marc Mitscher. He returned to the US later in 1944 and had shore duty in Rhode Island.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Conklin. Conklin was born on 4 December 1923 in Chanute, Kansas. After graduating from high school he attended junior college and participated in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. Soon after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he entered the Naval Aviator Cadet program. After taking primary training at Norman, Oklahoma he was sent to Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, Texas for advanced training. Upon graduation he was sent to Daytona Beach where he began flying the SBD dive bomber. After six months of training in the SBD he was assigned to Air Group sixteen aboard the USS Lexington (CV-16). He tells of attacking various islands in the Pacific and his participation the Battle of the Philippine Sea. He admired for Admiral Mitscher for turning on the carrier lights, thus allowing many of the returning pilots, including Conklin, to make a night landing. He began flying an F6F Wildcat on photo missions over assigned targets, before and after bombing raids, to ascertain the damage. After a cessation of hostilities was announced, he and three other pilots were assigned the responsibility of photographing Tokyo to facilitate dropping supplies to …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Conklin. Conklin was born on 4 December 1923 in Chanute, Kansas. After graduating from high school he attended junior college and participated in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. Soon after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he entered the Naval Aviator Cadet program. After taking primary training at Norman, Oklahoma he was sent to Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, Texas for advanced training. Upon graduation he was sent to Daytona Beach where he began flying the SBD dive bomber. After six months of training in the SBD he was assigned to Air Group sixteen aboard the USS Lexington (CV-16). He tells of attacking various islands in the Pacific and his participation the Battle of the Philippine Sea. He admired for Admiral Mitscher for turning on the carrier lights, thus allowing many of the returning pilots, including Conklin, to make a night landing. He began flying an F6F Wildcat on photo missions over assigned targets, before and after bombing raids, to ascertain the damage. After a cessation of hostilities was announced, he and three other pilots were assigned the responsibility of photographing Tokyo to facilitate dropping supplies to …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arnold Cole. Cole was born in Beulah, North Dakota 9 October 1924. Joining the Navy in January 1942 he attended boot camp at Farragut, Idaho then was assigned to the Hospital Corps School. Upon completing training, he went to Camp Elliott, California to join the Fleet Marine Force as a combat medic with the 5th Marine Division, 26th Marine Regiment. On 19 February 1945 he was in the third wave of the invasion of Iwo Jima. He mentions the high casualty rate suffered during the invasion and he recalls that the corpsmen removed any type of markings indicating they were medical personnel in an effort to thwart the efforts of Japanese snipers to single them out. Cole was on Iwo Jima for thirty-three days before being severely wounded. After receiving initial treatment at the battalion aid station he was put aboard the USS Queens (APA-103) and taken to Guam. He was taken off the ship on a gurney, identified with a green toe tag (dead) and placed in the morgue. A morgue attendant heard him moaning and contacted medical personnel. He was taken to the hospital and given …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arnold Cole. Cole was born in Beulah, North Dakota 9 October 1924. Joining the Navy in January 1942 he attended boot camp at Farragut, Idaho then was assigned to the Hospital Corps School. Upon completing training, he went to Camp Elliott, California to join the Fleet Marine Force as a combat medic with the 5th Marine Division, 26th Marine Regiment. On 19 February 1945 he was in the third wave of the invasion of Iwo Jima. He mentions the high casualty rate suffered during the invasion and he recalls that the corpsmen removed any type of markings indicating they were medical personnel in an effort to thwart the efforts of Japanese snipers to single them out. Cole was on Iwo Jima for thirty-three days before being severely wounded. After receiving initial treatment at the battalion aid station he was put aboard the USS Queens (APA-103) and taken to Guam. He was taken off the ship on a gurney, identified with a green toe tag (dead) and placed in the morgue. A morgue attendant heard him moaning and contacted medical personnel. He was taken to the hospital and given …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with June Savage. Savage was born June 3rd, 1944, in Wellington, New Zealand. Her mother was a Cook Islander, and her father was a United States Marine Corps officer who was stationed in Wellington during the war. At only two months old, Savage was sent back to the Cook Islands to live with her grandparents, who raised her until she was 16. Growing up without a mother or father caused her to feel lonely and isolated, and she poured herself into all aspects of her schooling, including public speaking. For this, she won a scholarship in New Zealand, where she reunited with her mother. Savage wanted to know who her father was, but she didn’t have the courage to ask her mother directly. When her mother eventually passed away, the only thing Savage knew about her father was that he had died in the Pacific War. Decades later, Savage’s daughter Tonya searched the Internet for information on ranking officers stationed in Wellington during the war. The search turned up a photo of a man bearing a strong resemblance to Savage, and a possible last name for him. At the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with June Savage. Savage was born June 3rd, 1944, in Wellington, New Zealand. Her mother was a Cook Islander, and her father was a United States Marine Corps officer who was stationed in Wellington during the war. At only two months old, Savage was sent back to the Cook Islands to live with her grandparents, who raised her until she was 16. Growing up without a mother or father caused her to feel lonely and isolated, and she poured herself into all aspects of her schooling, including public speaking. For this, she won a scholarship in New Zealand, where she reunited with her mother. Savage wanted to know who her father was, but she didn’t have the courage to ask her mother directly. When her mother eventually passed away, the only thing Savage knew about her father was that he had died in the Pacific War. Decades later, Savage’s daughter Tonya searched the Internet for information on ranking officers stationed in Wellington during the war. The search turned up a photo of a man bearing a strong resemblance to Savage, and a possible last name for him. At the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Margaret Heard. Heard was born in New Jersey and graduated from Nursing School in November 1939, passing the state board exam for Surgical Nurse. She traveled to Hawaii on in February 1941 and took a nursing job at the Dole Pineapple Plantation on the island of Lanai. She was attending a wedding in Honolulu on 7 December 1941 and was awakened by the sound of bombing at Pearl Harbor. She and another nurse drove to Schofield Barracks, and along the way observed the second wave of Japanese planes attacking the base. She remembers volunteering for duty with the Bureau of Nursing and being assigned to a group of surgeons on Punchbowl Street in Honolulu. She was given charge of the X-ray department due to a shortage of technicians. She provides anecdotes of her time on Lanai and Oahu, including driving without lights, and on one occasion rolling the car. She describes her uneventful interaction with Japanese-Americans. She took a leave of absence in the fall of 1944 and returned to the States for several months. When she was ready to return, she was tasked to pick up a …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Margaret Heard. Heard was born in New Jersey and graduated from Nursing School in November 1939, passing the state board exam for Surgical Nurse. She traveled to Hawaii on in February 1941 and took a nursing job at the Dole Pineapple Plantation on the island of Lanai. She was attending a wedding in Honolulu on 7 December 1941 and was awakened by the sound of bombing at Pearl Harbor. She and another nurse drove to Schofield Barracks, and along the way observed the second wave of Japanese planes attacking the base. She remembers volunteering for duty with the Bureau of Nursing and being assigned to a group of surgeons on Punchbowl Street in Honolulu. She was given charge of the X-ray department due to a shortage of technicians. She provides anecdotes of her time on Lanai and Oahu, including driving without lights, and on one occasion rolling the car. She describes her uneventful interaction with Japanese-Americans. She took a leave of absence in the fall of 1944 and returned to the States for several months. When she was ready to return, she was tasked to pick up a …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with R.V. Burgin. Burgin was born in Marquez, Texas 13 August 1922 and joined the Marine Corps in March 1941. Completing boot camp, he went to Camp Elliott, California for training with 60mm mortars. He boarded the USS Mount Vernon (AP-22) and went to Melbourne, Australia. Upon arrival, he was assigned to K Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Eugene B. Sledge, author of With the Old Breed, served in K/3/5 with Burgin). On 1 January 1944 he landed on Cape Gloucester, New Britain. Burgin describes repelling a number of Japanese banzai charges. Burgin also describes the invasion of Peleliu and comments on the high casualty rate. Once the island was secured his unit went to Pavuvu for rest. On 1 April 1945 he landed on Okinawa. During the battle, Burgin was wounded. After being treated at a field hospital he returned to the front lines and remained there until the island was secured.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with R.V. Burgin. Burgin was born in Marquez, Texas 13 August 1922 and joined the Marine Corps in March 1941. Completing boot camp, he went to Camp Elliott, California for training with 60mm mortars. He boarded the USS Mount Vernon (AP-22) and went to Melbourne, Australia. Upon arrival, he was assigned to K Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Eugene B. Sledge, author of With the Old Breed, served in K/3/5 with Burgin). On 1 January 1944 he landed on Cape Gloucester, New Britain. Burgin describes repelling a number of Japanese banzai charges. Burgin also describes the invasion of Peleliu and comments on the high casualty rate. Once the island was secured his unit went to Pavuvu for rest. On 1 April 1945 he landed on Okinawa. During the battle, Burgin was wounded. After being treated at a field hospital he returned to the front lines and remained there until the island was secured.

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 …