Oral History Interview with Abelino Alviar, March 14, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Abelino Alviar, March 14, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Abelino Alviar. Alviar joined the Army in May of 1944. In early 1945, he joined the 778th Anti-aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. They deployed to Le Havre, France, and traveled to Munich, Germany, arriving after the Battle of the Ardennes. Alviar provided guard duty, and served as a gunner on the half-track supporting the 1st Infantry Division as they fought into Germany. He also worked as a translator and helped transport supplies to the front line. He returned home and was discharged in May of 1946.
Date: March 14, 2003
Creator: Alviar, Abelino
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Abelino Alviar, March 14, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Abelino Alviar, March 14, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Abelino Alviar. Alviar joined the Army in May of 1944. In early 1945, he joined the 778th Anti-aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. They deployed to Le Havre, France, and traveled to Munich, Germany, arriving after the Battle of the Ardennes. Alviar provided guard duty, and served as a gunner on the half-track supporting the 1st Infantry Division as they fought into Germany. He also worked as a translator and helped transport supplies to the front line. He returned home and was discharged in May of 1946.
Date: March 14, 2003
Creator: Alviar, Abelino
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Glenn Dugger, March 2, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Glenn Dugger, March 2, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glenn Dugger. Dugger was born in Mazie, Oklahoma 6 September 1924 and joined the Navy in 1943. After finishing boot camp at the San Diego Naval Training Station he went to machinist school. Upon completing that training, he volunteered for the submarine service. He tells of going aboard the USS S-23 for training. Upon conclusion of his training he served as an instructor on the boat for 16 months. He describes being on a submarine and the requirement that each crewman learn the various jobs on the boat. Dugger made around 600 training dives aboard the S-23 before being transferred to Submarine Division 104 at Pearl Harbor. There he participated in the overhaul of the USS Sea Dog (SS-401), the USS Sea Poacher (SS-406) and the USS Gar (SS-206). He describes in detail the overhaul process. Dugger returned to the United States in 1945 and was assigned to the USS Vermillion (AKA-107). After a short but uneventful tour on the ship he was discharged.
Date: March 2, 2003
Creator: Dugger, Glenn
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Glenn Dugger, March 2, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Glenn Dugger, March 2, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glenn Dugger. Dugger was born in Mazie, Oklahoma 6 September 1924 and joined the Navy in 1943. After finishing boot camp at the San Diego Naval Training Station he went to machinist school. Upon completing that training, he volunteered for the submarine service. He tells of going aboard the USS S-23 for training. Upon conclusion of his training he served as an instructor on the boat for 16 months. He describes being on a submarine and the requirement that each crewman learn the various jobs on the boat. Dugger made around 600 training dives aboard the S-23 before being transferred to Submarine Division 104 at Pearl Harbor. There he participated in the overhaul of the USS Sea Dog (SS-401), the USS Sea Poacher (SS-406) and the USS Gar (SS-206). He describes in detail the overhaul process. Dugger returned to the United States in 1945 and was assigned to the USS Vermillion (AKA-107). After a short but uneventful tour on the ship he was discharged.
Date: March 2, 2003
Creator: Dugger, Glenn
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Theodore E. Gruhn, March 13, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Theodore E. Gruhn, March 13, 2003

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.
Date: March 13, 2003
Creator: Gruhn, Theodore E.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Theodore E. Gruhn, March 13, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Theodore E. Gruhn, March 13, 2003

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.
Date: March 13, 2003
Creator: Gruhn, Theodore E.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Hulen Hammock, March 27, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Hulen Hammock, March 27, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hulen Hammock. Born in Bentonville, Texas on 5 November 1917, Hammock graduated from William Adams High School in Alice, Texas in 1932. Upon joining the Army Air Corps in December 1941, he was sent to Shepherd Field, Wichita Falls, Texas for basic training. After basic, Hammock went to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he studied aircraft maintenance for six weeks. He was then sent to Barksdale Field, Shreveport, Louisiana where he was assigned to the 319th Bomb Group, 440th Bomb Squadron and began working on B-26A bombers. Later, he was sent to Harding Field, Baton Rouge, Louisiana for advanced training. From there he boarded RMS Queen Mary at New Jersey and recalls an incident in which the ship collided with HMS Curacoa (D41), which was cut in half. Hammock noted that the ship did not slow down or attempt to save survivors. Landing at Gurrock, Scotland he proceeded to Norwich, England. He recalls boarding RMS Mooltan on 27 October 1942 and landing at Algeria. He shares an anecdote involving himself and General Jimmy Doolittle in a B-26. He also tells of servicing a DH98 de Havilland Mosquito aircraft flown by …
Date: March 27, 2003
Creator: Hammock, Hulen
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Hulen Hammock, March 27, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Hulen Hammock, March 27, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hulen Hammock. Born in Bentonville, Texas on 5 November 1917, Hammock graduated from William Adams High School in Alice, Texas in 1932. Upon joining the Army Air Corps in December 1941, he was sent to Shepherd Field, Wichita Falls, Texas for basic training. After basic, Hammock went to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he studied aircraft maintenance for six weeks. He was then sent to Barksdale Field, Shreveport, Louisiana where he was assigned to the 319th Bomb Group, 440th Bomb Squadron and began working on B-26A bombers. Later, he was sent to Harding Field, Baton Rouge, Louisiana for advanced training. From there he boarded RMS Queen Mary at New Jersey and recalls an incident in which the ship collided with HMS Curacoa (D41), which was cut in half. Hammock noted that the ship did not slow down or attempt to save survivors. Landing at Gurrock, Scotland he proceeded to Norwich, England. He recalls boarding RMS Mooltan on 27 October 1942 and landing at Algeria. He shares an anecdote involving himself and General Jimmy Doolittle in a B-26. He also tells of servicing a DH98 de Havilland Mosquito aircraft flown by …
Date: March 27, 2003
Creator: Hammock, Hulen
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Haskett, March 10, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Haskett, March 10, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Haskett. Haskett joined the Navy in 1938. He served as a gunner on PT-155 in the Solomon Islands. Haskett describes PT boat operations, armament, and combat in general. He also details how the early torpedo tubes were activated with a mallet.
Date: March 10, 2003
Creator: Haskett, Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Haskett, March 10, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Haskett, March 10, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Haskett. Haskett joined the Navy in 1938. He served as a gunner on PT-155 in the Solomon Islands. Haskett describes PT boat operations, armament, and combat in general. He also details how the early torpedo tubes were activated with a mallet.
Date: March 10, 2003
Creator: Haskett, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John Hausladen, March 11, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with John Hausladen, March 11, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Hausladen. Hausladen joined the Marine Corps in 1939 after two years of college. After boot camp came sea school, after which Hausladen went aboard the USS Oklahoma (BB-37). He was aboard when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and recalls being in a 5-inch gun compartment when the ship rolled. He escaped and was rescued by a whaleboat. In April, 1942, he was sent to VMF-223 as an armory technician. He travelled with them to Guadalcanal, arriving in August, 1942. His unit returned to the US in October. He went to Bougainville briefly and was in the US training when the war ended. Hausladen was discharged in December, 1945.
Date: March 11, 2003
Creator: Hausladen, John
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John Hausladen, March 11, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with John Hausladen, March 11, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Hausladen. Hausladen joined the Marine Corps in 1939 after two years of college. After boot camp came sea school, after which Hausladen went aboard the USS Oklahoma (BB-37). He was aboard when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and recalls being in a 5-inch gun compartment when the ship rolled. He escaped and was rescued by a whaleboat. In April, 1942, he was sent to VMF-223 as an armory technician. He travelled with them to Guadalcanal, arriving in August, 1942. His unit returned to the US in October. He went to Bougainville briefly and was in the US training when the war ended. Hausladen was discharged in December, 1945.
Date: March 11, 2003
Creator: Hausladen, John
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John Hejl, March 5, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with John Hejl, March 5, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Hejl. Hejl joined the Navy in September of 1942. He volunteered for the Submarine Service and completed Underwater Sound School and Radar School. Beginning January of 1945, Hejl served USS Moray (SS-300). They conducted lifeguard duty off the coast of Saipan, Midway and Japan, attacking a Japanese convoy off Kinkazan, Honshū. Hejl returned to the US and was discharged in early 1946.
Date: March 5, 2003
Creator: Hejl, John
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John Hejl, March 5, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with John Hejl, March 5, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Hejl. Hejl joined the Navy in September of 1942. He volunteered for the Submarine Service and completed Underwater Sound School and Radar School. Beginning January of 1945, Hejl served USS Moray (SS-300). They conducted lifeguard duty off the coast of Saipan, Midway and Japan, attacking a Japanese convoy off Kinkazan, Honshū. Hejl returned to the US and was discharged in early 1946.
Date: March 5, 2003
Creator: Hejl, John
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Waite Higgins, March 31, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Waite Higgins, March 31, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Waite Higgins. Higgins joined the Navy in late 1943. Beginning in 1944, he served with the deck force aboard a carrier. They traveled throughout the Pacific Islands, and he recalls burials at sea. Higgins recalls participating in the Battle of Okinawa. In August of 1945, they traveled to Tokyo Bay in Japan. He returned to the US and was discharged in 1946.
Date: March 31, 2003
Creator: Higgins, Waite
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Waite Higgins, March 31, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Waite Higgins, March 31, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Waite Higgins. Higgins joined the Navy in late 1943. Beginning in 1944, he served with the deck force aboard a carrier. They traveled throughout the Pacific Islands, and he recalls burials at sea. Higgins recalls participating in the Battle of Okinawa. In August of 1945, they traveled to Tokyo Bay in Japan. He returned to the US and was discharged in 1946.
Date: March 31, 2003
Creator: Higgins, Waite
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Sterling Maresch, March 3, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Sterling Maresch, March 3, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Sterling Maresch. Maresch went into the Army in October, 1943. In May, 1944, he shipped overseas to a staging area in New Guinea and was assigned to the 470th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. From there, they moved to the Philippines for the invasion of Luzon. When the war ended, Maresch re-enlisted and transferred to the Army Air Forces. After some training in aircraft instrument repair, he was sent to Germany.
Date: March 3, 2003
Creator: Maresch, Sterling
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Sterling Maresch, March 3, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Sterling Maresch, March 3, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Sterling Maresch. Maresch went into the Army in October, 1943. In May, 1944, he shipped overseas to a staging area in New Guinea and was assigned to the 470th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. From there, they moved to the Philippines for the invasion of Luzon. When the war ended, Maresch re-enlisted and transferred to the Army Air Forces. After some training in aircraft instrument repair, he was sent to Germany.
Date: March 3, 2003
Creator: Maresch, Sterling
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James McClelland, March 20, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with James McClelland, March 20, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James McClelland. McClelland joined the Navy in 1939 and after training was assigned to the USS Helena (CL-50). He cruised with the ship to South America before heading for Pearl Harbor. He was aboard during the Japanese attack and was burned badly enough to be evacuated to the hospital on shore. He was returned to the US and after recovering, began training people in fire control. McClelland was discharged in September, 1945.
Date: March 20, 2003
Creator: McClelland, James A.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James McClelland, March 20, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with James McClelland, March 20, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James McClelland. McClelland joined the Navy in 1939 and after training was assigned to the USS Helena (CL-50). He cruised with the ship to South America before heading for Pearl Harbor. He was aboard during the Japanese attack and was burned badly enough to be evacuated to the hospital on shore. He was returned to the US and after recovering, began training people in fire control. McClelland was discharged in September, 1945.
Date: March 20, 2003
Creator: McClelland, James A.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Hazael R. Olivares, March 29, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Hazael R. Olivares, March 29, 2003

Interview with Hazael R. Olivares, a serviceman in the U. S. Navy during World War II. Olivares dropped out of high school and decided to join the U. S. Navy after hearing about the attack on Pearl Harbor. He took his 16-week basic training course at Great Lakes in Illinois where he learned how to fire various guns and recognize aircraft. After basic training, he was assigned to Algiers, Louisiana where he learned how to weld. Aboard the USS Bordelon (DD-881), he served as a Ship Fitter in the damage control department. After WWII, he remained in the reserves and was called up for duty in Korea. He served aboard the USS Sitkoh Bay (CVE-86). After Korea, he worked as a civilian for the Army Corps of Engineers as an oiler on a dredge. He then served in the Merchant Marines, hauling refined petroleum products from South America to North America. He also discusses going to French Indochina (Vietnam) and traveling up the Saigon River in a merchant vessel.
Date: March 29, 2003
Creator: Misenhimer, Richard & Olivares, Hazael R.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Hazael R. Olivares, March 29, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Hazael R. Olivares, March 29, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hazael R. Olivares. Olivares dropped out of high school and decided to join the Navy right after hearing about the attack on Pearl Harbor. He took his 16 week basic training course at Great Lakes in Illinois where he learned how to fire various guns and recognize aircraft. After basic training, he was assigned to the Algiers, Louisiana where he learned how to weld. Aboard the USS Bordelon (DD-881), he served as a Ship Fitter in the damage control department. After WWII, he remained in the reserves and was called up for duty in Korea. He served aboard the USS Sitkoh Bay (CVE-86). After Korea, he worked as a civilian for he Army Corps of Engineers as an oiler on a dredge; then served in the Merchant Marines hauling refined petroleum products from South America to North America. He also speaks of going into French Indochina up the Saigon River in a merchant vessel.
Date: March 29, 2003
Creator: Olivares, Hazael R.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Hazael R. Olivares, March 29, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Hazael R. Olivares, March 29, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hazael R. Olivares. Olivares dropped out of high school and decided to join the Navy right after hearing about the attack on Pearl Harbor. He took his 16 week basic training course at Great Lakes in Illinois where he learned how to fire various guns and recognize aircraft. After basic training, he was assigned to the Algiers, Louisiana where he learned how to weld. Aboard the USS Bordelon (DD-881), he served as a Ship Fitter in the damage control department. After WWII, he remained in the reserves and was called up for duty in Korea. He served aboard the USS Sitkoh Bay (CVE-86). After Korea, he worked as a civilian for he Army Corps of Engineers as an oiler on a dredge; then served in the Merchant Marines hauling refined petroleum products from South America to North America. He also speaks of going into French Indochina up the Saigon River in a merchant vessel.
Date: March 29, 2003
Creator: Olivares, Hazael R.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John Starkey, March 5, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with John Starkey, March 5, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John P. Starkey. Starkey was born in Kansas City, Missouri 8 March 1925 and graduated from high school in 1941. He enlisted in the Navy and went to Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Illinois for six weeks of boot training. After graduation, he attended fire control school for four months. Upon completion of the training, he was assigned to the USS Wyoming (BB-32). In April 1943, he was assigned to the USS Boise (CL-47). During July 1943 the ship provided fire support for the invasion of Sicily. When the Boise returned to Philadelphia, Starkey was selected to attend submarine school at New London, Connecticut. Following eight weeks of basics, four weeks of battery and gyro school and six weeks of specialized training he reported aboard the USS Mackerel (SS-204) at New London. In 1944 he was accepted into the V-12 program at Park University, Missouri. His father, at age forty-four, joined the US Coast Guard. Starkey lost his brother, killed in action in Europe. The V-12 program was terminated and Starkey was assigned temporarily to the USS Texas (BB-35). He was then assigned to the USS Pargo (SS-264) …
Date: March 5, 2003
Creator: Starkey, John
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History