The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Roger G. Anderson. When Anderson finished high school in 1943, he entered the Army Air Forces and trained initially at Miami Beach, Florida, then at Laredo, Texas, for gunnery school. Anderson describes the training involved at gunnery school and shares a few anecdotes. In July, 1944, Anderson and crew headed overseas. they were assigned to the 19th Bomb Squadron, 22nd Bomb Group, 5th Air Force. His squadron was nicknamed the Silver Fleet. To begin with, he was stationed in New Guinea and flew aome missions there. Eventually, his unit was assigned to Tacloban, bu teh area was too muddy for an airbase, so his unt was statioend at Angaur. From there, his unit evenually moved up to Clark Field on Luzon. In August, 1945, Anderson went home on leave after completing 48 missions. He anticipated being trained in B-29s, but the war ended while he was home on furlough and he got discharged in October, 1945. He used the G.I. Bill to go to college and eventually had a career as a teacher in Illinois.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Roger G. Anderson. When Anderson finished high school in 1943, he entered the Army Air Forces and trained initially at Miami Beach, Florida, then at Laredo, Texas, for gunnery school. Anderson describes the training involved at gunnery school and shares a few anecdotes. In July, 1944, Anderson and crew headed overseas. they were assigned to the 19th Bomb Squadron, 22nd Bomb Group, 5th Air Force. His squadron was nicknamed the Silver Fleet. To begin with, he was stationed in New Guinea and flew aome missions there. Eventually, his unit was assigned to Tacloban, bu teh area was too muddy for an airbase, so his unt was statioend at Angaur. From there, his unit evenually moved up to Clark Field on Luzon. In August, 1945, Anderson went home on leave after completing 48 missions. He anticipated being trained in B-29s, but the war ended while he was home on furlough and he got discharged in October, 1945. He used the G.I. Bill to go to college and eventually had a career as a teacher in Illinois.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ernest Andrus. Andrus joined the Navy in June of 1942. Beginning in November, he served as a medical corpsman in the sick bay aboard USS Rochambeau (AP-63), transporting troops throughout the Pacific islands. Around January of 1944, he transferred to the sick bay aboard USS LST-124 in New Caledonia. Andrus shares his experiences through the Battle of Tinian in July. They traveled to Guadalcanal for ferry duty, and provided transportation for supplies and men throughout the islands. Andrus left USS LST-124 in mid-1945 and went ashore in New Caledonia. He transferred back to the US around August, and recalls the celebration in the streets of downtown Los Angeles when the war ended. He received his discharge in December.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ernest Andrus. Andrus joined the Navy in June of 1942. Beginning in November, he served as a medical corpsman in the sick bay aboard USS Rochambeau (AP-63), transporting troops throughout the Pacific islands. Around January of 1944, he transferred to the sick bay aboard USS LST-124 in New Caledonia. Andrus shares his experiences through the Battle of Tinian in July. They traveled to Guadalcanal for ferry duty, and provided transportation for supplies and men throughout the islands. Andrus left USS LST-124 in mid-1945 and went ashore in New Caledonia. He transferred back to the US around August, and recalls the celebration in the streets of downtown Los Angeles when the war ended. He received his discharge in December.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Anthony Arrington. Arrington joined the Navy in June 1942 and received basic training in Norfolk. He was assigned to the USS Texas (BB-35), serving as a waiter during trips to Casablanca and the British Isles. While he was onshore being treated for a shoulder injury, the Texas moved on to another port. Arrington was subsequently given landing craft training and reassigned to the USS Sims (APD-50). He was present for the entire Battle of Okinawa, operating a landing craft as a taxi for military personnel. A few weeks after the bombing of Hiroshima, he transported a group of scientists to the blast site, which was completely flattened, save for two partially damaged concrete structures. Arrington returned home and was discharged in January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Anthony Arrington. Arrington joined the Navy in June 1942 and received basic training in Norfolk. He was assigned to the USS Texas (BB-35), serving as a waiter during trips to Casablanca and the British Isles. While he was onshore being treated for a shoulder injury, the Texas moved on to another port. Arrington was subsequently given landing craft training and reassigned to the USS Sims (APD-50). He was present for the entire Battle of Okinawa, operating a landing craft as a taxi for military personnel. A few weeks after the bombing of Hiroshima, he transported a group of scientists to the blast site, which was completely flattened, save for two partially damaged concrete structures. Arrington returned home and was discharged in January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Abner Aust. Aust joined the Army Air Forces in September 1941 and completed flight school in April 1943. He was assigned to Venice, Florida, as an instructor, often receiving extra runway duty on account of his mischievous acrobatics. In October 1944, he joined the 506th Fighter Group, 457th Fighter Squadron, as flight commander. Upon familiarizing himself with the P-51, he flew his first missions out of Tinian, moving next to Iwo Jima. While escorting B-29s, he sometimes broke away to lead his group of eight fighters to strafe opportunistically. He is credited with five victories, the last of which occurred on 10 August 1945, distinguishing him as the last fighter ace of World War II. Aust then served in the Air Force and participated in the Vietnam War. Just before his retirement, he worked at Bolling Air Force Base to develop the F-15. After all of his experience in fighters, his favorite plane is the P-40N.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Abner Aust. Aust joined the Army Air Forces in September 1941 and completed flight school in April 1943. He was assigned to Venice, Florida, as an instructor, often receiving extra runway duty on account of his mischievous acrobatics. In October 1944, he joined the 506th Fighter Group, 457th Fighter Squadron, as flight commander. Upon familiarizing himself with the P-51, he flew his first missions out of Tinian, moving next to Iwo Jima. While escorting B-29s, he sometimes broke away to lead his group of eight fighters to strafe opportunistically. He is credited with five victories, the last of which occurred on 10 August 1945, distinguishing him as the last fighter ace of World War II. Aust then served in the Air Force and participated in the Vietnam War. Just before his retirement, he worked at Bolling Air Force Base to develop the F-15. After all of his experience in fighters, his favorite plane is the P-40N.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lloyd Bailey. Bailey was born in Kansas City, Missouri on 16 February 1922 and graduated from high school in Waco, Texas in 1940. After attending Texas A&M for one year, he enlisted in the Army. He went to Camp Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas for basic training. While there, he was recruited by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents to participate in an internal security program. Following basic entered the Corps of Engineers Officer Candidate School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. On 2 February 1943 he was commissioned a second lieutenant and assigned to the 386th Engineer Battalion, an African American unit stationed at Camp Sutton, North Carolina. In 1943, the battalion boarded the SS Louis Pasteur and sailed to Casablanca where they cleaned up the dock area to facilitate unloading cargo. He tells of the unit traveling by rail to Iran. Soon after arriving in Iran the battalion sailed to Naples, Italy. His platoon was sent to Anzio and assigned the task of removing land mines. Three of his men were lost while doing this job. He was assigned to oversee the construction of the largest Butler Building ever …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lloyd Bailey. Bailey was born in Kansas City, Missouri on 16 February 1922 and graduated from high school in Waco, Texas in 1940. After attending Texas A&M for one year, he enlisted in the Army. He went to Camp Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas for basic training. While there, he was recruited by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents to participate in an internal security program. Following basic entered the Corps of Engineers Officer Candidate School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. On 2 February 1943 he was commissioned a second lieutenant and assigned to the 386th Engineer Battalion, an African American unit stationed at Camp Sutton, North Carolina. In 1943, the battalion boarded the SS Louis Pasteur and sailed to Casablanca where they cleaned up the dock area to facilitate unloading cargo. He tells of the unit traveling by rail to Iran. Soon after arriving in Iran the battalion sailed to Naples, Italy. His platoon was sent to Anzio and assigned the task of removing land mines. Three of his men were lost while doing this job. He was assigned to oversee the construction of the largest Butler Building ever …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Baumbach. Baumbach joined the Marine Corps in November of 1942. Beginning around mid-1943, he served as a Radioman with the First Armored Amphibious Battalion, Company D. In January of 1944, they deployed to Kauai, Hawaii. They participated in the battles of Kwajalein, Guam and Okinawa. Baumbach returned to the US and received his discharge in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Baumbach. Baumbach joined the Marine Corps in November of 1942. Beginning around mid-1943, he served as a Radioman with the First Armored Amphibious Battalion, Company D. In January of 1944, they deployed to Kauai, Hawaii. They participated in the battles of Kwajalein, Guam and Okinawa. Baumbach returned to the US and received his discharge in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Bearden. Bearden was in the Texas National Guard when Japan started the war. He was in the 144th Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division and trained at Camp Bowie. His unit went to Fort Lewis in Washington to guard the coast. Bearden then joined the paratroopers and trained at Fort Benning in August, 1942. Bearden speaks a lot about parachute infantry training. He went to England in December, 1943. He jumped into Normandy on 6 June 1944. Around D+5, Bearden was captured by German soldiers. Liberated by Russians in January, 1945, Bearden headed east and eventually reached Moscow, then Odessa, where he was repatriated. He returned to San Antonio and was discharged in July, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Bearden. Bearden was in the Texas National Guard when Japan started the war. He was in the 144th Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division and trained at Camp Bowie. His unit went to Fort Lewis in Washington to guard the coast. Bearden then joined the paratroopers and trained at Fort Benning in August, 1942. Bearden speaks a lot about parachute infantry training. He went to England in December, 1943. He jumped into Normandy on 6 June 1944. Around D+5, Bearden was captured by German soldiers. Liberated by Russians in January, 1945, Bearden headed east and eventually reached Moscow, then Odessa, where he was repatriated. He returned to San Antonio and was discharged in July, 1945.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Justin Bible. Bible joined the Army and went to radio school in California before being assigned to the 593rd Joint Assault Signal Company (JASCO). He landed in the Philippines (Leyte and Luzon) with the unit and shares a few anecdotes. He also went to Okinawa. Bible returned to the US in late 1945.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Justin Bible. Bible joined the Army and went to radio school in California before being assigned to the 593rd Joint Assault Signal Company (JASCO). He landed in the Philippines (Leyte and Luzon) with the unit and shares a few anecdotes. He also went to Okinawa. Bible returned to the US in late 1945.

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 Merton Bobo. Bobo was born in Greenfield, Maine 10 February 1926. Graduating from high school in 1943 he enlisted in the Navy. Following a six week boot camp in Sampson, New York he was sent to Jacksonville, Florida to attend radio school. Once he graduated, he was sent to Yellow Water, Florida for gunnery training. Upon completing the gunnery training, he went to Fort Lauderdale, where he began operational training in a TBM with a pilot and gunner. The crew stayed together during their combat tour. Upon completion of the advanced training the crew went to San Diego where they joined VC-90. Going to Hawaii, they were trained in the use of rockets and torpedoes. The crew was assigned to the USS Steamer Bay (CVE-87) and began making patrols and practice landings. They joined a task unit and sailed to the Mindoro Straits where they were under attack by Japanese planes for five days. During this time Bobo witnessed a kamikaze crashing into the USS Ommaney Bay (CVE-79). He participated in combat missions at Lingayen Gulf, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He recalls the night their ship was in …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Merton Bobo. Bobo was born in Greenfield, Maine 10 February 1926. Graduating from high school in 1943 he enlisted in the Navy. Following a six week boot camp in Sampson, New York he was sent to Jacksonville, Florida to attend radio school. Once he graduated, he was sent to Yellow Water, Florida for gunnery training. Upon completing the gunnery training, he went to Fort Lauderdale, where he began operational training in a TBM with a pilot and gunner. The crew stayed together during their combat tour. Upon completion of the advanced training the crew went to San Diego where they joined VC-90. Going to Hawaii, they were trained in the use of rockets and torpedoes. The crew was assigned to the USS Steamer Bay (CVE-87) and began making patrols and practice landings. They joined a task unit and sailed to the Mindoro Straits where they were under attack by Japanese planes for five days. During this time Bobo witnessed a kamikaze crashing into the USS Ommaney Bay (CVE-79). He participated in combat missions at Lingayen Gulf, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He recalls the night their ship was in …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Liban Brillantes. Assisting Brillantes with the interview is his daughter Peda, and his granddaughter Precious Ross. Brillantes was born in the Philippine Islands in 1916. He joined the 1st Company, 3rd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment around 1934. Following the occupation of the Philippines by the Japanese, he joined the Filipino Guerillas and he tells of life under Japanese occupation. He describes participating in the annihilation of a column of Japanese soldiers and the method of burial by the Japanese command. He also comments on the rumor that looted gold was buried by General Yamashita and that Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos was involved in its recovery.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Liban Brillantes. Assisting Brillantes with the interview is his daughter Peda, and his granddaughter Precious Ross. Brillantes was born in the Philippine Islands in 1916. He joined the 1st Company, 3rd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment around 1934. Following the occupation of the Philippines by the Japanese, he joined the Filipino Guerillas and he tells of life under Japanese occupation. He describes participating in the annihilation of a column of Japanese soldiers and the method of burial by the Japanese command. He also comments on the rumor that looted gold was buried by General Yamashita and that Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos was involved in its recovery.