The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bob Fagleson. Fagleson went to school at Virginia Tech and took the Civilian Pilot Training course. To continue flying he joined the Army Air Forces. He was sent to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri for classification due to an eye astigmatism. From there he went to Truax Field in Madison, Wisconsin learning basic radio mechanics, and then on to radar school in Florida, then Control Net System training in Homer, Wisconsin. Once he graduated from CNS training he went to Camp Patrick Henry in Newport News, Virginia to board a ship heading to Bombay. He ended up in Chabour assisting with equipment arrival and transport. He was also located in Narin, bringing back planes from bombing missions and giving signal directions. He spent some time in Maran and the remainder in Michenau. After he finished his tour of duty he flew back to Karachi and took a ship back. He said that he got sick aboard the ship and was hospitalized for 6 months and partially paralyzed and got a medical discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bob Fagleson. Fagleson went to school at Virginia Tech and took the Civilian Pilot Training course. To continue flying he joined the Army Air Forces. He was sent to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri for classification due to an eye astigmatism. From there he went to Truax Field in Madison, Wisconsin learning basic radio mechanics, and then on to radar school in Florida, then Control Net System training in Homer, Wisconsin. Once he graduated from CNS training he went to Camp Patrick Henry in Newport News, Virginia to board a ship heading to Bombay. He ended up in Chabour assisting with equipment arrival and transport. He was also located in Narin, bringing back planes from bombing missions and giving signal directions. He spent some time in Maran and the remainder in Michenau. After he finished his tour of duty he flew back to Karachi and took a ship back. He said that he got sick aboard the ship and was hospitalized for 6 months and partially paralyzed and got a medical discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carl DeLeeuw. DeLeeuw joined the Army Air Forces in late 1941 and was shipped to Australia right as the war was beginning to assemble P-40s. From there, he went to India and was an airplane mechanic involved in maintaining the planes flying supplies over the Himalaya Mountains to China and bombing Burma. He was released from the service in September, 1945 and went to work for United Airlines.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carl DeLeeuw. DeLeeuw joined the Army Air Forces in late 1941 and was shipped to Australia right as the war was beginning to assemble P-40s. From there, he went to India and was an airplane mechanic involved in maintaining the planes flying supplies over the Himalaya Mountains to China and bombing Burma. He was released from the service in September, 1945 and went to work for United Airlines.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Boesch. After high school Boesch went to summer school at the University of Texas at Austin, joined the enlisted reserve corps and was eventually 'called up'. He had basic training in Cheyenne, Wyoming and learned to drive a truck. In what he calls 'casual status', he was shipped (like cargo) on a Liberty ship which landed in Canistel, North Africa. Conditions on board the ship were atrocious - little food, water, etc. They were drilled, exercised and run in North Africa; conditions were pretty deplorable there too. They were then put on a convoy ship which landed in Bombay, India. From there they took a train (last class) to Calbutta, then Passam and finally Ledo where he was assigned to the 195th Engineering Company. Interview contains good descriptions of his living conditions during this time - they lived off the land, had some air drops and some supp,ies trucked in. Boesch contracted malaria and jungle rot during this time. He was working on the Burma Road when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Boesch. After high school Boesch went to summer school at the University of Texas at Austin, joined the enlisted reserve corps and was eventually 'called up'. He had basic training in Cheyenne, Wyoming and learned to drive a truck. In what he calls 'casual status', he was shipped (like cargo) on a Liberty ship which landed in Canistel, North Africa. Conditions on board the ship were atrocious - little food, water, etc. They were drilled, exercised and run in North Africa; conditions were pretty deplorable there too. They were then put on a convoy ship which landed in Bombay, India. From there they took a train (last class) to Calbutta, then Passam and finally Ledo where he was assigned to the 195th Engineering Company. Interview contains good descriptions of his living conditions during this time - they lived off the land, had some air drops and some supp,ies trucked in. Boesch contracted malaria and jungle rot during this time. He was working on the Burma Road when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Moore. Moore joined the Army and trained at Fort Riley, Kansas before being shipped to Burma and attached to the 475th Infantry Regiment. After some time as a rifleman, he was made a combat medic. He describes several battles with the Japanese in the jungles of Burma. Moore was wounded but stayed with the other surgeons and medics. After securing Burma, Moore was transferred to Kunming, China to teach Chinese Nationalists how to use small arms. After the war, Moore was on duty as a clerk in Shanghai. He received his discharge in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Moore. Moore joined the Army and trained at Fort Riley, Kansas before being shipped to Burma and attached to the 475th Infantry Regiment. After some time as a rifleman, he was made a combat medic. He describes several battles with the Japanese in the jungles of Burma. Moore was wounded but stayed with the other surgeons and medics. After securing Burma, Moore was transferred to Kunming, China to teach Chinese Nationalists how to use small arms. After the war, Moore was on duty as a clerk in Shanghai. He received his discharge in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Lawler. Lawler was born in Mount Pleasant, Texas 4 October 1918. Graduating from high school in 1936, he attended business college for two years before being employed in the accounting office of the Fort Worth Poultry and Egg Company. He was employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1941 for several months prior to entering the US Army Air Corps cadet training program. Having received flight training at several bases, he completed his advanced training at Brooks Field, Texas and received his wings. His first assignment was as a pilot flying Curtis 0-52 observation planes for the Aerial Observation School at Brooks Field. His next assignment was communications officer and flight officer at Esler Field, Louisiana. He joined the 12th Bomb Group, 82nd Squadron in Sicily during which he flew eight combat missions. He describes the armament of a B-25G bomber and tells of the stress created on the aircraft when using the 77mm nose cannon. In early 1944 the unit was sent to India and attached to the British Tactical Air Command. He discusses various missions flown and tells of pioneering the use of napalm …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Lawler. Lawler was born in Mount Pleasant, Texas 4 October 1918. Graduating from high school in 1936, he attended business college for two years before being employed in the accounting office of the Fort Worth Poultry and Egg Company. He was employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1941 for several months prior to entering the US Army Air Corps cadet training program. Having received flight training at several bases, he completed his advanced training at Brooks Field, Texas and received his wings. His first assignment was as a pilot flying Curtis 0-52 observation planes for the Aerial Observation School at Brooks Field. His next assignment was communications officer and flight officer at Esler Field, Louisiana. He joined the 12th Bomb Group, 82nd Squadron in Sicily during which he flew eight combat missions. He describes the armament of a B-25G bomber and tells of the stress created on the aircraft when using the 77mm nose cannon. In early 1944 the unit was sent to India and attached to the British Tactical Air Command. He discusses various missions flown and tells of pioneering the use of napalm …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lent Logar. Logar was born in Spring Valley, Illinois on 23 July 1920. After graduating from high school, he joined the Army Air Corps and had basic training at Fort Niagara, New York. He was then sent to Decatur, Alabama where he took primary flight training with Southern Aviation. He then went to Lamesa, Texas to a flight school dedicated to liaison flying where they trained in the L-5 Stinson. Upon graduating, he was assigned to the 115th Liaison Squadron and sent to Kunming, China. Upon his arrival in Kunming, he was transferred to the 19th Liaison Squadron. He tells of various experiences working with the Chinese Army and his involvement in the Salween Campaign to open the Burma Road. He relates his experience of transporting a Japanese commander to Taiwan for the signing of a surrender agreement of certain Japanese forces based in China. He also tells of delivering men of the OSS to sites within the jungles of Vietnam.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lent Logar. Logar was born in Spring Valley, Illinois on 23 July 1920. After graduating from high school, he joined the Army Air Corps and had basic training at Fort Niagara, New York. He was then sent to Decatur, Alabama where he took primary flight training with Southern Aviation. He then went to Lamesa, Texas to a flight school dedicated to liaison flying where they trained in the L-5 Stinson. Upon graduating, he was assigned to the 115th Liaison Squadron and sent to Kunming, China. Upon his arrival in Kunming, he was transferred to the 19th Liaison Squadron. He tells of various experiences working with the Chinese Army and his involvement in the Salween Campaign to open the Burma Road. He relates his experience of transporting a Japanese commander to Taiwan for the signing of a surrender agreement of certain Japanese forces based in China. He also tells of delivering men of the OSS to sites within the jungles of Vietnam.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Manuel and Amalia Montecillo. Manuel and Amalia were in Manila engaged to be married when the Japanese attacked the Philippines on 8 December 1941. Manuel was already in the Filipino Army and was folded into the US Army Far East and headed for Bataan. Amalia stayed in Manila. Manuel commanded a platoon of Igorot soldiers. They share a few anecdotes about Japanese atrocities during the occupation of the Philippines. Manuel was released after the fall of Bataan and eventually joined a guerrilla outfit and operated radios. Amalia was busy with children.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Rocky Agrusti. Argusti was born on 7 July 1924 in Waterville, New York into a family of nine children. Four of the boys and one of the girls served during World War II. Two of the boys were killed in action during the war. Prior to being drafted, he worked as a steam engine fireman with the New York Central Railroad. Upon entering the US Army in 1943, he was sent to Fort Sam Houston, Texas for basic training. After receiving advanced training at several other bases, he was assigned to the 701st Railway Grand Division, 721st Railway Operations Battalion. In December 1943 the battalion was sent to the West Coast where they boarded the SS Mariposa bound for Bombay, India. Upon their arrival in India, Argusti went by train to Parbatpur, India. He recalls that the barracks, called bashas, were constructed of straw. A fire occurred that burned down the majority of the dwellings. He tells of operating railroad engines transporting supplies to Ledo, India for shipment into the interior of China by air transport or overland by the Ledo Burma Road. Following the surrender of Japan, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Rocky Agrusti. Argusti was born on 7 July 1924 in Waterville, New York into a family of nine children. Four of the boys and one of the girls served during World War II. Two of the boys were killed in action during the war. Prior to being drafted, he worked as a steam engine fireman with the New York Central Railroad. Upon entering the US Army in 1943, he was sent to Fort Sam Houston, Texas for basic training. After receiving advanced training at several other bases, he was assigned to the 701st Railway Grand Division, 721st Railway Operations Battalion. In December 1943 the battalion was sent to the West Coast where they boarded the SS Mariposa bound for Bombay, India. Upon their arrival in India, Argusti went by train to Parbatpur, India. He recalls that the barracks, called bashas, were constructed of straw. A fire occurred that burned down the majority of the dwellings. He tells of operating railroad engines transporting supplies to Ledo, India for shipment into the interior of China by air transport or overland by the Ledo Burma Road. Following the surrender of Japan, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edgar Wolf. World joined the Army Air Forces in January, 1942 and trained at Biloxi, Mississippi before heading for Lockheed in California to learn about P-38s. He went to Officer Candidate School and earned a commission before being assigned to the Air Transport Command in New York. With the ATC, Wolf learned loadmaster techniques and air traffic control procedures before heading for Chabua, India. At his base he was responsible for transient aircraft. He also served at Agra and at Karachi. Wolf was in India for 27 months and returned home in September, 1945 and received his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edgar Wolf. World joined the Army Air Forces in January, 1942 and trained at Biloxi, Mississippi before heading for Lockheed in California to learn about P-38s. He went to Officer Candidate School and earned a commission before being assigned to the Air Transport Command in New York. With the ATC, Wolf learned loadmaster techniques and air traffic control procedures before heading for Chabua, India. At his base he was responsible for transient aircraft. He also served at Agra and at Karachi. Wolf was in India for 27 months and returned home in September, 1945 and received his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Charles. Charles was born in Picher, Oklahoma in 1919. Placed in a foster home at sixteen years of age he was encouraged to complete high school and attended college. On 6 June 1940 he joined the US Marine Corps and went to San Diego for boot camp. After boot training he was selected for Marine Corps Field Intelligence Training. When he completed this training he was ordered to proceed to Shanghai. Prior to arrival, his orders changed and he was assigned aboard the USS Houston (CA-30). He describes being in the battles of Makassar Straits, the Java Sea and Sunda Straits. When the Houston sank, Charles became a prisoner of war. He tells a vivid tale of torture, abuse and malnutrition during a trip on a hell ship to Changi Prison Camp. There, he experienced dreadful conditions, diseases, starvation and death. Prisoners worked as slave laborers on the Burma—Siam Railroad. He was with a group of prisoners moved to Camp Kanchanaburi, near Bangkok, Thailand. He recalls continued mistreatment and starvation and describes atrocities he observed including the beheading of Australian prisoners of war. After the surrender of …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Charles. Charles was born in Picher, Oklahoma in 1919. Placed in a foster home at sixteen years of age he was encouraged to complete high school and attended college. On 6 June 1940 he joined the US Marine Corps and went to San Diego for boot camp. After boot training he was selected for Marine Corps Field Intelligence Training. When he completed this training he was ordered to proceed to Shanghai. Prior to arrival, his orders changed and he was assigned aboard the USS Houston (CA-30). He describes being in the battles of Makassar Straits, the Java Sea and Sunda Straits. When the Houston sank, Charles became a prisoner of war. He tells a vivid tale of torture, abuse and malnutrition during a trip on a hell ship to Changi Prison Camp. There, he experienced dreadful conditions, diseases, starvation and death. Prisoners worked as slave laborers on the Burma—Siam Railroad. He was with a group of prisoners moved to Camp Kanchanaburi, near Bangkok, Thailand. He recalls continued mistreatment and starvation and describes atrocities he observed including the beheading of Australian prisoners of war. After the surrender of …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Moore. Moore graduated from Hardin Simmons University in Abilene in January 1940. He was hired by the FBI after graduation and worked in Washington. In the fall of 1944 he joined the OSS and was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy although he didn't go to OCS. OSS training occurred on Catalina Island, CA. In Kunming, China he worked with Chang Kai Shek (Nationalist troops) developing informants and demolition experts. He was supposed to go in with General Li Wen Li to the Wei Shin interment camp but didn't until after the war was over. He was in Kunming when the war ended. Discharged in June 1946 at Shanghai. Worked for the CIA after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Moore. Moore graduated from Hardin Simmons University in Abilene in January 1940. He was hired by the FBI after graduation and worked in Washington. In the fall of 1944 he joined the OSS and was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy although he didn't go to OCS. OSS training occurred on Catalina Island, CA. In Kunming, China he worked with Chang Kai Shek (Nationalist troops) developing informants and demolition experts. He was supposed to go in with General Li Wen Li to the Wei Shin interment camp but didn't until after the war was over. He was in Kunming when the war ended. Discharged in June 1946 at Shanghai. Worked for the CIA after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ken Marks. Marks joined the Army Air Forces in December 1941 and was sent to Aircraft Mechanics School at Sheppard Field in Wichita Falls, Texas. From there he trained at a Flight Engineer and Gunnery School in Harlingen, Texas, graduating in June 1942. From there he went to Boise, Idaho where he was Assistant Flight Engineer on a B-17. He trained on B-24s in Fort Worth, Texas. He left Christmas morning 1942 on his first flight overseas in a B-24, heading to the 7th Bomb Group in Pandaveswar, India. They were assigned to the 9th Bomb Squadron, 7th Bomb Group. He flew missions bombing Japanese targets in Burma. After the sixth mission they were transferred over to the 492nd, a newly formed squadron. He was there for less than two years and completed 59 combat missions, 479 combat hours. He flew missions over Burma, China, Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal and Bangkok. He discusses one of his toughest missions over Rangoon encountering Japanese Zeroes. Upon completing 59 missions he was sent to Tezpur, completing 16 round trips flying gasoline over the Hump to Kunming to the 14th …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ken Marks. Marks joined the Army Air Forces in December 1941 and was sent to Aircraft Mechanics School at Sheppard Field in Wichita Falls, Texas. From there he trained at a Flight Engineer and Gunnery School in Harlingen, Texas, graduating in June 1942. From there he went to Boise, Idaho where he was Assistant Flight Engineer on a B-17. He trained on B-24s in Fort Worth, Texas. He left Christmas morning 1942 on his first flight overseas in a B-24, heading to the 7th Bomb Group in Pandaveswar, India. They were assigned to the 9th Bomb Squadron, 7th Bomb Group. He flew missions bombing Japanese targets in Burma. After the sixth mission they were transferred over to the 492nd, a newly formed squadron. He was there for less than two years and completed 59 combat missions, 479 combat hours. He flew missions over Burma, China, Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal and Bangkok. He discusses one of his toughest missions over Rangoon encountering Japanese Zeroes. Upon completing 59 missions he was sent to Tezpur, completing 16 round trips flying gasoline over the Hump to Kunming to the 14th …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Otis M. Cox. Cox was born in Harlan, Kentucky on 10 May 1923. Soon after graduating from high school in 1941, he joined the US Army Air Corps. Upon completion of basic training at Shreveport, Louisiana he was sent to Ft. Logan, Colorado to attend a technical training school. He recalls various air bases to which he was assigned and of the various jobs he performed. During the course of his time in the service, he learned radio operator procedures through on the job training. After undergoing crew training, he was sent to India where he joined the 1st Troop Carrier Squadron. He flew 44 round trip flights over the Himalaya Mountains. He returned to the United States during November 1945 and was discharged the following month.