The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Kenneth Runkle. Runkle joined the Marines in December of 1942. He provides some details of boot camp in San Diego, including training with the 4th paratrooper battalion for one year. He served with the 2nd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. In January of 1945 they traveled to Eniwetok and Saipan before landing on Iwo Jima on 19 February. Runkle was in the 5th wave. He fired the 81mm mortar. He provides vivid detail of his experiences at Iwo from February through 27 March. Runkle was discharged in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Kenneth Runkle. Runkle joined the Marines in December of 1942. He provides some details of boot camp in San Diego, including training with the 4th paratrooper battalion for one year. He served with the 2nd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division. In January of 1945 they traveled to Eniwetok and Saipan before landing on Iwo Jima on 19 February. Runkle was in the 5th wave. He fired the 81mm mortar. He provides vivid detail of his experiences at Iwo from February through 27 March. Runkle was discharged in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles H. Ripper. Born in Fayette, Texas 20 March 1915, Ripper describes his family’s living conditions during The Great Depression. He quit school in the eighth grade to help his family on the farm. Drafted into the Navy in 1943, he had six weeks of boot training at San Diego before being sent to Pearl Harbor where he was assigned to the USS Colorado (BB-45) as a shell man on a sixteen inch gun. He tells of the Colorado providing support during the invasions of Tarawa, Kwajalein, Guam, Saipan and Tinian. On 25 July 1944, offshore of Tinian, the ship was hit by Japanese artillery fire which resulted in many casualties. On 3 December 1944, off Leyte, the ship was hit by two kamikaze aircraft which wounded and killed many. After receiving emergency repairs at Manus Island, the Colorado returned to Luzon and while under attack by Japanese aircraft the ship was hit by friendly fire from an Australian cruiser resulting in more casualties. After being resupplied at Ulithi, they participated in the pre-invasion bombardment of Okinawa. On 6 August 1945 the ship sailed to Tokyo in support …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles H. Ripper. Born in Fayette, Texas 20 March 1915, Ripper describes his family’s living conditions during The Great Depression. He quit school in the eighth grade to help his family on the farm. Drafted into the Navy in 1943, he had six weeks of boot training at San Diego before being sent to Pearl Harbor where he was assigned to the USS Colorado (BB-45) as a shell man on a sixteen inch gun. He tells of the Colorado providing support during the invasions of Tarawa, Kwajalein, Guam, Saipan and Tinian. On 25 July 1944, offshore of Tinian, the ship was hit by Japanese artillery fire which resulted in many casualties. On 3 December 1944, off Leyte, the ship was hit by two kamikaze aircraft which wounded and killed many. After receiving emergency repairs at Manus Island, the Colorado returned to Luzon and while under attack by Japanese aircraft the ship was hit by friendly fire from an Australian cruiser resulting in more casualties. After being resupplied at Ulithi, they participated in the pre-invasion bombardment of Okinawa. On 6 August 1945 the ship sailed to Tokyo in support …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lewis Ferguson. Ferguson joined the Navy in 1942 under the V-7 Program. After graduating, he received basic training in San Diego. He was then sent to Radar Operator School in Norfolk. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Cooper (DD-695). He received further training at Radar Materiel School in Pearl Harbor and was transferred to the USS Massey (DD-778). At the invasion of Okinawa, Ferguson tracked bogeys as far as 200 miles away. Although he could not see the action from his position in the radar shack, he felt the ship shudder as it fired at kamikazes. After the war, the Massey carried troops and mail to the occupation forces in Japan. Ferguson remembers the ship rolling 56 degrees during a typhoon there. He returned home and was discharged in January 1946; Ferguson found work teaching business administration to veterans.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lewis Ferguson. Ferguson joined the Navy in 1942 under the V-7 Program. After graduating, he received basic training in San Diego. He was then sent to Radar Operator School in Norfolk. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Cooper (DD-695). He received further training at Radar Materiel School in Pearl Harbor and was transferred to the USS Massey (DD-778). At the invasion of Okinawa, Ferguson tracked bogeys as far as 200 miles away. Although he could not see the action from his position in the radar shack, he felt the ship shudder as it fired at kamikazes. After the war, the Massey carried troops and mail to the occupation forces in Japan. Ferguson remembers the ship rolling 56 degrees during a typhoon there. He returned home and was discharged in January 1946; Ferguson found work teaching business administration to veterans.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert W Miller. Miller joined the Navy and completed Midshipmen’s School. Beginning early 1943, he served aboard USS Saufley (DD-465), on escort and antisubmarine duties in the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and New Hebrides area. Through January of 1944, they performed escort duties for the reinforcement of Bougainville. Miller was later assigned to COMDESPAC staff with the North Pacific Fleet in Alaska, and later assigned to teach fighter direction at the Hollywood Beach Hotel through the end of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert W Miller. Miller joined the Navy and completed Midshipmen’s School. Beginning early 1943, he served aboard USS Saufley (DD-465), on escort and antisubmarine duties in the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and New Hebrides area. Through January of 1944, they performed escort duties for the reinforcement of Bougainville. Miller was later assigned to COMDESPAC staff with the North Pacific Fleet in Alaska, and later assigned to teach fighter direction at the Hollywood Beach Hotel through the end of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Arvon E Caruthers. Caruthers joined the Navy in 1939. He served as a Gunner’s Mate Second-Class aboard the USS Tanager (AM-5) during the Philippine Campaign in 1941 through the sinking of the ship in May of 1942. Caruthers participated in the Battle of Corregidor, and was captured by Japanese forces. He was imprisoned at Cabanatuan number three and traveled aboard a hell ship, eventually settling at Ōmori. Cauthers was liberated in August of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Arvon E Caruthers. Caruthers joined the Navy in 1939. He served as a Gunner’s Mate Second-Class aboard the USS Tanager (AM-5) during the Philippine Campaign in 1941 through the sinking of the ship in May of 1942. Caruthers participated in the Battle of Corregidor, and was captured by Japanese forces. He was imprisoned at Cabanatuan number three and traveled aboard a hell ship, eventually settling at Ōmori. Cauthers was liberated in August of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles J. Schlag. Schlag was born in Wheeling, West Virginia in 1922. When he finished high school in 1941, he went to work for the local telephone company. In early 1943, Schalg entered the Navy as a cadet learning to fly. He recalls several anecdotes from his flight training at Maryland, Georgia and at Pensacola. After he was commissioned, he went to Great Lakes for carrier landing training. Eventually, he was assigned to Air Group 10 in New Jersey and learned to fly the Corsair. When he was assigned for overseas duty, his group reported aboard the USS intrepid (CV-11) at Alameda in February 1945. He was aboard the ship when it was hit by a kamikaze. When the war ended, Schlag returned to the US aboard the USS Barnes (CVE-20) and elected to go to celectial navigation school. He ended up staying in the reserves for 20 years.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles J. Schlag. Schlag was born in Wheeling, West Virginia in 1922. When he finished high school in 1941, he went to work for the local telephone company. In early 1943, Schalg entered the Navy as a cadet learning to fly. He recalls several anecdotes from his flight training at Maryland, Georgia and at Pensacola. After he was commissioned, he went to Great Lakes for carrier landing training. Eventually, he was assigned to Air Group 10 in New Jersey and learned to fly the Corsair. When he was assigned for overseas duty, his group reported aboard the USS intrepid (CV-11) at Alameda in February 1945. He was aboard the ship when it was hit by a kamikaze. When the war ended, Schlag returned to the US aboard the USS Barnes (CVE-20) and elected to go to celectial navigation school. He ended up staying in the reserves for 20 years.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Maurice P. Pearce. Pearce finished the eighth grade and went to work on the farm on which he was raised. He joined the Arizona National Guard in June, 1940. they were activated later in Spetmenber and shipped to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for training. He evnetually was shipped to Panama for jungle training with the 158th Regimental Combat Team (Pearce was one of the original members of the Bushmasters). From there, Pearce went with the 158th to Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines. While with the Bushmasters, Pearce served as a cook.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Maurice P. Pearce. Pearce finished the eighth grade and went to work on the farm on which he was raised. He joined the Arizona National Guard in June, 1940. they were activated later in Spetmenber and shipped to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for training. He evnetually was shipped to Panama for jungle training with the 158th Regimental Combat Team (Pearce was one of the original members of the Bushmasters). From there, Pearce went with the 158th to Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines. While with the Bushmasters, Pearce served as a cook.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Donaldson. Donaldson talks about how the Great Depression affected his family. He joined the Navy in 1944 and provides details of his training. He traveled aboard the USS Buckingham (APA-141). They traveled to Pearl Harbor, which he describes along with his responsibilities with work parties unloading and reloading ships. He assisted with trading out old ammunition for new ammunition. He was transferred to the John Rodgers Naval Air Station in Hawaii. He worked on the Martin Mars seaplanes, repairing and test flying them. He also flew C-54s and the J-3 Piper Cub and shares his experiences. He spent the remainder of his Navy career in Hawaii and was discharged in August of 1946 and joined the reserves. While in the service he made storekeeper 3rd class. In the 1950s he was commissioned into the Air Force.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Donaldson. Donaldson talks about how the Great Depression affected his family. He joined the Navy in 1944 and provides details of his training. He traveled aboard the USS Buckingham (APA-141). They traveled to Pearl Harbor, which he describes along with his responsibilities with work parties unloading and reloading ships. He assisted with trading out old ammunition for new ammunition. He was transferred to the John Rodgers Naval Air Station in Hawaii. He worked on the Martin Mars seaplanes, repairing and test flying them. He also flew C-54s and the J-3 Piper Cub and shares his experiences. He spent the remainder of his Navy career in Hawaii and was discharged in August of 1946 and joined the reserves. While in the service he made storekeeper 3rd class. In the 1950s he was commissioned into the Air Force.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Paul Massier. Massier enrolled in the Army Specialized Training Program after two years of studying mechanical engineering. He was inducted in June 1943 and expected to finish school at Texas A&M. After basic training however, Massier was assigned to the 99th Infantry Division as a rifleman when the program was cut short. He was unhappy with this arrangement, as many of the officers were not well educated. After learning that he had osteoarthritis and torn ligaments, he was given a noncombat assignment at the Camp Swift medical depot. Sent to Okinawa in 1945, he sought refuge in the bottom of the ship when strafed by enemy planes. Unable to dig trenches on the hard beach, Massier slept on the ground and was frightened as anti-aircraft flak rained down around him. Although the northern part of islands were off limits to military personnel, Massier snuck through and discovered tombs as a well a tea plantation. After the war, Massier survived a major typhoon that destroyed the roof of their medical supply building. He returned home and was discharged in March 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Paul Massier. Massier enrolled in the Army Specialized Training Program after two years of studying mechanical engineering. He was inducted in June 1943 and expected to finish school at Texas A&M. After basic training however, Massier was assigned to the 99th Infantry Division as a rifleman when the program was cut short. He was unhappy with this arrangement, as many of the officers were not well educated. After learning that he had osteoarthritis and torn ligaments, he was given a noncombat assignment at the Camp Swift medical depot. Sent to Okinawa in 1945, he sought refuge in the bottom of the ship when strafed by enemy planes. Unable to dig trenches on the hard beach, Massier slept on the ground and was frightened as anti-aircraft flak rained down around him. Although the northern part of islands were off limits to military personnel, Massier snuck through and discovered tombs as a well a tea plantation. After the war, Massier survived a major typhoon that destroyed the roof of their medical supply building. He returned home and was discharged in March 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Wareing. Wareing attended the Hawken School as a child, impressing upon him the value of discipline. He later joined the ROTC and the Kentucky National Guard. With war looming, he applied both to the Army Air Corps and Royal Canadian Air Force. Accepted by both, he chose the Air Corps, completing flight training in December 1941 as a second lieutenant. After two years as an instructor, he was appointed to oversee curriculum at various flight schools. By that time, he was a captain and he turned down a promotion to major in favor of attending B-29 school. He then joined the 500th Bombardment Group, flying exactly one mission, the final bombardment of Japan, days after the second atomic bomb was dropped. Under antiaircraft fire, Wareing risked being court-martialed to break formation and ensure proper targeting. Following the war, Wareing dropped supplies over POW camps in Formosa and China. When one of his flights was diverted, he came so close to crashing into a mountainside that he caught a leaf in his landing gear. In November 1945 he was discharged in order to see his dying mother. Wareing …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Wareing. Wareing attended the Hawken School as a child, impressing upon him the value of discipline. He later joined the ROTC and the Kentucky National Guard. With war looming, he applied both to the Army Air Corps and Royal Canadian Air Force. Accepted by both, he chose the Air Corps, completing flight training in December 1941 as a second lieutenant. After two years as an instructor, he was appointed to oversee curriculum at various flight schools. By that time, he was a captain and he turned down a promotion to major in favor of attending B-29 school. He then joined the 500th Bombardment Group, flying exactly one mission, the final bombardment of Japan, days after the second atomic bomb was dropped. Under antiaircraft fire, Wareing risked being court-martialed to break formation and ensure proper targeting. Following the war, Wareing dropped supplies over POW camps in Formosa and China. When one of his flights was diverted, he came so close to crashing into a mountainside that he caught a leaf in his landing gear. In November 1945 he was discharged in order to see his dying mother. Wareing …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Marion Adams. Adams was drafted into the Army in July of 1941. He served in the 43rd Engineer Construction Battalion, building roads, hospitals and kitchens. In 1942 he traveled to Australia, where he helped build three airstrips. They traveled to Oro Bay, Papua New Guinea, building railroads and airstrips. Adams was also trained as a medic, serving in the First Aid station. He provides details of both work experiences in engineering and building and assisting the sick and injured. He recalls helping the many wounded in Manila, as well as delivering supplies to the prison camps. He was discharged in June of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Marion Adams. Adams was drafted into the Army in July of 1941. He served in the 43rd Engineer Construction Battalion, building roads, hospitals and kitchens. In 1942 he traveled to Australia, where he helped build three airstrips. They traveled to Oro Bay, Papua New Guinea, building railroads and airstrips. Adams was also trained as a medic, serving in the First Aid station. He provides details of both work experiences in engineering and building and assisting the sick and injured. He recalls helping the many wounded in Manila, as well as delivering supplies to the prison camps. He was discharged in June of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jim Wood. Wood joined the Marine Corps in January 1943 after graduating from the University of Illinois. Following special training near Camp Pendleton, Wood joined the 3rd Raider Battalion for further training in New Caledonia. His first campaign was Bougainville, where the dense jungle made it difficult to spot enemies until they were dangerously close. Wood, a rifleman, was permitted to carry a Thompson machinegun after his assistant squad leader was killed. On Guam, his platoon lost 15 men. He landed at Okinawa with little resistance but in his 15-mile walk across the island he came under heavy fire emanating from enormous caves. By this time, his unit had become part of the 4th Marines, and Wood was the last man standing in his platoon, with 21 kills and only a minor shell fragment wound. He finished the war as a squad leader at Yokosuka Naval Base as part of the occupation force and was personally saluted by Nimitz.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jim Wood. Wood joined the Marine Corps in January 1943 after graduating from the University of Illinois. Following special training near Camp Pendleton, Wood joined the 3rd Raider Battalion for further training in New Caledonia. His first campaign was Bougainville, where the dense jungle made it difficult to spot enemies until they were dangerously close. Wood, a rifleman, was permitted to carry a Thompson machinegun after his assistant squad leader was killed. On Guam, his platoon lost 15 men. He landed at Okinawa with little resistance but in his 15-mile walk across the island he came under heavy fire emanating from enormous caves. By this time, his unit had become part of the 4th Marines, and Wood was the last man standing in his platoon, with 21 kills and only a minor shell fragment wound. He finished the war as a squad leader at Yokosuka Naval Base as part of the occupation force and was personally saluted by Nimitz.