The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James W. Fisher. Fisher was born in Witt County, Virginia. On 7 February 1939 he joined the Navy and underwent boot camp at Norfolk, Virginia. He was then sent to San Diego where he was assigned to the USS Shaw (DD-373) as a deck hand. After a period of time he transferred to the USS Whitney (AD-4) for on the job training as a torpedo man. Upon completion of his training he was reassigned to the Shaw and sailed to Samoa. Upon the ship’s return to the United States in 1941, Fisher was placed in a hospital while the Shaw returned to Pearl Harbor. Fisher returned to Pearl Harbor aboard a tanker on 8 December and saw the destruction caused by the Japanese attack. On 14 December 1941 he was assigned to the USS Maury (DD-401) as a torpedo man. He was involved in the invasion of Guadalcanal, Tulagi and Iwo Jima as well as night surface action with Japanese ships. He recalls the ship being involved in rescuing survivors of the USS Honolulu after it was torpedoed. Fisher was discharged from the US Navy soon after World …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James W. Fisher. Fisher was born in Witt County, Virginia. On 7 February 1939 he joined the Navy and underwent boot camp at Norfolk, Virginia. He was then sent to San Diego where he was assigned to the USS Shaw (DD-373) as a deck hand. After a period of time he transferred to the USS Whitney (AD-4) for on the job training as a torpedo man. Upon completion of his training he was reassigned to the Shaw and sailed to Samoa. Upon the ship’s return to the United States in 1941, Fisher was placed in a hospital while the Shaw returned to Pearl Harbor. Fisher returned to Pearl Harbor aboard a tanker on 8 December and saw the destruction caused by the Japanese attack. On 14 December 1941 he was assigned to the USS Maury (DD-401) as a torpedo man. He was involved in the invasion of Guadalcanal, Tulagi and Iwo Jima as well as night surface action with Japanese ships. He recalls the ship being involved in rescuing survivors of the USS Honolulu after it was torpedoed. Fisher was discharged from the US Navy soon after World …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Owen Fluckey. He discusses his childhood and family and what led him to join the US navy. He describes his experiences in bootcamp at the Great Lakes Training Station in Indiana and his time in the Pacific Theatre during World War Two.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William P Gattis. Gattis joined the Navy in May of 1941. Soon after joining, he was assigned to the USS Henderson (AP-1). Upon arriving at Pearl Harbor, Gattis volunteered to join the submarine forces. He was quickly assigned to the USS Sargo (SS-188). They departed Pearl Harbor in October of 1941, arrived in Manila in November, and were there when the Japanese attacked. He was later transferred off the Sargo to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station to complete Chief Commissary Steward School, and was then assigned to the USS Salmon (SS-182). In April of 1945, he was transferred to the USS Stickleback (SS-415). He was discharged in Mary of 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William P Gattis. Gattis joined the Navy in May of 1941. Soon after joining, he was assigned to the USS Henderson (AP-1). Upon arriving at Pearl Harbor, Gattis volunteered to join the submarine forces. He was quickly assigned to the USS Sargo (SS-188). They departed Pearl Harbor in October of 1941, arrived in Manila in November, and were there when the Japanese attacked. He was later transferred off the Sargo to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station to complete Chief Commissary Steward School, and was then assigned to the USS Salmon (SS-182). In April of 1945, he was transferred to the USS Stickleback (SS-415). He was discharged in Mary of 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Johnny F. Gavlick. He was born in Falls City, Texas on September 14, 1925. He enlisted into the Navy on August 3, 1943. He gives a detailed account of his six weeks at boot camp in San Diego. Upon graduating he was sent to Coronado, California to train in LCVPs (Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel) and LCMs (Landing Craft Mechanized) and qualified as coxswain. He hitch-hiked to Los Angeles upon graduation from Landing Craft School where he visited the Hollywood Canteen and was served coffee by Clark Gable and danced with Debra Paget. In November 1943 he boarded the USS Harry Lee (AP-10) and sailed to Pearl Harbor. He recalls sailing to Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands at the end of 1943. He describes his duty at Tarawa aboard a LCM, transporting supplies and personnel from the island to ships anchored outside the reef. After returning to Pearl Harbor, Gavlick volunteered for an assignment with the 33rd Army Division, training at Kauai for a landing in the Philippines. Upon completion of training, he sailed to Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands, where he participated as part of a boat crew …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Johnny F. Gavlick. He was born in Falls City, Texas on September 14, 1925. He enlisted into the Navy on August 3, 1943. He gives a detailed account of his six weeks at boot camp in San Diego. Upon graduating he was sent to Coronado, California to train in LCVPs (Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel) and LCMs (Landing Craft Mechanized) and qualified as coxswain. He hitch-hiked to Los Angeles upon graduation from Landing Craft School where he visited the Hollywood Canteen and was served coffee by Clark Gable and danced with Debra Paget. In November 1943 he boarded the USS Harry Lee (AP-10) and sailed to Pearl Harbor. He recalls sailing to Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands at the end of 1943. He describes his duty at Tarawa aboard a LCM, transporting supplies and personnel from the island to ships anchored outside the reef. After returning to Pearl Harbor, Gavlick volunteered for an assignment with the 33rd Army Division, training at Kauai for a landing in the Philippines. Upon completion of training, he sailed to Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands, where he participated as part of a boat crew …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles George. George was born in East Portsmouth, Ohio 12 August 1927. Entering the Navy in 1945, he was sent to San Diego, California for boot training. Upon completion he was sent to Navy signal school. After finishing signal school he attended submarine school at Newline, Connecticut for two months. He was assigned to the USS Boarfish (SS-327). During his time on the Boarfish one of the missions was to chart an ice passage across the North Pole. He describes how sonar was used to determine the thickness of the ice above and where the ocean bottom was. He tells of the gear worn while top-side in the sub-zero weather. Later, when the Boarfish was in the process of being prepared for sale to Turkey he asked to be assigned to another submarine and joined the USS Cusk (SS-348) as a helmsman. The Cusk was a World War II submarine that was converted to experiment with the launching of captured German V-2 rockets and George discusses the procedures and results of the testing. The Cusk’s mission was classified and George tells of the measures taken to insure that …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles George. George was born in East Portsmouth, Ohio 12 August 1927. Entering the Navy in 1945, he was sent to San Diego, California for boot training. Upon completion he was sent to Navy signal school. After finishing signal school he attended submarine school at Newline, Connecticut for two months. He was assigned to the USS Boarfish (SS-327). During his time on the Boarfish one of the missions was to chart an ice passage across the North Pole. He describes how sonar was used to determine the thickness of the ice above and where the ocean bottom was. He tells of the gear worn while top-side in the sub-zero weather. Later, when the Boarfish was in the process of being prepared for sale to Turkey he asked to be assigned to another submarine and joined the USS Cusk (SS-348) as a helmsman. The Cusk was a World War II submarine that was converted to experiment with the launching of captured German V-2 rockets and George discusses the procedures and results of the testing. The Cusk’s mission was classified and George tells of the measures taken to insure that …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jimmy Goldthorn. Goldthorn was drafted into the Army December 1, 1941 and went through basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. From there he went to Camp Chaffee, Arkansas where he became part of the 6th Armored Division which was a training division. At Camp Chaffee, Goldthorn was made a tank platoon leader which included five light tanks. During maneuvers in July 1942, Goldthorn was involved in a serious accident and spent almost a year in an Army hospital. When he got out, he spent the next two years on limited service. First he was the Quartermaster for a POW camp in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska. There were Italians in the camp at first then Germans. In the spring of 1944, he was transferred to Fort Lewis, Washington to the Combat Medics where he was the Administrative NCO in a headquarters company. When they found out about his injuries they told him he didn't belong there and they were going to send him home. He received a medical discharge (40% disabled) on December 7, 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jimmy Goldthorn. Goldthorn was drafted into the Army December 1, 1941 and went through basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. From there he went to Camp Chaffee, Arkansas where he became part of the 6th Armored Division which was a training division. At Camp Chaffee, Goldthorn was made a tank platoon leader which included five light tanks. During maneuvers in July 1942, Goldthorn was involved in a serious accident and spent almost a year in an Army hospital. When he got out, he spent the next two years on limited service. First he was the Quartermaster for a POW camp in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska. There were Italians in the camp at first then Germans. In the spring of 1944, he was transferred to Fort Lewis, Washington to the Combat Medics where he was the Administrative NCO in a headquarters company. When they found out about his injuries they told him he didn't belong there and they were going to send him home. He received a medical discharge (40% disabled) on December 7, 1944.

Interview with Guinn Rasbury, a U. S. Marine during World War II. He discusses joining the Marines, being part of the invasion force at Florida and Tulagi Islands, having multiple malaria attacks, being transferred to Maine to cure his malaria, being transferred around the United States, and finally returning to the Pacific theater. He explains how being sick with malaria and getting bumped from a plane ride home saved his life. He shares anecdotes about sounding "Taps" at a memorial service for President Roosevelt and being chairman of the Second Marine Division Memorial Scholarship Fund Committee.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Greer. Greer was born 8 March 1924 in Gary, West Virginia. In 1942 he enrolled in the ROTC at West Virginia State College. In May 1943 his class was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for sixteen weeks of artillery basic training. In August the group was sent by troop train to Camp Beale, California where they joined the newly formed, all-black 777th Field Artillery Battalion where they trained with the 4.5 millimeter howitzer. During August 1944 the unit sailed for Liverpool, England. Upon arrival they went to Normandy where they joined the 9th Army as part of III Corps. In November 1944 the battalion was involved in the Hurtgen Forest Campaign. After the surrender of Germany, the battalion was on board a ship going to the Pacific when Japan surrendered. The ship was diverted back to the United States. After Greer was discharged in December 1945, he returned to college and upon graduating, received a commission in the Field Artillery. He concludes the interview by telling of his various assignments, which included combat situations during the Korea and Vietnam wars. In 1976, Greer retired as a major …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Greer. Greer was born 8 March 1924 in Gary, West Virginia. In 1942 he enrolled in the ROTC at West Virginia State College. In May 1943 his class was sent to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for sixteen weeks of artillery basic training. In August the group was sent by troop train to Camp Beale, California where they joined the newly formed, all-black 777th Field Artillery Battalion where they trained with the 4.5 millimeter howitzer. During August 1944 the unit sailed for Liverpool, England. Upon arrival they went to Normandy where they joined the 9th Army as part of III Corps. In November 1944 the battalion was involved in the Hurtgen Forest Campaign. After the surrender of Germany, the battalion was on board a ship going to the Pacific when Japan surrendered. The ship was diverted back to the United States. After Greer was discharged in December 1945, he returned to college and upon graduating, received a commission in the Field Artillery. He concludes the interview by telling of his various assignments, which included combat situations during the Korea and Vietnam wars. In 1976, Greer retired as a major …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Grimm. Grimm joined the Navy in November 1941. He was sent to USS Maury (DD-401) and served as a signalman and anti-aircraft gunner. Grimm describes seeing Pearl Harbor soon after the attack and participating in the Battle of Coral Sea. He also mentions the signal that he was ordered to fly at the beginning of the Battle of Midway. Grimm describes seeing the USS Porter (DD-356) get hit at Santa Cruz and then taking part in the naval battles in the Solomon Islands where he helped recover casualties from the USS New Orleans (CA-32) and rescue crewman from the USS Helena (CL-50). He goes into detail on a close-call at the Battle of Kolombangara. At Vella Lavella, Grimm spotted the approaching Japanese fleet and describes how his ship launched torpedoes that sank three ships. He also discusses seeing the USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) get hit by a torpedo that passed under the Maury. Grimm also took part in the landings at Leyte and Lingayen Gulf where the USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) was damaged by a near miss from a kamikaze. He was in New York at the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Grimm. Grimm joined the Navy in November 1941. He was sent to USS Maury (DD-401) and served as a signalman and anti-aircraft gunner. Grimm describes seeing Pearl Harbor soon after the attack and participating in the Battle of Coral Sea. He also mentions the signal that he was ordered to fly at the beginning of the Battle of Midway. Grimm describes seeing the USS Porter (DD-356) get hit at Santa Cruz and then taking part in the naval battles in the Solomon Islands where he helped recover casualties from the USS New Orleans (CA-32) and rescue crewman from the USS Helena (CL-50). He goes into detail on a close-call at the Battle of Kolombangara. At Vella Lavella, Grimm spotted the approaching Japanese fleet and describes how his ship launched torpedoes that sank three ships. He also discusses seeing the USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) get hit by a torpedo that passed under the Maury. Grimm also took part in the landings at Leyte and Lingayen Gulf where the USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) was damaged by a near miss from a kamikaze. He was in New York at the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bob Grove. He discusses joining the Marine Corp, shipping out to New Zealand before landing on Guadacanal a few days after the invasion started there, then going to Tarawa, getting malaria, returning to Hawaii for more training before going to fight on Saipan, getting hit by shrapnel and shot in the leg. He describes battle conditions, getting caught in storms abroad ships crossing the Pacific, returning to the states after being wounded and attending reunions and being involved in the 2nd Marine Division Association after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bob Grove. He discusses joining the Marine Corp, shipping out to New Zealand before landing on Guadacanal a few days after the invasion started there, then going to Tarawa, getting malaria, returning to Hawaii for more training before going to fight on Saipan, getting hit by shrapnel and shot in the leg. He describes battle conditions, getting caught in storms abroad ships crossing the Pacific, returning to the states after being wounded and attending reunions and being involved in the 2nd Marine Division Association after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Daryl Haerther. Haerther joined the Army in 1944 and was assigned to the 96th Infantry Division a few days after the beginning of the invasion of Okinawa. He was assigned to A Company, 383rd Infantry Regiment. While there, Haerther qualified as a medic and shares several anecdotes from his combat experiences. Eventaully, Haerther was wounded and evacuated to Guam. He was still in the hospital when the war ended and Haerther elected to be discharged in December 1945. Haerther indicates he continues to struggle later in life as a result of some of his combat experiences.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Daryl Haerther. Haerther joined the Army in 1944 and was assigned to the 96th Infantry Division a few days after the beginning of the invasion of Okinawa. He was assigned to A Company, 383rd Infantry Regiment. While there, Haerther qualified as a medic and shares several anecdotes from his combat experiences. Eventaully, Haerther was wounded and evacuated to Guam. He was still in the hospital when the war ended and Haerther elected to be discharged in December 1945. Haerther indicates he continues to struggle later in life as a result of some of his combat experiences.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joseph Hafter. Hafter went into the Air Force right after Pearl Harbor, attended radio school in Illinois and then was sent to Colorado Springs, CO Air Base. His unit (17th Photo Recon, flying P-38s) was shipped overseas via a Dutch freighter ending up on Guadalcanal on 6 Jan 1943. While on Guadalcanal, Hafter transferred to the 70th Fighter Squadron which was flying P-39s. Had malaria five times. His unit moved to Ondonga Island in the New Georgia Group about Aug 1943, then to Munda, and then Sanspore, New Guinea. At Munda, they switched over to P-38s. After Sanspore, his unit went to Morotai, Dutch East Indies, then to Lingayan Gulf and finally Mindoro in the Philippines when that island was taken. From there, his unit moved to Mindanao and Palawan, which is where he came home from. His first relief was after 21 months in the islands. Got back to the States right before Thanksgiving 1945 and mustered out shortly afterwards.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joseph Hafter. Hafter went into the Air Force right after Pearl Harbor, attended radio school in Illinois and then was sent to Colorado Springs, CO Air Base. His unit (17th Photo Recon, flying P-38s) was shipped overseas via a Dutch freighter ending up on Guadalcanal on 6 Jan 1943. While on Guadalcanal, Hafter transferred to the 70th Fighter Squadron which was flying P-39s. Had malaria five times. His unit moved to Ondonga Island in the New Georgia Group about Aug 1943, then to Munda, and then Sanspore, New Guinea. At Munda, they switched over to P-38s. After Sanspore, his unit went to Morotai, Dutch East Indies, then to Lingayan Gulf and finally Mindoro in the Philippines when that island was taken. From there, his unit moved to Mindanao and Palawan, which is where he came home from. His first relief was after 21 months in the islands. Got back to the States right before Thanksgiving 1945 and mustered out shortly afterwards.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joe Haines. Haines joined the Army Air Forces in 1942. He was assigned to the 9th Bomb Group in a B-17. He served as their photographer. He traveled to North Africa and provides some detail of his job photographing various events in the war, from the B-17, including missions when they were bombing or getting hit with flak. They traveled to Italy, and he describes meeting Pope Pius the 12th and a shares number of other stories from his travels in Italy. They flew around 40 missions. He was discharged in August of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joe Haines. Haines joined the Army Air Forces in 1942. He was assigned to the 9th Bomb Group in a B-17. He served as their photographer. He traveled to North Africa and provides some detail of his job photographing various events in the war, from the B-17, including missions when they were bombing or getting hit with flak. They traveled to Italy, and he describes meeting Pope Pius the 12th and a shares number of other stories from his travels in Italy. They flew around 40 missions. He was discharged in August of 1945.