The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bob Addobate. Addobate joined the Navy in June of 1941. Beginning in August, he served as a Signalman Second-Class aboard the USS Solace (AH-5), arriving in Pearl Harbor in October. They were docked in the Harbor when the Japanese attacked. From March to August of 1942 they traveled through the Pacific to Australia, and discharged patients. From August of 1942 through May of 1943, they cared for fleet casualties and servicemen wounded in the island campaigns. From June through August, they operated as a station hospital at Noumea, New Caledonia. In April of 1945, during a typhoon, Addobate had his leg crushed by a crane, which had to be amputated. He returned to the US and was medically discharged in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bob Addobate. Addobate joined the Navy in June of 1941. Beginning in August, he served as a Signalman Second-Class aboard the USS Solace (AH-5), arriving in Pearl Harbor in October. They were docked in the Harbor when the Japanese attacked. From March to August of 1942 they traveled through the Pacific to Australia, and discharged patients. From August of 1942 through May of 1943, they cared for fleet casualties and servicemen wounded in the island campaigns. From June through August, they operated as a station hospital at Noumea, New Caledonia. In April of 1945, during a typhoon, Addobate had his leg crushed by a crane, which had to be amputated. He returned to the US and was medically discharged in January of 1946.

Transcript of an oral inerview with Doctor Dayton L. Alverson. He was born in 1924 in the San Diego Naval Hospital. He joined the Navy and received training in radio interception. Went to Washington, DC where he volunteered for assignment to the Sino-American Cooperative Organization (SACO) as a Radioman First Class. Left Newport News in July 1944 and sailed to Bombay, India and took the train to Calcutta. He was flown on a DC-3 over "The Hump" and into Kunming, China. He volunteered for duty near Amoy Island, which was occupied by the Japanese and was flown to Zhangping and traveled to a small encampment 25 miles north of Amoy. He recounts his time intercepting Japanese code and sending it to Chungking and provides details about breaking the code. He next describes taking 38 days to travel 18,000 miles on foot, in sampans and on trucks to reach the camp. He describes the methods by which the Chinese moved the sampans up and down the rivers. He was then assigned to a group making a raid on a small island adjacent to Amoy. He traveled by sampan down the river to Shima, China in order to deliver two 50-caliber machine …

Transcript of an oral inerview with Doctor Dayton L. Alverson. He was born in 1924 in the San Diego Naval Hospital. He joined the Navy and received training in radio interception. Went to Washington, DC where he volunteered for assignment to the Sino-American Cooperative Organization (SACO) as a Radioman First Class. Left Newport News in July 1944 and sailed to Bombay, India and took the train to Calcutta. He was flown on a DC-3 over "The Hump" and into Kunming, China. He volunteered for duty near Amoy Island, which was occupied by the Japanese and was flown to Zhangping and traveled to a small encampment 25 miles north of Amoy. He recounts his time intercepting Japanese code and sending it to Chungking and provides details about breaking the code. He next describes taking 38 days to travel 18,000 miles on foot, in sampans and on trucks to reach the camp. He describes the methods by which the Chinese moved the sampans up and down the rivers. He was then assigned to a group making a raid on a small island adjacent to Amoy. He traveled by sampan down the river to Shima, China in order to deliver two 50-caliber machine …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dana Anderson. Anderson was born in Manhattan, Kansas on 30 November 1924 and joined the Navy on 2 December 1942. After completing boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Illinois he was sent to San Diego where he trained on the Diesel engines on LCMs. After the training was complete he was assigned to USS Ashland (LSD-1), which was capable of carrying 18 LCMs. After making practice landings in Hawaii with the 2nd Marine Division, the Ashland participated in the invasion of Tarawa. Anderson’s LCM was left on the beach as it was disabled by Japanese shellfire. He returned to the Ashland and later participated in the invasions of Eniwetok and Kwajalein. Returning to the United States, he was sent to Cleveland, Ohio where he received additional training with Diesel engines. He was then assigned to an ocean-going tug hauling concrete forms to the Philippines. This tug was pulling another ship back to the US when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dana Anderson. Anderson was born in Manhattan, Kansas on 30 November 1924 and joined the Navy on 2 December 1942. After completing boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Illinois he was sent to San Diego where he trained on the Diesel engines on LCMs. After the training was complete he was assigned to USS Ashland (LSD-1), which was capable of carrying 18 LCMs. After making practice landings in Hawaii with the 2nd Marine Division, the Ashland participated in the invasion of Tarawa. Anderson’s LCM was left on the beach as it was disabled by Japanese shellfire. He returned to the Ashland and later participated in the invasions of Eniwetok and Kwajalein. Returning to the United States, he was sent to Cleveland, Ohio where he received additional training with Diesel engines. He was then assigned to an ocean-going tug hauling concrete forms to the Philippines. This tug was pulling another ship back to the US when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ruth Fowler. Fowler was teaching in Big Spring, Texas, when she went out for the Civilian Pilot Training Program in 1939. She was accepted and was trained to fly. She evetually became an instructor. She also discusses rationing.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ruth Fowler. Fowler was teaching in Big Spring, Texas, when she went out for the Civilian Pilot Training Program in 1939. She was accepted and was trained to fly. She evetually became an instructor. She also discusses rationing.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with W. T. Appleton. He enlisted in the Navy at the age of sixteen in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor. He describes being transported to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on the USS Shasta (AE-6). He was transferred to the USS Smith (DD-378) where he served as a member of a 5-inch gun crew. He talks about the role of the USS Smith in protecting the aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise (CV-6). He describes the crashing of a Japanese torpedo plane into the Smith and its aftermath. While serving on the Smith, he went to New Guinea and participated in the bombardment of locations such as Port Moresby, Finschhafen, and Buna in preparation for Marine landings. He recounts an attack by Japanese Betty Bombers and the deployment of a smoke screen for cover. He also discusses the sinking of the USS Hornet (CV-8). He returned to the United States where he was assigned to the USS Hank (DD-702) and sent again to the Pacific Theater. He describes kamikaze attacks while on the USS Hank near Taiwan. He also describes being on patrol in Japan after the atomic bombs were …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with W. T. Appleton. He enlisted in the Navy at the age of sixteen in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor. He describes being transported to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on the USS Shasta (AE-6). He was transferred to the USS Smith (DD-378) where he served as a member of a 5-inch gun crew. He talks about the role of the USS Smith in protecting the aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise (CV-6). He describes the crashing of a Japanese torpedo plane into the Smith and its aftermath. While serving on the Smith, he went to New Guinea and participated in the bombardment of locations such as Port Moresby, Finschhafen, and Buna in preparation for Marine landings. He recounts an attack by Japanese Betty Bombers and the deployment of a smoke screen for cover. He also discusses the sinking of the USS Hornet (CV-8). He returned to the United States where he was assigned to the USS Hank (DD-702) and sent again to the Pacific Theater. He describes kamikaze attacks while on the USS Hank near Taiwan. He also describes being on patrol in Japan after the atomic bombs were …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arlos L. Awalt. He was born in Brady, Texas, drafted into the Army, and inducted at Ft. Sam Houston, in San Antonio. After basic training at Camp Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas, he took a troop train to New York Harbor and boarded the Louis S. Pasteur to Southhampton, England where he was assigned to the 106th Infantry Division, 424 Regiment, in the 81mm mortars in H Company, a heavy weapons company. They went right into the Battle of the Bulge where he suffered frost bite and pneumonia. Later assignments included the following: the occupation army in charge of prisoner of war camps interviewing POWs and displaced persons, serving at General Eisenhower's headquarters building in a little red schoolhouse in Rheims, France (where peace was later signed), in the Grand Hotel in Bad Nauheim, Germany where General Patton was officed, and in Renea Lanay, France. He served 22 months in the Army, 19 overseas - returning as a corporal. He received the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and two medals from the Belgian government.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arlos L. Awalt. He was born in Brady, Texas, drafted into the Army, and inducted at Ft. Sam Houston, in San Antonio. After basic training at Camp Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas, he took a troop train to New York Harbor and boarded the Louis S. Pasteur to Southhampton, England where he was assigned to the 106th Infantry Division, 424 Regiment, in the 81mm mortars in H Company, a heavy weapons company. They went right into the Battle of the Bulge where he suffered frost bite and pneumonia. Later assignments included the following: the occupation army in charge of prisoner of war camps interviewing POWs and displaced persons, serving at General Eisenhower's headquarters building in a little red schoolhouse in Rheims, France (where peace was later signed), in the Grand Hotel in Bad Nauheim, Germany where General Patton was officed, and in Renea Lanay, France. He served 22 months in the Army, 19 overseas - returning as a corporal. He received the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and two medals from the Belgian government.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Barnett. Barnett was born in the San Joaquin Valley on 17 June 1920. Upon graduation from high school in 1937, he entered the United States Naval Academy. After graduating from the Academy in December 1941, he was assigned to the gunnery department aboard the USS Helena (CL-50) which was being repaired after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. After being repaired the ship was sent to Espiritu Santos where it operated with a task force that included other cruisers and destroyers. Barnett was involved in a battle with a Japanese naval force in which a number of ships were sunk. After undergoing repairs in Sydney, Australia, the ship participated in the battle of Guadalcanal and was sunk in Kula Gulf in July 1943. He describes the sinking of the ship and how he exited the vessel. He was picked up by the USS Radford (DD-446) while other survivors made it to the island of Vella Lavella. He and other survivors were taken to Espiritu Santos where, after three weeks, they boarded a liberty ship and returned to the United States. He was then assigned to the USS …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Barnett. Barnett was born in the San Joaquin Valley on 17 June 1920. Upon graduation from high school in 1937, he entered the United States Naval Academy. After graduating from the Academy in December 1941, he was assigned to the gunnery department aboard the USS Helena (CL-50) which was being repaired after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. After being repaired the ship was sent to Espiritu Santos where it operated with a task force that included other cruisers and destroyers. Barnett was involved in a battle with a Japanese naval force in which a number of ships were sunk. After undergoing repairs in Sydney, Australia, the ship participated in the battle of Guadalcanal and was sunk in Kula Gulf in July 1943. He describes the sinking of the ship and how he exited the vessel. He was picked up by the USS Radford (DD-446) while other survivors made it to the island of Vella Lavella. He and other survivors were taken to Espiritu Santos where, after three weeks, they boarded a liberty ship and returned to the United States. He was then assigned to the USS …

Transcript of an oral interview with George Allen Barrett. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in January 1922, he enlisted in the Navy in January 1940. He completed Recruit Training in San Diego and was transferred to the Hospital Corps School at the Naval Hospital San Diego in April 1940. Upon graduation in July 1940, he was assigned to the Naval Hospital, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In July 1941 he was transferred to the USS McDonough (DD 351) where he recalls that on the morning of December 7, 1941, the McDonough was in Pearl Harbor undergoing repairs. He remembers the crew reassembling the propulsion machinery and the ship getting underway to out of the harbor. He recalls that McDonough remained homeported out of Pearl Harbor and conducted various patrols into the South Pacific theater. He recounts that in February 1942 McDonough collided with the USS Colorado (BB-45) in heavy seas. Later in 1942 he was assigned to the Oakland Naval Hospital, where he recalls his duties and his subsequent marriage. He states that he requested reassignment and was transferred to a Combat Utility Battalion in San Bruno, California for training in anticipation of the upcoming invasion of a Pacific island (unnamed). He states …

Transcript of an oral interview with George Allen Barrett. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in January 1922, he enlisted in the Navy in January 1940. He completed Recruit Training in San Diego and was transferred to the Hospital Corps School at the Naval Hospital San Diego in April 1940. Upon graduation in July 1940, he was assigned to the Naval Hospital, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In July 1941 he was transferred to the USS McDonough (DD 351) where he recalls that on the morning of December 7, 1941, the McDonough was in Pearl Harbor undergoing repairs. He remembers the crew reassembling the propulsion machinery and the ship getting underway to out of the harbor. He recalls that McDonough remained homeported out of Pearl Harbor and conducted various patrols into the South Pacific theater. He recounts that in February 1942 McDonough collided with the USS Colorado (BB-45) in heavy seas. Later in 1942 he was assigned to the Oakland Naval Hospital, where he recalls his duties and his subsequent marriage. He states that he requested reassignment and was transferred to a Combat Utility Battalion in San Bruno, California for training in anticipation of the upcoming invasion of a Pacific island (unnamed). He states …

Transcript of an oral interview with James H. Bash. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, June 28, 1924. He enlisted in the Navy on January 19, 1943. Enrolled in the V-12 Program at the University of Virginia but did not complete the curriculum. Subsequently sent to Storekeeper Class A School in Sampson, New York and graduated as Storekeeper 3rd Class. In October 1944 volunteered and assigned to Naval Group China. He recalls the transit from Norfolk on the USS General W. A. Mann (AP-112) in a convoy through the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal and on to Bombay, India. He recalls the living conditions on the transport, passing through two fierce storms and an incident in the Suez Canal. Next he took a troop train from Bombay to Calcutta. He describes the conditions on the train. After six weeks awaiting transportation, he flew from Calcutta to Kunming, China. He describes the flight in a DC-3 over the Himalaya Mountains (The Hump). In Kunming he was assigned to the Naval Air Freight Office. He describes the squalid conditions of the local populace. He was responsible for transporting cargo from the air terminal to the Freight Office. One day he was notified …

Transcript of an oral interview with James H. Bash. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, June 28, 1924. He enlisted in the Navy on January 19, 1943. Enrolled in the V-12 Program at the University of Virginia but did not complete the curriculum. Subsequently sent to Storekeeper Class A School in Sampson, New York and graduated as Storekeeper 3rd Class. In October 1944 volunteered and assigned to Naval Group China. He recalls the transit from Norfolk on the USS General W. A. Mann (AP-112) in a convoy through the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal and on to Bombay, India. He recalls the living conditions on the transport, passing through two fierce storms and an incident in the Suez Canal. Next he took a troop train from Bombay to Calcutta. He describes the conditions on the train. After six weeks awaiting transportation, he flew from Calcutta to Kunming, China. He describes the flight in a DC-3 over the Himalaya Mountains (The Hump). In Kunming he was assigned to the Naval Air Freight Office. He describes the squalid conditions of the local populace. He was responsible for transporting cargo from the air terminal to the Freight Office. One day he was notified …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert G. Bass. Bass was born in Walnut, Illinois on 18 November 1922. He was drafted into the Army in February 1943. After three months of basic and combat military police training at Fort Riley, Kansas, Bass was accepted in the Army Specialized Training Program at the University of Indiana. The program was disbanded in early 1944 and Bass was sent first to an armored infantry unit and then to the 243rd Combat Engineers, training at Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky. On 22 October 1944 the unit sailed to Europe. After a brief stay in England, they crossed the English Channel to La Havre. In December, they were in Belgium in the area where the Battle of the Bulge was being fought. In early 1945 they were on the move to Germany attached to the 1107th Engineering Group, doing road work, clearing mines and building bridges in support of the 87th Infantry. They built a pontoon bridge across the Rhine, crossed, and continued east to Schmolln. They were there when Germany surrendered. Bass and the unit were sent to Erfurt to process German prisoners of war. Erfurt being in the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert G. Bass. Bass was born in Walnut, Illinois on 18 November 1922. He was drafted into the Army in February 1943. After three months of basic and combat military police training at Fort Riley, Kansas, Bass was accepted in the Army Specialized Training Program at the University of Indiana. The program was disbanded in early 1944 and Bass was sent first to an armored infantry unit and then to the 243rd Combat Engineers, training at Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky. On 22 October 1944 the unit sailed to Europe. After a brief stay in England, they crossed the English Channel to La Havre. In December, they were in Belgium in the area where the Battle of the Bulge was being fought. In early 1945 they were on the move to Germany attached to the 1107th Engineering Group, doing road work, clearing mines and building bridges in support of the 87th Infantry. They built a pontoon bridge across the Rhine, crossed, and continued east to Schmolln. They were there when Germany surrendered. Bass and the unit were sent to Erfurt to process German prisoners of war. Erfurt being in the …

Transcript of an oral interview of Elmer Batschelet. Born in October 1918, near Spencer, Iowa he joined the Navy in October, 1942. Upon completion of Boot Camp at Great Lakes, Illinois he was transferred to Bremerton, Washington in February, 1943. He was assigned to the USS Mission Bay (CVE-59) as a Fireman in the Engineering Department. He recounts his duties on the Mission Bay and transiting the Panama Canal to Norfolk, Virginia and then across the Atlantic in convoy with other vessels to deliver supplies to North Africa. On his next deployment, the Mission Bay transported Army P-40 aircraft to Karachi. In June 1944 he was transferred to the newly commissioned USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) which then deployed to the South Pacific and joined the US Third Fleet engaged in retaking the Phillipines. During those battles he recounts two kamikaze hits on the Ticonderoga in January 1945. He recalls a typhoon in the South China Sea. He recalls being aboard the Ticonderoga in Tokyo Bar during the signing of the Japanese surrender. Soon after the surrender, the Ticonderoga was converted into a troopship and in December 1945 6,000 men were embarked for the return to the United States. He recounts the …

Transcript of an oral interview of Elmer Batschelet. Born in October 1918, near Spencer, Iowa he joined the Navy in October, 1942. Upon completion of Boot Camp at Great Lakes, Illinois he was transferred to Bremerton, Washington in February, 1943. He was assigned to the USS Mission Bay (CVE-59) as a Fireman in the Engineering Department. He recounts his duties on the Mission Bay and transiting the Panama Canal to Norfolk, Virginia and then across the Atlantic in convoy with other vessels to deliver supplies to North Africa. On his next deployment, the Mission Bay transported Army P-40 aircraft to Karachi. In June 1944 he was transferred to the newly commissioned USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) which then deployed to the South Pacific and joined the US Third Fleet engaged in retaking the Phillipines. During those battles he recounts two kamikaze hits on the Ticonderoga in January 1945. He recalls a typhoon in the South China Sea. He recalls being aboard the Ticonderoga in Tokyo Bar during the signing of the Japanese surrender. Soon after the surrender, the Ticonderoga was converted into a troopship and in December 1945 6,000 men were embarked for the return to the United States. He recounts the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Beck. Beck joined the Army in November of 1939. He was stationed at Hickam Field on Oahu beginning September of 1941. He served as an aircraft radio operator. He traveled to the Del Monte Airfield in Mindanao, Philippines where he completed radio repair work and was assigned the 81st Division Communication Chief. In May of 1942 they, along with native Filipinos, were captured by the Japanese and held at Camp Keithley. Beck shares his grim experiences with his captors, including executions and exhaustive marches. He was imprisoned at Bilibid for 19 months, where he contracted a neuromuscular disease. In June of 1944 he was sent to Cabanatuan and liberated by the US Army Rangers. After extensive medical treatment he was discharged in September of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Beck. Beck joined the Army in November of 1939. He was stationed at Hickam Field on Oahu beginning September of 1941. He served as an aircraft radio operator. He traveled to the Del Monte Airfield in Mindanao, Philippines where he completed radio repair work and was assigned the 81st Division Communication Chief. In May of 1942 they, along with native Filipinos, were captured by the Japanese and held at Camp Keithley. Beck shares his grim experiences with his captors, including executions and exhaustive marches. He was imprisoned at Bilibid for 19 months, where he contracted a neuromuscular disease. In June of 1944 he was sent to Cabanatuan and liberated by the US Army Rangers. After extensive medical treatment he was discharged in September of 1945.