The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Arthur Holtz. Holtz joined the Navy around 1942. Beginning July of 1944, he served as a First-Class Shipfitter aboard USS Canotia (AN-47), a net laying ship. They traveled to Pearl Harbor and Eniwetok. From February to April of 1945, they completed mooring and salvage duty at Iwo Jima. They traveled to Guam for repairs and Ulithi to install and maintain nets. Holtz was discharged in early 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank C. Litters, Jr. Litters was attending Texas A&M (class of 1943) when the war started. His class was graduated early so they could begin active military service. He was commissioned and attached to an anti-aircraft artillery unit. In December, 1943, he shipped out for the Pacific. In January, 1944 his unit, the 208th Anti-aircraft Artillery battalion, arrived at New Guinea. Litters eventually got so sick with malaria and dengue fever, and with a severe knee injury, he was shipped back to the US in May, 1945. Litters was discharged and began teaching at Texas A&M University before beginning to ranch. He also tells a ashort story about being a Distinguished Alumni from Texas A&M and talking to former President George HW Bush.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Billy Hill. Hill joined the Navy around 1941. He completed Medical Tech School and Pharmacy School. Beginning in March of 1944, Hill served as a Pharmacist Mate aboard the hospital ship USS Bountiful (AH-9). They traveled to Honolulu, the Marshall Islands, Saipan, the Mariana Islands, Peleliu, Leyte and Iwo Jima, evacuating and caring for the wounded. He continued his service after the war ended, retiring in 1966.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Sanders. Sanders joined the Army Air Forces in October 1942 and earned his wings in April 1944. After learning to fly B-24s, he arrived in England with his crew as part of the 458th Bomb Group. From there he made raids over Germany, twice making emergency landings in Belgium after being shot up. He transitioned into being a lead crew pilot, heading up a tight formation of 36 bombers. Sanders had flown 18 missions by the time the war ended. He and his crew flew home, stopping for fuel and wine in the Azores. He was also transporting 20 soldiers who were so eager to land that they crowded the front of the plane, shifting the load and causing an extremely rough and dangerous landing. That was the last time Sanders ever piloted an aircraft.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard E. Mann. Mann joined the Army Air Corps in April, 1942 while he was attending the University of Illinois. In October, he went to navigation school in Louisiana. In June, 1943, Mann received his commission and joined the 23rd Anti-submarine squadron at Langley, Virginia. Upon completion of training, the squadron flew to Trinidad to carry out anti-submarine missions. His squadron was eventually dissolved and he returned to the US for more training and was eventually sent to the Pacific where he was assigned to the 22nd Bomb Group, 33rd Bomb Squadron, 5th Air Force. Mann served as a navigator on B-24 bombers. Mann flew 46 combat missions in the Pacific.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Thomas ""Tom"" Maloney. Maloney joined the Naval Air Reserve in Ocotber, 1941. Upon earning his wings, Maloney was assigned to Air Group 98 aboard the USS Princeton (CVL-23). He flew combat missions against targets all over New Guinea before being transferred to Air Group 6 aboard the USS Hancock (CV-19) in July, 1944. Aboard the Hancock, Maloney struck targets on Okinawa. He also sank a few Japanese ships near the home islands and earned two Navy Crosses.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Neal L. Siebenbruner. Siebenbruner quit school in 1943 to join the Army Air Forces. After basic training, he attended gunnery school at Laredo, Texas and shares anecdotes from his training days. He also trained at Tonopah, Nevada and in Hawaii. Siebenbruner also shares anecdotes about some of his combat missions in the Pacific. He flew 40 combat missions and served in the 11th Bombardment Group (heavy), 431st Bombbardment Squadron, 7th Air Force. When the war ended, Siebenbruner returned home to finish high school.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with W.W. Marsh. Marsh was born in Nebraska in 1923. Upon being drafted into the Army in 1943, he went to Camp Croft, South Carolina, for basic training. Soon after completing basic he was assigned to the 938th Heavy Automotive Maintenance Company. After receiving training in vehicle maintenance, the unit traveled by military convoy to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. They arrived in La Have, France, after 14 days at sea. He recalls the difficulty encountered in preparation of the equipment for use. He was later assigned to Bruhl, Germany and tells of seeing thousands of German POWs and noted the devastated condition they were in. He recalls receiving a temporary duty assignment with the 359th Field Engineers at a rock quarry being worked by German POWs. He was later assigned to Etain, France where he was part of a small crew working a water purification unit. In August 1946, he returned by ship to Camp Kilmer. He was then sent to Sheridan, Illinois where he was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ken Coonrod. Coonrod joined the Navy in the fall of 1944. He served as an Electrician’s Mate Third Class in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. In late 1944, Coonrod was assigned to the Philippines. In mid-1945, he traveled to Okinawa, in preparation for the invasion of Japan. He was assigned to an LCVP just before the war ended. Coorod was transferred to Nagoya, Japan, and served with occupation forces aboard USS Littlehales (AGS-7). He returned to the US and received his discharge in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Shelby Johnson. Johnson dropped out of school to join the Army, and was sent to Fort Knox in early 1941. Forgoing any basic training, he went to the Philippines aboard the SS President Coolidge (1931) and joined the 17th Ordnance Company at Bataan. Following the surrender of US forces, he endured the Bataan Death March, and describes the horrors he witnessed. Soon after arrival at Camp O’Donnell he was selected for burial detail. Later, he was sent to Cabanatuan where, due to severe dysentery, he was put in the Zero Ward as a prelude to dying. Johnson relates how he was selected to take a medication that led to his recovery. After recovering, he traveled to Japan aboard a hell ship. He was taken to the Fukuoka Prison Camp where he was assigned as a coal mine worker. He graphically describes the physical abuse he received from one Japanese guard. Following the Japanese surrender, he spent several months in the hospital before being discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Dorthy Hannemann. Hannemann, nee Henke, was born in Fredericksburg, Texas on 12 August 1923. She is fourth generation of her family who settled in Fredericksburg. She shares details of her family history. She graduated from high school in 1941, then trained as a nurse at Sealy Hospital in Galveston, Texas. After graduating in September of 1944, she married Hans Hannemann. She speaks about life in Fredericksburg during wartime. Hans did not serve in the war. Dorthy passed away in June of 2017.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Eugene Hannemann. Hannemann joined the Navy in June of 1943. He deployed after basic training to Brisbane, Australia, where he was assigned to a replacement unit. He served as a Yeoman in the Admiral’s Office of the 7th Fleet, under the direction of Douglas MacArthur. Hannemann additionally served on bases in Hollandia, New Guinea and in the Philippines. In mid-1945, he was transferred to a Navy base in Florida. In 1946, he received his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Merkel. Merkel was born in San Antonio in 1926 and was drafted into the Navy in 1944 and sent to San Diego for boot camp. Soon after completing his training he was aboard a ship bound for Guam. At that time, he was assigned to a Naval Construction Battalion. Soon after his arrival he was assigned to a dredge ship. He tells of some of his experiences while aboard the vessel. He vividly recalls witnessing a kamikaze crashing into a hospital ship. He also remembers being aboard his ship during a typhoon in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Russ Mallonee. Mallonee joined the Army in 1942. He served with the 43rd Infantry Division, fighting in the Guadalcanal Campaign in early 1943. He provides vivid details of combat on the island, and how he was severely wounded by mortar fire. Mallonee returned to the US to recover in a San Antonio hospital, then he was shipped to Maryland to serve in an administrative role, issuing clothes and ammunition. He continued his service after the war ended, receiving his discharge in January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents on oral interview with Robert McBride. McBride volunteered in the Army Air Forces in October, 1942 after having taken a course on aircraft mechanics. He served as a flight engineer aboard bombers before applying for the same position aboard B-29s. He was accepted and went to an officer training course, graduating in September, 1945 before being assigned as a flight engineer. He eventually went to pilot training. He served in Korea flying fighters. When he returned from Korea, he was assigned to Strategic Air Command. McBride retired in 1973.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Benjamin Ostrofsky. Ostrofsky joined the Army Air Forces in January of 1943 as an Aviation Cadet. He completed Navigation School that same year. He then went through a College Training Detachment at the University of Massachusetts to study algebra and physics. In 1944, Ostrofsky completed pre-flight training as part of his navigation training at Maxwell Air Force Base, and received additional navigation training at Ellington Air Force Base, graduating January of 1945. While waiting for assignment with a B-29 combat crew headed for the Pacific, the war ended. He shares numerous details of his training experiences. He served in the Reserves in the Korean War, and was discharged around late 1953.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edmond Ward. Ward joined the Army in 1942. He served with the 1st Infantry Division, 18th Infantry Regiment. He participated with the Omaha Beach landing forces during the Invasion of Normandy and served in the Battle of the Bulge. Ward returned to the US and received his discharge in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Holmes. Holmes was born 21 August 1925. He joined the Army in 1943. He served with the 87th Infantry Division, 3rd Army. They were deployed to the European Theater in October of 1944. Arrived Le Havre, France in late November 1944 and into Germany in December, participating in the Battle of the Bulge. They crossed the Rhine in March of 1945, and into Czechoslovakia by the end of the war. Holmes shares a number of his combat experiences, and with the Browning automatic rifle. They returned to the US in late 1945 and Holmes received his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Riddle. Riddle joined the Navy in March of 1943. He served as a Radarman, completing training in radio design, electronics, communications, and on a magnetic air detection system to locate submarines. Riddle was stationed in Florida, training pilots and other operators in radar systems. He was stationed in the US throughout the duration of the war, receiving a discharge in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Lawrence. Lawrence was born November 6, 1924. He joined the Army Air Forces in late 1942. He completed Cryptography School at Chanute Field, Illinois. Around 1944, he traveled to India to the Assam Valley, then describes his trip to China in February 1945, over the Himalaya Mountains. Lawrence was assigned to an Army Airways Communications System Unit at a base 9 miles from Kunming, China. After the war ended, he was reassigned to a tactical team in Nanking, preparing an air field for Chinese troops to occupy and take control of the area. Lawrence returned to the US after the war and received his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Kelly. Kelly joined the Army Air Forces in June of 1943. He completed training as a diesel mechanic at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. In December of 1944, he traveled to Calcutta, India. He recalls flying in a C-46 over the Himalaya Mountains, referred to as the Hump, transporting supplies to Chaotung, China. Kelly maintained Onan generators at an airfield in order to keep radios in operation. He was later transferred to Kunming, completing similar work. Kelly shares numerous stories of his time living and working in China. After the war ended, he continued his service at the airfield. Kelly returned to the US to receive his discharge in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Tooze. Tooze joined the Navy V-12 program in July of 1943, and began his naval service at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. He graduated in October of 1944 from the Midshipmen School Program as an ensign. He then reported for duty aboard the USS Biscayne (AGC-18). In February 1945 they set sail for Luzon, Philippines. Their orders were to provide close-in support during the Battle of Iwo Jima. They were there from February 19 through March 26. From there they provided support for the Battle of Okinawa beginning April of 1945. Tooze provides details of his experiences and what he witnessed at Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He provides some detail of the death of news correspondent Ernie Pyle. In December of 1945 they returned to the States. Tooze was discharged in March of 1946, then participated in the Naval Reserve until 1951.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Willard LaCounte. LaCounte was drafted into the Army in September, 1943 and trained as an antiaircraft artilleryman at Camp Haan, California. In late 1943 he was assigned to the 118th Antiaircraft Automatic Weapons Battalion as a jeep driver in an industrial section of England and recalls defending it against German air raids. He landed at Normandy one day after the invasion. His unit eventually set up in Holland and shot down buzz bombs heading across the Channel. After the war LaCounte helped arrange R&R trips for soldiers.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with LeRoy Brunner. Brunner joined the Army Air Forces in September, 1945 and trained in San Antonio. He attended officer candidate school where he received a commission before going to radar school and being assigned to a meteorology school in Illinois. He served at a weather station in Alaska prior to the outbreak of the Korean War. Brunner discusses his long career in the Air Force.