The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William R. Smith. Smith was born in April of 1921 and served in the Junior Naval Reserve as a teenager, joining the Naval Reserves around 1937 with a forged birth certificate. He received basic training by volunteering aboard USS Texas (BB-35) and USS Brooklyn (CL-40). By 1939, Smith was serving as a Chief Fire Control Technician aboard USS Clark (DD-361). They were docked in San Francisco on 7 December 1941 and took up antisubmarine patrol off Samoa by February of 1942. Smith reenlisted in April. The Clark escorted a tanker to Midway, a convoy to New Zealand and assisted with landings on Guadalcanal by November of 1942. In November of 1943, Smith transferred to USS Newcomb (DD-586), participating in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the invasion at Lingayen in January 1945. Smith also participated in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, where the Newcomb was hit by 5 kamikaze planes on 6 April. Smith recalls a brief and positive encounter with Admiral Chester Nimitz. Around August of 1945 he was transferred to USS La Vallette (DD-448) and traveled to San Diego where he was stationed through April …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Stokesberry. Stokesberry joined the Navy in April 1940 and was stationed at Kaneohe Bay on 7 December 1941. He was out early collecting garbage from various stations on the base that morning and was among the first to see Japanese planes approaching. After the attack, he repaired damaged water lines. October 1942, he was sent to Johnston Island as an aviation metalsmith. After a brief assignment at Pearl Harbor doing overhaul and repair work, he was assigned to USS Independence (CVL-22). There he modified planes and landing craft to make night operations inconspicuous, such as adding flame dampeners to fighter planes and giving landing signal officers reflective clothing. He also outfitted planes with tubes filled with foil that when dropped would confuse Japanese radarmen. To give the impression that the 3rd and 5th fleet had two sets of aircraft, he painted planes with unique colors for each operation. He recalls the Independence participating in the sinking of HIJMS Musashi at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and he saw several kamikazes try to hit the Independence off Okinawa. After the war ended, he spent the rest of his …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Stokesberry. Stokesberry joined the Navy in April 1940 and was stationed at Kaneohe Bay on 7 December 1941. He was out early collecting garbage from various stations on the base that morning and was among the first to see Japanese planes approaching. After the attack, he repaired damaged water lines. October 1942, he was sent to Johnston Island as an aviation metalsmith. After a brief assignment at Pearl Harbor doing overhaul and repair work, he was assigned to USS Independence (CVL-22). There he modified planes and landing craft to make night operations inconspicuous, such as adding flame dampeners to fighter planes and giving landing signal officers reflective clothing. He also outfitted planes with tubes filled with foil that when dropped would confuse Japanese radarmen. To give the impression that the 3rd and 5th fleet had two sets of aircraft, he painted planes with unique colors for each operation. He recalls the Independence participating in the sinking of HIJMS Musashi at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and he saw several kamikazes try to hit the Independence off Okinawa. After the war ended, he spent the rest of his …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Wadsack. Wadsack joined the Army Air Corps in 1940 after graduating from Washington University, earning a commission through the ROTC Coast Artillery Corps. He was assigned to Chanute Field as a supply officer, providing planes and tools for mechanics in training. His 50-man crew retrieved and repaired damaged aircraft, and stayed up to date on technology so as to provide appropriate tech orders to the students. When the school was expanded to include other locations, Wadsack went to Seymour Johnson Field to conduct similar work. As the war wound down, his unit came under command of the First Air Force and Wadsack was promoted to director of supply for the entire field. In addition to warehouse inventory, he managed the distribution of gasoline rations to civilian employees. After a brief post at Lake Charles Army Air Force Base, he was discharged into the reserves in December 1945. In his sixties, he retired from the reserves as a captain.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Wadsack. Wadsack joined the Army Air Corps in 1940 after graduating from Washington University, earning a commission through the ROTC Coast Artillery Corps. He was assigned to Chanute Field as a supply officer, providing planes and tools for mechanics in training. His 50-man crew retrieved and repaired damaged aircraft, and stayed up to date on technology so as to provide appropriate tech orders to the students. When the school was expanded to include other locations, Wadsack went to Seymour Johnson Field to conduct similar work. As the war wound down, his unit came under command of the First Air Force and Wadsack was promoted to director of supply for the entire field. In addition to warehouse inventory, he managed the distribution of gasoline rations to civilian employees. After a brief post at Lake Charles Army Air Force Base, he was discharged into the reserves in December 1945. In his sixties, he retired from the reserves as a captain.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Willie Ray Snow. Snow joined the Navy in May of 1943. He served as a Radio Technician Second Class, then a Petty Officer. In August of 1944 he traveled to New Guinea and Australia, and in January of 1945 he boarded the USS Flasher (SS-249). Snow participated in her sixth war patrol along the coast of Indochina. In February they sank a sea truck and a cargo ship with torpedoes. They completed patrols in April. Snow was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Willie Ray Snow. Snow joined the Navy in May of 1943. He served as a Radio Technician Second Class, then a Petty Officer. In August of 1944 he traveled to New Guinea and Australia, and in January of 1945 he boarded the USS Flasher (SS-249). Snow participated in her sixth war patrol along the coast of Indochina. In February they sank a sea truck and a cargo ship with torpedoes. They completed patrols in April. Snow was discharged in December of 1945.

Postcard sent from Mrs. H. Graber, San Francisco, to Dr. William McKie thanking him for the message from her sister and her sister's husband. She states she heard from the Red Cross at Christmastime that they were well, but that this was the first time her sister had sent a message herself.

Transcript of a presentation by Forrest Biard. Biard grew up in Texas and attended the Naval Academy, graduating in 1934. Biard learned Japanese in Japan from 1939 to 1941. The training was rigorous. He describes interactions with the local women. Biard also traveled in Japan. He describes how sentiment gradually changed in Japan after the Japanese Army invaded China. He also describes how more and more Germans started traveling to Japan. Biard relates that the U.S. was warned that Japan would attack Pearl Harbor by the Peruvian ambassador but ignored it. He also mentions meeting Richard Sorge. He also talks about being followed everywhere by two plainclothes police officers, who at one point even searched his bags. He arrived in Pearl Harbor shortly before it was bombed. Biard was immediately assigned to be a cryptologist to break Japanese code under Commander Joe Rochefort, without any instruction. He describes working on breaking JN-25. He also identifies the 3 code-breaking sites as Washington DC, Corregidor, and Pearl Harbor. He describes in detail how many warnings and mistakes happened prior to Pearl Harbor. He was also on the USS Yorktown and describes difficulties when trying to warn Admiral Fletcher about an attack. Next, …

Transcript of a presentation by Forrest Biard. Biard grew up in Texas and attended the Naval Academy, graduating in 1934. Biard learned Japanese in Japan from 1939 to 1941. The training was rigorous. He describes interactions with the local women. Biard also traveled in Japan. He describes how sentiment gradually changed in Japan after the Japanese Army invaded China. He also describes how more and more Germans started traveling to Japan. Biard relates that the U.S. was warned that Japan would attack Pearl Harbor by the Peruvian ambassador but ignored it. He also mentions meeting Richard Sorge. He also talks about being followed everywhere by two plainclothes police officers, who at one point even searched his bags. He arrived in Pearl Harbor shortly before it was bombed. Biard was immediately assigned to be a cryptologist to break Japanese code under Commander Joe Rochefort, without any instruction. He describes working on breaking JN-25. He also identifies the 3 code-breaking sites as Washington DC, Corregidor, and Pearl Harbor. He describes in detail how many warnings and mistakes happened prior to Pearl Harbor. He was also on the USS Yorktown and describes difficulties when trying to warn Admiral Fletcher about an attack. Next, …

Photograph of Major General Mitchell, Major General Smith, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Vice Admiral Fitch, and Admiral Halsey. The men stand in a line all in light-colored uniforms with long sleeves, two shirt pockets and trousers belted at the waist. Behind them is a wooden building and palm trees.

Photograph of a large group of soldiers returning to the United States in late 1946 from the China-Burma-India Theater. They are leaning over the side of troopship U.S.S. General William Weigel (AP-119).

Photograph of soldiers returning to the U.S. in late 1946 from the China-Burma-India Theater aboard the U.S.S. General William Wiegel (AP-119). The soldiers are standing crowded together behind the railing of the second story of the ship with two men standing on the top step of the stairs down.

Photograph of a scene from the Battle of Midway. Three ships can be seen sitting in the water with dark smoke rising from all three. It appears that an explosion has occurred.

Draft Board notice related to Alan Raisbeck Paulsen.

Photograph of soldiers returning to the U.S. in late 1946 from the China-Burma-India Theater aboard the U.S.S. General William Wiegel (AP-119). The soldiers are crowded together looking over the side of the ship.

Tobacco ration card issued to "Holler, Carl A. F."

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz discusses his activities on the USS Ohio (BB-12) since arriving in Manila. Nimitz mentions seeing in Manila Bay the damaged Russian ships Aurora and Oleg after the Battle of Tsushima. Nimitz expresses dismay that the Russians were defeated. He also mentions that he has been assigned as the torpedo officer aboard the Ohio.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz mentions learning Spanish from a boarder at the hotel in Kerrville. He also writes of a desire to get ahead in school by studying during the summer. Nimitz also mentions Iago's, his cousin, school ending.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz relates his final grades for the school year and mentions graduation. He also mentions John Toland being re-elected as superintendent.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz, writing from Annapolis, Maryland, relates news about arriving in Annapolis and settling in at the Werntz Preparatory School. He provides clues about his schedule and some thoughts on Annapolis.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz mentions Kerrville is putting in fire hydrants. He also mentions Aunt Augusta going fishing. He is also asking his grandfather when they might be embarking on a trip together. Iago, Nimitz's cousin, will not be going on the trip.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz describes Annapolis and relates a tale of sailing on Chesapeake Bay. He also indicates he is the only person among his peer group that won his appointment by competitive exam - the others were appointed outright. He also describes his academic progress so far.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz relates news about speaking to Representative Slayden and learning of a possible appointment to the Naval Academy earlier than he had initially anticipated. He also mentions that he is studying geometry.