Oral History Interview with Jack Hensel, July 21, 2022 captions transcript

Oral History Interview with Jack Hensel, July 21, 2022

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jack Hensel. Hensel was drafted into the Navy in June 1943. He trained as an aerial gunner and was eventually assigned to a crew aboard an Avenger. In early 1945, he went aboard USS Franklin (CV-13). In March, when the Franklin was attacked, Hensel was blown overboard and eventually made it onto a raft before being rescued by USS Hickox (DD-673). He went to a hospital at Ulithi to recover from burns before heading back to the US. He was undergoing more training when the war ended.
Date: July 21, 2022
Creator: Metzler, Ed
Object Type: Video
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Jack Hensel, July 21, 2022 transcript

Oral History Interview with Jack Hensel, July 21, 2022

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jack Hensel. Hensel was drafted into the Navy in June 1943. He trained as an aerial gunner and was eventually assigned to a crew aboard an Avenger. In early 1945, he went aboard USS Franklin (CV-13). In March, when the Franklin was attacked, Hensel was blown overboard and eventually made it onto a raft before being rescued by USS Hickox (DD-673). He went to a hospital at Ulithi to recover from burns before heading back to the US. He was undergoing more training when the war ended.
Date: July 21, 2022
Creator: Metzler, Ed
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Walter Gallagher, July 21, 2022 transcript

Oral History Interview with Walter Gallagher, July 21, 2022

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Walter Gallagher. Gallagher joined the Navy after quitting high school and trained in aviation ordnance. In May, 1944 he was assigned to USS Franklin (CV-13) where he would arm dive bombers. Gallagher describes an injury he sustained while loading bombs as well as various enemy attacks on the Franklin, including a kamikaze. He was aboard when the Japanese bombed the Franklin in March, 1945. Gallagher recalls the attack and was ordered to transfer to USS Santa Fe (CL-60). From there, Gallagher spent six months at Hawaii before going back to the US.
Date: July 21, 2022
Creator: Gallagher, Walter
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Walter Gallagher, July 21, 2022 captions transcript

Oral History Interview with Walter Gallagher, July 21, 2022

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Walter Gallagher. Gallagher joined the Navy after quitting high school and trained in aviation ordnance. In May, 1944 he was assigned to USS Franklin (CV-13) where he would arm dive bombers. Gallagher describes an injury he sustained while loading bombs as well as various enemy attacks on the Franklin, including a kamikaze. He was aboard when the Japanese bombed the Franklin in March, 1945. Gallagher recalls the attack and was ordered to transfer to USS Santa Fe (CL-60). From there, Gallagher spent six months at Hawaii before going back to the US.
Date: July 21, 2022
Creator: Gallagher, Walter
Object Type: Video
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Neil Elder, July 6, 2021 transcript

Oral History Interview with Neil Elder, July 6, 2021

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Neil Elder. Elder joined the Navy in 1940. He completed Radio Communications School, and served as an Aviation Radioman. He flew scout missions in the Curtiss SOC Seagull aircraft, catapulted from USS Portland (CA-33). He participated in the battles of the Coral Sea, Midway, Guadalcanal, Tulagi, Savo Island, the Eastern Solomons and Santa Cruz. Elder returned to the US and was discharged in 1946.
Date: July 6, 2021
Creator: Elder, Neil
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Neil Elder, July 6, 2021 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Neil Elder, July 6, 2021

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Neil Elder. Elder joined the Navy in 1940. He completed Radio Communications School, and served as an Aviation Radioman. He flew scout missions in the Curtiss SOC Seagull aircraft, catapulted from USS Portland (CA-33). He participated in the battles of the Coral Sea, Midway, Guadalcanal, Tulagi, Savo Island, the Eastern Solomons and Santa Cruz. Elder returned to the US and was discharged in 1946.
Date: July 6, 2021
Creator: Elder, Neil
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Clarence Griffith, July 28, 2020 transcript

Oral History Interview with Clarence Griffith, July 28, 2020

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clarence Griffith. Griffith was born in Granbury Texas in 1913. He worked as an electrician and volunteered for service in the Navy in 1943. He served with the Seabees in the 76th Naval Construction Battalion and went to Guam during the invasion. While there, his outfit built power stations.
Date: July 28, 2020
Creator: Griffith, Clarence
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Clarence Griffith, July 28, 2020 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Clarence Griffith, July 28, 2020

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clarence Griffith. Griffith was born in Granbury Texas in 1913. He worked as an electrician and volunteered for service in the Navy in 1943. He served with the Seabees in the 76th Naval Construction Battalion and went to Guam during the invasion. While there, his outfit built power stations.
Date: July 28, 2020
Creator: Griffith, Clarence
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Jack Owen, July 23, 2020 transcript

Oral History Interview with Jack Owen, July 23, 2020

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Owen. Owen was born in Lufkin Texas in 1926. He went to Texas A&M for a year after high school then joined the Navy after turning 18 in 1944 and trained at San Diego in June. In December, he was in the commissioning crew of USS Colusa (APA-74). Owen recalls hauling wounded from Iwo Jima back to Pearl Harbor aboard the Colusa before heading for Australia to repatriate American sailors whose ships had sunk. When the war ended, Owen returned to A&M, graduated and went to work.
Date: July 23, 2020
Creator: Owen, Jack
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Jack Owen, July 23, 2020 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Jack Owen, July 23, 2020

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Owen. Owen was born in Lufkin Texas in 1926. He went to Texas A&M for a year after high school then joined the Navy after turning 18 in 1944 and trained at San Diego in June. In December, he was in the commissioning crew of USS Colusa (APA-74). Owen recalls hauling wounded from Iwo Jima back to Pearl Harbor aboard the Colusa before heading for Australia to repatriate American sailors whose ships had sunk. When the war ended, Owen returned to A&M, graduated and went to work.
Date: July 23, 2020
Creator: Owen, Jack
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ralph Schultz, July 29, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Ralph Schultz, July 29, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ralph Schultz. Schultz joined the Marine Corps in in late 1942. He completed radio/telephone school. He joined the 3rd Joint Assault Signal Company (JASCO), and was shipped to Guadalcanal and assigned to Headquarters 3rd Marine Division. In July of 1944, they participated in the Battle of Guam. As part of JASCO, Schultz helped coordinate and control naval gunfire and close air support of landings on the island. After receiving injury to his leg, he was shipped back to the US. He received his discharge in July of 1945.
Date: July 29, 2019
Creator: Schultz, Ralph
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ralph Schultz, July 29, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Ralph Schultz, July 29, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ralph Schultz. Schultz joined the Marine Corps in in late 1942. He completed radio/telephone school. He joined the 3rd Joint Assault Signal Company (JASCO), and was shipped to Guadalcanal and assigned to Headquarters 3rd Marine Division. In July of 1944, they participated in the Battle of Guam. As part of JASCO, Schultz helped coordinate and control naval gunfire and close air support of landings on the island. After receiving injury to his leg, he was shipped back to the US. He received his discharge in July of 1945.
Date: July 29, 2019
Creator: Schultz, Ralph
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Melvin Pratt, July 23, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Melvin Pratt, July 23, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Melvin Pratt. Pratt joined the Navy in April of 1944. He served as Seaman 3rd Class with the gunnery gang aboard the minesweeper USS Strength (AM-309). In December, they arrived in Pearl Harbor, and began training in preparation for the Iwo Jima invasion. On 16 February 1945, they began sweeping off Iwo Jima to clear the way for the invasion fleet. In late March, they assisted in clearing the approaches to the beaches off Okinawa for the impending assault. After the war ended, they participated with occupation forces in Japan, sweeping mines around Sasebo. He received his discharge in May of 1946.
Date: July 23, 2019
Creator: Pratt, Melvin
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Melvin Pratt, July 23, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Melvin Pratt, July 23, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Melvin Pratt. Pratt joined the Navy in April of 1944. He served as Seaman 3rd Class with the gunnery gang aboard the minesweeper USS Strength (AM-309). In December, they arrived in Pearl Harbor, and began training in preparation for the Iwo Jima invasion. On 16 February 1945, they began sweeping off Iwo Jima to clear the way for the invasion fleet. In late March, they assisted in clearing the approaches to the beaches off Okinawa for the impending assault. After the war ended, they participated with occupation forces in Japan, sweeping mines around Sasebo. He received his discharge in May of 1946.
Date: July 23, 2019
Creator: Pratt, Melvin
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Clyde Covey, July 17, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Clyde Covey, July 17, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Clyde Covey. Covey joined the Navy in October of 1945. He served as a Fireman aboard the patrol craft escort, the PCE-870, in Hawaii, completing patrols around Pearl Harbor, and in between the equator and the Aleutians. They had about nine different posts, where they would send up weather balloons with transmitters, radioing weather information back to Pearl Harbor. Covey later completed motor machinist school, and was assigned to PCE-852 at the Underwater Sound Laboratories in New London, Connecticut, developing underwater communication. He received his discharge in December of 1948.
Date: July 17, 2019
Creator: Covey, Clyde
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Clyde Covey, July 17, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Clyde Covey, July 17, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Clyde Covey. Covey joined the Navy in October of 1945. He served as a Fireman aboard the patrol craft escort, the PCE-870, in Hawaii, completing patrols around Pearl Harbor, and in between the equator and the Aleutians. They had about nine different posts, where they would send up weather balloons with transmitters, radioing weather information back to Pearl Harbor. Covey later completed motor machinist school, and was assigned to PCE-852 at the Underwater Sound Laboratories in New London, Connecticut, developing underwater communication. He received his discharge in December of 1948.
Date: July 17, 2019
Creator: Covey, Clyde
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alfred Gluck, July 12, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Alfred Gluck, July 12, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alfred Gluck. Gluck joined the Merchant Marines in mid-1941. He served as a Seaman aboard a liberty ship, the SS George L. Baker (1614). In May of 1943, they traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii, transporting general supplies and merchandise for people on the island. He returned to San Francisco, and was assigned to the SS James Lick in July as Able Seaman, traveling to New Hebrides and New Caledonia, transporting military cargo. In 1944 through the end of the war, Gluck also served aboard the SS Mormacgull, traveling to New Guinea and Guadalcanal and the SS Louis Sullivan (2781). He continued his service after the war, and received his discharge in March of 1946.
Date: July 12, 2019
Creator: Gluck, Alfred
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alfred Gluck, July 12, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Alfred Gluck, July 12, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alfred Gluck. Gluck joined the Merchant Marines in mid-1941. He served as a Seaman aboard a liberty ship, the SS George L. Baker (1614). In May of 1943, they traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii, transporting general supplies and merchandise for people on the island. He returned to San Francisco, and was assigned to the SS James Lick in July as Able Seaman, traveling to New Hebrides and New Caledonia, transporting military cargo. In 1944 through the end of the war, Gluck also served aboard the SS Mormacgull, traveling to New Guinea and Guadalcanal and the SS Louis Sullivan (2781). He continued his service after the war, and received his discharge in March of 1946.
Date: July 12, 2019
Creator: Gluck, Alfred
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Ashbaugh, July 9, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with James Ashbaugh, July 9, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Ashbaugh. Ashbaugh joined the Navy in April of 1944. He completed Electrician School. He served as Fireman 1st Class aboard a landing craft tank, the LCT-60. He traveled to Bougainville and Manus. Ashbaugh continued his service after the war ended, and participated in the nuclear testing at Bikini Atoll, for which he provides vivid details. He served for a total of nine years in the Navy.
Date: July 9, 2019
Creator: Ashbaugh, James
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Ashbaugh, July 9, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with James Ashbaugh, July 9, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Ashbaugh. Ashbaugh joined the Navy in April of 1944. He completed Electrician School. He served as Fireman 1st Class aboard a landing craft tank, the LCT-60. He traveled to Bougainville and Manus. Ashbaugh continued his service after the war ended, and participated in the nuclear testing at Bikini Atoll, for which he provides vivid details. He served for a total of nine years in the Navy.
Date: July 9, 2019
Creator: Ashbaugh, James
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Davidson, July 31, 2018 transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles Davidson, July 31, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Davidson. Davidson joined the Navy in the spring of 1943. He served as Seaman 1st Class. He completed the equivalent of a master’s degree in electrical engineering. He worked in a field engineering group at a Naval research lab in Washington. He was later sent to the Banana River Naval Air Station in Florida, running tests on carrier-controlled approach. He volunteered for the invasion of Japan in 1945, though after the bombs were dropped Davidson went back to field engineering in Florida. Davidson remained in the US for the remainder of his service. After the war ended, he remained in the Naval Reserves. Davidson retired from the Reserves in 1971.
Date: July 31, 2018
Creator: Davidson, Charles
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Davidson, July 31, 2018 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles Davidson, July 31, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Davidson. Davidson joined the Navy in the spring of 1943. He served as Seaman 1st Class. He completed the equivalent of a master’s degree in electrical engineering. He worked in a field engineering group at a Naval research lab in Washington. He was later sent to the Banana River Naval Air Station in Florida, running tests on carrier-controlled approach. He volunteered for the invasion of Japan in 1945, though after the bombs were dropped Davidson went back to field engineering in Florida. Davidson remained in the US for the remainder of his service. After the war ended, he remained in the Naval Reserves. Davidson retired from the Reserves in 1971.
Date: July 31, 2018
Creator: Davidson, Charles
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Ulery, July 27, 2018 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Ulery, July 27, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Ulery. Ulery joined the Army in December of 1945. In March 1946 he was sent to Le Havre, France. He served with the 3rd Infantry Division, Artillery Band in Bad Wildungen, Germany. Ulery played the sousaphone in the band, and they traveled all over the American Zone of Germany. He was in Nuremberg when the war criminals were sentenced to death. Ulery shares details of his 13 months living and working in Germany after the war. He returned to the US and was discharged in June of 1947.
Date: July 27, 2018
Creator: Ulery, Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Ulery, July 27, 2018 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Ulery, July 27, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Ulery. Ulery joined the Army in December of 1945. In March 1946 he was sent to Le Havre, France. He served with the 3rd Infantry Division, Artillery Band in Bad Wildungen, Germany. Ulery played the sousaphone in the band, and they traveled all over the American Zone of Germany. He was in Nuremberg when the war criminals were sentenced to death. Ulery shares details of his 13 months living and working in Germany after the war. He returned to the US and was discharged in June of 1947.
Date: July 27, 2018
Creator: Ulery, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History