[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - August 3, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Catherine Davis to Joe Davis - August 3, 1944]

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including a party for Floy at Jenny's house, a phone call from Evelyn, and an improvement in his mother's health.
Date: August 3, 1944
Creator: Davis, Catherine Dawe
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Chester W. Nimitz to William Nimitz, August 1903] (open access)

[Letter from Chester W. Nimitz to William Nimitz, August 1903]

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz, writing from aboard the USS Hartford, indicates he is at anchor off Bar Harbor, Maine. He provides a little bit of the history of the ship and describes the colorful captain of the vessel. Nimitz mentions his ship will be participating a wargaming scenario.
Date: 1903-08-03/1903-08-04
Creator: Nimitz, Chester W. (Chester William), 1885-1966
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - August 3, 1944] (open access)

[Letter from Joe Davis to Catherine Davis - August 3, 1944]

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing taking a short class, looking at the moon, plans to send Catherine his officers' addresses, Williams' success in flying a large plane, and playing ball with other members of his crew.
Date: August 3, 1944
Creator: Davis, Joseph Emmett
Object Type: Letter
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Adrian Miller, August 3, 2001 transcript

Oral History Interview with Adrian Miller, August 3, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Adrian Miller. Miller was born in Winamac, Indiana 16 November 1924 and graduated from high school in 1942. He entered the Army in March, 1944 and took his basic training at Ft. Blanding, Florida. He volunteered for the paratroopers at Fort Benning, Georgia and describes the six weeks of rigorous training, which included jumps. In November, he joined the 101st Army Airborne and was assigned to the 505th Parachute Infantry, Company H. Miller was sent to Bastogne and describes the conditions and the high casualty rate. After being relieved in January he went to Lorraine, France, then to Berchtesgaden, Germany where he met his brother. Miller was in Paris when Germany surrendered. On 15 December 1945, he returned to the United States on the Queen Mary. He was discharged January 1946.
Date: August 3, 2001
Creator: Miller, Adrian
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Adrian Miller, August 3, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Adrian Miller, August 3, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Adrian Miller. Miller was born in Winamac, Indiana 16 November 1924 and graduated from high school in 1942. He entered the Army in March, 1944 and took his basic training at Ft. Blanding, Florida. He volunteered for the paratroopers at Fort Benning, Georgia and describes the six weeks of rigorous training, which included jumps. In November, he joined the 101st Army Airborne and was assigned to the 505th Parachute Infantry, Company H. Miller was sent to Bastogne and describes the conditions and the high casualty rate. After being relieved in January he went to Lorraine, France, then to Berchtesgaden, Germany where he met his brother. Miller was in Paris when Germany surrendered. On 15 December 1945, he returned to the United States on the Queen Mary. He was discharged January 1946.
Date: August 3, 2001
Creator: Miller, Adrian
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Bebell, August 3, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles Bebell, August 3, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Bebell. Bebell joined the Navy in 1943. Beginning June of 1944, he served as Boatswain’s Mate and Fire Controlman aboard USS Hollandia (CVE-97). They traveled between the US and Navy bases in the Pacific, including Guam, transporting needed supplies and passengers. In April of 1945, they operated off the Okinawan coast, sending fighters to support the advancing troops. In May, they returned troops to San Diego. In June, they loaded replacement aircraft at Pearl Harbor and operated with the Third Fleet’s logistic supply unit. Bebell decommissioned the Hollandia and was discharged in January of 1947.
Date: August 3, 2002
Creator: Bebell, Charles
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Bebell, August 3, 2002 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles Bebell, August 3, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Bebell. Bebell joined the Navy in 1943. Beginning June of 1944, he served as Boatswain’s Mate and Fire Controlman aboard USS Hollandia (CVE-97). They traveled between the US and Navy bases in the Pacific, including Guam, transporting needed supplies and passengers. In April of 1945, they operated off the Okinawan coast, sending fighters to support the advancing troops. In May, they returned troops to San Diego. In June, they loaded replacement aircraft at Pearl Harbor and operated with the Third Fleet’s logistic supply unit. Bebell decommissioned the Hollandia and was discharged in January of 1947.
Date: August 3, 2002
Creator: Bebell, Charles
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Donald Carlson, August 3, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with Donald Carlson, August 3, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Donald Carlson. Carlson joined the Marines in 1943 and received machine gun training at Camp Elliot. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Paekakariki. At the invasion of Tarawa, two Marines in Carlson’s Higgins boat were shot. Wading in from a distance due to low tide, they faced opposition from snipers on the pier. The following morning, his unit attacked a Japanese bunker with flamethrowers. Carlson was tasked with picking off enemies as they fled. A mortar exploded behind him, killing two men and leaving Carlson shell-shocked. He was sent to the hospital in San Diego for treatment. Upon his recovery, he was reassigned to CINCPAC Headquarters, where he served as a guard until the end of the war.
Date: August 3, 2009
Creator: Carlson, Donald
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Donald Carlson, August 3, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Donald Carlson, August 3, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Donald Carlson. Carlson joined the Marines in 1943 and received machine gun training at Camp Elliot. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Paekakariki. At the invasion of Tarawa, two Marines in Carlson’s Higgins boat were shot. Wading in from a distance due to low tide, they faced opposition from snipers on the pier. The following morning, his unit attacked a Japanese bunker with flamethrowers. Carlson was tasked with picking off enemies as they fled. A mortar exploded behind him, killing two men and leaving Carlson shell-shocked. He was sent to the hospital in San Diego for treatment. Upon his recovery, he was reassigned to CINCPAC Headquarters, where he served as a guard until the end of the war.
Date: August 3, 2009
Creator: Carlson, Donald
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ed Knipper, August 3, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Ed Knipper, August 3, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ed Knipper. Knipper joined the Army Air Forces in 1942. He earned his wings in June 1944 and began training in B-17s and B-29s. After deploying to Guam in February 1945, he joined the 3rd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, whose missions included dropping propaganda leaflets. Knipper transferred to the 499th Bomb Group at Saipan. After Iwo Jima was secured, Knipper flew bombing missions over Yokohama, Kobe, Osaka and Tokyo. Following the Japanese surrender, Knipper flew humanitarian missions over POW camps, dropping food, clothing and medical supplies. He was discharged into the Reserves and earned his Master's Degree on the GI Bill.
Date: August 3, 2009
Creator: Knipper, Ed
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ed Knipper, August 3, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with Ed Knipper, August 3, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ed Knipper. Knipper joined the Army Air Forces in 1942. He earned his wings in June 1944 and began training in B-17s and B-29s. After deploying to Guam in February 1945, he joined the 3rd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, whose missions included dropping propaganda leaflets. Knipper transferred to the 499th Bomb Group at Saipan. After Iwo Jima was secured, Knipper flew bombing missions over Yokohama, Kobe, Osaka and Tokyo. Following the Japanese surrender, Knipper flew humanitarian missions over POW camps, dropping food, clothing and medical supplies. He was discharged into the Reserves and earned his Master's Degree on the GI Bill.
Date: August 3, 2009
Creator: Knipper, Ed
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Jack Hanks, August 3, 2015 transcript

Oral History Interview with Jack Hanks, August 3, 2015

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jack Hanks. Hanks joined the Army Air Forces in 1942. He received his wings in February of 1944. Hanks was assigned to Malden, Missouri to teach troop carrier training, where he served as a pilot instructor for the remainder of the war. He was discharged around February of 1946.
Date: August 3, 2015
Creator: Hanks, Jack
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Jack Hanks, August 3, 2015 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Jack Hanks, August 3, 2015

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jack Hanks. Hanks joined the Army Air Forces in 1942. He received his wings in February of 1944. Hanks was assigned to Malden, Missouri to teach troop carrier training, where he served as a pilot instructor for the remainder of the war. He was discharged around February of 1946.
Date: August 3, 2015
Creator: Hanks, Jack
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Jack Matthews, August 3, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with Jack Matthews, August 3, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Matthews. Matthews was born in Houston, Texas in 1925. Soon after graduating from high school, he joined the US Merchant Marine. In October 1943 he was sent to Pass Christian, Mississippi to begin three months of engineer training. After completing the course he was assigned to a US T2 tanker whose mission was to carry fuel oil for naval ships in the Pacific. His ship ran aground at New Guinea. Unable to be freed by other means, the ship was forced to transfer its cargo of fuel oil to another tanker thus allowing the ship to float free. Later his ship was sent to refuel the USS Boise CL-47). After being at sea for eight months, Matthews returned to the United States and attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy, graduating with a commission.
Date: August 3, 2009
Creator: Matthews, Jack
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Jack Matthews, August 3, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Jack Matthews, August 3, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Matthews. Matthews was born in Houston, Texas in 1925. Soon after graduating from high school, he joined the US Merchant Marine. In October 1943 he was sent to Pass Christian, Mississippi to begin three months of engineer training. After completing the course he was assigned to a US T2 tanker whose mission was to carry fuel oil for naval ships in the Pacific. His ship ran aground at New Guinea. Unable to be freed by other means, the ship was forced to transfer its cargo of fuel oil to another tanker thus allowing the ship to float free. Later his ship was sent to refuel the USS Boise CL-47). After being at sea for eight months, Matthews returned to the United States and attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy, graduating with a commission.
Date: August 3, 2009
Creator: Matthews, Jack
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Joe M. Sassman, August 3, 2010 transcript

Oral History Interview with Joe M. Sassman, August 3, 2010

Transcript of an oral interview with Joe M. Sassman. Born in 1922, he joined the Navy Air Corps V-5 Aviation Cadet Program in September, 1942. He describes his civilian pilot training at the University of Texas, pre-flight training in Athens, Georgia, primary flight training in Memphis, Tennessee, basic training in Pensacola, Florida as well as gunnery training. He talks about the various airplanes he flew in training. He received his commission in November, 1943. He discusses his fighter training with the F4F Grumman Wildcat in Sanford, Florida. He talks about his field carrier training at NAS Glenview, Illinois. He shares an anecdote about arriving in Pearl Harbor in 1944 aboard an LCI. At NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii, he began flying the F6F Hellcat. He joined the Fighter Squadron 19, Air Group 19 on Maui. He was assigned to the USS Intrepid (CV-11) and later the USS Lexington (CV-16). He recounts strikes against Japanese aircraft carriers in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He describes an incident in which he was nearly shot down while escorting bombers over Manila, Philippines. He relates his experience when the USS Lexington was struck by a kamikaze. He also describes a dogfight on his last mission …
Date: August 3, 2010
Creator: Sassman, Joe M.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Joe M. Sassman, August 3, 2010 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Joe M. Sassman, August 3, 2010

Transcript of an oral interview with Joe M. Sassman. Born in 1922, he joined the Navy Air Corps V-5 Aviation Cadet Program in September, 1942. He describes his civilian pilot training at the University of Texas, pre-flight training in Athens, Georgia, primary flight training in Memphis, Tennessee, basic training in Pensacola, Florida as well as gunnery training. He talks about the various airplanes he flew in training. He received his commission in November, 1943. He discusses his fighter training with the F4F Grumman Wildcat in Sanford, Florida. He talks about his field carrier training at NAS Glenview, Illinois. He shares an anecdote about arriving in Pearl Harbor in 1944 aboard an LCI. At NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii, he began flying the F6F Hellcat. He joined the Fighter Squadron 19, Air Group 19 on Maui. He was assigned to the USS Intrepid (CV-11) and later the USS Lexington (CV-16). He recounts strikes against Japanese aircraft carriers in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He describes an incident in which he was nearly shot down while escorting bombers over Manila, Philippines. He relates his experience when the USS Lexington was struck by a kamikaze. He also describes a dogfight on his last mission …
Date: August 3, 2010
Creator: Sassman, Joe M.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Joseph Jura, August 3, 2017 transcript

Oral History Interview with Joseph Jura, August 3, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Jura. Jura was drafted into the Navy in December of 1944. He was sent to Yerba Buena Island and was considered ship’s company. Jura worked in the barracks office as a Ration Yeoman on the island installation, billeting about 4,000 soldiers. Jura describes life on Treasure Island, and his job in detail. He was discharged in July of 1946.
Date: August 3, 2017
Creator: Jura, Joseph
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Joseph Jura, August 3, 2017 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Joseph Jura, August 3, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Jura. Jura was drafted into the Navy in December of 1944. He was sent to Yerba Buena Island and was considered ship’s company. Jura worked in the barracks office as a Ration Yeoman on the island installation, billeting about 4,000 soldiers. Jura describes life on Treasure Island, and his job in detail. He was discharged in July of 1946.
Date: August 3, 2017
Creator: Jura, Joseph
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Joseph Wallingford, August 3, 2005 transcript

Oral History Interview with Joseph Wallingford, August 3, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joseph Wallingford. Wallingford enlisted in the Navy in August, 1942. He received very little training before being assigned to USS LST-452 in Washington. They first went to Hawaii, then Australia before getting involved in the campaign for New Guinea. In the Philippines, at Leyte, Wallingford was aboard when the ship received 8 enemy shells while beached and unloading. Toward the end of the war, Wallingford was assigned to USS Kermit Roosevelt (ARG-16) and rode it to China after the war ended. Upon returning from China, Wallingford was discharged in January, 1946.
Date: August 3, 2005
Creator: Wallingford, Joseph H
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Joseph Wallingford, August 3, 2005 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Joseph Wallingford, August 3, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joseph Wallingford. Wallingford enlisted in the Navy in August, 1942. He received very little training before being assigned to USS LST-452 in Washington. They first went to Hawaii, then Australia before getting involved in the campaign for New Guinea. In the Philippines, at Leyte, Wallingford was aboard when the ship received 8 enemy shells while beached and unloading. Toward the end of the war, Wallingford was assigned to USS Kermit Roosevelt (ARG-16) and rode it to China after the war ended. Upon returning from China, Wallingford was discharged in January, 1946.
Date: August 3, 2005
Creator: Wallingford, Joseph H
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Kirby Krause, August 3, 2007 transcript

Oral History Interview with Kirby Krause, August 3, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Kirby Krause. Krause joined the Navy in September of 1943 and served aboard the USS Nevada (BB-36) in the 4th Division retrieving seaplanes out of the water. He vividly describes his work aboard the ship, including his work with fueling hoses. Krause goes into great detail of life aboard the ship including food, living quarters and overall morale amongst the men. The Nevada served as a convoy escort, providing fire support during the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Krause provides details of getting hit by a kamikaze during the Battle of Okinawa. He also shares the procedures for burial at sea for the men killed in action. In August of 1945 they were sent to Leyte Island for ship repairs. He was discharged around June of 1946.
Date: August 3, 2007
Creator: Krause, Kirby
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Kirby Krause, August 3, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Kirby Krause, August 3, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Kirby Krause. Krause joined the Navy in September of 1943 and served aboard the USS Nevada (BB-36) in the 4th Division retrieving seaplanes out of the water. He vividly describes his work aboard the ship, including his work with fueling hoses. Krause goes into great detail of life aboard the ship including food, living quarters and overall morale amongst the men. The Nevada served as a convoy escort, providing fire support during the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Krause provides details of getting hit by a kamikaze during the Battle of Okinawa. He also shares the procedures for burial at sea for the men killed in action. In August of 1945 they were sent to Leyte Island for ship repairs. He was discharged around June of 1946.
Date: August 3, 2007
Creator: Krause, Kirby
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Richard Andrew, August 3, 2018 transcript

Oral History Interview with Richard Andrew, August 3, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Andrew. Andrew joined the Army in June of 1943. He served with the 34th Infantry Division, 133rd Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion, Company B. Beginning late 1943, Andrew traveled aboard the USS Butler (DD-636) to Africa, participating in additional training. In January of 1944 they traveled to Naples, Italy, and participated in the Italian Campaign on the front line battering the Bernhardt Line defenses. From March through June, they participated in the Battle of Anzio. Andrew was discharged in December of 1945.
Date: August 3, 2018
Creator: Andrew, Richard
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History