The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Bast. Bast joined the Navy in January of 1942. He completed courses in seamanship, gunnery, navigation, and attended the Submarine Chaser Training Center in Miami. He was assigned to the USS Anoka (PC-571), of which he was a plank owner. He provides some details of this patrol craft. They were assigned to Port Townsend, Washington protecting the Bremerton Naval Base from enemy submarines. From the fall of 1942 to April of 1943 they were stationed in Alaska, participating in the Aleutian Island Campaigns. In January of 1944 he was assigned as Commanding Officer of the USS LST-677, which was converted into a supply ship and named the USS Yolo (APB-43). In April of 1945 they traveled with a convoy to Okinawa and provided supplies to hundreds of ships in the Philippine Sea. Bast describes the process of supplying these ships. He was discharged in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gene Scribner. Scribner joined the Navy in 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. He then received electrical and gyrocompass training in California. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Alabama (BB-60). He was on call 24 hours a day to maintain the gyrocompass as well as other instruments across the entire ship. From his battle station on the third deck, he was able to wander freely, watching pilots bail out and be rescued by neighboring ships. He also witnessed a kamikaze strike on a carrier beside the Alabama. He tended to stay below during particularly rough combat, such as at Iwo Jima, because he did not want to see the carnage. Scribner was in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the surrender and enjoyed liberty in Japan. He returned home in January 1946 and was discharged soon after.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jacqueline Redstone and Christiane Jenkins. In 1940, Jenkins’ family moved to Tientsin, North China, where her father, Paul Henri Brabant, had taken a job overseeing a coal mine. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, they recall what life was like when the Japanese invaded. They were allowed to remain in their home, though had several encounters with the Japanese soldiers. They recall the soldiers being shipped back to Japan after the atomic bombs were dropped. After the war, they traveled to the US, then returned to China and later moved to Hong Kong.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Felix Ysturiz. Ysturiz joined the Merchant Marine in January of 1943. He trained to serve as a Radio Officer. In 1943, he served as a radioman aboard the SS Oliver Wendell Holmes. They traveled to Hawaii, New Caledonia, New Zealand, the Solomon Islands transporting cargo for the Navy, including PT boats and Seabee construction materials. Around mid-1944 through 1945, Ysturiz served aboard a C-2 ship, transporting cargo for the Army, traveling to New Guinea, Leyte and Manila. He was discharged around late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gene Scribner. Scribner joined the Navy in 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. He then received electrical and gyrocompass training in California. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Alabama (BB-60). He was on call 24 hours a day to maintain the gyrocompass as well as other instruments across the entire ship. From his battle station on the third deck, he was able to wander freely, watching pilots bail out and be rescued by neighboring ships. He also witnessed a kamikaze strike on a carrier beside the Alabama. He tended to stay below during particularly rough combat, such as at Iwo Jima, because he did not want to see the carnage. Scribner was in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the surrender and enjoyed liberty in Japan. He returned home in January 1946 and was discharged soon after.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jacqueline Redstone and Christiane Jenkins. In 1940, Jenkins’ family moved to Tientsin, North China, where her father, Paul Henri Brabant, had taken a job overseeing a coal mine. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, they recall what life was like when the Japanese invaded. They were allowed to remain in their home, though had several encounters with the Japanese soldiers. They recall the soldiers being shipped back to Japan after the atomic bombs were dropped. After the war, they traveled to the US, then returned to China and later moved to Hong Kong.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Felix Ysturiz. Ysturiz joined the Merchant Marine in January of 1943. He trained to serve as a Radio Officer. In 1943, he served as a radioman aboard the SS Oliver Wendell Holmes. They traveled to Hawaii, New Caledonia, New Zealand, the Solomon Islands transporting cargo for the Navy, including PT boats and Seabee construction materials. Around mid-1944 through 1945, Ysturiz served aboard a C-2 ship, transporting cargo for the Army, traveling to New Guinea, Leyte and Manila. He was discharged around late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Bast. Bast joined the Navy in January of 1942. He completed courses in seamanship, gunnery, navigation, and attended the Submarine Chaser Training Center in Miami. He was assigned to the USS Anoka (PC-571), of which he was a plank owner. He provides some details of this patrol craft. They were assigned to Port Townsend, Washington protecting the Bremerton Naval Base from enemy submarines. From the fall of 1942 to April of 1943 they were stationed in Alaska, participating in the Aleutian Island Campaigns. In January of 1944 he was assigned as Commanding Officer of the USS LST-677, which was converted into a supply ship and named the USS Yolo (APB-43). In April of 1945 they traveled with a convoy to Okinawa and provided supplies to hundreds of ships in the Philippine Sea. Bast describes the process of supplying these ships. He was discharged in November of 1945.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing cleaning the barracks, receiving letters from Emma D and Gladys, intending to buy a picture album, playing a ball game with his crew, and plans to fly that night.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, a letter from Bob, visiting Reeger's house with Evelyn, Jenny throwing a party to celebrate Floy moving, and Clifford Smith coming back to work at the post office in Luling.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz relates information about his grades in various subjects and expresses confidence that he will be able to enter the Academy. He also mentions the risk he runs of hazing from upper classmen should he be caught in the act of looking at one.

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz relates information about his grades in various subjects and expresses confidence that he will be able to enter the Academy. He also mentions the risk he runs of hazing from upper classmen should he be caught in the act of looking at one. This letter is written on Robert Werntz Preparatory Academy stationery.

Photograph of Pvt. William A. Zeckman (left) and Cpl. Harry M. Wells (right) holding five puppies that were adopted by the Marines as mascots. Zeckman is shirtless with long pants and is holding three puppies. Wells is also shirtless with long pants and is holding two puppies.

Photograph of a group of Marines inspecting an American rice thrasher found in the outskirts of Agat Town, Guam. The marines stand partially in uniform. Three of the marines are facing towards the rice thrasher while the rest look directly towards the camera.