Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz indicates he has changed his leave plans again to include a visit to Washington DC and West Point. He summarizes the final few days aboard the Hartford and recalls his standing in his class after the cruise. This letter is on US Naval Academy stationery.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz indicates he has changed his leave plans again to include a visit to Washington DC and West Point. He summarizes the final few days aboard the Hartford and recalls his standing in his class after the cruise.

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz, writing from aboard the USS Hartford, shares the itinerary for the rest of the cruise. Nimitz decides to stay at the Academy for some time in September as he does not have the funds to travel to Kerrville.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his father in Kerrville. Nimitz, writing from aboard the USS Hartford, shares the itinerary for the rest of the cruise. Nimitz decides to stay at the Academy for some time in September as he does not have the funds to travel to Kerrville.

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz tells of the looming examinations for entrance into the Naval Academy and his confidence in passing and gaining admittance.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz tells of the looming examinations for entrance into the Naval Academy and his confidence in passing and gaining admittance.

Transcription of letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz relates information about his grades in various subjects and expresses his appreciation for all his grandfather has done for him. He also mentions that his ears are fine and he does not believe his hearing will bar him from entering the Academy.

Handwritten letter from Chester Nimitz to his grandfather in Fredericksburg. Nimitz relates information about his grades in various subjects and expresses his appreciation for all his grandfather has done for him. He also mentions that his ears are fine and he does not believe his hearing will bar him from entering the Academy. This letter is written on Robert Werntz Preparatory Academy stationery.

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.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alan Pilot. Pilot joined the Army in January 1943 and received basic training at Camp Howze. He received further training in Louisiana for the European Theater and then in California for the Pacific Theater. In January he left for Camp Old Gold at La Havre, where he served as a combat medic, supporting Companies E, G, and H of the 343rd Infantry, 86th Division. His unit relieved the 8th Division and fought in Cologne, where he was stationed at the top of the cathedral while it was being shelled. In the Ruhr Pocket a defective shell landed 10 feet away from him. He recalls seeing 100,000 Germans surrender there. He describes the Bavarian people as friendly as he passed through Austria on VE Day. He was then sent to the Pacific as part of Operation Coronet. VJ Day came while he was still crossing the Pacific. He spent the last five months of his service in the Philippines at a quiet outpost while the rest of his unit prepared the Philippines for independence. Pilot returned home and was discharged in January 1946.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alan Pilot. Pilot joined the Army in January 1943 and received basic training at Camp Howze. He received further training in Louisiana for the European Theater and then in California for the Pacific Theater. In January he left for Camp Old Gold at La Havre, where he served as a combat medic, supporting Companies E, G, and H of the 343rd Infantry, 86th Division. His unit relieved the 8th Division and fought in Cologne, where he was stationed at the top of the cathedral while it was being shelled. In the Ruhr Pocket a defective shell landed 10 feet away from him. He recalls seeing 100,000 Germans surrender there. He describes the Bavarian people as friendly as he passed through Austria on VE Day. He was then sent to the Pacific as part of Operation Coronet. VJ Day came while he was still crossing the Pacific. He spent the last five months of his service in the Philippines at a quiet outpost while the rest of his unit prepared the Philippines for independence. Pilot returned home and was discharged in January 1946.

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.