Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including receiving a letter from Williams' wife in Tonopah, going out to have a few beers with friends, Catherine's prediction that John and Baby are going to break up, and plans to ask for a raise.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing exploring the island after cleaning his guns, his squadron making improvements to their tent, issues with their electricity, enjoying the food, and the mail service.

Letter to the press about the USS Anzio (CVE-57) and the experiences of her crew in the Pacific Theater from her commission in August, 1943 to the end of the war in September, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Benjamin Severns. Severns enlisted in the Navy in February of 1943. Prior to entering the service, Severns worked for Allis-Chalmers in LaPorte, Indiana, a former agricultural equipment manufacturer now producing 90mm guns for the war effort. Severns provides some details of his work experience. In November of 1943 Severns became machinist mate in the engine room aboard the USS Enright (DE-216). They traveled to Ireland and he vividly describes the destroyer, including sleeping and eating quarters and day to day life aboard. They convoyed to Londonderry, North Africa and a host of British ports, providing escort support. He describes some of his experiences in Ireland. Severns details a merchant ship that hit the destroyer in April of 1944, and their travels back to New York for repairs. They traveled back to North Africa, where Severns describes some adventures he had in Oran. He was assigned to the USS Fred T. Berry (DD-858) in January of 1945. They traveled to Hawaii. Severns was involved in the occupation of Japan, patrolling the harbors and setting up control towers. He was then transferred to the USS Belet (APD-109). They traveled to the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carl Crandall. Crandall joined the Navy at age 17. After basic training at Great Lakes, he was trained on running ship’s boilers. Crandall was then assigned to USS Warrick (AKA-89) as a third class watertender. While running the boilers, he would occasionally clean the insides, which required holding his breath for up to three minutes. Crandall was in battle zones in the Philippines for a year and suffered hearing damage from a kamikaze attack on a nearby destroyer. While ashore, he traded with the natives to acquire fresh coconuts. At Iwo Jima, Crandall sat atop the smokestack and watched the flag being raised on Mount Suribachi. After the war, Crandall participated in disarmament of the Japanese by dumping their arms and ammunition into the ocean. While in Japan, he was surprised by the hospitality of the Japanese, having been invited into their homes. Crandall returned to the States after occupation duty and returned home to finish high school.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carl Crandall. Crandall joined the Navy at age 17. After basic training at Great Lakes, he was trained on running ship’s boilers. Crandall was then assigned to USS Warrick (AKA-89) as a third class watertender. While running the boilers, he would occasionally clean the insides, which required holding his breath for up to three minutes. Crandall was in battle zones in the Philippines for a year and suffered hearing damage from a kamikaze attack on a nearby destroyer. While ashore, he traded with the natives to acquire fresh coconuts. At Iwo Jima, Crandall sat atop the smokestack and watched the flag being raised on Mount Suribachi. After the war, Crandall participated in disarmament of the Japanese by dumping their arms and ammunition into the ocean. While in Japan, he was surprised by the hospitality of the Japanese, having been invited into their homes. Crandall returned to the States after occupation duty and returned home to finish high school.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Chalmers Miller. Miller attended Rice University for one semester before joining the Navy. He received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the motor pool of CASU-9 at Port Hueneme. In November 1944 he was sent to the Philippines, where he drove a dump truck on the Tacloban air strip, which was small, crowded, muddy, and full of bomb craters. He became the engineer of a boat transporting supplies and personnel from the USS Currituck (AV-7) and Jinamoc Island. He creatively employed canvas from a cargo truck to protect his passengers from rain. In January Miller was sent to the air strip at Puerto Princesa, which was in much better condition than Tacloban. He returned home and was discharged in April 1946. He soon decided to reenlist for another two years and joined the Seabees. After his final discharge, Miller completed his education on the GI Bill.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Chalmers Miller. Miller attended Rice University for one semester before joining the Navy. He received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the motor pool of CASU-9 at Port Hueneme. In November 1944 he was sent to the Philippines, where he drove a dump truck on the Tacloban air strip, which was small, crowded, muddy, and full of bomb craters. He became the engineer of a boat transporting supplies and personnel from the USS Currituck (AV-7) and Jinamoc Island. He creatively employed canvas from a cargo truck to protect his passengers from rain. In January Miller was sent to the air strip at Puerto Princesa, which was in much better condition than Tacloban. He returned home and was discharged in April 1946. He soon decided to reenlist for another two years and joined the Seabees. After his final discharge, Miller completed his education on the GI Bill.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Don Riel. Riel joined the Navy in 1943 after working in the tool room at a Chevrolet plant. He received basic training at Camp Perry and joined the Seabees as a second class petty officer. On Kwajalein, while operating a truck, he was struck in the shoulder blade by a piece of coral during a controlled explosion. There were no medical facilities there at the time, so Riel was sewn up on the beach. He was then assigned to operate a cement mixer, which is all he could do with his arm in a sling. On Ebeye, he was tasked with maintaining water stills. When he arrived on Tinian, he was a bulldozer operator for the construction of airstrips. Although Tinian had already been secured, Riel survived attacks by snipers and bombers, hiding under his armored dozer. He then served as a fresh water well mechanic until the end of the war. Riel returned home and was discharged in December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Don Riel. Riel joined the Navy in 1943 after working in the tool room at a Chevrolet plant. He received basic training at Camp Perry and joined the Seabees as a second class petty officer. On Kwajalein, while operating a truck, he was struck in the shoulder blade by a piece of coral during a controlled explosion. There were no medical facilities there at the time, so Riel was sewn up on the beach. He was then assigned to operate a cement mixer, which is all he could do with his arm in a sling. On Ebeye, he was tasked with maintaining water stills. When he arrived on Tinian, he was a bulldozer operator for the construction of airstrips. Although Tinian had already been secured, Riel survived attacks by snipers and bombers, hiding under his armored dozer. He then served as a fresh water well mechanic until the end of the war. Riel returned home and was discharged in December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Earl Newman. Newman joined the Navy in July of 1941. He graduated from Pensacola Naval Air Station in 1942. He joined Squadron 21 (United States. Navy. Bombing Squadron 2 (VB-2)1) of Air Group 11 on Guadalcanal, conducting patrol, search, spotting and strike operations. Newman also served with Bombing Squadron 19 (VB-19) aboard the USS Lexington (CV-16), participating in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. In October of 1944, his plane was shot down. Newman was discharged in mid-1945, prior to the end of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Earl Newman. Newman joined the Navy in July of 1941. He graduated from Pensacola Naval Air Station in 1942. He joined Squadron 21 (United States. Navy. Bombing Squadron 2 (VB-2)1) of Air Group 11 on Guadalcanal, conducting patrol, search, spotting and strike operations. Newman also served with Bombing Squadron 19 (VB-19) aboard the USS Lexington (CV-16), participating in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. In October of 1944, his plane was shot down. Newman was discharged in mid-1945, prior to the end of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Guidone. In 1940, Guidone was kicked out of his family’s home for wanting to join the Navy; his father was staunchly anti-military. When the Navy told Guidone there would be a three-week waiting period, he joined the Marine Corps rather than be homeless. He reported to Guantanamo Bay and joined the 1st Marine Division. After training, he volunteered for the 1st Raider Battalion. His first assignment was the invasion of Tulagi, where his unit was separated from its company at the bottom of a ridge in enemy territory, something Guidone felt he had not been trained to handle. He waited for the right moment to launch a grenade attack and successfully led his group to safety. At the start of the campaign for Guadalcanal, despite lacking artillery and naval support, and running low on rations and ammunition, his unit held off the enemy at Henderson Field. At Cape Esperance he captured enemy plans and supplies, including General Kawaguchi’s white dress suit, and dug in at Bloody Ridge before engaging in hand-to-hand combat at Matanikau. On a trip back to New Caledonia, his unit discontinued Atabrine, and many …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Guidone. In 1940, Guidone was kicked out of his family’s home for wanting to join the Navy; his father was staunchly anti-military. When the Navy told Guidone there would be a three-week waiting period, he joined the Marine Corps rather than be homeless. He reported to Guantanamo Bay and joined the 1st Marine Division. After training, he volunteered for the 1st Raider Battalion. His first assignment was the invasion of Tulagi, where his unit was separated from its company at the bottom of a ridge in enemy territory, something Guidone felt he had not been trained to handle. He waited for the right moment to launch a grenade attack and successfully led his group to safety. At the start of the campaign for Guadalcanal, despite lacking artillery and naval support, and running low on rations and ammunition, his unit held off the enemy at Henderson Field. At Cape Esperance he captured enemy plans and supplies, including General Kawaguchi’s white dress suit, and dug in at Bloody Ridge before engaging in hand-to-hand combat at Matanikau. On a trip back to New Caledonia, his unit discontinued Atabrine, and many …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Barbier. Barbier joined the Navy in June 1941. He went to boot camp in San Diego, California. Upon graduating, he was assigned as a gunner’s mate aboard USS Louisville (CA-26) at Pearl Harbor. The Louisville was involved in the Battle of Leyte Gulf at Surigao Strait and then at Lingayen Gulf. He survived damage caused by a number of kamikaze attacks, one of which claimed the life of Admiral Theodore Chandler. Barbier notes that Admiral William McCarty took over the Louisville. After the war ended, Barbier served in the military occupation of Japan, and remained in the Reserves for 10 years.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Barbier. Barbier joined the Navy in June 1941. He went to boot camp in San Diego, California. Upon graduating, he was assigned as a gunner’s mate aboard USS Louisville (CA-26) at Pearl Harbor. The Louisville was involved in the Battle of Leyte Gulf at Surigao Strait and then at Lingayen Gulf. He survived damage caused by a number of kamikaze attacks, one of which claimed the life of Admiral Theodore Chandler. Barbier notes that Admiral William McCarty took over the Louisville. After the war ended, Barbier served in the military occupation of Japan, and remained in the Reserves for 10 years.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Gross. Gross joined the Navy around 1943 and served with the 107th Naval Construction Battalion. They traveled to Ebeye in the Marshall Islands to redevelop and repair an existing seaplane base by assembling a pontoon wharf and pontoon barges for transporting damaged carrier aircraft to repair units ashore. Additionally, they built Quonset huts and installed playing fields and a recreation area for ship crewmen. They traveled to Tinian to construct the biggest airdrome in the world, where B-29s took off for Nagasaki and Hiroshima with the atomic bombs.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Gross. Gross joined the Navy around 1943 and served with the 107th Naval Construction Battalion. They traveled to Ebeye in the Marshall Islands to redevelop and repair an existing seaplane base by assembling a pontoon wharf and pontoon barges for transporting damaged carrier aircraft to repair units ashore. Additionally, they built Quonset huts and installed playing fields and a recreation area for ship crewmen. They traveled to Tinian to construct the biggest airdrome in the world, where B-29s took off for Nagasaki and Hiroshima with the atomic bombs.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hans Hanneman. Hanneman was born in Gillespie County (Texas) on 16 September 1916, the oldest of eight children. Although his mother was widowed, he was able to attend Texas Lutheran College for two years. Upon graduating he began working for a Fredericksburg (Texas) businessman. His employer decided that he and Hans would begin taking flying lessons at Stinson Field in San Antonio. They received their flying licenses in 1940. Hanneman’s employer then bought an airplane and they began training pilots enrolled in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. Hanneman concludes the narrative by telling of his wedding in the Nimitz Hotel Ballroom in 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hans Hanneman. Hanneman was born in Gillespie County (Texas) on 16 September 1916, the oldest of eight children. Although his mother was widowed, he was able to attend Texas Lutheran College for two years. Upon graduating he began working for a Fredericksburg (Texas) businessman. His employer decided that he and Hans would begin taking flying lessons at Stinson Field in San Antonio. They received their flying licenses in 1940. Hanneman’s employer then bought an airplane and they began training pilots enrolled in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. Hanneman concludes the narrative by telling of his wedding in the Nimitz Hotel Ballroom in 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harry Ferrier. Ferrier joined the Navy in January 1941 and received basic training in Newport. He attended aviation radio school in Jacksonville was and assigned to an Avenger crew as a radioman. On 4 June 1942 his plane was attacked at the Battle of Midway by enemy fighters while targeting the Japanese fleet. His turret gunner was killed, his pilot wounded, and all five accompanying airplanes were shot down. He was reassigned to Torpedo Squadron 3 on the USS Enterprise (CV-6) and then to an SBD squadron attached to the USS Yorktown (CV-10). After attending Aviation Electronics Officer School, he participated in nuclear weapons tests and taught nuclear weapons firing. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars as an aircraft maintenance officer. At the time of his retirement in 1970, he was overseeing 2,000 maintenance personnel. Ferrier is also known for his involvement in finding the Titanic and searching for the Yorktown (CV-5) and other sunken Japanese carriers.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harry Ferrier. Ferrier joined the Navy in January 1941 and received basic training in Newport. He attended aviation radio school in Jacksonville was and assigned to an Avenger crew as a radioman. On 4 June 1942 his plane was attacked at the Battle of Midway by enemy fighters while targeting the Japanese fleet. His turret gunner was killed, his pilot wounded, and all five accompanying airplanes were shot down. He was reassigned to Torpedo Squadron 3 on the USS Enterprise (CV-6) and then to an SBD squadron attached to the USS Yorktown (CV-10). After attending Aviation Electronics Officer School, he participated in nuclear weapons tests and taught nuclear weapons firing. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars as an aircraft maintenance officer. At the time of his retirement in 1970, he was overseeing 2,000 maintenance personnel. Ferrier is also known for his involvement in finding the Titanic and searching for the Yorktown (CV-5) and other sunken Japanese carriers.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hetty Walker. Walker was born in Holland in 1935. Her family took shelter from air raids by hiding under their kitchen table, the children wearing pots on their heads. During severe bombing, they spent an entire month in their basement. In May 1940, the sky was so full of planes that it looked dark. Her mother salvaged parachutes from downed aviators and used the silk to make clothing for her family. Food was scarce, and they subsisted on potatoes and black bread. As a professional musician, her father was forced to entertain Germans; he listened to their conversations and passed information to the Dutch resistance. Walker witnessed brutality against the Jews in her village, but she also knew German soldiers who were kind enough to bring her family food. When the war ended, there was a big celebration, with dancing in the streets. Walker and her family immigrated to North America, sponsored by Canadian soldiers they had hosted during the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hetty Walker. Walker was born in Holland in 1935. Her family took shelter from air raids by hiding under their kitchen table, the children wearing pots on their heads. During severe bombing, they spent an entire month in their basement. In May 1940, the sky was so full of planes that it looked dark. Her mother salvaged parachutes from downed aviators and used the silk to make clothing for her family. Food was scarce, and they subsisted on potatoes and black bread. As a professional musician, her father was forced to entertain Germans; he listened to their conversations and passed information to the Dutch resistance. Walker witnessed brutality against the Jews in her village, but she also knew German soldiers who were kind enough to bring her family food. When the war ended, there was a big celebration, with dancing in the streets. Walker and her family immigrated to North America, sponsored by Canadian soldiers they had hosted during the war.