The National Museum of the Pacific War presents and oral interview with Thomas Earp. Earp was born in Baltimore 15 November 1923. He joined the Marines and went to Camp Pendleton where he had boot training. He then went to Camp Goettge on New Caledonia and was assigned to the 1st Raider Regiment. In January 1944 he went to Guadalcanal where he had additional combat training before transferring into the 4th Marine Regiment. He was then assigned to the 1st Marine Provisional Brigade. Earp’s unit served as a reserve force during the invasion of Saipan. On 21 July 1944 he participated in the invasion of Guam. He recalls waiting on deck for a Higgins boat and seeing piles of body parts taken on board. His landing craft hung up on a coral reef and the troops had to wade ashore in high water under fire. On his first night on the island, they endured a banzai charge. As the battle moved inland he was assigned to the 53rd Construction Battalion and they began building bridges and roads. They also constructed landing strips for B-29s as well as a headquarters building for Admiral Chester Nimitz. Earp departed Guam November 1945 and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents and oral interview with Thomas Earp. Earp was born in Baltimore 15 November 1923. He joined the Marines and went to Camp Pendleton where he had boot training. He then went to Camp Goettge on New Caledonia and was assigned to the 1st Raider Regiment. In January 1944 he went to Guadalcanal where he had additional combat training before transferring into the 4th Marine Regiment. He was then assigned to the 1st Marine Provisional Brigade. Earp’s unit served as a reserve force during the invasion of Saipan. On 21 July 1944 he participated in the invasion of Guam. He recalls waiting on deck for a Higgins boat and seeing piles of body parts taken on board. His landing craft hung up on a coral reef and the troops had to wade ashore in high water under fire. On his first night on the island, they endured a banzai charge. As the battle moved inland he was assigned to the 53rd Construction Battalion and they began building bridges and roads. They also constructed landing strips for B-29s as well as a headquarters building for Admiral Chester Nimitz. Earp departed Guam November 1945 and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edgar McCann. McCann was drafted into the Navy in 1944. He completed boot camp in San Diego. He served in Hawaii for fourteen months and remained at a base during the war repairing landing craft. He provides some details of his work and life in Oahu, Hawaii. He was discharged in Houston in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edgar McCann. McCann was drafted into the Navy in 1944. He completed boot camp in San Diego. He served in Hawaii for fourteen months and remained at a base during the war repairing landing craft. He provides some details of his work and life in Oahu, Hawaii. He was discharged in Houston in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Black. Admiral James Richardson inspired Black to join the Navy. Black enlisted on his 18th birthday. He then trained as a radio operator and in January 1945 boarded the USS Franklin (CV-13). Black was in the mess hall after finishing a long watch when the bombs struck. Hungry and tired, he was suddenly tossed against the wall, landing conveniently on a pile of mattresses. But he was also trapped, the hatch inoperable due to a fire above. He managed somehow to escape in the dark and abandon ship. After being rescued by the USS Hunt (DD-674), Black was temporarily paralyzed from the waist down by hypothermia from the cold water. Upon recovery, he was reassigned to a secret outfit, as a radio direction finder locating enemy transmissions. After the war, Black finished his service aboard a seagoing tug, serving as the communications officer due to a shortage of men. He suffered from PTSD after discharge, which required continued use of medication to manage.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Black. Admiral James Richardson inspired Black to join the Navy. Black enlisted on his 18th birthday. He then trained as a radio operator and in January 1945 boarded the USS Franklin (CV-13). Black was in the mess hall after finishing a long watch when the bombs struck. Hungry and tired, he was suddenly tossed against the wall, landing conveniently on a pile of mattresses. But he was also trapped, the hatch inoperable due to a fire above. He managed somehow to escape in the dark and abandon ship. After being rescued by the USS Hunt (DD-674), Black was temporarily paralyzed from the waist down by hypothermia from the cold water. Upon recovery, he was reassigned to a secret outfit, as a radio direction finder locating enemy transmissions. After the war, Black finished his service aboard a seagoing tug, serving as the communications officer due to a shortage of men. He suffered from PTSD after discharge, which required continued use of medication to manage.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dale R. Walker. He joined the Marine Corps in 1944 and was trained in mortars at Camp Pendleton, California and then went on to Camp Tarawa at Hawaii for further training with the Fifth Marine Divison. Walker landed with the sixth wave on D-day at Iwo Jima. While working with mortars supporting the infantry, he was called on to be a stretcher bearer on occasion. Walker spent 36 days on Iwo Jima. After the Japanese surrendered, Walker served in the occupation of Japan.

Interview with Dale R. Walker, a U. S. Marine during World War II. He joined the Marine Corps in 1944 and was trained in mortars at Camp Pendleton, California. He then went to Camp Tarawa at Hawaii for further training with the Fifth Marine Division. Walker landed with the sixth wave on D-day at Iwo Jima. While working with mortars supporting the infantry, he was called on to be a stretcher-bearer on occasion. Walker spent 36 days on Iwo Jima. After the Japanese surrendered, Walker served in the occupation of Japan.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dale R. Walker. He joined the Marine Corps in 1944 and was trained in mortars at Camp Pendleton, California and then went on to Camp Tarawa at Hawaii for further training with the Fifth Marine Divison. Walker landed with the sixth wave on D-day at Iwo Jima. While working with mortars supporting the infantry, he was called on to be a stretcher bearer on occasion. Walker spent 36 days on Iwo Jima. After the Japanese surrendered, Walker served in the occupation of Japan.

Interview with Dale R. Walker of Kingsville, Texas, a United States Marine Corps veteran from World War Two. The interview includes Hill's memories about growing up as well as his personal experiences while in the Marines, including details from his involvement in the Iwo Jima attacks, 3rd Battalion, and the occupation of Nagasaki.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Warren Wells. Wells joined the Navy in November of 1942. He served as the Electronic Field Service Group lieutenant aboard 11 different combat vessels. The Navy sent him to Harvard and MIT to receive advanced Radar training, where 3-coordinate radar was developed to combat kamikaze attacks on the US fleet in the Pacific. Wells was discharged in October of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Warren Wells. Wells joined the Navy in November of 1942. He served as the Electronic Field Service Group lieutenant aboard 11 different combat vessels. The Navy sent him to Harvard and MIT to receive advanced Radar training, where 3-coordinate radar was developed to combat kamikaze attacks on the US fleet in the Pacific. Wells was discharged in October of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frans Doelman. Doelman was born in Brussels, Belgium of Dutch parents but spent most of the years in Nice, France before they left Europe. His family left France after the war started and went to the Dutch East Indies where his father had worked (in the tobacco industry) previously. Doelman discusses in some detail their car trip to Lisbon, boarding a ship bound for New York, their stay in New York for a couple months, and their trip on the Dempo (Holland-American line) through the Panama Canal to Batavia in Java. After the Japanese took over the Dutch East Indies, they rounded up all the Caucasian families and first put them in a restricted area in Malang but then took them to Samarang. They ended up in a huge camp, Karang Panus. This was Doelman's home for the next year and a half and his father died there in August 1944. Then he was sent to Camp Bangkong which was for boys and old men; he was there for about a year. Bangkong was in the vicinity of Samarang. Doelman describes the conditions in the camp, their working …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frans Doelman. Doelman was born in Brussels, Belgium of Dutch parents but spent most of the years in Nice, France before they left Europe. His family left France after the war started and went to the Dutch East Indies where his father had worked (in the tobacco industry) previously. Doelman discusses in some detail their car trip to Lisbon, boarding a ship bound for New York, their stay in New York for a couple months, and their trip on the Dempo (Holland-American line) through the Panama Canal to Batavia in Java. After the Japanese took over the Dutch East Indies, they rounded up all the Caucasian families and first put them in a restricted area in Malang but then took them to Samarang. They ended up in a huge camp, Karang Panus. This was Doelman's home for the next year and a half and his father died there in August 1944. Then he was sent to Camp Bangkong which was for boys and old men; he was there for about a year. Bangkong was in the vicinity of Samarang. Doelman describes the conditions in the camp, their working …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Leo Charles Kimble. He discusses his childhood growing up during the great depression and what led him to join the US Navy. He describes his experiences int he Pacific Theatre during World War Two.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Rudd. Rudd joined the Army Air Forces in October of 1942. He completed Radio School and served as a Radio Operator with the 83rd Troop Carrier Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group. In January of 1944, the group deployed to England. In June, during the Normandy campaign, they released gliders over Cherbourg, France and carried troops, weapons, ammunition and other supplies for the 82nd Airborne Division. In August through December, they participated in the invasion of southern France and Operation Market Garden, releasing paratroopers and gliders, and resupplied the 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne, Belgium. Rudd returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Rudd. Rudd joined the Army Air Forces in October of 1942. He completed Radio School and served as a Radio Operator with the 83rd Troop Carrier Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group. In January of 1944, the group deployed to England. In June, during the Normandy campaign, they released gliders over Cherbourg, France and carried troops, weapons, ammunition and other supplies for the 82nd Airborne Division. In August through December, they participated in the invasion of southern France and Operation Market Garden, releasing paratroopers and gliders, and resupplied the 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne, Belgium. Rudd returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ralph Simoneau. Simoneau went into the Marines in November 1943 and went to boot camp in San Diego. After some home leave and time in the brig (he was AWOL, coming back late from leave), he was sent to Camp Pendleton where he trained with the Raiders for a while until they were disbanded and became part of the 5th Marine Division. Simoneau was put in the 2nd Battalion, 27th Marines. He volunteered for a 60mm mortar section and they were attached to D Company. They were sent to Camp Tarawa (Hawaii) and continued training there. They boarded ships and after a stop in Eniwetok, they were transferred to LST's which sailed for Iwo Jima. After they were onboard the LSTs, they finally found out where they were going; they studied relief maps and models, found out what their objectives were, etc. After being loaded in amtraks, circling and waiting until all the vessels that were going to make the attack were in position, they headed for shore as part of the first wave. The ramp on their amtrak didn't come down so they had to climb over …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ralph Simoneau. Simoneau went into the Marines in November 1943 and went to boot camp in San Diego. After some home leave and time in the brig (he was AWOL, coming back late from leave), he was sent to Camp Pendleton where he trained with the Raiders for a while until they were disbanded and became part of the 5th Marine Division. Simoneau was put in the 2nd Battalion, 27th Marines. He volunteered for a 60mm mortar section and they were attached to D Company. They were sent to Camp Tarawa (Hawaii) and continued training there. They boarded ships and after a stop in Eniwetok, they were transferred to LST's which sailed for Iwo Jima. After they were onboard the LSTs, they finally found out where they were going; they studied relief maps and models, found out what their objectives were, etc. After being loaded in amtraks, circling and waiting until all the vessels that were going to make the attack were in position, they headed for shore as part of the first wave. The ramp on their amtrak didn't come down so they had to climb over …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Moore. Moore entered the Army Air Force as an Aviation Cadet in March 1943. He was sent to Nashville, Tennessee for classification (pilot, navigator or bombardier training) and uniforms. Moore was selected for pilot training and was sent to Santa Ana, California for pre-flight training and Tulare, California for primary flight training. From there he went to Chico, California for basic flight training and to Stockton, California for advanced training. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in February 1944 at Stockton. Moore was selected for B-25 training (transition) and went to Mather Field. Afterwards, he was sent to Louisville, Kentucky where he was given minimal C-47 instruction. They were then flown to Morrison Field, West Palm Beach, Florida where he was issued a brand-new C-47, got a crew and received sealed orders. They were told they were going overseas but not told where...90 C-47s were going to India. They ended up in Sylhet (eastern India). It took them two weeks to get there. Moore's class had been picked out of B-25 training and thrown into C-47s because Churchill had asked Roosevelt for help; the Japanese had invaded …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Moore. Moore entered the Army Air Force as an Aviation Cadet in March 1943. He was sent to Nashville, Tennessee for classification (pilot, navigator or bombardier training) and uniforms. Moore was selected for pilot training and was sent to Santa Ana, California for pre-flight training and Tulare, California for primary flight training. From there he went to Chico, California for basic flight training and to Stockton, California for advanced training. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in February 1944 at Stockton. Moore was selected for B-25 training (transition) and went to Mather Field. Afterwards, he was sent to Louisville, Kentucky where he was given minimal C-47 instruction. They were then flown to Morrison Field, West Palm Beach, Florida where he was issued a brand-new C-47, got a crew and received sealed orders. They were told they were going overseas but not told where...90 C-47s were going to India. They ended up in Sylhet (eastern India). It took them two weeks to get there. Moore's class had been picked out of B-25 training and thrown into C-47s because Churchill had asked Roosevelt for help; the Japanese had invaded …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Earl Walker. Walker was drafted into the Navy in 1944. He served aboard the USS Okaloosa (APA-219) beginning November of 1944. They went to Okinawa in April of 1945. Walker describes his experiences as an African American Navy seaman at that time, in comparison to white Navy seamen. His combat station aboard the ship was the four-barrel 40mm. He served with the Pacific Fleet as Steward’s Mate First Class and traveled to Saipan, Guam, Okinawa and the Philippines. He was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Earl Walker. Walker was drafted into the Navy in 1944. He served aboard the USS Okaloosa (APA-219) beginning November of 1944. They went to Okinawa in April of 1945. Walker describes his experiences as an African American Navy seaman at that time, in comparison to white Navy seamen. His combat station aboard the ship was the four-barrel 40mm. He served with the Pacific Fleet as Steward’s Mate First Class and traveled to Saipan, Guam, Okinawa and the Philippines. He was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Laverne Arnic. Arnic joined the Army Air Forces in October of 1942. He was assigned to an Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington for two-and-a-half years and served as a guard. Around mid-1944 Arnic was sent overseas to the Pacific. He did not participate in any combat and was assigned as a guard of Japanese prisoners-of-war on the Island of Okinawa until the end of the war. He was discharged around 1945.