The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Allen. Mr Allen went into the Marine Corps in September 1942, took boot camp in San Diego, and then was stationed in Santa Anna at the lighter-than-air base as a guard. In September 1943, he was sent to Noumea, New Caledonia and from there to New Guinea where he was put in the First Marine Division, HQ Company, 1st Battalion. His first introduction to combat was when they landed on the southern tip of New Britain. Allen provides a good description of the fighting and the conditions on New Britain; they were wet and in the swamps. It took them about four months to go through New Britain. They had a brief respite on Johnson Islands before they landed on Peleliu. Allen talks about shooting their 75mm guns, point-blank at the steel and concrete doors the Japanese had built. He states that Peleliu was real rough. After going to a camp on Pavuvu, they went to Okinawa. He describes the day that Lt Gen Buckner was killed, by a sniper. Allen also talks about the Japanese using women and children as shields. He states that Ernie Pyle …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Allen. Mr Allen went into the Marine Corps in September 1942, took boot camp in San Diego, and then was stationed in Santa Anna at the lighter-than-air base as a guard. In September 1943, he was sent to Noumea, New Caledonia and from there to New Guinea where he was put in the First Marine Division, HQ Company, 1st Battalion. His first introduction to combat was when they landed on the southern tip of New Britain. Allen provides a good description of the fighting and the conditions on New Britain; they were wet and in the swamps. It took them about four months to go through New Britain. They had a brief respite on Johnson Islands before they landed on Peleliu. Allen talks about shooting their 75mm guns, point-blank at the steel and concrete doors the Japanese had built. He states that Peleliu was real rough. After going to a camp on Pavuvu, they went to Okinawa. He describes the day that Lt Gen Buckner was killed, by a sniper. Allen also talks about the Japanese using women and children as shields. He states that Ernie Pyle …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carl Amundson. Amundson joined the Navy in September 1942 and received basic training at Great Lakes. Upon completion, he was assigned to an APD at Pearl Harbor that transported Marines throughout the South Pacific. He returned to the States and became a plank holder aboard the USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73). After abandoning ship at the Battle of Samar, he survived 40 hours in the water despite not knowing how to swim. Amundson returned home safely, to the shock of his parents, who believed everyone aboard the Gambier Bay had been lost at sea.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carl Amundson. Amundson joined the Navy in September 1942 and received basic training at Great Lakes. Upon completion, he was assigned to an APD at Pearl Harbor that transported Marines throughout the South Pacific. He returned to the States and became a plank holder aboard the USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73). After abandoning ship at the Battle of Samar, he survived 40 hours in the water despite not knowing how to swim. Amundson returned home safely, to the shock of his parents, who believed everyone aboard the Gambier Bay had been lost at sea.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Theodore Anderson. Anderson was drafted into the Navy in April of 1943. He graduated from the hospital corps in San Diego and worked at Long Beach Naval Hospital. As a hospital corpsman Anderson was assigned to the 13th Marines, 5th Marine Division artillery group H & S Battery in the fall of 1944. They traveled to Saipan in preparation for the Battle of Iwo Jima. Anderson provides details of his experiences at Iwo Jima, including serving as a roaming hospital corpsman on the island, how he was severely wounded by a mortar and witnessed the raising of the American flag on Mt. Suribachi. He was discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Theodore Anderson. Anderson was drafted into the Navy in April of 1943. He graduated from the hospital corps in San Diego and worked at Long Beach Naval Hospital. As a hospital corpsman Anderson was assigned to the 13th Marines, 5th Marine Division artillery group H & S Battery in the fall of 1944. They traveled to Saipan in preparation for the Battle of Iwo Jima. Anderson provides details of his experiences at Iwo Jima, including serving as a roaming hospital corpsman on the island, how he was severely wounded by a mortar and witnessed the raising of the American flag on Mt. Suribachi. He was discharged in October of 1945.

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.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wallace Ashwood. Ashwood joined the Navy in 1943 and boarded the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) as a seaman. In the Bering Sea, Ashwood stood watch in freezing winds. But later, at Makin Island, it was so hot that sailors around him collapsed from heat exhaustion. Ashwood often worked as an ammunition handler but happened to be working in the food storage locker on the day that a 200-pound can of gunpowder exploded, killing several members of the gun crew. He was then reassigned to the turret as a replacement, becoming a third-class gunner’s mate. Near Saipan and Tinian, he survived the Pennsylvania colliding with loaded ammunition ship USS Talbot (APD-7). After shooting down a record number of planes in the Philippines, he returned to San Francisco, where the ship was modernized in preparation for bombardment of Japan. When the war abruptly ended, Ashwood was discharged in Wallace, Texas.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wallace Ashwood. Ashwood joined the Navy in 1943 and boarded the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) as a seaman. In the Bering Sea, Ashwood stood watch in freezing winds. But later, at Makin Island, it was so hot that sailors around him collapsed from heat exhaustion. Ashwood often worked as an ammunition handler but happened to be working in the food storage locker on the day that a 200-pound can of gunpowder exploded, killing several members of the gun crew. He was then reassigned to the turret as a replacement, becoming a third-class gunner’s mate. Near Saipan and Tinian, he survived the Pennsylvania colliding with loaded ammunition ship USS Talbot (APD-7). After shooting down a record number of planes in the Philippines, he returned to San Francisco, where the ship was modernized in preparation for bombardment of Japan. When the war abruptly ended, Ashwood was discharged in Wallace, Texas.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Louis Avant. Avant was 16 when the war began and joined the Navy a few years later. He was trained as an electrician, but ended up working as a machinist mate for the boat pool that served CINPAC at Hawaii and then Guam. Avant mentions boxing in several smoker events. He was a member of the boat crew that took Admiral Nimitz to the surrender ceremony.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Louis Avant. Avant was 16 when the war began and joined the Navy a few years later. He was trained as an electrician, but ended up working as a machinist mate for the boat pool that served CINPAC at Hawaii and then Guam. Avant mentions boxing in several smoker events. He was a member of the boat crew that took Admiral Nimitz to the surrender ceremony.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Bargsley. Bargsley joined the Navy in February of 1942. He completed communication school and served as radioman aboard the USS Fowler (DE-222), beginning in May of 1944. Bargsley describes life aboard the ship, as they made numerous voyages between New York, Africa and England escorting convoys. They delivered men and supplies for the operations in Italy and Southern France. In February of 1945 he was transferred to the USS Bassett (APD-73) for duty in the Pacific Theater. They picked up Navy frogmen in San Diego and traveled to Hawaii for training in preparation for the planned invasion of Japan later that year. In August of 1945 they rescued survivors from the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). He provides details of this rescue. Bargsley was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Bargsley. Bargsley joined the Navy in February of 1942. He completed communication school and served as radioman aboard the USS Fowler (DE-222), beginning in May of 1944. Bargsley describes life aboard the ship, as they made numerous voyages between New York, Africa and England escorting convoys. They delivered men and supplies for the operations in Italy and Southern France. In February of 1945 he was transferred to the USS Bassett (APD-73) for duty in the Pacific Theater. They picked up Navy frogmen in San Diego and traveled to Hawaii for training in preparation for the planned invasion of Japan later that year. In August of 1945 they rescued survivors from the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). He provides details of this rescue. Bargsley was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Bell. Bell finished college at Texas Tech before joining the Army Air Forces in 1942. He was commissioned and sent to India where he joined the 341st Bomb Group as an engineer officer. He shares several anecdotes about his experiences.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Bell. Bell finished college at Texas Tech before joining the Army Air Forces in 1942. He was commissioned and sent to India where he joined the 341st Bomb Group as an engineer officer. He shares several anecdotes about his experiences.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Benzinger. Benzinger joined the Navy in June of 1944. He completed Radio School. He was stationed as a Radio Technician at the Navy Pier in Chicago and worked with all Navy communications equipment. He graduated from Navy Pier just as the war ended and continued on with his service. He worked in a receiving station on Leyte Gulf in the Philippine from September of 1945 through May of 1946. He was discharged in June of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Benzinger. Benzinger joined the Navy in June of 1944. He completed Radio School. He was stationed as a Radio Technician at the Navy Pier in Chicago and worked with all Navy communications equipment. He graduated from Navy Pier just as the war ended and continued on with his service. He worked in a receiving station on Leyte Gulf in the Philippine from September of 1945 through May of 1946. He was discharged in June of 1946.

Transcript of an oral interview with Herman Billnitzer. Mr Billnitzer was a Pharmacist Mate in the Navy and spent most of his time as a corpsman with the 1st Marine Division, landing on Guadalcanal in October 1942. He describes the conditions on Guadalcanal as well as the conditions of the sailors that were rescued from ships sunk in Iron Bottom Sound. Near the end of the year, the 1st Marine Division was relieved by the Army and went to Australia for about eight months. From there, they were shipped to New Guinea, Milne Bay, where they stayed for about three months. Then, they landed on New Britain. Billnitzer gives a gripping description of the front line fighting on New Britain including the counterattacks by the Japanese; very revealing of what went on there. After New Britain, he was shipped back to the base hospital at Cape Gloucester and then to Pavuvu (Russell Islands) before he came back to the States for rest and rehabilitation in 1944; after over 20 months in the South Pacific. Billnitzer was sent to the naval hospital at Corpus Christi and then to the west coast for training at San Bruno, California. He went to Sasebo, …

Transcript of an oral interview with Herman Billnitzer. Mr Billnitzer was a Pharmacist Mate in the Navy and spent most of his time as a corpsman with the 1st Marine Division, landing on Guadalcanal in October 1942. He describes the conditions on Guadalcanal as well as the conditions of the sailors that were rescued from ships sunk in Iron Bottom Sound. Near the end of the year, the 1st Marine Division was relieved by the Army and went to Australia for about eight months. From there, they were shipped to New Guinea, Milne Bay, where they stayed for about three months. Then, they landed on New Britain. Billnitzer gives a gripping description of the front line fighting on New Britain including the counterattacks by the Japanese; very revealing of what went on there. After New Britain, he was shipped back to the base hospital at Cape Gloucester and then to Pavuvu (Russell Islands) before he came back to the States for rest and rehabilitation in 1944; after over 20 months in the South Pacific. Billnitzer was sent to the naval hospital at Corpus Christi and then to the west coast for training at San Bruno, California. He went to Sasebo, …

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 interview with Jack Bohning. Bohning enlisted for Navy flight training shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He continued his service as a Marine Corps pilot, flying dive-bombers from 1943-1945. He completed several missions at Tarawa, Hollandia, Makin and the Marshall Islands. He remained in active service as a colonel with the Marines until 1973, training servicemen during the Korean War and as an advisor during the Vietnam War.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jack Bohning. Bohning enlisted for Navy flight training shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He continued his service as a Marine Corps pilot, flying dive-bombers from 1943-1945. He completed several missions at Tarawa, Hollandia, Makin and the Marshall Islands. He remained in active service as a colonel with the Marines until 1973, training servicemen during the Korean War and as an advisor during the Vietnam War.