The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with J. Lloyd Abbot. Abbot received a commission in the Navy in 1939 and served two months aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6) before being tasked to bring an old destroyer, the USS Gilmer (DD-233), out of mothballs. He stayed on it for a while before going to flight school in Pensacola. He earned his wings in November, 1941. Due to some accidents and illnesses, Abbot was disallowed to fly from carriers. He was assigned to shore-based anti-submarine patrol squadron, VS-1D-14, in December 1942. In April 1943, the squadron was divided into two and Abbot was placed in command of VS-66 on Wallis Island. At the end of 1943, his squadron inherited some SBD dive bombers and they moved to a new base on Tarawa. In March 1944. Abbot was assigned to the staff of the Chief of Naval Air Training at Pensacola. He was there when the war ended. After the war, Abbot commanded VF-41 aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42). Throughout his career, he served as the operation officer aboard carriers, worked at the Pentagon, was commander of the Antarctic mission and commander of a carrier division …

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with J. Lloyd Abbot. Abbot received a commission in the Navy in 1939 and served two months aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6) before being tasked to bring an old destroyer, the USS Gilmer (DD-233), out of mothballs. He stayed on it for a while before going to flight school in Pensacola. He earned his wings in November, 1941. Due to some accidents and illnesses, Abbot was disallowed to fly from carriers. He was assigned to shore-based anti-submarine patrol squadron, VS-1D-14, in December 1942. In April 1943, the squadron was divided into two and Abbot was placed in command of VS-66 on Wallis Island. At the end of 1943, his squadron inherited some SBD dive bombers and they moved to a new base on Tarawa. In March 1944. Abbot was assigned to the staff of the Chief of Naval Air Training at Pensacola. He was there when the war ended. After the war, Abbot commanded VF-41 aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42). Throughout his career, he served as the operation officer aboard carriers, worked at the Pentagon, was commander of the Antarctic mission and commander of a carrier division …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Marmaduke Bayne. Bayne received his commission in the Navy Reserve after finishing university in 1942. His first assignment was aboard the USS YP-429 before going aboard USS YP-61 as the executive officer. Then, he went for submarine training before going aboard the USS Becuna (SS-319) and making three war patrols in the Pacific with her. Toward the end of the war, he served aboard the USS Bergall (SS-320). After the war, Bayne applied for the Regular Navy and continued to serve aboard and around submarines. He retired as a vice admiral in 1977.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alpha Bowser. Bowser earned a commission through the Naval Academy in 1932. He went to sea aboard the USS Texas (BB-35). Afterwards, he went to artillery school at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Bowser recalls a detail where he accompanied President Roosevelt to Georgia. When World War II started, Bowser was assigned to the 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division as an artillery officer. He describes the landing he made during the invasion of Guam. He also was in a quiet sector at Iwo Jima. When the war ended, Bowser worked to demobilize the Marine Corps. He also served in Korea planning the Inchon landing. He also worked with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, commanded at Camp Lejeune and commanded the Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic before retiring in 1967.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ray Brashear. Upon completion of the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP), Brashear joined the Army Air Corps and earned his wings in 1941. He then spent three years at Merced Army Flying Field as a flight instructor and was promoted to director of training. He joined the 499th Bomb Group, 878th Bomb Squadron in 1944 as a B-29 pilot. In June 1945, he led 500 planes on a raid over Kobe. His horizontal stabilizer was shot by a Gekko, and the plane limped seven hours back to Saipan as the Iwo Jima strip was overcrowded. He participated in the first incendiary raids on Japan. Upon returning, his plane was covered in soot and he smelled of burning flesh. Rotated out before the war ended, Brashear was in Honolulu on V-J Day. Discharged into the reserves, he flew a crop duster for a few years before returning to active duty with the Air Force, performing weather reconnaissance in the Korean War and radar bomb scoring during the Cold War.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ray Brashear. Upon completion of the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP), Brashear joined the Army Air Corps and earned his wings in 1941. He then spent three years at Merced Army Flying Field as a flight instructor and was promoted to director of training. He joined the 499th Bomb Group, 878th Bomb Squadron in 1944 as a B-29 pilot. In June 1945, he led 500 planes on a raid over Kobe. His horizontal stabilizer was shot by a Gekko, and the plane limped seven hours back to Saipan as the Iwo Jima strip was overcrowded. He participated in the first incendiary raids on Japan. Upon returning, his plane was covered in soot and he smelled of burning flesh. Rotated out before the war ended, Brashear was in Honolulu on V-J Day. Discharged into the reserves, he flew a crop duster for a few years before returning to active duty with the Air Force, performing weather reconnaissance in the Korean War and radar bomb scoring during the Cold War.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John B. Brush. Brush graduated from Cornell in 1934 and went to work for Proctor and Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio. In April, 1941, he took a position as chief engineer for P&G's Philippine operation in Manila. He mentions how unprepared he was for the Japanese invasion in December, 1941, and how unaware he was of any Japanese military intentions. He and his wife were caught in the invasion and captured in Manila and sent to the internment camp at Santo Tomas. Brush describes the establishment of the internment camp and its function. He also recalls various aspect of life within its confines: daily routine, cleaning rice, building shanties, etc. In June 1943, Brush was relocated to Los Banos. He was liberated from there in April 1945, returned to Cincinnati and resumed working for P&G.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John B. Brush. Brush graduated from Cornell in 1934 and went to work for Proctor and Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio. In April, 1941, he took a position as chief engineer for P&G's Philippine operation in Manila. He mentions how unprepared he was for the Japanese invasion in December, 1941, and how unaware he was of any Japanese military intentions. He and his wife were caught in the invasion and captured in Manila and sent to the internment camp at Santo Tomas. Brush describes the establishment of the internment camp and its function. He also recalls various aspect of life within its confines: daily routine, cleaning rice, building shanties, etc. In June 1943, Brush was relocated to Los Banos. He was liberated from there in April 1945, returned to Cincinnati and resumed working for P&G.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Marie Castro. As a child, Castro lived in Saipan under Japanese occupation, living with rationing and blackout conditions. As a Chamorro, she received corporal punishment from her teachers, and one of her cousins was beaten to death. When Japanese Marines came to Garapan seeking comfort women, Castro hid in an attic to avoid being taken. She then moved with her family to Marpi Point, but her father was sent to a labor camp. After the United States invaded, Castro and her family hid in a cave, lacking food and water. They were discovered and sent to Camp Susupe, crowded with orphans of those who committed suicide. Initially wary of Americans, the interned were happy to find themselves treated very well. Grateful to Americans for giving their lives to save hers, Castro devoted herself to a teaching career in Kansas City.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Marie Castro. As a child, Castro lived in Saipan under Japanese occupation, living with rationing and blackout conditions. As a Chamorro, she received corporal punishment from her teachers, and one of her cousins was beaten to death. When Japanese Marines came to Garapan seeking comfort women, Castro hid in an attic to avoid being taken. She then moved with her family to Marpi Point, but her father was sent to a labor camp. After the United States invaded, Castro and her family hid in a cave, lacking food and water. They were discovered and sent to Camp Susupe, crowded with orphans of those who committed suicide. Initially wary of Americans, the interned were happy to find themselves treated very well. Grateful to Americans for giving their lives to save hers, Castro devoted herself to a teaching career in Kansas City.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Charland. Charland initially provides details of his family history and growing up. He joined the Marine Corps in 1939. He completed boot camp at Camp Elliott in California and provides details of his training. In June of 1941 he was assigned to the 3rd Marine Defense Battalion, H & S Company in Hawaii. He was serving guard detail at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, 7 miles west of Pearl Harbor on the morning of 7 December 1941. Charland provides vivid details of his experiences through the attack. For the next month he and his sergeant went through the harbor in the captain’s gig picking up survivors and the dead. In August of 1942 he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, E Company, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division in New Zealand. In November of 1943 he participated in the Battle of Tarawa. Upon getting wounded he boarded the USS Comfort (AH-6) and went back to Hawaii, where Admiral Chester Nimitz awarded him a Purple Heart. He was then assigned to the 4th Marine Division in February of 1944 and supported the infantry during the battles of Saipan, Tinian and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Charland. Charland initially provides details of his family history and growing up. He joined the Marine Corps in 1939. He completed boot camp at Camp Elliott in California and provides details of his training. In June of 1941 he was assigned to the 3rd Marine Defense Battalion, H & S Company in Hawaii. He was serving guard detail at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, 7 miles west of Pearl Harbor on the morning of 7 December 1941. Charland provides vivid details of his experiences through the attack. For the next month he and his sergeant went through the harbor in the captain’s gig picking up survivors and the dead. In August of 1942 he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, E Company, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division in New Zealand. In November of 1943 he participated in the Battle of Tarawa. Upon getting wounded he boarded the USS Comfort (AH-6) and went back to Hawaii, where Admiral Chester Nimitz awarded him a Purple Heart. He was then assigned to the 4th Marine Division in February of 1944 and supported the infantry during the battles of Saipan, Tinian and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Victor Delano. Delano was appointed to the Naval Academy in June of 1937 and graduated with distinction in February of 1941 and was commissioned ensign. He was assigned to the gunnery department of the Fire Control Division aboard the USS West Virginia (BB-48), where he was stationed during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The ship was moored in the Harbor, and Delano provides vivid details of the attack and sinking of the West Virginia. Next, he served aboard the USS San Juan (CL-54) from 1942 to 1943. They participated in the Battle of Savo Island, the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands, around Guadalcanal and provided gunfire support for the landings at Tulagi. From 1944 to 1945 he was assigned to the USS Wedderburn (DD-684). They participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, in the Philippines, at Iwo Jima and at Okinawa. He came back to the States in the fall of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Victor Delano. Delano was appointed to the Naval Academy in June of 1937 and graduated with distinction in February of 1941 and was commissioned ensign. He was assigned to the gunnery department of the Fire Control Division aboard the USS West Virginia (BB-48), where he was stationed during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The ship was moored in the Harbor, and Delano provides vivid details of the attack and sinking of the West Virginia. Next, he served aboard the USS San Juan (CL-54) from 1942 to 1943. They participated in the Battle of Savo Island, the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands, around Guadalcanal and provided gunfire support for the landings at Tulagi. From 1944 to 1945 he was assigned to the USS Wedderburn (DD-684). They participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, in the Philippines, at Iwo Jima and at Okinawa. He came back to the States in the fall of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with C. Douglas Dillon where he discusses his childhood and education and what led him to join the Navy. He describes his career in the navy serving out of various ports across the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert E. Galer. Galer was born in Seattle 23 October 1913. In 1935, he graduated from the University of Washington, having earned a commission through ROTC. During flight training at Pensacola, he accepted a regular commission in the Marine Corps. His classmate at Washington was Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, who also trained with him at Quantico. During the ensuing years, Galer became carrier qualified and flew sea planes in the Virgin Islands, had a tour of duty with a fighter squadron in San Diego, and had fighter training in Honolulu. He watched the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor from a friend’s house. Galer went to Guadalcanal in late August 1942, where he flew interdiction missions in the Grumman F4F Wildcat. In fighting for Henderson Field, Galer was shot down three times, was credited with shooting down 11 ½ Japanese planes, and received the Medal of Honor. After receiving the award, he went on speaking tours to sell war bonds. Afterwards, he attended the Army Command and Staff School at Fort Leavenworth. In early 1945, he was assigned as the co-leader of a 25-man team responsible for evaluating a new radar …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert E. Galer. Galer was born in Seattle 23 October 1913. In 1935, he graduated from the University of Washington, having earned a commission through ROTC. During flight training at Pensacola, he accepted a regular commission in the Marine Corps. His classmate at Washington was Gregory “Pappy” Boyington, who also trained with him at Quantico. During the ensuing years, Galer became carrier qualified and flew sea planes in the Virgin Islands, had a tour of duty with a fighter squadron in San Diego, and had fighter training in Honolulu. He watched the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor from a friend’s house. Galer went to Guadalcanal in late August 1942, where he flew interdiction missions in the Grumman F4F Wildcat. In fighting for Henderson Field, Galer was shot down three times, was credited with shooting down 11 ½ Japanese planes, and received the Medal of Honor. After receiving the award, he went on speaking tours to sell war bonds. Afterwards, he attended the Army Command and Staff School at Fort Leavenworth. In early 1945, he was assigned as the co-leader of a 25-man team responsible for evaluating a new radar …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Raymond F. "Hap" Halloran. Halloran grew up in Ohio and admits an early fascination with airplanes that led him into the Army Air Corps after he finished high school in 1940. By the end of 1942, Halloran had been called up for service in the Air Corps and trained asa navigator. He also volunteered for bombadier school. Halloran also speaks of training in B-29 bombers. In December, 1944, Halloran and his crew received orders to go overseas to Saipan. Halloran also speaks of his post-war friendship with Japanese fighter ace Saburo Sakai. Halloran also describes being shot down over Japan in early 1945 and bailing out of his crippled B-29. Halloran came down in a parachute, landed in Tokyo and was captured. He suffered a sever ebeating by the civilians before military personnel got to him. Halloran then describes his long captivity as a POW. He also describes witnessing the fire bombing of Tokyo on the night of 9-10 March 1945. Halloran also recalls being stripped naked and put in an animal cage. Then, Japanese citizens were allowed to view him in his cage for a day or …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Raymond F. "Hap" Halloran. Halloran grew up in Ohio and admits an early fascination with airplanes that led him into the Army Air Corps after he finished high school in 1940. By the end of 1942, Halloran had been called up for service in the Air Corps and trained asa navigator. He also volunteered for bombadier school. Halloran also speaks of training in B-29 bombers. In December, 1944, Halloran and his crew received orders to go overseas to Saipan. Halloran also speaks of his post-war friendship with Japanese fighter ace Saburo Sakai. Halloran also describes being shot down over Japan in early 1945 and bailing out of his crippled B-29. Halloran came down in a parachute, landed in Tokyo and was captured. He suffered a sever ebeating by the civilians before military personnel got to him. Halloran then describes his long captivity as a POW. He also describes witnessing the fire bombing of Tokyo on the night of 9-10 March 1945. Halloran also recalls being stripped naked and put in an animal cage. Then, Japanese citizens were allowed to view him in his cage for a day or …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Raymond Francis Halloran. Halloran was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1922. He volunteered for the Air Corps at Dayton in late 1942. He had basic training at Sheppard Field in Wichita Falls, Texas, then initial flight training at College Station. He was accepted for navigation school at Hondo Air Base, Texas; then went to bombardier school at Roswell, New Mexico. He joined his bomber crew in Kansas where they trained in B-17s and B-24s. Finally getting their B-29, Halloran and his crew flew to Saipan via San Francisco, Hawaii, and Kwajalein, arriving 12 December 1944. Their first mission was over Iwo Jima. On their seventh mission on 1 January 1945, they were shot down over Tokyo. Halloran and 4 others bailed out through the bomb bay while 6 others went down with the plane. Initially beaten by civilians on the ground, he was taken by soldiers to a Kempeitai prison. There he was tortured and interrogated. After two months, the prison was bombed by U.S. aircraft and Halloran was moved to the Omori POW camp. He was liberated 29 August 1945. He spent considerable time in the hospital …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Raymond Francis Halloran. Halloran was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1922. He volunteered for the Air Corps at Dayton in late 1942. He had basic training at Sheppard Field in Wichita Falls, Texas, then initial flight training at College Station. He was accepted for navigation school at Hondo Air Base, Texas; then went to bombardier school at Roswell, New Mexico. He joined his bomber crew in Kansas where they trained in B-17s and B-24s. Finally getting their B-29, Halloran and his crew flew to Saipan via San Francisco, Hawaii, and Kwajalein, arriving 12 December 1944. Their first mission was over Iwo Jima. On their seventh mission on 1 January 1945, they were shot down over Tokyo. Halloran and 4 others bailed out through the bomb bay while 6 others went down with the plane. Initially beaten by civilians on the ground, he was taken by soldiers to a Kempeitai prison. There he was tortured and interrogated. After two months, the prison was bombed by U.S. aircraft and Halloran was moved to the Omori POW camp. He was liberated 29 August 1945. He spent considerable time in the hospital …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Chaplain Vernon Hanks. Hanks was born in Sterling, Kansas on 21 November 1908. He joined the National Guard doing drills with horse-drawn caissons and French 75s while attending Sterling College in Kansas. He graduated in 1931 and then attended the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, graduating in 1940 with a Master of Theology. Hanks joined the Navy after Pearl Harbor and received orders for Naval Chaplains School (NCS), Norfolk, Virginia, in August 1942. He was stationed at MCAS Cherry Point in North Carolina where he remembers counseling a distraught young Marine pilot who had been shot down during the Battle of Midway. Shortly afterward he was assigned to Bunker Hill Naval Air Station where he counseled Marines and Navy personnel. He facilitated a free circus performance at Christmastime. On 5 June 1943 he was assigned to the USS Wright (AV-1), a seaplane tender, for duty in the South Pacific. Hanks was on the Wright at Bougainville, the Admiralties and during the Battle for Leyte Gulf. In February 1945, USS Wright was renamed USS San Clemente (AG-79) and served as communications center for the 7th Fleet. Hanks returned …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Chaplain Vernon Hanks. Hanks was born in Sterling, Kansas on 21 November 1908. He joined the National Guard doing drills with horse-drawn caissons and French 75s while attending Sterling College in Kansas. He graduated in 1931 and then attended the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, graduating in 1940 with a Master of Theology. Hanks joined the Navy after Pearl Harbor and received orders for Naval Chaplains School (NCS), Norfolk, Virginia, in August 1942. He was stationed at MCAS Cherry Point in North Carolina where he remembers counseling a distraught young Marine pilot who had been shot down during the Battle of Midway. Shortly afterward he was assigned to Bunker Hill Naval Air Station where he counseled Marines and Navy personnel. He facilitated a free circus performance at Christmastime. On 5 June 1943 he was assigned to the USS Wright (AV-1), a seaplane tender, for duty in the South Pacific. Hanks was on the Wright at Bougainville, the Admiralties and during the Battle for Leyte Gulf. In February 1945, USS Wright was renamed USS San Clemente (AG-79) and served as communications center for the 7th Fleet. Hanks returned …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Martin Harris. Harris was born in Japan in 1923. He moved to the US to attend college. The war broke out and he joined the Navy. He completed Navy Language School. In April of 1944 he was transferred to the Joint Intelligence Center of Pacific Ocean Area (JICPOA) under the direction of CINCPAC. He worked as a translator of documents. In May of 1944, he was selected for the Naval Civil Affairs Unit and deployed to Saipan. He shares his experience living and working on the island. He returned to Hawaii in May of 1945, and was assigned to the Interrogation Department at Pearl Harbor. After the war ended, and Harris was discharged, he remained in the reserves.