Oral History Interview with Harry Lapham, September 30, 1999 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Harry Lapham, September 30, 1999

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harry Lapham. Lapham joined the Navy and after completing boot, he attended a machinist mate school at Norfolk, Virginia until March 1941. He tells of traveling to Goat Island, California where he went aboard the USS Tangier (AV-8). The ship was anchored near the USS Utah at the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He describes what he saw and felt following the attack. In February 1942, Lapham left the Tangier to attend Diesel school. He returned to sea aboard another ship.
Date: September 30, 1999
Creator: Lapham, Harry
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Hal Olsen, June 30, 1999 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Hal Olsen, June 30, 1999

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents and interview with Hal Olsen. Olsen joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1939 and went to Utah. When the war started, Olsen was a toolmaker. His deferment expired so he joined the Navy in January 1943. He attended aviation machinist school in Memphis before being assigned to the Bunker Hill Naval Air Station in Indiana. He eventually specialized in instrument repair. In January 1945, he shipped overseas to Tinian. On the side, he painted nose art. Olsen was discharged in February 1946.
Date: June 30, 1999
Creator: Olsen, Hal
System: The Portal to Texas History