Transcript of an oral interview with Dean Warner. Born in Geneva, Illinois, June 30, 1922. He went to boot camp in San Diego in 1941. After boot camp he attended Radio School at the University of Colorado followed by training at Signalman School. Upon completion he was assigned to an Armed Guard crew on a Merchant Marine ship as a radioman. He spent a year and a half on merchant vessels and recalls an incident when two nearby ships in his convoy were sunk by submarines. He was next assigned to the Sino-American Cooperative Organization (SACO) and sent to Calcutta, India, from where he was flown over "The Hump" to Kunming, China. From Kunming he flew to Zhenzghou, China and SACO's Camp Six where Chinese weathermen and guards were being trained for the SACO mission. From there he was sent in company with the trained Chinese soldiers and weathermen to Pinghou on the Eastern Coast of China. He described his duties as "Coast Watcher. " The Chinese were gathering weather data, which Warner transmitted to Chungking for dissemination to the US Fleet. When the war ended, he traveled to Shanghai and sailed on a troopship back to San Pedro, California …

Transcript of an oral interview with Dean Warner. Born in Geneva, Illinois, June 30, 1922. He went to boot camp in San Diego in 1941. After boot camp he attended Radio School at the University of Colorado followed by training at Signalman School. Upon completion he was assigned to an Armed Guard crew on a Merchant Marine ship as a radioman. He spent a year and a half on merchant vessels and recalls an incident when two nearby ships in his convoy were sunk by submarines. He was next assigned to the Sino-American Cooperative Organization (SACO) and sent to Calcutta, India, from where he was flown over "The Hump" to Kunming, China. From Kunming he flew to Zhenzghou, China and SACO's Camp Six where Chinese weathermen and guards were being trained for the SACO mission. From there he was sent in company with the trained Chinese soldiers and weathermen to Pinghou on the Eastern Coast of China. He described his duties as "Coast Watcher. " The Chinese were gathering weather data, which Warner transmitted to Chungking for dissemination to the US Fleet. When the war ended, he traveled to Shanghai and sailed on a troopship back to San Pedro, California …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Eugene Kelly. Kelly joined the Army Signal Corps in September of 1943. He provides some details of his training. He was sent to New Guinea in the spring of 1944 and served as a replacement. He then traveled to Brisbane, Australia, working as a clerk in a Signal Corps office for one year. Kelly describes his life and work in Australia. From there he was assigned to Hollandia, then to the Philippines in May of 1945. He shares his experiences in Manila after the invasion, and how the city was devastated. Kelly remained in Manila until January of 1946 and was discharged in February.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Eugene Kelly. Kelly joined the Army Signal Corps in September of 1943. He provides some details of his training. He was sent to New Guinea in the spring of 1944 and served as a replacement. He then traveled to Brisbane, Australia, working as a clerk in a Signal Corps office for one year. Kelly describes his life and work in Australia. From there he was assigned to Hollandia, then to the Philippines in May of 1945. He shares his experiences in Manila after the invasion, and how the city was devastated. Kelly remained in Manila until January of 1946 and was discharged in February.

Transcript of an oral interview with F. J. Whitlock. Whitlock was in 1923, in Columbia, South Dakota. He enlisted in the Navy in Los Angeles, California, in June 1942. He attended Basic Training in San Diego and then went to Diesel School. Upon graduation he was promoted from Seaman Second Class to Fireman First Class. He was then ordered to the LST program and proceeded to Treasure Island in San Francisco. His group of Dieselmen were assigned to the Southern Pacific Railroad "Round House" in Oakland in order to gain expertise on diesel engines. They worked on the train "City of San Francisco" which made the run from Chicago to Oakland. He was next assigned to the commissioning crew for USS LST-478. Over the following months the vessel practiced amphibious landings at Point Magu, Coronado and Monterey, California. Next they landed personnel at Attu and Kiska, where the Japanese had pulled out. In September 1943 the vessel embarked a company of Sea Bees. The vessel departed California and steamed to Tarawa via Pearl Harbor. The vessel joined the invasion of Tarawa. He recalls that the LST would open the bow doors, lower the ramp, and the Sea Bees would disembark …

Transcript of an oral interview with F. J. Whitlock. Whitlock was in 1923, in Columbia, South Dakota. He enlisted in the Navy in Los Angeles, California, in June 1942. He attended Basic Training in San Diego and then went to Diesel School. Upon graduation he was promoted from Seaman Second Class to Fireman First Class. He was then ordered to the LST program and proceeded to Treasure Island in San Francisco. His group of Dieselmen were assigned to the Southern Pacific Railroad "Round House" in Oakland in order to gain expertise on diesel engines. They worked on the train "City of San Francisco" which made the run from Chicago to Oakland. He was next assigned to the commissioning crew for USS LST-478. Over the following months the vessel practiced amphibious landings at Point Magu, Coronado and Monterey, California. Next they landed personnel at Attu and Kiska, where the Japanese had pulled out. In September 1943 the vessel embarked a company of Sea Bees. The vessel departed California and steamed to Tarawa via Pearl Harbor. The vessel joined the invasion of Tarawa. He recalls that the LST would open the bow doors, lower the ramp, and the Sea Bees would disembark …

Transcript of an oral interview with George Allen Barrett. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in January 1922, he enlisted in the Navy in January 1940. He completed Recruit Training in San Diego and was transferred to the Hospital Corps School at the Naval Hospital San Diego in April 1940. Upon graduation in July 1940, he was assigned to the Naval Hospital, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In July 1941 he was transferred to the USS McDonough (DD 351) where he recalls that on the morning of December 7, 1941, the McDonough was in Pearl Harbor undergoing repairs. He remembers the crew reassembling the propulsion machinery and the ship getting underway to out of the harbor. He recalls that McDonough remained homeported out of Pearl Harbor and conducted various patrols into the South Pacific theater. He recounts that in February 1942 McDonough collided with the USS Colorado (BB-45) in heavy seas. Later in 1942 he was assigned to the Oakland Naval Hospital, where he recalls his duties and his subsequent marriage. He states that he requested reassignment and was transferred to a Combat Utility Battalion in San Bruno, California for training in anticipation of the upcoming invasion of a Pacific island (unnamed). He states …

Transcript of an oral interview with George Allen Barrett. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in January 1922, he enlisted in the Navy in January 1940. He completed Recruit Training in San Diego and was transferred to the Hospital Corps School at the Naval Hospital San Diego in April 1940. Upon graduation in July 1940, he was assigned to the Naval Hospital, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In July 1941 he was transferred to the USS McDonough (DD 351) where he recalls that on the morning of December 7, 1941, the McDonough was in Pearl Harbor undergoing repairs. He remembers the crew reassembling the propulsion machinery and the ship getting underway to out of the harbor. He recalls that McDonough remained homeported out of Pearl Harbor and conducted various patrols into the South Pacific theater. He recounts that in February 1942 McDonough collided with the USS Colorado (BB-45) in heavy seas. Later in 1942 he was assigned to the Oakland Naval Hospital, where he recalls his duties and his subsequent marriage. He states that he requested reassignment and was transferred to a Combat Utility Battalion in San Bruno, California for training in anticipation of the upcoming invasion of a Pacific island (unnamed). He states …

Transcript of an oral interview with James Avery. Mr Avery was a junior at the University of Illinois when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He signed up with the Army Air Corps since they would let him finish his degree before they would take him. However, the Army Air Corps was not able to honor its commitment since they needed pilots badly. In March 1943, they called him up and sent him to Lackland Air Base for the preflight program. From there, Avery went to Fort Stockton where he learned to fly in a Fairchild PT-19 and then to Goodfellow Field in San Angelo to learn to fly a BT-13. After two months of basic training, he went to Reese Air Base in Lubbock to train in the AT-17 and got his wings there in January 1944. Avery wanted to fly the B-26 and he got his wish; reporting first to Del Rio and then to Barksdale Field where he got his crew assigned. There were six of them in the crew. After about three months at Barksdale, they went to Savannah, Georgia to pick up a brand new airplane. However, they had to wait six weeks for their ship; Martin …

Transcript of an oral interview with James Avery. Mr Avery was a junior at the University of Illinois when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He signed up with the Army Air Corps since they would let him finish his degree before they would take him. However, the Army Air Corps was not able to honor its commitment since they needed pilots badly. In March 1943, they called him up and sent him to Lackland Air Base for the preflight program. From there, Avery went to Fort Stockton where he learned to fly in a Fairchild PT-19 and then to Goodfellow Field in San Angelo to learn to fly a BT-13. After two months of basic training, he went to Reese Air Base in Lubbock to train in the AT-17 and got his wings there in January 1944. Avery wanted to fly the B-26 and he got his wish; reporting first to Del Rio and then to Barksdale Field where he got his crew assigned. There were six of them in the crew. After about three months at Barksdale, they went to Savannah, Georgia to pick up a brand new airplane. However, they had to wait six weeks for their ship; Martin …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Hack Langstaff. Langstaff joined the Naval Reserves around 1938, and went on active duty in June of 1941. After flight school, he was selected and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in June of 1942. Langtaff completed carrier training in October, flying a Grumman F3F and F4F. In 1943, he was assigned to the Russell Islands, completing missions over Rabaul and Bougainville. Beginning June of 1945, Langstaff was assigned aboard the USS Puget Sound (CVE-113), flying Corsairs. They traveled to Tokyo Bay, just as the Japanese surrendered. He was discharged in early 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Hack Langstaff. Langstaff joined the Naval Reserves around 1938, and went on active duty in June of 1941. After flight school, he was selected and commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in June of 1942. Langtaff completed carrier training in October, flying a Grumman F3F and F4F. In 1943, he was assigned to the Russell Islands, completing missions over Rabaul and Bougainville. Beginning June of 1945, Langstaff was assigned aboard the USS Puget Sound (CVE-113), flying Corsairs. They traveled to Tokyo Bay, just as the Japanese surrendered. He was discharged in early 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harold Gibbons. Gibbons joined the Army in January of 1943. He shares details of his training and working at a German Prison Camp in Atlanta, Nebraska through September of 1943. He then transferred to Camp Clayburn, Louisiana training as a heavy equipment repair mechanic. In May of 1945 he traveled to Okinawa, where he worked as an engineer, setting up camp and machine shops. He worked in Okinawa through the end of the war and reenlisted, serving as a military policeman at Fort Knox until February of 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harold Gibbons. Gibbons joined the Army in January of 1943. He shares details of his training and working at a German Prison Camp in Atlanta, Nebraska through September of 1943. He then transferred to Camp Clayburn, Louisiana training as a heavy equipment repair mechanic. In May of 1945 he traveled to Okinawa, where he worked as an engineer, setting up camp and machine shops. He worked in Okinawa through the end of the war and reenlisted, serving as a military policeman at Fort Knox until February of 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Dodson. Dodson grew up in Pennsylvania and joined the Navy before being drafted. He managed to avoid boot camp and go straight into a Navy communictions school. He volunteered to go overseas for two years and ended up with SACO in China. In China, Dodson repaired radios and radio equipment. Dodson returned to the US and was assigned duty aboard the USS William R. Rush (DD-714) in mid-1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Dodson. Dodson grew up in Pennsylvania and joined the Navy before being drafted. He managed to avoid boot camp and go straight into a Navy communictions school. He volunteered to go overseas for two years and ended up with SACO in China. In China, Dodson repaired radios and radio equipment. Dodson returned to the US and was assigned duty aboard the USS William R. Rush (DD-714) in mid-1945.

Transcript of an oral interview with James F. Kelly. Kelly was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1921. He recounts his experiences working in his father's grocery store during the Depression. He recounts his experience in 1941 working in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard as a civilian, until he received his induction notice from Selective Service in May 1942 and joined the Navy. He attended Boot Camp in Newport, Rhode Island and then was sent to Anacostia Naval Air Station in District of Columbia, where he attended Aerography School as well as in Lakehurst, New Jersey and graduated as a meteorological aide. He recounts several of the instruments and techniques used in that specialty and his experiences in planes observing cloud formations, and other phenomena. Eventually he volunteered for secret duty in China and was shipped on a troop train with 200 other sailors to San Pedro, California. He eventually boarded the USS Admiral E.W. Eberle (AP 123), an Army transport. He recounts an interesting story about the group's leader, Commander Marcus Goodrich, who had been a novelist and screen writer in Hollywood. He recounts his experiences on the ship as it transited to Bombay, India via Australia. He recalls that the …

Transcript of an oral interview with James F. Kelly. Kelly was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1921. He recounts his experiences working in his father's grocery store during the Depression. He recounts his experience in 1941 working in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard as a civilian, until he received his induction notice from Selective Service in May 1942 and joined the Navy. He attended Boot Camp in Newport, Rhode Island and then was sent to Anacostia Naval Air Station in District of Columbia, where he attended Aerography School as well as in Lakehurst, New Jersey and graduated as a meteorological aide. He recounts several of the instruments and techniques used in that specialty and his experiences in planes observing cloud formations, and other phenomena. Eventually he volunteered for secret duty in China and was shipped on a troop train with 200 other sailors to San Pedro, California. He eventually boarded the USS Admiral E.W. Eberle (AP 123), an Army transport. He recounts an interesting story about the group's leader, Commander Marcus Goodrich, who had been a novelist and screen writer in Hollywood. He recounts his experiences on the ship as it transited to Bombay, India via Australia. He recalls that the …

Transcript of an oral interview with James H. Bash. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, June 28, 1924. He enlisted in the Navy on January 19, 1943. Enrolled in the V-12 Program at the University of Virginia but did not complete the curriculum. Subsequently sent to Storekeeper Class A School in Sampson, New York and graduated as Storekeeper 3rd Class. In October 1944 volunteered and assigned to Naval Group China. He recalls the transit from Norfolk on the USS General W. A. Mann (AP-112) in a convoy through the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal and on to Bombay, India. He recalls the living conditions on the transport, passing through two fierce storms and an incident in the Suez Canal. Next he took a troop train from Bombay to Calcutta. He describes the conditions on the train. After six weeks awaiting transportation, he flew from Calcutta to Kunming, China. He describes the flight in a DC-3 over the Himalaya Mountains (The Hump). In Kunming he was assigned to the Naval Air Freight Office. He describes the squalid conditions of the local populace. He was responsible for transporting cargo from the air terminal to the Freight Office. One day he was notified …

Transcript of an oral interview with James H. Bash. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, June 28, 1924. He enlisted in the Navy on January 19, 1943. Enrolled in the V-12 Program at the University of Virginia but did not complete the curriculum. Subsequently sent to Storekeeper Class A School in Sampson, New York and graduated as Storekeeper 3rd Class. In October 1944 volunteered and assigned to Naval Group China. He recalls the transit from Norfolk on the USS General W. A. Mann (AP-112) in a convoy through the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal and on to Bombay, India. He recalls the living conditions on the transport, passing through two fierce storms and an incident in the Suez Canal. Next he took a troop train from Bombay to Calcutta. He describes the conditions on the train. After six weeks awaiting transportation, he flew from Calcutta to Kunming, China. He describes the flight in a DC-3 over the Himalaya Mountains (The Hump). In Kunming he was assigned to the Naval Air Freight Office. He describes the squalid conditions of the local populace. He was responsible for transporting cargo from the air terminal to the Freight Office. One day he was notified …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Eberle. Born in 1921, he enlisted in the Navy in 1939. He was assigned to Torpedo Squadron VT-6 of the Enterprise Air Group. He describes events on the USS Enterprise (CV-6) while at sea during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He shares an anecdote about the remains of Admiral Kidd. He relates stories about the Battle of Midway; escorting to the USS Hornet (CV-8) in conjunction with the Doolittle Raid; the sinking of the USS Wasp (CV-7); the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and the loss of the USS Hornet; and experiencing a typhoon while on an aircraft carrier. He also shares stories about being an aircraft maintenance officer in San Diego, California. He retired from the Navy Reserve in 1976.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Eberle. Born in 1921, he enlisted in the Navy in 1939. He was assigned to Torpedo Squadron VT-6 of the Enterprise Air Group. He describes events on the USS Enterprise (CV-6) while at sea during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He shares an anecdote about the remains of Admiral Kidd. He relates stories about the Battle of Midway; escorting to the USS Hornet (CV-8) in conjunction with the Doolittle Raid; the sinking of the USS Wasp (CV-7); the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and the loss of the USS Hornet; and experiencing a typhoon while on an aircraft carrier. He also shares stories about being an aircraft maintenance officer in San Diego, California. He retired from the Navy Reserve in 1976.

Transcript of an oral interview of Joseph D. Keenan. Raised in Chicago, he spent two years at Notre Dame University and when the war started, volunteered for Naval Aviation duty. Following Pre-flight School at Iowa University, he attended flight training at Naval Air Station, Chicago, where he was later diagnosed with chronic air sickness. He was disenrolled and entered the V-12 program at the University of Wisconsin. Upon graduation in September 1944, he was commissioned and ordered to Fort Pierce, Florida for Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) training. He describes the nature of the training and conditions at Fort Pierce. Upon completing UDT training in December 1944 he was sent on a troopship to Calcutta, India. After traveling by train to a camp in Eastern India, he flew over "The Hump" in a C-47 to Kunming, China and then on to Chungking and headquarters of Sino-American Cooperative Organization (SACO). He relates that after four weeks in Chungking he was flown with a team to a location near Amoy. Leading the team was Lieutenant Phil H. Bucklew, a professional football player who later became known as the father of Navy Special Warfare. The team made its way to Chenchow with orders to …

Transcript of an oral interview of Joseph D. Keenan. Raised in Chicago, he spent two years at Notre Dame University and when the war started, volunteered for Naval Aviation duty. Following Pre-flight School at Iowa University, he attended flight training at Naval Air Station, Chicago, where he was later diagnosed with chronic air sickness. He was disenrolled and entered the V-12 program at the University of Wisconsin. Upon graduation in September 1944, he was commissioned and ordered to Fort Pierce, Florida for Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) training. He describes the nature of the training and conditions at Fort Pierce. Upon completing UDT training in December 1944 he was sent on a troopship to Calcutta, India. After traveling by train to a camp in Eastern India, he flew over "The Hump" in a C-47 to Kunming, China and then on to Chungking and headquarters of Sino-American Cooperative Organization (SACO). He relates that after four weeks in Chungking he was flown with a team to a location near Amoy. Leading the team was Lieutenant Phil H. Bucklew, a professional football player who later became known as the father of Navy Special Warfare. The team made its way to Chenchow with orders to …