Transcript of an oral interview with Ben Carson. Carson enlisted in the Marine Corps shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Shortly after finishing boot camp in San Diego, Carson volunteered to join Major Evans Carlson's Marine Raider Battalion. Carson describes training with the Raiders prior to their first mission. He also discusses more training in Hawaii prior to the Battle of Midway. Carson describes being aboard the USS Argonaut (SM-1) with his unit and steaming for Makin Atoll to conduct a raid on a Japanese base there. He provides descriptions of getting off the submarine and into the rubber boats, getting to shore and beginning their raid. Carson also describes is activities during the raid: capturing the government house, dealing with snipers, and getting off the island. From there, Carson describes his unit's role at Guadalcanal.

Transcript of an oral interview with Ben Carson. Carson enlisted in the Marine Corps shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Shortly after finishing boot camp in San Diego, Carson volunteered to join Major Evans Carlson's Marine Raider Battalion. Carson describes training with the Raiders prior to their first mission. He also discusses more training in Hawaii prior to the Battle of Midway. Carson describes being aboard the USS Argonaut (SM-1) with his unit and steaming for Makin Atoll to conduct a raid on a Japanese base there. He provides descriptions of getting off the submarine and into the rubber boats, getting to shore and beginning their raid. Carson also describes is activities during the raid: capturing the government house, dealing with snipers, and getting off the island. From there, Carson describes his unit's role at Guadalcanal.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Cantrell, where he discusses his childhood and education and what led to his decision to join the Marines. He describes his experiences flying airplanes and living on ships in the Pacific Theatre of World War Two.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with David Ellis. Ellis was born on 8 March 1918 in Big Spring, Texas and enlisted in the Army in 1936. He went to Officer Candidate School, where he was trained in intelligence. His first duty station was in Hawaii, where he was assigned to the Navy’s Central Pacific Command by mistake. Next he was sent to Okinawa as a platoon leader in the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. On Okinawa, Ellis was wounded and evacuated to a hospital ship and ultimately a field hospital in Saipan. His wounds left him unfit to return to combat and to be returned to the US due to the shell fragments embedded in his chest. Ellis walked away from the hospital and managed to get on a flight back to Okinawa and returned to his unit. The war ended shortly after he was given command of the regiment’s Intelligence and Reconnaissance (IR) platoon. The regiment then embarked on ships to Korea. During the transit, he was summoned to the flag bridge on the ship and assigned an intelligence gathering mission by Major General Archibald Arnold, 7th Infantry Division’s Commanding Officer. Ellis …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with David Ellis. Ellis was born on 8 March 1918 in Big Spring, Texas and enlisted in the Army in 1936. He went to Officer Candidate School, where he was trained in intelligence. His first duty station was in Hawaii, where he was assigned to the Navy’s Central Pacific Command by mistake. Next he was sent to Okinawa as a platoon leader in the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. On Okinawa, Ellis was wounded and evacuated to a hospital ship and ultimately a field hospital in Saipan. His wounds left him unfit to return to combat and to be returned to the US due to the shell fragments embedded in his chest. Ellis walked away from the hospital and managed to get on a flight back to Okinawa and returned to his unit. The war ended shortly after he was given command of the regiment’s Intelligence and Reconnaissance (IR) platoon. The regiment then embarked on ships to Korea. During the transit, he was summoned to the flag bridge on the ship and assigned an intelligence gathering mission by Major General Archibald Arnold, 7th Infantry Division’s Commanding Officer. Ellis …

Transcript of an oral interview with David Straus. Straus was born in San Antonio in 1923 and finished high school at the Texas Military Institute. From there he attended Trinity University, Dartmouth and Texas A&M before dropping out to enlist in the Marine Corps in 1943. He finished Officer Candidate School in 1944 and was shipped to the Pacific early in 1945 as an officer in he First Marine Division. He eventually landed on Okinawa in May, 1945 as a replacement in charge of a rifle platoon in E Company, Fifth Marines. He describes tactics for attacking caves and the use of supporting arms such as bazookas, flamethrowers and tanks. He was present on Okinawa preparing for the invasion of the home islands of Japan when the atomic bombs were dropped. After the surrender, the First Marine Division went to northern China to disarm the Japanese Army there. Straus was stationed in Beijing at the time. He went home in 1946 and went on the inactive reserve list. He was recalled for the Korean War in 1951 after having gotten married and had a son. He became Executive Officer of Company F, Fifth Marines. After brief training in Korea, his …

Transcript of an oral interview with David Straus. Straus was born in San Antonio in 1923 and finished high school at the Texas Military Institute. From there he attended Trinity University, Dartmouth and Texas A&M before dropping out to enlist in the Marine Corps in 1943. He finished Officer Candidate School in 1944 and was shipped to the Pacific early in 1945 as an officer in he First Marine Division. He eventually landed on Okinawa in May, 1945 as a replacement in charge of a rifle platoon in E Company, Fifth Marines. He describes tactics for attacking caves and the use of supporting arms such as bazookas, flamethrowers and tanks. He was present on Okinawa preparing for the invasion of the home islands of Japan when the atomic bombs were dropped. After the surrender, the First Marine Division went to northern China to disarm the Japanese Army there. Straus was stationed in Beijing at the time. He went home in 1946 and went on the inactive reserve list. He was recalled for the Korean War in 1951 after having gotten married and had a son. He became Executive Officer of Company F, Fifth Marines. After brief training in Korea, his …

Interview with David Straus of San Antonio, Texas, a veteran from the United States Marine Corps during World War Two in the Pacific Theater as well as the Korean War. The interview includes some of Straus' background before the war and his personal experiences while in the Marines, including memories of Okinawa, various weapons, what happened at the end of World War Two, and his assignment in Korea.

Interview with David Straus of San Antonio, Texas, a veteran from the United States Marine Corps during World War Two in the Pacific Theater as well as the Korean War. The interview includes some of Straus' background before the war and his personal experiences while in the Marines, including memories of Okinawa, various weapons, what happened at the end of World War Two, and his assignment in Korea.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Donald O. Dencker. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 25, 1924. Upon graduation from high school in February, 1943 he joined the Army. In March 1944 after attending Army Corps of Engineers school, he was assigned to the 96th Infantry Division. He witnessed the explosion of a munition ship in Port Chicago, California. Eventually he departed Pearl Harbor embarked upon USS LST-745 sailing to Leyte Island in the Philippines. He recalls several anecdotes during the transit and landing on Leyte Island in October, 1944. He recalls gunfire support from a destroyer that was off target, resulting in six casualties from white phosphorus as well as a Japanese suicide attack on his company that resulted in 75 enemy killed. His unit was then sent to Okinawa on April 1, 1945. He remembers that his 3rd Battalion had so many casualties that it was relieved and sent to guard Kadena Airfield. He recounts the many nights of shelling at the airfield followed by assaults on Japanese positions in which he lost four company commanders and many of his fellow soldiers, including several close friends. His company had sustained over …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Donald O. Dencker. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 25, 1924. Upon graduation from high school in February, 1943 he joined the Army. In March 1944 after attending Army Corps of Engineers school, he was assigned to the 96th Infantry Division. He witnessed the explosion of a munition ship in Port Chicago, California. Eventually he departed Pearl Harbor embarked upon USS LST-745 sailing to Leyte Island in the Philippines. He recalls several anecdotes during the transit and landing on Leyte Island in October, 1944. He recalls gunfire support from a destroyer that was off target, resulting in six casualties from white phosphorus as well as a Japanese suicide attack on his company that resulted in 75 enemy killed. His unit was then sent to Okinawa on April 1, 1945. He remembers that his 3rd Battalion had so many casualties that it was relieved and sent to guard Kadena Airfield. He recounts the many nights of shelling at the airfield followed by assaults on Japanese positions in which he lost four company commanders and many of his fellow soldiers, including several close friends. His company had sustained over …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dorothy Rufi. Mrs. Rufi’s maiden name is Roehning. She arrived in Washington D.C. to work at the Coast Guard headquarters in 1942. She was assigned to a secretarial pool of four women who worked for Rear Admiral Harvey F. Johnson. She mentions blackouts and an air raid drill. She returned to her home to Minnesota in 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dorothy Rufi. Mrs. Rufi’s maiden name is Roehning. She arrived in Washington D.C. to work at the Coast Guard headquarters in 1942. She was assigned to a secretarial pool of four women who worked for Rear Admiral Harvey F. Johnson. She mentions blackouts and an air raid drill. She returned to her home to Minnesota in 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dr. Patrick H. McKay. Born in San Antonio, Texas in 1924, he discusses the hard times experienced by his family during the Depression. He joined Army ROTC in high school. After graduating, he was inducted into the Army in September 1943. He was sent on the USS West Point (AP-23) to Papua, New Guinea. He describes his experiences and training during the transit. He describes his time at Milne Bay, as a Private assigned to the 158th Regimental Combat Team, known as the" Bushmasters." He describes his unit's attack on a small island off the coast of New Guinea. His regiment's next action was at Noemfoor Island, New Guinea in July and August 1944. He recalls Tokyo Rose saying before the landing that "the blood-thirsty Bushmasters are going to meet a wall of steel.” He recalls several banzai attacks during the battle. His unit next made an assault on Lingayen Gulf in Luzon, Philippines. Their objective was the headquarters for the 17th Japanese Army unit under the command of General Tomoyuki Yamashita in Baguio. Next, his unit was sent to fight its way through the outskirts of Manila. …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dr. Patrick H. McKay. Born in San Antonio, Texas in 1924, he discusses the hard times experienced by his family during the Depression. He joined Army ROTC in high school. After graduating, he was inducted into the Army in September 1943. He was sent on the USS West Point (AP-23) to Papua, New Guinea. He describes his experiences and training during the transit. He describes his time at Milne Bay, as a Private assigned to the 158th Regimental Combat Team, known as the" Bushmasters." He describes his unit's attack on a small island off the coast of New Guinea. His regiment's next action was at Noemfoor Island, New Guinea in July and August 1944. He recalls Tokyo Rose saying before the landing that "the blood-thirsty Bushmasters are going to meet a wall of steel.” He recalls several banzai attacks during the battle. His unit next made an assault on Lingayen Gulf in Luzon, Philippines. Their objective was the headquarters for the 17th Japanese Army unit under the command of General Tomoyuki Yamashita in Baguio. Next, his unit was sent to fight its way through the outskirts of Manila. …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Earl Stevens. Stevens served aboard the USS New Mexico (BB 40) as an electrician beginning October of 1942. He was a gun electrician and took care of the firing mechanisms and the telephones. He provides his experience of joining the Navy with his dad and three brothers. He describes life aboard the New Mexico. He recalls traveling to Australia for liberty. Stevens describes the explosion of the USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) and the repercussions it had upon the New Mexico. They also traveled to the Philippines. He was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Bale. Bale was born in Dallas, Texas on 19 March 1920. He attended Texas A & M University and upon graduation received a commission in the United States Marine Corps. In 1943 he was assigned to 1st Medium Tank Battalion as commanding officer of Company C. Bale expresses criticism of the training received in tank maneuvers for it lacked liaison with infantry and artillery units, which led to difficulties during actual combat. In November 1943 the battalion was loaded onto the USS Ashland (LSD-1) and embarked on the invasion of Tarawa. He discusses the difficulties in landing the tanks, combat conditions and heavy casualties encountered at Tarawa. Following refit and training on the island of Hawaii, the unit was assigned to the 8th Marine Regiment and landed on Saipan June 1944. He describes the civilians committing suicide by jumping off the cliffs of the island. Following action in the Mariana Islands, Bale’s unit was assigned to the 1st Marine Division during the Okinawa campaign. Bale tells of the death of General Simon B. Buckner. After the surrender of Japan he was transferred to division headquarters as Provost …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Bale. Bale was born in Dallas, Texas on 19 March 1920. He attended Texas A & M University and upon graduation received a commission in the United States Marine Corps. In 1943 he was assigned to 1st Medium Tank Battalion as commanding officer of Company C. Bale expresses criticism of the training received in tank maneuvers for it lacked liaison with infantry and artillery units, which led to difficulties during actual combat. In November 1943 the battalion was loaded onto the USS Ashland (LSD-1) and embarked on the invasion of Tarawa. He discusses the difficulties in landing the tanks, combat conditions and heavy casualties encountered at Tarawa. Following refit and training on the island of Hawaii, the unit was assigned to the 8th Marine Regiment and landed on Saipan June 1944. He describes the civilians committing suicide by jumping off the cliffs of the island. Following action in the Mariana Islands, Bale’s unit was assigned to the 1st Marine Division during the Okinawa campaign. Bale tells of the death of General Simon B. Buckner. After the surrender of Japan he was transferred to division headquarters as Provost …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Eugene Walker. Walker served in the Navy aboard the USS New Mexico (BB-40) beginning Christmas Day 1937. He was aboard serving as a radioman. He describes the radios aboard the ship, working in the powder rooms in the turrets and Navy life in general. He gives details of a typical day as a radioman, including training, practicing Morse code and standing watch. Walker describes changes that took place in 1940, when they traveled from the Navy yard in Bremerton, Washington to Honolulu. Walker was transferred to the 14th Naval District from 1940 to 1942. He was present when Pearl Harbor was attacked on 7 December and provides recollections of the attack. He also describes a shellback initiation.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Haynes. Haynes was born in Dallas 5 January 1921 and upon graduation from Southern Methodist University, he joined the Marine Corps, training at Quantico in February 1942. Upon completion, he spent two years training incoming junior officers at Quantico. His next duty assignment was as an infantry member of the 28th Regiment, 5th Marines, conducting training at Camp Pendleton and on Hawaii. Haynes’ regiment was sent to Iwo Jima in February 1945. He observed the original flag-raising on Mount Suribachi and describes the machinations that resulted in the second flag-raising. He describes the battle in great detail until it ended in late March and his regiment was sent back to Hawaii to train for the invasion of Japan. When the war ended, his division was sent to Nagasaki and Sasebo as part of the occupation force. When the 5th Marine Division went back to the States in October 1945, Haynes was transferred to the 2nd Marine Division, where he served as a member of the occupation force on Kyushu. After a few months, he returned to Washington and decided to remain in the Corps. He was assigned …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Haynes. Haynes was born in Dallas 5 January 1921 and upon graduation from Southern Methodist University, he joined the Marine Corps, training at Quantico in February 1942. Upon completion, he spent two years training incoming junior officers at Quantico. His next duty assignment was as an infantry member of the 28th Regiment, 5th Marines, conducting training at Camp Pendleton and on Hawaii. Haynes’ regiment was sent to Iwo Jima in February 1945. He observed the original flag-raising on Mount Suribachi and describes the machinations that resulted in the second flag-raising. He describes the battle in great detail until it ended in late March and his regiment was sent back to Hawaii to train for the invasion of Japan. When the war ended, his division was sent to Nagasaki and Sasebo as part of the occupation force. When the 5th Marine Division went back to the States in October 1945, Haynes was transferred to the 2nd Marine Division, where he served as a member of the occupation force on Kyushu. After a few months, he returned to Washington and decided to remain in the Corps. He was assigned …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gilbert Martin and Paul McKay. McKay joined the Navy in February of 1940. Martin joined the Navy in May of 1940. They both completed boot camp in Norfolk Naval Air Station in Virginia and served aboard the USS Hornet (CV-8). Both men served with Air Group 8, McKay assigned to the scouting squadron and Martin assigned to the torpedo squadron. They recall hearing about the attack on Pearl Harbor while at the Naval Air Station. They describe the various planes on the carrier, including the Douglas SBD Dauntless and TBD Devastator. In April of 1942 they traveled with the USS Enterprise (CV-6), and participated in the Doolittle Raid. Through October they participated in the Battle of Midway, the Solomon Islands campaign and the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, where the Hornet sank. Both men share their experiences aboard the Hornet and through these fateful battles.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gilbert Martin and Paul McKay. McKay joined the Navy in February of 1940. Martin joined the Navy in May of 1940. They both completed boot camp in Norfolk Naval Air Station in Virginia and served aboard the USS Hornet (CV-8). Both men served with Air Group 8, McKay assigned to the scouting squadron and Martin assigned to the torpedo squadron. They recall hearing about the attack on Pearl Harbor while at the Naval Air Station. They describe the various planes on the carrier, including the Douglas SBD Dauntless and TBD Devastator. In April of 1942 they traveled with the USS Enterprise (CV-6), and participated in the Doolittle Raid. Through October they participated in the Battle of Midway, the Solomon Islands campaign and the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, where the Hornet sank. Both men share their experiences aboard the Hornet and through these fateful battles.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Henry Restorff. Restorff joined the Navy in August of 1940. He served as Seaman First Class, and later moved to the Engineering Division aboard the USS Balch (DD-363). They worked guard duty on the coast of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Restorff volunteered for the Asiatic Fleet and was sent to Manila, Philippines. His job was refueling PBY aircraft and transporting ammunition to cruisers, destroyers and submarines in combat. In late 1941 he was assigned to the USS Langley (CV-1) and traveled to Australia, where they picked up Army personnel and pilots. He provides some details of the carrier. In February of 1942 the Langley was scuttled after an attack by the Japanese, and Restorff recalls surviving that fateful day. He later completed Diesel School and served aboard PC-618, a submarine chaser, as an engineman. He remained in the Navy until 1960.