The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Buck Gibson. Gibson enlisted in the Navy and once he finished boot camp, he was assigned to the USS Indianapolis where he was a loader on a 20mm gun. He first sailed for the Aleutian Islands, then to Tarawa for the invasion. When the island was secure, he went ashore with Admiral Raymond Spruance. He desribes the kamekazi attack on Indianapolis during the Okinawa campaign, then the torpedo attack after leaving Tinian. He spent five days in the water before being rescued, then some time in the hospital after the war.

Interview with Buck Gibson of Waco, Texas, a veteran from the United States Navy during World War Two. The interview includes some of Mr. Gibson's background before and after the war as well as his personal experiences while in the Navy, including memories of his training, life in the Navy, the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, and what happened after he was rescued.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Buck Gibson. Gibson enlisted in the Navy and once he finished boot camp, he was assigned to the USS Indianapolis where he was a loader on a 20mm gun. He first sailed for the Aleutian Islands, then to Tarawa for the invasion. When the island was secure, he went ashore with Admiral Raymond Spruance. He desribes the kamekazi attack on Indianapolis during the Okinawa campaign, then the torpedo attack after leaving Tinian. He spent five days in the water before being rescued, then some time in the hospital after the war.

Interview with Buck Gibson of Waco, Texas, a veteran from the United States Navy during World War Two. The interview includes some of Strauss' background before and after the war as well as his personal experiences while in the Navy, including memories of his training, life in the Navy, the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, and what happened after he was rescued.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edwin Bullian. Bullian joined the Army Air Corps in October of 1940. He served as a B-26 flight engineer and gunner with the 17th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force. He completed 45 missions over North Africa, the islands of Sardinia and Sicily and the Italian mainland. Bullian continued his service after the war ended, retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1960.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edwin Bullian. Bullian joined the Army Air Corps in October of 1940. He served as a B-26 flight engineer and gunner with the 17th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force. He completed 45 missions over North Africa, the islands of Sardinia and Sicily and the Italian mainland. Bullian continued his service after the war ended, retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1960.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ernest Higgins. Higgins joined the Army in August of 1940. He was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division, 32nd Infantry Regiment. He participated in the battles of Attu, Kwajalein, Leyte and Okinawa. His job was to ensure that supplies were delivered on the beach within an hour of the beach landings. Higgins continued his service in the military, retiring in 1973 with rank of lieutenant colonel.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ernest Higgins. Higgins joined the Army in August of 1940. He was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division, 32nd Infantry Regiment. He participated in the battles of Attu, Kwajalein, Leyte and Okinawa. His job was to ensure that supplies were delivered on the beach within an hour of the beach landings. Higgins continued his service in the military, retiring in 1973 with rank of lieutenant colonel.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Earl Smith. Smith was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on 20 April 1923. Joining the Navy soon after graduation in 1941, he completed boot training at San Diego. Upon graduating from fire control school, he reported aboard the USS Tennessee (BB-43) at Pearl Harbor. He experienced the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and retrieved bodies in the aftermath. He was assigned to the USS Hornet (CV-8). After the Hornet sank, Smith was transferred to the USS Saratoga (CV-3) in June 1943. The Saratoga returned to the United States for repairs after being damaged by Japanese torpedoes and Smith received orders to report aboard the USS Hancock (CV-19). In November 1944, the Hancock was hit by a kamikaze and Smith was wounded. After being hospitalized in Hawaii for a short period of time, he was sent to the Naval Hospital at Norman, Oklahoma. He also shares various experiences he had following World War II. Smith retired in 1968 after twenty-seven years of active service.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Earl Smith. Smith was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on 20 April 1923. Joining the Navy soon after graduation in 1941, he completed boot training at San Diego. Upon graduating from fire control school, he reported aboard the USS Tennessee (BB-43) at Pearl Harbor. He experienced the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and retrieved bodies in the aftermath. He was assigned to the USS Hornet (CV-8). After the Hornet sank, Smith was transferred to the USS Saratoga (CV-3) in June 1943. The Saratoga returned to the United States for repairs after being damaged by Japanese torpedoes and Smith received orders to report aboard the USS Hancock (CV-19). In November 1944, the Hancock was hit by a kamikaze and Smith was wounded. After being hospitalized in Hawaii for a short period of time, he was sent to the Naval Hospital at Norman, Oklahoma. He also shares various experiences he had following World War II. Smith retired in 1968 after twenty-seven years of active service.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George De Laughter. De Laughter joined the Army in 1942. He was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division, 32nd Regiment. He worked as a supply officer. He participated in the battles of Attu, Kwajalein, Leyte and Okinawa. He was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George De Laughter. De Laughter joined the Army in 1942. He was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division, 32nd Regiment. He worked as a supply officer. He participated in the battles of Attu, Kwajalein, Leyte and Okinawa. He was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gerald Peterson. Peterson was born in Indianapolis in 1917. He grew up during the Great Depression and shares memories of how his family managed. He graduated from Arsenal Technical School in 1935. Peterson graduated from General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan in 1939 with a degree in industrial engineering and management. He was hired by the Boeing Company, and completed structural designs for the tail section of the B-17. He also assisted in the design and build of the B-29. In 1940, Peterson was required to register for possible draft, though after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, his engineering job was frozen and he remained in his position for the duration of the war. Peterson remained with Boeing until June of 1949.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gerald Peterson. Peterson was born in Indianapolis in 1917. He grew up during the Great Depression and shares memories of how his family managed. He graduated from Arsenal Technical School in 1935. Peterson graduated from General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan in 1939 with a degree in industrial engineering and management. He was hired by the Boeing Company, and completed structural designs for the tail section of the B-17. He also assisted in the design and build of the B-29. In 1940, Peterson was required to register for possible draft, though after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, his engineering job was frozen and he remained in his position for the duration of the war. Peterson remained with Boeing until June of 1949.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James “Jim” White. White was born in Cosby, Tennessee on 6 April 1920. He tells of conditions encountered while growing up during the Depression. Entering the U.S. Army in 1942 he was assigned to the 90th Infantry Division, Company A, 358th Regiment and trained as a rifleman at Camp Barkley, Texas. The division was sent to England in preparation for Operation Overlord. White landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day +1 and comments on the high casualty rate, the procedures in clearing a town of German soldiers and of being wounded by a land mine. Mrs. Betty White tells of receiving the message that her husband was wounded and of her concern. White was awarded a Bronze Star, a Silver Star and a Purple Heart while in the Army.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James “Jim” White. White was born in Cosby, Tennessee on 6 April 1920. He tells of conditions encountered while growing up during the Depression. Entering the U.S. Army in 1942 he was assigned to the 90th Infantry Division, Company A, 358th Regiment and trained as a rifleman at Camp Barkley, Texas. The division was sent to England in preparation for Operation Overlord. White landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day +1 and comments on the high casualty rate, the procedures in clearing a town of German soldiers and of being wounded by a land mine. Mrs. Betty White tells of receiving the message that her husband was wounded and of her concern. White was awarded a Bronze Star, a Silver Star and a Purple Heart while in the Army.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joe Matlock. Matlock joined the Army Air Forces on 8 December 1941. He received his wings in 1943, and served as a pilot with the 434th Troop Carrier Group, 71st Squadron. From 1944 through 1945, they flew combat paratroopers on airborne assaults on Normandy, southern France, the Netherlands and Germany. They additionally flew resupply missions in the relief of Bastogne and evacuated the wounded. Matlock returned to the US and was discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joe Matlock. Matlock joined the Army Air Forces on 8 December 1941. He received his wings in 1943, and served as a pilot with the 434th Troop Carrier Group, 71st Squadron. From 1944 through 1945, they flew combat paratroopers on airborne assaults on Normandy, southern France, the Netherlands and Germany. They additionally flew resupply missions in the relief of Bastogne and evacuated the wounded. Matlock returned to the US and was discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Sloup. Sloup joined the Army in 1943. He served with the 7th Infantry Division and participated in the invasions of Leyte and Okinawa. After the war ended, Sloup was shipped to Korea. In January of 1946, he returned to the US and was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Sloup. Sloup joined the Army in 1943. He served with the 7th Infantry Division and participated in the invasions of Leyte and Okinawa. After the war ended, Sloup was shipped to Korea. In January of 1946, he returned to the US and was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Wolfe. Wolfe joined the Army in 1939. He was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division, 32nd Regiment. He served as a commanding officer and participated in the battles of Attu, Kwajalein, Leyte and Okinawa.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Wolfe. Wolfe joined the Army in 1939. He was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division, 32nd Regiment. He served as a commanding officer and participated in the battles of Attu, Kwajalein, Leyte and Okinawa.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kenneth W. Prescott. Prescott was born 9 August 1920 in Jackson, Michigan. Upon graduating from midshipman’s school at Northwestern University in December 1942, Prescott volunteered to serve with a PT boat squadron. He was sent to Melville, Rhode Island for training. When complete, went to Tulagi and was assigned as executive officer aboard PT Boat 61. Commenting on the construction of a PT boat he also discusses the armament and number of crewmen and the responsibilities of each. He reminisces about his friendship with John F. Kennedy and comments on several experiences he had with him. Recalling the PT boat tender, USS Jamestown (APG-3), he tells of the services it provided to the PT squadrons in the area. Prescott was later made executive officer of the Jamestown.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kenneth W. Prescott. Prescott was born 9 August 1920 in Jackson, Michigan. Upon graduating from midshipman’s school at Northwestern University in December 1942, Prescott volunteered to serve with a PT boat squadron. He was sent to Melville, Rhode Island for training. When complete, went to Tulagi and was assigned as executive officer aboard PT Boat 61. Commenting on the construction of a PT boat he also discusses the armament and number of crewmen and the responsibilities of each. He reminisces about his friendship with John F. Kennedy and comments on several experiences he had with him. Recalling the PT boat tender, USS Jamestown (APG-3), he tells of the services it provided to the PT squadrons in the area. Prescott was later made executive officer of the Jamestown.