The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Audie Lynch. Lynch was born in Scotland, Arkansas 15 May 1925 and graduated from high school in 1942. He then attended Southeast Missouri State Teachers College where he participated in the Navy’s V-12 college training program. After one year he was sent to the Naval Reserve Midshipman School at Notre Dame University and received his commission four months later. Lynch was then ordered to report aboard the USS Charles Carroll (APA-28) at Norfolk, Virginia. The ship, which carried LCVP and LCM landing craft, sailed to Espiritu Santo where the troops trained and practiced landings prior to the invasion of Okinawa. He recalls participating in the invasion as the boat officer of a LCVP and had Ernie Pyle as a passenger. After the surrender of Japan, he made five trips to the Philippines, China and Japan ferrying troops back to the United States.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Audie Lynch. Lynch was born in Scotland, Arkansas 15 May 1925 and graduated from high school in 1942. He then attended Southeast Missouri State Teachers College where he participated in the Navy’s V-12 college training program. After one year he was sent to the Naval Reserve Midshipman School at Notre Dame University and received his commission four months later. Lynch was then ordered to report aboard the USS Charles Carroll (APA-28) at Norfolk, Virginia. The ship, which carried LCVP and LCM landing craft, sailed to Espiritu Santo where the troops trained and practiced landings prior to the invasion of Okinawa. He recalls participating in the invasion as the boat officer of a LCVP and had Ernie Pyle as a passenger. After the surrender of Japan, he made five trips to the Philippines, China and Japan ferrying troops back to the United States.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Ingram. Ingram was born in Springfield, Illinois on 13 June 1924. He joined the US Navy in 1941 and after completion of boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station he traveled to California where he was assigned to the USS Houston (CA-30), boarding the ship in Darwin, Australia. He describes his battle station as loader of an 8 inch forward gun and the procedures involved in loading of the gun. He tells of the 28 February 1942 attack on the ship by Japanese forces and the sinking of the Houston. After spending two days in the water he was picked up by the enemy and following questioning he was thrown back into the water. Later, he was picked out of the water and taken to Java. He describes the questioning procedure of the Japanese and the physical abuse he endured. Ingram was then moved from Batavia, Java to Burma to work on the Thai-Burma Railroad and describes the extensive manual labor required, the starving conditions, lack of adequate medical attention and inhumane treatment by the captors. He relates the painful experience of developing dysentery, malaria …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Ingram. Ingram was born in Springfield, Illinois on 13 June 1924. He joined the US Navy in 1941 and after completion of boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station he traveled to California where he was assigned to the USS Houston (CA-30), boarding the ship in Darwin, Australia. He describes his battle station as loader of an 8 inch forward gun and the procedures involved in loading of the gun. He tells of the 28 February 1942 attack on the ship by Japanese forces and the sinking of the Houston. After spending two days in the water he was picked up by the enemy and following questioning he was thrown back into the water. Later, he was picked out of the water and taken to Java. He describes the questioning procedure of the Japanese and the physical abuse he endured. Ingram was then moved from Batavia, Java to Burma to work on the Thai-Burma Railroad and describes the extensive manual labor required, the starving conditions, lack of adequate medical attention and inhumane treatment by the captors. He relates the painful experience of developing dysentery, malaria …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Cecil Carlisle. Carlisle served in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, and graduated in January of 1943 as a Corporal. He went on to complete Officer Candidate School and became a second lieutenant. He joined the Army, the Coast Artillery, working with automatic weapons including .50-caliber machine guns and 40mm antiaircraft cannons. He was first assigned to Camp Hahn in Riverside, California where he served as a platoon commander, conducting antiaircraft gunnery and field training. From there he was transferred to complete pilot training through the Army Air Forces and received his wings in the fall of 1944. He did not go overseas, as flights were halted to England as the war was scaling down. He then flew as copilot for Navigation Training School, back and forth from Texas to Florida. He was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Cecil Carlisle. Carlisle served in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, and graduated in January of 1943 as a Corporal. He went on to complete Officer Candidate School and became a second lieutenant. He joined the Army, the Coast Artillery, working with automatic weapons including .50-caliber machine guns and 40mm antiaircraft cannons. He was first assigned to Camp Hahn in Riverside, California where he served as a platoon commander, conducting antiaircraft gunnery and field training. From there he was transferred to complete pilot training through the Army Air Forces and received his wings in the fall of 1944. He did not go overseas, as flights were halted to England as the war was scaling down. He then flew as copilot for Navigation Training School, back and forth from Texas to Florida. He was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Clinton Jennings. Jennings joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937. He joined the Army in the spring of 1941. He completed training on the Island of Corregidor and served as Battery Clerk with the 59th Coast Artillery, K Battery. He describes how his unit responded to the attack on the Philippines in December of 1941, enduring bombings and raids by Japanese fighter planes. Jennings and his unit surrendered on 6 May 1942, and were taken to the 92nd Garage for sea planes, and then on to the Bilibid Prison. They traveled by French cattle cars on the railway to a prison camp called Bongabon, northeast of Cabanatuan. He remained there for several months, then moved to Cabanatuan prison camp for two and a half years, helping bury the dead, setting up a small hospital and planting a farm. Jennings shares vivid details of life in the camps, his work, their living and food accommodations, illnesses amongst the prisoners and interactions with the guards. In 1944 he was transported to Japan where he worked in a coal mine. He was rescued in September of 1945 and returned to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Clinton Jennings. Jennings joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937. He joined the Army in the spring of 1941. He completed training on the Island of Corregidor and served as Battery Clerk with the 59th Coast Artillery, K Battery. He describes how his unit responded to the attack on the Philippines in December of 1941, enduring bombings and raids by Japanese fighter planes. Jennings and his unit surrendered on 6 May 1942, and were taken to the 92nd Garage for sea planes, and then on to the Bilibid Prison. They traveled by French cattle cars on the railway to a prison camp called Bongabon, northeast of Cabanatuan. He remained there for several months, then moved to Cabanatuan prison camp for two and a half years, helping bury the dead, setting up a small hospital and planting a farm. Jennings shares vivid details of life in the camps, his work, their living and food accommodations, illnesses amongst the prisoners and interactions with the guards. In 1944 he was transported to Japan where he worked in a coal mine. He was rescued in September of 1945 and returned to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Flynn. Flynn joined the Navy in 1939. He served as a Radioman aboard USS Houston (CA-30) until it sank in March of 1942 during the Battle of Sunda Strait. He was captured by the Japanese and placed aboard their ship. Several hours later the ship was torpedoed, landing Flynn back into the water. He met up with Australian and British survivors and again was captured by another Japanese group. They were taken to a POW Camp in Serang, Java, and later to a camp in Jakarta. After 3 years of imprisonment, Flynn was liberated from the camp. He returned to the US and was discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Flynn. Flynn joined the Navy in 1939. He served as a Radioman aboard USS Houston (CA-30) until it sank in March of 1942 during the Battle of Sunda Strait. He was captured by the Japanese and placed aboard their ship. Several hours later the ship was torpedoed, landing Flynn back into the water. He met up with Australian and British survivors and again was captured by another Japanese group. They were taken to a POW Camp in Serang, Java, and later to a camp in Jakarta. After 3 years of imprisonment, Flynn was liberated from the camp. He returned to the US and was discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ernest Botard. Botard was born on a Texas ranch 28 December 1916. Graduating from high school in 1935, he attended Texas A&M University. He was called to active duty in February 1942, reporting to the Army’s 4th Calvary at Manhattan, Kansas where he received intensive training with horses. He was then sent to Fort Meade, South Dakota where his unit began training with vehicles. After spending six months training in the desert at Blithe, California the unit was sent to Camp Maxey at Paris, Texas. Here they prepared for overseas duty. Botard was placed in charge of D company and he describes the type of equipment the unit had. Departing the US in a large escorted convoy, they arrived in Portsmouth, England and began preparation for the invasion of Normandy. Botard landed at Utah Beach on 7 June 1944 and describes the problems getting the tanks and other equipment ashore. He describes in detail the battles in which he was involved and the difficulties presented by the hedgerows in the movement of his tanks. He recounts an incident where his column of tanks was proceeding down a road …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ernest Botard. Botard was born on a Texas ranch 28 December 1916. Graduating from high school in 1935, he attended Texas A&M University. He was called to active duty in February 1942, reporting to the Army’s 4th Calvary at Manhattan, Kansas where he received intensive training with horses. He was then sent to Fort Meade, South Dakota where his unit began training with vehicles. After spending six months training in the desert at Blithe, California the unit was sent to Camp Maxey at Paris, Texas. Here they prepared for overseas duty. Botard was placed in charge of D company and he describes the type of equipment the unit had. Departing the US in a large escorted convoy, they arrived in Portsmouth, England and began preparation for the invasion of Normandy. Botard landed at Utah Beach on 7 June 1944 and describes the problems getting the tanks and other equipment ashore. He describes in detail the battles in which he was involved and the difficulties presented by the hedgerows in the movement of his tanks. He recounts an incident where his column of tanks was proceeding down a road …

Transcript of an oral interview with Frank Ficklin. Ficklin joined the National Guard (Regimental Headquarters Battery of the 131st Field Artillery) in 1938 when he was sixteen. They were mobilized in November 1940 in Wichita Falls, Texas and sent to Camp Bowie Brownwood, Texas for training with the 36th Division. They trained there for about a year and were then shipped overseas, picking up American 75s in San Francisco on the way. After landing in Brisbane, Australia, they were sent to Singasari, Java. They originally supported remnants of the 19th Heavy Bombardment Group that had pulled out from the Philippines but when the planes left, they reverted back to artillery and went into combat against the Japanese at Butansory, supporting an Australian infantry unit. On March 8, 1942 his unit was called together and told that the Dutch had capitulated and that they were now POWs. Sometime in May 1942 the Japanese took them into the Bicycle Camp where they met up with the 368 survivors of the USS Houston which was sunk on March 1, 1942. They spent about six or seven months at this camp. In October they were put aboard the Dinichi Maru which sailed for Singapore. …

Transcript of an oral interview with Frank Ficklin. Ficklin joined the National Guard (Regimental Headquarters Battery of the 131st Field Artillery) in 1938 when he was sixteen. They were mobilized in November 1940 in Wichita Falls, Texas and sent to Camp Bowie Brownwood, Texas for training with the 36th Division. They trained there for about a year and were then shipped overseas, picking up American 75s in San Francisco on the way. After landing in Brisbane, Australia, they were sent to Singasari, Java. They originally supported remnants of the 19th Heavy Bombardment Group that had pulled out from the Philippines but when the planes left, they reverted back to artillery and went into combat against the Japanese at Butansory, supporting an Australian infantry unit. On March 8, 1942 his unit was called together and told that the Dutch had capitulated and that they were now POWs. Sometime in May 1942 the Japanese took them into the Bicycle Camp where they met up with the 368 survivors of the USS Houston which was sunk on March 1, 1942. They spent about six or seven months at this camp. In October they were put aboard the Dinichi Maru which sailed for Singapore. …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harry Hill. He was born at Fort Washakie, Wyoming on the Wind River Indian Reservation on 14 September 1920. Upon graduation from Texas A&M College in May 1942, he received a commission as a 2nd lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. He was immediately sent to Page Field, Fort Meyers, Florida and assigned to the B-24 Aircraft Maintenance Division. Soon thereafter, he underwent three months of advanced B-24 maintenance training at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Upon completion of the training he returned to Fort Meyers and was assigned to the 93rd Bomb Group. In September 1942 the maintenance personnel of the 93rd Bomb Group went by ship to Glasgow, Scotland. They then traveled by train to Hardwick Air Base, Norwich, England. Hill tells of repairing the aircraft upon their return from bombing raids. He remained in England until June 1945 when he returned to the United States aboard the RMS Queen Mary.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harry Hill. He was born at Fort Washakie, Wyoming on the Wind River Indian Reservation on 14 September 1920. Upon graduation from Texas A&M College in May 1942, he received a commission as a 2nd lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. He was immediately sent to Page Field, Fort Meyers, Florida and assigned to the B-24 Aircraft Maintenance Division. Soon thereafter, he underwent three months of advanced B-24 maintenance training at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Upon completion of the training he returned to Fort Meyers and was assigned to the 93rd Bomb Group. In September 1942 the maintenance personnel of the 93rd Bomb Group went by ship to Glasgow, Scotland. They then traveled by train to Hardwick Air Base, Norwich, England. Hill tells of repairing the aircraft upon their return from bombing raids. He remained in England until June 1945 when he returned to the United States aboard the RMS Queen Mary.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harry Kelly. Kelly joined the Navy in 1939. He served aboard the USS Yorktown (CV-5) through March of 1941. He was then transferred to USS Houston (CA-30) at Manila Bay, Philippines. Kelly served on the 5-inch antiaircraft gun aboard Houston, until it sank in March of 1942 during the Battle of Sunda Strait. He was captured and interned as a prisoner of war by the Japanese. They traveled to Surabaya, Singapore and Burma, where he worked on the Thai-Burma Railroad. He recalls the Red Cross Package drop in June of 1945, and liberation in September. He returned to the US and was discharged in September of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harry Kelly. Kelly joined the Navy in 1939. He served aboard the USS Yorktown (CV-5) through March of 1941. He was then transferred to USS Houston (CA-30) at Manila Bay, Philippines. Kelly served on the 5-inch antiaircraft gun aboard Houston, until it sank in March of 1942 during the Battle of Sunda Strait. He was captured and interned as a prisoner of war by the Japanese. They traveled to Surabaya, Singapore and Burma, where he worked on the Thai-Burma Railroad. He recalls the Red Cross Package drop in June of 1945, and liberation in September. He returned to the US and was discharged in September of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Homer Dean. Dean completed law school in 1940 at Baylor University. He joined the Texas State Defense Guard in 1941. Right after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dean served as a contracting officer with the US Army Ordnance Department at Rock Island Arsenal in Davenport, Iowa. He was assigned to tour various Arsenals around the US. He was inducted into the Army as a private in San Antonio in January of 1943 and assigned to serve as an instructor in the repair, assembly and disassembly of the 75mm Pack Howitzer. He graduated Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia in November of 1944. He was then assigned to an Infantry Replacement Training Center in Fort McClellan, Alabama, instructing servicemen how to use the Browning Automatic Rifle and prosecuting soldiers who had committed various infractions. Dean was then sent to the University of Beijing in California to learn Chinese. He did not make it overseas before the war ended. He was discharged in December of 1945, though continued his service in the Reserves until 1970.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Homer Dean. Dean completed law school in 1940 at Baylor University. He joined the Texas State Defense Guard in 1941. Right after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dean served as a contracting officer with the US Army Ordnance Department at Rock Island Arsenal in Davenport, Iowa. He was assigned to tour various Arsenals around the US. He was inducted into the Army as a private in San Antonio in January of 1943 and assigned to serve as an instructor in the repair, assembly and disassembly of the 75mm Pack Howitzer. He graduated Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia in November of 1944. He was then assigned to an Infantry Replacement Training Center in Fort McClellan, Alabama, instructing servicemen how to use the Browning Automatic Rifle and prosecuting soldiers who had committed various infractions. Dean was then sent to the University of Beijing in California to learn Chinese. He did not make it overseas before the war ended. He was discharged in December of 1945, though continued his service in the Reserves until 1970.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Howard Brooks. Brooks joined the Navy around 1938. He served as a trainer on the turrets aboard the USS Houston (CA-30). He worked in the Second Division, Number 2 turret. Their ship was assigned to the Asiatic Fleet to replace the USS Augusta (CA-31). They traveled to Manila Bay and the Philippines. He shares his experiences patrolling numerous islands and visiting and trading with the natives. Brooks talks about various incidents taking place leading up to the war with Japan. He was aboard the Houston on 7 December 1941 and shares his thoughts on that fateful day, as well as their plans for action. They traveled to the East Indies, and participated in the Battles of Makassar Strait, Java Sea and Sunda Strait where the Houston sank. Brooks, and other survivors were captured by the Japanese. He describes the various locations he stayed in and the work he was forced to do with fellow prisoners. Brooks did make it safely back to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Howard Brooks. Brooks joined the Navy around 1938. He served as a trainer on the turrets aboard the USS Houston (CA-30). He worked in the Second Division, Number 2 turret. Their ship was assigned to the Asiatic Fleet to replace the USS Augusta (CA-31). They traveled to Manila Bay and the Philippines. He shares his experiences patrolling numerous islands and visiting and trading with the natives. Brooks talks about various incidents taking place leading up to the war with Japan. He was aboard the Houston on 7 December 1941 and shares his thoughts on that fateful day, as well as their plans for action. They traveled to the East Indies, and participated in the Battles of Makassar Strait, Java Sea and Sunda Strait where the Houston sank. Brooks, and other survivors were captured by the Japanese. He describes the various locations he stayed in and the work he was forced to do with fellow prisoners. Brooks did make it safely back to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with J.B. Pryor. Born in Oklahoma in 1922, Pryor attended the University of Wyoming on a football scholarship. Upon entering the Navy in 1941, he was selected for pilot training and tells of being at various bases training in different types of single engine planes until September 1942. He then entered multi-engine aircraft training, flying B-24s as a co-pilot. In November 1943 he was assigned to Patrol Bomber Squadron 106 flying anti-submarine patrol over the Panama Canal Zone for a six month period. The squadron returned to California for training in the PB4Y-2. Upon completion, the squadron was sent to Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, then to Java. He describes the various types of missions they flew and tells of the casualties which occurred among the crewmembers.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with J.B. Pryor. Born in Oklahoma in 1922, Pryor attended the University of Wyoming on a football scholarship. Upon entering the Navy in 1941, he was selected for pilot training and tells of being at various bases training in different types of single engine planes until September 1942. He then entered multi-engine aircraft training, flying B-24s as a co-pilot. In November 1943 he was assigned to Patrol Bomber Squadron 106 flying anti-submarine patrol over the Panama Canal Zone for a six month period. The squadron returned to California for training in the PB4Y-2. Upon completion, the squadron was sent to Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, then to Java. He describes the various types of missions they flew and tells of the casualties which occurred among the crewmembers.