Oral History Interview with Joe Parker, January 30, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Joe Parker, January 30, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joe Parker. Parker joined the Marine Corps on 8 December 1941. He traveled to New Zealand, practicing jungle warfare training. He participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign, was shot three times by October of 1942, and received three Purple Hearts. He was hospitalized on the island of Efate, where he personally met Eleanor Roosevelt. He ultimately returned to the US aboard the USS Mercy (AH-8). He never returned to combat due to his injuries, and was discharged in late 1945.
Date: January 30, 2003
Creator: Parker, Joe
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Gallant, September 30, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with James Gallant, September 30, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Gallant. Gallant was commissioned as an Army Infantry Officer in 1940 and was transferred to the Army Air Forces to serve as an Administration Officer. He discusses his duties at Randolph and Foster fields as a part of flight training. Gallant once was flown by a WASP and from one field to another. He was sent to China in 1945 to join the 327th Troop Carrier Squadron. Gallant tells how his flight over the Himalaya Mountains was delayed for two weeks due to bad weather. He describes how the Chinese people treated the American servicemen. Gallant discusses how his unit adopted an orphaned Chinese boy and raised a bear. He details the reception that his unit received when returning to the States. Gallant left active duty soon after, but remained in the reserves.
Date: September 30, 2003
Creator: Gallant, James
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Harry Colson, October 30, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Harry Colson, October 30, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harry Colson. Colson joined the Navy in December of 1943. He served as Watertender Third-Class aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63). They participated in bombardment support for the invasion landings on Iwo Jima and throughout the Okinawa Campaign. Colson was aboard the Missouri on 2 September 1945 in Tokyo Bay, when the Instrument of Surrender was signed. Colson returned to the US aboard the ship, and was discharged in January of 1946.
Date: October 30, 2003
Creator: Colson, Harry
System: The Portal to Texas History