The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Custer. Custer joined the Army Air Corps in December, 1942. He attended aerial gunnery school before shipping to England.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Custer. Custer joined the Army Air Corps in December, 1942. He attended aerial gunnery school before shipping to England.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Combs. Combs was drafted into the Army Air Corps in 1940 and was in flight school in California when Pearl Harbor was attacked. After graduating and receiving his commission, he was assigned as a flight instructor at West Point in March, 1942. After transitioning from B-17s to B-29s, Combs joined a B-29 crew as a crew commander and headed overseas to Tinian in spring, 1945 and joined the 313th Bomb Wing. When the war ended, Combs returned home and was placed in the reserves. He was recalled for the Korean War and flew supplies from Japan and then VIPs around the theater.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Combs. Combs was drafted into the Army Air Corps in 1940 and was in flight school in California when Pearl Harbor was attacked. After graduating and receiving his commission, he was assigned as a flight instructor at West Point in March, 1942. After transitioning from B-17s to B-29s, Combs joined a B-29 crew as a crew commander and headed overseas to Tinian in spring, 1945 and joined the 313th Bomb Wing. When the war ended, Combs returned home and was placed in the reserves. He was recalled for the Korean War and flew supplies from Japan and then VIPs around the theater.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Graves. Graves joined the Marine Corps Reserves while attending the Rice Institute in 1941. After graduation he was sent to Quantico, Virginia in June 1942. He was placed into a candidate?s class, a reserve officer?s class, and then an artillery class. He was sent to Camp Pendleton, California to train artillerymen. In January 1944, he was sent to Hawaii as the Battery Executive Officer of E battery, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment of the 4th Marine Division. He recounts his experiences in the Battles of Kwajalein and Saipan. He was injured by a grenade on Saipan. He relates his experiences in a tent hospital on Saipan and naval hospitals in Hawaii and Long Beach, California. As a result of his injury, he spent the remainder of the war on limited duty.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Graves. Graves joined the Marine Corps Reserves while attending the Rice Institute in 1941. After graduation he was sent to Quantico, Virginia in June 1942. He was placed into a candidate?s class, a reserve officer?s class, and then an artillery class. He was sent to Camp Pendleton, California to train artillerymen. In January 1944, he was sent to Hawaii as the Battery Executive Officer of E battery, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment of the 4th Marine Division. He recounts his experiences in the Battles of Kwajalein and Saipan. He was injured by a grenade on Saipan. He relates his experiences in a tent hospital on Saipan and naval hospitals in Hawaii and Long Beach, California. As a result of his injury, he spent the remainder of the war on limited duty.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alfred Rodriquez. Rodriguez was born in Santa Barbara, California on 9 September 1921 and joined the Navy in 1940. Upon completion of boot training at San Diego in July, he was assigned to the USS Bobolink (AM-20), based at Maui, Hawaii. He recalls the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and his ship’s efforts to keep the heavily damaged USS California (BB-44) afloat. Afterwards, the Bobolink began pulling barges with fuel, ammunition and other supplies, from Tulagi and Gavutu to Guadalcanal. Following major naval engagements the Bobolink towed severely damaged ships to various islands for repair. Among those towed were the USS Atlanta (CL-51), the USS Aaron Ward (DD-483), the USS Portland (CA-33) and the USS Minneapolis (CA-36). In 1943 he returned to the United States and was assigned to the USS Wedderburn (DD-684). While aboard, Rodriquez was involved in various battles including Okinawa. He describes being in the December 1944 typhoon during which three destroyers were sunk. He concludes the discussion by telling of his various assignments until he retired in 1960.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alfred Rodriquez. Rodriguez was born in Santa Barbara, California on 9 September 1921 and joined the Navy in 1940. Upon completion of boot training at San Diego in July, he was assigned to the USS Bobolink (AM-20), based at Maui, Hawaii. He recalls the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and his ship’s efforts to keep the heavily damaged USS California (BB-44) afloat. Afterwards, the Bobolink began pulling barges with fuel, ammunition and other supplies, from Tulagi and Gavutu to Guadalcanal. Following major naval engagements the Bobolink towed severely damaged ships to various islands for repair. Among those towed were the USS Atlanta (CL-51), the USS Aaron Ward (DD-483), the USS Portland (CA-33) and the USS Minneapolis (CA-36). In 1943 he returned to the United States and was assigned to the USS Wedderburn (DD-684). While aboard, Rodriquez was involved in various battles including Okinawa. He describes being in the December 1944 typhoon during which three destroyers were sunk. He concludes the discussion by telling of his various assignments until he retired in 1960.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Cary Salter. Salter learned to fly in the Civilian Pilot Training program before entering the Army Air Forces in June 1942 and entering flight training. He was commissioned in August, 1943 and went to England in September 1944 where he joined the 354th Fighter Group to fly P-51s. Salter describes missions he flew over France and Germany where he attacked various ground targets and engaged in aerial combat. Salter flew over 60 combat missions and, after the war, took a flight in a German fighter. Slater shares several anecdotes from his time overseas. He was discharged in November, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Cary Salter. Salter learned to fly in the Civilian Pilot Training program before entering the Army Air Forces in June 1942 and entering flight training. He was commissioned in August, 1943 and went to England in September 1944 where he joined the 354th Fighter Group to fly P-51s. Salter describes missions he flew over France and Germany where he attacked various ground targets and engaged in aerial combat. Salter flew over 60 combat missions and, after the war, took a flight in a German fighter. Slater shares several anecdotes from his time overseas. He was discharged in November, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Pontow. Pontow joined the Navy in May, 1944. After basic training, he headed for Little Creek, Virginia, for amphibious training. After that, he was assigned to USS LSM-96. On his first cruise, they took a marine radar unit to the Philippines in early 1945. He also went to Okinawa for the initial landings. When the war ended, the USS LSM-96 battled typhoons and then went to China with the First Marine Division. He was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Pontow. Pontow joined the Navy in May, 1944. After basic training, he headed for Little Creek, Virginia, for amphibious training. After that, he was assigned to USS LSM-96. On his first cruise, they took a marine radar unit to the Philippines in early 1945. He also went to Okinawa for the initial landings. When the war ended, the USS LSM-96 battled typhoons and then went to China with the First Marine Division. He was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Snell. Snell joined the Navy on 11 February 1941. After boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois he took a train to San Pedro and from there rode the USS Kaskaskia (AO-27) to Hawaii where he was assigned to the USS Enterprise (CV-6). On 7 December 1941 Snell was in baker’s school at the submarine base. He went down to the pier and got a panoramic view of all that was happening. Snell returned aboard the Enterprise on 8 December. He saw the USS Hornet (CV-8) with Doolittle’s B-25s aboard and the battles of the Coral Sea, Midway, Santa Cruz and Stewart Islands before going back to Bremerton, Washington for repairs. Snell was assigned to the USS Morrison (DD-560) and helped put her in commission in December 1943. The Morrison saw action off Saipan and in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Snell was supervisor of lookouts and saw the plane that dropped the bomb that hit and sank the USS Princeton (CVL-23). Next, the Morrison was sent to Okinawa for radar picket duty. There, on 4 May 1945, the Morrison took four kamikaze hits and sank with heavy …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Snell. Snell joined the Navy on 11 February 1941. After boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois he took a train to San Pedro and from there rode the USS Kaskaskia (AO-27) to Hawaii where he was assigned to the USS Enterprise (CV-6). On 7 December 1941 Snell was in baker’s school at the submarine base. He went down to the pier and got a panoramic view of all that was happening. Snell returned aboard the Enterprise on 8 December. He saw the USS Hornet (CV-8) with Doolittle’s B-25s aboard and the battles of the Coral Sea, Midway, Santa Cruz and Stewart Islands before going back to Bremerton, Washington for repairs. Snell was assigned to the USS Morrison (DD-560) and helped put her in commission in December 1943. The Morrison saw action off Saipan and in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Snell was supervisor of lookouts and saw the plane that dropped the bomb that hit and sank the USS Princeton (CVL-23). Next, the Morrison was sent to Okinawa for radar picket duty. There, on 4 May 1945, the Morrison took four kamikaze hits and sank with heavy …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Greene. Greene dropped out of high school and joined the Navy in 1939, going to boot camp in Norfolk, Virginia. Afterwards, he went to the USS Kilty (DD-137). After a year on her, Greene was assigned to the USS Detroit (CL-8) in December 1940, remaining on her until December 1945. The Detroit changed its home port from San Diego to Pearl Harbor and was there on 7 December 1941. Greene states the Detroit was light in the water at the time of the attack, and therefore enemy torpedoes went underneath her. They rendezvoused with the USS Enterprise (CV-6) before coming back into Pearl Harbor. The Detroit escorted two ocean liners back to the States after the attack. Then, the Detroit provided escort duty to Australia and was assigned to the Aleutian Islands. They bombarded Kiska and Attu islands and one of the Japanese islands north of Honshu. At war’s end, the Detroit went into Tokyo Bay to find a safe way to get through the mined channel. Greene recalls taking the gold, silver and currency that the submarine USS Trout (SS-202) had taken from the Philippines to …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Greene. Greene dropped out of high school and joined the Navy in 1939, going to boot camp in Norfolk, Virginia. Afterwards, he went to the USS Kilty (DD-137). After a year on her, Greene was assigned to the USS Detroit (CL-8) in December 1940, remaining on her until December 1945. The Detroit changed its home port from San Diego to Pearl Harbor and was there on 7 December 1941. Greene states the Detroit was light in the water at the time of the attack, and therefore enemy torpedoes went underneath her. They rendezvoused with the USS Enterprise (CV-6) before coming back into Pearl Harbor. The Detroit escorted two ocean liners back to the States after the attack. Then, the Detroit provided escort duty to Australia and was assigned to the Aleutian Islands. They bombarded Kiska and Attu islands and one of the Japanese islands north of Honshu. At war’s end, the Detroit went into Tokyo Bay to find a safe way to get through the mined channel. Greene recalls taking the gold, silver and currency that the submarine USS Trout (SS-202) had taken from the Philippines to …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Watters. Watters enlisted in the Naval Reserves in Los Angeles in November, 1940. Shortly afterwards, he was assigned to the USS New York (BB-34) for a training cruise, which went to Cuba. After 30 days on the battleship he applied to midshipman’s school in New York. Watters was commissioned and assigned to an aircraft squadron, VP-23, based at Pearl Harbor. Watters’ primary duty in the squadron was administrative but he also flew as a crewmember as the commander wanted his men to learn navigation, etc. He was on Ford Island on 7 December 1941 when the Japanese attacked. He recalls going to the hangar area and pushing planes away from burning ones. Eleven of the squadrons 12 airplanes (PBY) were damaged. Later, VP-23 were among the first supporting the initial Solomon Island campaign. After Watters returned, he was assigned to a PB4Y squadron. He served as liaison officer from the fall of 1942 to the spring of 1944. In March 1944, he rotated back to Olathe, Kansas where he was the assembly and repair officer at the air station. Watters separated from active duty in March 1946 …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Watters. Watters enlisted in the Naval Reserves in Los Angeles in November, 1940. Shortly afterwards, he was assigned to the USS New York (BB-34) for a training cruise, which went to Cuba. After 30 days on the battleship he applied to midshipman’s school in New York. Watters was commissioned and assigned to an aircraft squadron, VP-23, based at Pearl Harbor. Watters’ primary duty in the squadron was administrative but he also flew as a crewmember as the commander wanted his men to learn navigation, etc. He was on Ford Island on 7 December 1941 when the Japanese attacked. He recalls going to the hangar area and pushing planes away from burning ones. Eleven of the squadrons 12 airplanes (PBY) were damaged. Later, VP-23 were among the first supporting the initial Solomon Island campaign. After Watters returned, he was assigned to a PB4Y squadron. He served as liaison officer from the fall of 1942 to the spring of 1944. In March 1944, he rotated back to Olathe, Kansas where he was the assembly and repair officer at the air station. Watters separated from active duty in March 1946 …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Quinton Pyle. Pyle joined the Navy in 1940 before he finished high school. After training in San Diego, he reported to the USS Bagley (DD-386). The Bagley was in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. He was the ‘hot case man’ on number two turret. That day, the turret started firing while the fireman got the boilers lit so they could generate steam and get underway. Pyle states that the ship shot down six Japanese planes that morning. The Bagley got steam up, passed the beached USS Nevada as they were going out, and went to sea. They came back in fairly soon for supplies and fuel but went back out immediately. Pyle states that the Bagley went all over the South Pacific area, had R&R in Brisbane, Australia and was in numerous minor and major skirmishes. The only damage the ship ever received was off Guadalcanal when one of the pilots from a downed Japanese torpedo bomber shot at the 20mm gunner with his pistol. Pyle also talks about the Bagley going alongside the heavily damaged and burning Astoria (CA-34) and taking off survivors during the battle …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Quinton Pyle. Pyle joined the Navy in 1940 before he finished high school. After training in San Diego, he reported to the USS Bagley (DD-386). The Bagley was in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. He was the ‘hot case man’ on number two turret. That day, the turret started firing while the fireman got the boilers lit so they could generate steam and get underway. Pyle states that the ship shot down six Japanese planes that morning. The Bagley got steam up, passed the beached USS Nevada as they were going out, and went to sea. They came back in fairly soon for supplies and fuel but went back out immediately. Pyle states that the Bagley went all over the South Pacific area, had R&R in Brisbane, Australia and was in numerous minor and major skirmishes. The only damage the ship ever received was off Guadalcanal when one of the pilots from a downed Japanese torpedo bomber shot at the 20mm gunner with his pistol. Pyle also talks about the Bagley going alongside the heavily damaged and burning Astoria (CA-34) and taking off survivors during the battle …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert D. Tippen. Tippen was born in Goldthwaite, Texas on 8 May 1923. He joined the Navy in July 1942. After boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois, he was sent to the Canal Zone where he joined the USS Columbia (CL-56), assigned to the Navigation Department. In October 1942 Columbia sailed for Espiritu Santo, supporting the struggle for Guadalcanal. For the next 14 months, with few breaks, Tippen and Columbia saw combat. Starting with securing Guadalcanal, they participated in the bombardment of Munda, supported the landings at Bougainville, participated in the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay, made raids on Rabaul and Truk, and covered an assault of Emirau Island. After an overhaul in San Francisco to repair battle damage, Columbia supported the landings at Peleliu, and participated in the Battle for Leyte Gulf. In December 1944 Tippen was transferred to USS Denver (CL-58). Denver helped in the final capture of the Philippines, supported the landings at Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Balikpapan, Borneo, and hunted Japanese shipping off the China coast. Following the end of hostilities, Denver provided cover for the liberation of prison camps in Wakayama, Honshu, Japan. …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert D. Tippen. Tippen was born in Goldthwaite, Texas on 8 May 1923. He joined the Navy in July 1942. After boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois, he was sent to the Canal Zone where he joined the USS Columbia (CL-56), assigned to the Navigation Department. In October 1942 Columbia sailed for Espiritu Santo, supporting the struggle for Guadalcanal. For the next 14 months, with few breaks, Tippen and Columbia saw combat. Starting with securing Guadalcanal, they participated in the bombardment of Munda, supported the landings at Bougainville, participated in the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay, made raids on Rabaul and Truk, and covered an assault of Emirau Island. After an overhaul in San Francisco to repair battle damage, Columbia supported the landings at Peleliu, and participated in the Battle for Leyte Gulf. In December 1944 Tippen was transferred to USS Denver (CL-58). Denver helped in the final capture of the Philippines, supported the landings at Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Balikpapan, Borneo, and hunted Japanese shipping off the China coast. Following the end of hostilities, Denver provided cover for the liberation of prison camps in Wakayama, Honshu, Japan. …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Takeo and Roberta Shiroma. Takeo Shiroma was born in Fresno County, California to parents who were both born in Okinawa. Roberta Shiroma, wife of Takeo, was born in Los Angeles, California in 1932. Her mother was born in San Francisco and her father was born in Japan. Takeo & Roberta were both relocated to an internment camp on an Indian Reservation in Poston, Arizona. They share their remembrances of learning of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the treatment of Japanese Americans, and life in the internment camp.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Takeo and Roberta Shiroma. Takeo Shiroma was born in Fresno County, California to parents who were both born in Okinawa. Roberta Shiroma, wife of Takeo, was born in Los Angeles, California in 1932. Her mother was born in San Francisco and her father was born in Japan. Takeo & Roberta were both relocated to an internment camp on an Indian Reservation in Poston, Arizona. They share their remembrances of learning of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the treatment of Japanese Americans, and life in the internment camp.