The National Museum of the Pacific War presents and oral interview with Douglas A. Skinner. Born 13 January 1923 in Fleetwood, Oklahoma, Skinner joined the Army 1 April 1943 and was sent to Fort Hood, Texas for basic training. Upon completion of basic, he volunteered for the Parachute Infantry and was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia for airborne training. He describes the training they received. Assigned to the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division he was sent to England. On 6 June 1944 the unit participated in the invasion of Normandy. He recalls the plane in which he was aboard being hit by anti-aircraft fire and going down in flames. Skinner was able to bail out before it crashed. He remembers that only he and two others on the plane survived. Briefly discussing the action in which he was involved, Skinner tells of being wounded. As a result of his wound, he spent six months in the hospital. He was discharged from the Army 2 December 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Kenneth O. Good. Good joined the Army Air Forces in December of 1942. He completed Radio Operator and Mechanics Technical School at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois and the Aviation Cadet Pilot Training Program in Texas. Good received his wings in August of 1944. He served with the 528th Fighter Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, 14th Air Force as a P-51 fighter pilot, under the director of General Claire Chenault. In May of 1945, Good was deployed overseas and completed missions over China and Burma, escorting bombers, flying interception missions, striking enemy communications, and supporting ground operations. He served in combat until the end of the war. Good returned to the US and received his discharge in January, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bob Campaign. Campaign joined the Navy in March 1943 and attended the University of Iowa for pre-flight training. He describes a training device consisting of a mock cockpit that would be flipped over and lowered into a swimming pool, giving pilots a chance to practice releasing their harnesses while hanging upside down, submerged in water. He finished his training at Corpus Christi and Fort Lauderdale, transitioning into combat airplanes. He was then assigned to VT-15 aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12). After the shakedown cruise, Campaign was transferred to VF-79 as a night fighter pilot aboard the USS Independence (CVL-22).

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Raul Treto. Treto was born in Harlingen, Texas 4 November 1921. In September 1942 he was drafted into the Army and sent to Camp Robinson, Arkansas for eighteen weeks of basic training. Upon completion of basic he was assigned to the 98th Signal Battalion and sent to Camp Blanding, Florida for advanced training. In June 1944 the battalion traveled by troop train to Camp Stoneman, California. Boarding a liberty ship, they proceeded on a thirty day voyage to Aitape, Papua New Guinea. Upon arrival in New Guinea, Treto was assigned to a radio platoon. While on New Guinea he saw a USO Show put on by Bob Hope. He tells of going to Morotai as well as taking part in the invasion of Luzon. During August 1945 he was selected to go aboard the USS Mount Olympus (AGC-8) as part of the crew manning the radios and was on board in Tokyo Bay when the surrender of Japan was officially accepted. He returned to his unit which was stationed outside Yokohama. He returned to the United States and was discharged December 1945.

Transcript of an oral interview with Ursula Kramer. Born in 1907 in Königsberg, East Prussia, she talks about her life during World War I as the daughter of a German Army officer. She then recounts her life in Germany and Austria during World War II as the wife of a professor. She describes the living conditions in Germany during and after the war. She talks about the Allied bombing of Berlin. She discusses her husband's involvement in a secret German resistance effort as well as her own anti-Hitler feelings. After the war, her husband spent five months in an American prisoner-of-war camp. Ursula, her husband, and their children immigrated to the United States after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dick Schumacher. He was born in 1916 in Canton, Ohio. In about 1941, he received a Navy commission and was sent to Navy Supply Corps School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His first duty assignment was to the Supply Department at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard during the building of the USS New Jersey (BB-62) and the USS Wisconsin (BB-64). He was assigned to the USS Ashland (LSD-1) in 1943 and served in the Pacific Theater until June 1945. He describes the living conditions on the ship. He shares his concern about being blown up while transporting large amounts of ammunition. Prior to his discharge in February 1946, he was assigned to the Naval Storehouse in Baltimore, Maryland. He shares anecdotes about being required to have a sword; the crew brewing alcoholic beverages on the ship; the ship hitting the dock at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and experiencing a typhoon while at sea.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Tina Burnham. Burnham was born in Sulpher Springs, Texas and graduated from high school in 1940. She attended a trade school in Texarkana, Texas to become a riveter. She was then employed at Spartan Aircraft Industries in Tulsa, Oklahoma as a riveter. On this job she manufactured wings on Grumman Wildcat aircraft. In January 1944 she joined the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve (SPARS) and went to Palm Beach, Florida for six weeks of intensive training. She describes the clothing she was issued and the training she received. Upon completion of boot camp she went to Philadelphia working as a pharmacist’s mate in the St. Agnes Hospital. She was then selected to attend the College of Pharmacy at Columbia University. She graduated 31 December 1944. After spending a short time in the SPARS barracks sick bay in Norfolk, Virginia she was transferred to the Marine Hospital in Norfolk. While at the hospital she rotated through the various departments. She states that surgery was her favorite. She was then sent to the Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Coast Guard Air Station where she served until being discharged 20 May 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Stan Martin. Martin was born in New Zealand, and joined the Territorial Army, the New Zealand Navy, around 1941. He worked as a Radarman, and served at radar posts around the Port of Auckland and Wellington. He was later assigned to the Royal Navy, and served aboard a British ship. He participated in the Battle of Okinawa. He became involved with the 2nd Marine Division Association and helped these veterans reconnect with those who helped make them welcome in New Zealand. He was made an honorary member of the association and attended many of their reunions both in New Zealand and the United States.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Paine. Paine joined the Navy Reserves soon after 7 December 1941. He served as a photographer’s mate in charge of a photo printing lab in Washington DC. Paine briefly discusses the equipment he used. He was discharged in 1944 when he contracted a serious case of tuberculosis and took several years to recover.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al Kiracofe. Kiracofe joined the Navy in 1942 and received yeoman training at Great Lakes. Upon completion, he was assigned to CASU-22 at Quonset Point, helping to prepare squadrons for overseas deployment. He was then assigned to Carrier Air Group 41, which was just beginning to use radar for night flying. One of his duties as yeoman was to send letters of regret to the parents of soldiers who were killed in action. The experience upset him to the point that he remembered the date of each letter for the rest of his life. He was transferred to Carrier Air Group 10 aboard the USS Intrepid (CV-11) and helped to set up squadrons in Alameda from January 1943 to September 1944. At Okinawa, a kamikaze hit caused the deaths of eight men on the Intrepid. When the ship returned to Alameda for repairs, Kiracofe was so shaken up that he was ordered to a US Naval hospital for treatment and received a medical discharge in July 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Rubin Peterson. Peterson joined the Navy in June 1942 and received training at Iowa State College and the University of Georgia. He received training in instrument flying at Whiting Field and formation flying at Barron Field. Upon completion of dive bomber training in DeLand, he was assigned to a night fighter squadron aboard the USS Independence (CVL-22). On his first mission, he shot down a Betty bomber at Palau. He then bombed freighters near Leyte amidst antiaircraft fire. On his night missions, he used the 40-mile range of his radar to close in on planes until he had a visual on them. At the end of his tour, he witnessed a destroyer sunk by a typhoon. Peterson returned to the States in February 1945 and instructed pilots on using radar until he was discharged at the end of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jim Scanlon. Scanlon joined the Navy in November of 1942. He served as an aviation radio technician with the VF-41 Night Fighter Squadron. Scanlon provides vivid details of his training, and how he was involved with his missions. Scanlon was one of eleven radio technicians. They oversaw 25 airplanes in their squadron. He then served aboard the USS Hancock (CV-19) beginning November of 1944. Upon returning to the United States in October of 1945, he was assigned to the Naval Air Station in Klamath Falls, Oregon. His discharge date is not noted.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jesse T. Barker. Barker joined the Navy and entered the V-5 Naval Aviation Program in April 1941. Completing his training at Pensacola in September, he received his wings and commission. Upon arriving in San Diego, he was assigned to the USS Saratoga (CV-3) and traveled to Pearl Harbor. After additional training, he was assigned to the USS Enterprise (CV-5) and participated in the invasion of Guadalcanal. A group of twelve pilots were temporarily assigned to Henderson Field and Barker describes missions he flew. He recalls harassment by a Japanese plane called Washing Machine Charlie. Returning to the US he reported to the Vero Beach, Florida Naval Air Station to serve as a dive bomber instructor. After serving there for one year he volunteered for night fighter training and was sent to Quonset Point, Rhode Island. He describes the procedure of using radar in flying night missions. After six months of training he went to Pearl Harbor where he underwent advanced training. He was then assigned to the USS Independence (CVL-22) and relates his experiences during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He was then transferred to the USS Intrepid …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Franke. Franke joined the Navy in December of 1942. He completed radio, radar and gunnery school. He first trained in an ABX with hand-crank antennas. He later traveled to Florida to train in the Grumman TBF Avengers. In February of 1944 he volunteered for night flying in Quonset Point, Rhode Island. His unit practiced night flying to and from the USS Independence (CVL-22). They also completed anti-submarine patrol missions. In 1944 they participated in the Palau and Philippine operations, supporting landings at Angaur Island, Mindanao and Luzon. Franke shares his experiences over Formosa of a battle between the night fighters and some Japanese bombers. They also covered landings at Lingayen and Leyte gulfs. After their outfit was broken up, he started a training group in Vero Beach, Florida.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Margaret Gardner. Gardner married Russell Emmett Edwards on 2 November 1943. Edwards joined the Navy in 1941. Gardner provides some details of Edwards’ flight training in Florida, where he was selected for a night fighter squadron. He completed additional training in Charleston, Rhode Island aboard the Grumman F6F Hellcats. Gardner notes the various places she and Edwards lived while he was training in Florida and Rhode Island. She also provides some details of their pending wedding date, which policy implored must take place after Edwards received his wings. Edwards completed his flying missions from aboard the USS Independence (CVL-22) and was killed in action 6 January 1945. Gardner provides details of how she learned of Edwards death. She attended 28 of the CVLG 41 VF-41 reunions over the last 58 years to maintain contact with Edwards’ crew members she had met during his flight training days.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Cy Heinrich. Heinrich entered the Navy and served with the VF-41 Night Fighter Squadron, aboard the USS Independence (CVL-22) as a Landing Signal Officer. Around January 1944 he was assigned to Las Alamedas to work with Carrier Aircraft Service Unit 33, CASU-33. He helped implement reflective material down the legs of their flight suits in order to see one another more easily during night landings. Heinrich was assigned back to the Independence around July of 1944, where his squadron was assigned to take new aircraft aboard. He provides some details of this work, including the tedious work of serving as a Landing Signal Officer. They struck Okinawa, Formosa, and the Philippines. He provides details of how the Independence became a night operating carrier.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ben Howden. Howden joined the Navy in 1942. He received preliminary flight training Wisconsin and Iowa and further training in Corpus Christi, Melbourne, and Vero Beach. Upon completion, he was assigned to VF(N)-106 and then transferred to a squadron aboard the USS Independence (CVL-22). He performed combat air patrols and anti-submarine patrols for three months in the Philippines. Howden traveled through a typhoon during his return to the States and was discharged when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bob Campaign. Campaign joined the Navy in March 1943 and attended the University of Iowa for pre-flight training. He describes a training device consisting of a mock cockpit that would be flipped over and lowered into a swimming pool, giving pilots a chance to practice releasing their harnesses while hanging upside down, submerged in water. He finished his training at Corpus Christi and Fort Lauderdale, transitioning into combat airplanes. He was then assigned to VT-15 aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12). After the shakedown cruise, Campaign was transferred to VF-79 as a night fighter pilot aboard the USS Independence (CVL-22).

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with L.T. Tracy. Tracy completed Machinist School prior to entering the service. Tracy joined the Navy in December of 1940 and immediately went aboard the USS Lexington (CV-2). He participated as a gunner in the Battle of the Coral Sea. His spine was injured during this battle. In late 1942 Tracy was assigned to the USS Nevada (BB-36). They participated in the invasions of Attu and Kiska, as well as supporting the Normandy and Marseilles landings. Tracy was then transferred to the USS Texas (BB-35). They provided gunfire support during the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was discharged for medical reasons in January of 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ken Kewley. Kewley joined the Navy in September of 1941. He completed Electric Hydraulic and Advanced Gunnery School. He served aboard the USS Richmond (CL-9). After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Richmond escorted transport ships carrying troops to the South Pacific. In 1942, they were instrumental in driving the Japanese out of the Aleutian Islands. Kewley recounts his experiences through the Battle of the Komandorski Islands in March of 1943. In mid-1943, he was assigned to the Officer Messenger Mail Center in the Marshall Islands. He was discharged in the fall of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James M. Van de Hey. Born in Maribel, Wisconsin 15 March 1916, Van de Hey attended a one room school for eight years before graduating from high school in Antigo, Wisconsin. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps for two years before joining the Army Air Corps in 1936. Upon entering the Air Corps, he went to Chanute Field, Illinois for aircraft and maintenance school. While there he took examinations and was accepted for flight training. Van de Hey received training at several air fields and upon graduating, went to Hawaii. Arriving at Wheeler Field, he joined the 78th Pursuit Squadron. Recalling the attack on Pearl Harbor, he describes what he observed and tells of the damage to the planes. After receiving more aircraft and training all the personnel and equipment were loaded onto the USS Saratoga (CV-3) and taken to Midway. He was stationed on Midway twice and spending several months on Baker Island. During these tours, he shot down two Japanese aircraft. Van de Hey was made the squadron commander and they began flying P-51 fighters at Guam and Iwo Jima. While there he led the first …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles A. Thuet. Thuet was born in Wilmington, Delaware 21 August 1921. In 1940 he began working in the local shipyard. In 1942 he volunteered for the Navy and underwent six weeks of boot training at Newport, Rhode Island. Afterward, he was assigned to the USS Wainwright (DD-419) and became served as an orderly for Commodore D.P. Moon. He recalls being in Convoy PQ-17 to Murmansk, Russia that was attacked by German air and naval forces. Twenty-four of the thirty-five cargo ships in the convoy were sunk. In August 1942 he was transferred to the USS Wichita (CA-45) where he flew as the observer aboard SOC aircraft. He describes the landing and takeoff procedures of the planes. He also served as a parachute rigger. During November 1942, the Wichita bombarded Casablanca. The ship received damage from a shore battery and retired to Brooklyn Navy Yard for repairs. The ship then proceeded through the Panama Canal to Noumea, New Caledonia with a convoy. Thuet recalls the Wichita bombarded various islands including Kwajalein, Hollandia and Saipan. In April 1943 the ship was part of the invasion force assigned to retake …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Nellis Verhey. Verhey joined the Army in April of 1943. He served with G Company, 3rd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. In 1944 they traveled to England. Verhey parachuted into Normandy on D-Day in June and into Belgium during Operation Market Garden in September. Verhey was discharged in December of 1945. After the war ended, he served on Honor Guard duty for both Eisenhower and Truman.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Ross. Ross joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1939, and joined the Navy in August of 1942. In September he was sent to Bremerton, Washington and helped with refurbishing the USS Nevada (BB-36). In May of 1943 they participated in the capture of Attu in the Aleutian Islands. In April of 1944 they escorted convoys to the United Kingdom, and provided fire support during the Normandy invasion. They supported landings during the Battles of Marseilles, Iwo Jima and Okinawa, where the Nevada came under severe kamikaze attacks. Ross was discharged in November of 1945.