Oral History Interview with Elnora Geer, October 29, 2007 transcript

Oral History Interview with Elnora Geer, October 29, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Elnora Geer. Geer finished high school in 1933 and went to work as a telephone operator in McKinney, Texas. When the war started, Geer was married and had one child with another on the way when her husband was drafted in early 1944. Before her husband shipped overseas, she moved out to California with her babies. He was en route to the Philippines when the war ended and she was on hand to greet him upon his return to New Orleans.
Date: October 29, 2007
Creator: Geer, Elnora
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John Cadle, November 29, 2007 transcript

Oral History Interview with John Cadle, November 29, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Cadle. Cadle joined the Army Air Forces in October, 1942 after working in a naval gun factory. He passed the exam and was accepted for pilot training. He earned his wings and commission in May, 1944. He then learned to fly B-24 bombers and was shipped to England and was assigned to the 328th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group. He describes a few missions over Europe in detail, including one in which he bailed out of a crippled bomber and was rescued by the Russians. Cadle describes his ordeal with the Russians and getting back to England. He also served in Korea as a forward air controller, spending over 2 months with the infantry.
Date: November 29, 2007
Creator: Cadle, John
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Pedro De La Garza, October 29, 2007 transcript

Oral History Interview with Pedro De La Garza, October 29, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Pedro De La Garza. De La Garza was drafted into the Army in December of 1942. He was assigned to the 329th Medical Battalion, 104th Infantry Division, nicknamed the Timberwolf Division. His military occupation specialty was ambulance orderly. From September of 1944 through July of 1945 he participated on the front lines in the European Theater. He traveled to France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, crossed the Rhine River and was located at the Elbe River when Germany surrendered. He provides details of his work, his travels and his experiences during nighttime combat. He was discharged in late 1945.
Date: October 29, 2007
Creator: De La Garza, Pedro
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles R. Clark, August 29, 2007 transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles R. Clark, August 29, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles R. Clark. Clark was born in 1918 and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1939. His first assignment was as a gunnery officer aboard the USS San Francisco (CA-38). Next, he served aboard the USS Fairfax (DD-93) as an engineer. He also served aboard the USS Texas (BB-35) as a radio officer. Clark attended submarine school after the war started. After graduation he served on the USS O-2 as torpedo, gunnery and engineering officer. He later became the executive officer. His next assignment was to the USS Dace (SS-247) as an engineer. He spent a year on this boat and made seven war patrols. After promotion, he commanded the USS Sennet (SS-408). In May 1945 on war patrol in the Sea of Japan, the Sennet sank four enemy vessels. After the war, Clark administered the submarine sonar school in Florida before being assigned to the USS Quillback (SS-424). Clark also served as captain aboard the USS Hawkins (DD-873). Next he was assigned as embassy naval attaché in Havana, Cuba. He also commanded the USS Tidewater (AD-31). Clark concluded his career in 1967 as naval attaché in Madrid, …
Date: August 29, 2007
Creator: Clark, Charles Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Louis Jendrusch, March 29, 2007 transcript

Oral History Interview with Louis Jendrusch, March 29, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Louis Jendrusch. Jendrusch joined the Navy in mid-1941 and trained in San Diego as a radioman. He was then assigned to Patrol Bombing Squadron 206 (VPB-206) and travelled with that outfit to Panama to patrol for U-boats around the Panama Canal. Jendrusch recalls several anecdotes, including leave in Jamaica, patrolling in the Pacific and the Caribbean, and aspects about the PBM Mariner aircraft. Jendrusch was transferred out of the squadron and assigned to a radio station in North Carolina. Before long, a squadron was assigned to his base and it turned out to be his old VPB-206, which had a new designation (VPB-216). He also trained on radar and sonar. His group went to the Pacific in time for the invasion of Saipan. He also describes a typhoon. Jendrusch returned to the US in December, 1944 and was discharged the following December.
Date: March 29, 2007
Creator: Jendrusch, Louis
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Peter Hammersen, May 29, 2007 transcript

Oral History Interview with Peter Hammersen, May 29, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Peter Hammersen. Hammersen joined the California Army National Guard in September of 1939. He joined, as a charter member, Company A of the 115th Medical Regiment, 40th Infantry Division. He worked as a surgical technician in various hospitals, including the 48th Station Hospital at Vila, Efate, Henderson Field at Guadalcanal and finally the 37th Portable Surgical Hospital in New Guinea. Hammersen shares a number of anecdotal stories, and he was discharged in late 1945.
Date: May 29, 2007
Creator: Hammersen, Peter
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Arlos L. Awalt, May 29, 2007 transcript

Oral History Interview with Arlos L. Awalt, May 29, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arlos L. Awalt. He was born in Brady, Texas, drafted into the Army, and inducted at Ft. Sam Houston, in San Antonio. After basic training at Camp Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas, he took a troop train to New York Harbor and boarded the Louis S. Pasteur to Southhampton, England where he was assigned to the 106th Infantry Division, 424 Regiment, in the 81mm mortars in H Company, a heavy weapons company. They went right into the Battle of the Bulge where he suffered frost bite and pneumonia. Later assignments included the following: the occupation army in charge of prisoner of war camps interviewing POWs and displaced persons, serving at General Eisenhower's headquarters building in a little red schoolhouse in Rheims, France (where peace was later signed), in the Grand Hotel in Bad Nauheim, Germany where General Patton was officed, and in Renea Lanay, France. He served 22 months in the Army, 19 overseas - returning as a corporal. He received the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and two medals from the Belgian government.
Date: May 29, 2007
Creator: Awalt, Arlos L. (Curly)
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with George Franke, June 29, 2007 transcript

Oral History Interview with George Franke, June 29, 2007

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 in Memphis, Tennessee. He first trained in an ABX with hand-crank antennas. He then completed gunnery school aboard a Grumman TBF Avenger in Florida. 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), in preparation to attack the Japanese at night. He shares details of his specialized training in Massachusetts. In the fall of 1944 his unit practiced night flying in F6s to and from the USS Independence (CVL-22). They also completed anti-submarine patrol missions. Later 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. After their outfit was broken up, he started a training group in Vero Beach, Florida.
Date: June 29, 2007
Creator: Franke, George
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Peter Hammersen, May 29, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Peter Hammersen, May 29, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Peter Hammersen. Hammersen joined the California Army National Guard in September of 1939. He joined, as a charter member, Company A of the 115th Medical Regiment, 40th Infantry Division. He worked as a surgical technician in various hospitals, including the 48th Station Hospital at Vila, Efate, Henderson Field at Guadalcanal and finally the 37th Portable Surgical Hospital in New Guinea. Hammersen shares a number of anecdotal stories, and he was discharged in late 1945.
Date: May 29, 2007
Creator: Hammersen, Peter
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Elnora Geer, October 29, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Elnora Geer, October 29, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Elnora Geer. Geer finished high school in 1933 and went to work as a telephone operator in McKinney, Texas. When the war started, Geer was married and had one child with another on the way when her husband was drafted in early 1944. Before her husband shipped overseas, she moved out to California with her babies. He was en route to the Philippines when the war ended and she was on hand to greet him upon his return to New Orleans.
Date: October 29, 2007
Creator: Geer, Elnora
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John Cadle, November 29, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with John Cadle, November 29, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Cadle. Cadle joined the Army Air Forces in October, 1942 after working in a naval gun factory. He passed the exam and was accepted for pilot training. He earned his wings and commission in May, 1944. He then learned to fly B-24 bombers and was shipped to England and was assigned to the 328th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group. He describes a few missions over Europe in detail, including one in which he bailed out of a crippled bomber and was rescued by the Russians. Cadle describes his ordeal with the Russians and getting back to England. He also served in Korea as a forward air controller, spending over 2 months with the infantry.
Date: November 29, 2007
Creator: Cadle, John
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Pedro De La Garza, October 29, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Pedro De La Garza, October 29, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Pedro De La Garza. De La Garza was drafted into the Army in December of 1942. He was assigned to the 329th Medical Battalion, 104th Infantry Division, nicknamed the Timberwolf Division. His military occupation specialty was ambulance orderly. From September of 1944 through July of 1945 he participated on the front lines in the European Theater. He traveled to France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, crossed the Rhine River and was located at the Elbe River when Germany surrendered. He provides details of his work, his travels and his experiences during nighttime combat. He was discharged in late 1945.
Date: October 29, 2007
Creator: De La Garza, Pedro
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles R. Clark, August 29, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles R. Clark, August 29, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles R. Clark. Clark was born in 1918 and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1939. His first assignment was as a gunnery officer aboard the USS San Francisco (CA-38). Next, he served aboard the USS Fairfax (DD-93) as an engineer. He also served aboard the USS Texas (BB-35) as a radio officer. Clark attended submarine school after the war started. After graduation he served on the USS O-2 as torpedo, gunnery and engineering officer. He later became the executive officer. His next assignment was to the USS Dace (SS-247) as an engineer. He spent a year on this boat and made seven war patrols. After promotion, he commanded the USS Sennet (SS-408). In May 1945 on war patrol in the Sea of Japan, the Sennet sank four enemy vessels. After the war, Clark administered the submarine sonar school in Florida before being assigned to the USS Quillback (SS-424). Clark also served as captain aboard the USS Hawkins (DD-873). Next he was assigned as embassy naval attaché in Havana, Cuba. He also commanded the USS Tidewater (AD-31). Clark concluded his career in 1967 as naval attaché in Madrid, …
Date: August 29, 2007
Creator: Clark, Charles Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with George Franke, June 29, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with George Franke, June 29, 2007

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 in Memphis, Tennessee. He first trained in an ABX with hand-crank antennas. He then completed gunnery school aboard a Grumman TBF Avenger in Florida. 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), in preparation to attack the Japanese at night. He shares details of his specialized training in Massachusetts. In the fall of 1944 his unit practiced night flying in F6s to and from the USS Independence (CVL-22). They also completed anti-submarine patrol missions. Later 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. After their outfit was broken up, he started a training group in Vero Beach, Florida.
Date: June 29, 2007
Creator: Franke, George
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Louis Jendrusch, March 29, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Louis Jendrusch, March 29, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Louis Jendrusch. Jendrusch joined the Navy in mid-1941 and trained in San Diego as a radioman. He was then assigned to Patrol Bombing Squadron 206 (VPB-206) and travelled with that outfit to Panama to patrol for U-boats around the Panama Canal. Jendrusch recalls several anecdotes, including leave in Jamaica, patrolling in the Pacific and the Caribbean, and aspects about the PBM Mariner aircraft. Jendrusch was transferred out of the squadron and assigned to a radio station in North Carolina. Before long, a squadron was assigned to his base and it turned out to be his old VPB-206, which had a new designation (VPB-216). He also trained on radar and sonar. His group went to the Pacific in time for the invasion of Saipan. He also describes a typhoon. Jendrusch returned to the US in December, 1944 and was discharged the following December.
Date: March 29, 2007
Creator: Jendrusch, Louis
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Arlos L. Awalt, May 29, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Arlos L. Awalt, May 29, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arlos L. Awalt. He was born in Brady, Texas, drafted into the Army, and inducted at Ft. Sam Houston, in San Antonio. After basic training at Camp Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas, he took a troop train to New York Harbor and boarded the Louis S. Pasteur to Southhampton, England where he was assigned to the 106th Infantry Division, 424 Regiment, in the 81mm mortars in H Company, a heavy weapons company. They went right into the Battle of the Bulge where he suffered frost bite and pneumonia. Later assignments included the following: the occupation army in charge of prisoner of war camps interviewing POWs and displaced persons, serving at General Eisenhower's headquarters building in a little red schoolhouse in Rheims, France (where peace was later signed), in the Grand Hotel in Bad Nauheim, Germany where General Patton was officed, and in Renea Lanay, France. He served 22 months in the Army, 19 overseas - returning as a corporal. He received the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and two medals from the Belgian government.
Date: May 29, 2007
Creator: Awalt, Arlos L. (Curly)
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History