The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harlie Beale. Beale joined the Navy in 1942 and was assigned to the USS Patuxent (AO-44) as a seaman. In September 1944 he had the opportunity to strike for quartermaster and joined the bridge gang. One of Beale’s most daunting experiences was enduring a typhoon near Ulithi. He found it tiring to stand on the bridge, and terrifying to see nearby destroyers tossed about like toys. At Iwo Jima, Beale learned of plans to support air raids over Japan. But when a magazine hoist sparked and ignited leaking aviation gas, causing an explosion that lifted the ship up 40 feet, the Patuxent was diverted for repairs. Later, at Okinawa, Beale saw a kamikaze strike a nearby ship. When the crew of the Patuxent learned of the end of the war, they sang in celebration. The Patuxent joined the USS Missouri (BB-63) at the signing of the armistice in Tokyo Bay, where Beale saw Japanese civilians out with white flags. Beale returned home after 18 months at sea.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard K Rohde. Rohde describes growing up during the Great Depression. He joined the Navy around 1943 and provides details of basic training. He completed Navy Radio School and served as a radioman. Rohde was assigned to the USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413), beginning January of 1944. They traveled to Hawaii, Eniwetok Atoll, Manus in the Admiralty Islands and participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Rohde provides details of his travels, life aboard the Roberts and the sinking of the ship in October of 1944 off Samar. After traveling through numerous hospitals, and receiving multiple treatments, Rohde was honorably discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gordon Hurd. Hurd joined the Army in January of 1944. He was assigned to the 124th Cavalry Regiment as a second lieutenant in the China India Burma campaign. They deployed to India in August of 1944, and operated as dismounted cavalry alongside Chinese troops. He participated in battles with the Japanese to recapture sections of the Burma Road, and helped train Chinese troops to take over after the Japanese surrendered. Hurd was discharged in September of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Millard Schwartz. Schwartz was drafted into the Army in December of 1942. He provides details of his weapons training and boot camp. He served with A Battery, 919th Field Artillery, 94th Infantry Division. They traveled to Scotland in August of 1944, and landed on Utah Beach on 7 September. Schwartz shares his experiences traveling overseas aboard the troop ship, the Queen Elizabeth and his time spent in London. His division relieved another in the St. Nazaire area serving to maintain security against the pockets of 50 to 60,000 Germans there. Going into December they traveled to Belgium and participated in the Battle of the Bulge, where they were attached to General Patton’s 3rd Army. They were assigned to an area around the Siegfried Line, near Eschweiler, Germany. He provides vivid details of his experiences through this battle. He was honorably discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Atys Daniel Brunson. He discusses his family history, childhood, education and what led him to joining the US Navy. He describes his experiences during bootcamp and in the Pacific Theatre during World War Two.