[Snapp with Gold Medal]

Photograph that is slightly blurry of Helen Snapp in uniform sitting at a table, with her gold medal seen to the right. Two young women can be seen standing behind her. Handwritten notes on the back of the photo read, "From Left standing Samantha Thomason and Callie Thomason, Helen Snapp, July 10, 2010" and " AFA FL Convention dinner Ft Lauderdale, Fl."
Date: July 10, 2010
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Photograph
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Phinney, July 15, 2010 transcript

Oral History Interview with James Phinney, July 15, 2010

Interview with James (Jim) Phinney, an aircraft electrician for the U. S. Navy during Wold War II. He discusses joining the Navy, going through boot camp and becoming an aircraft electrician. He was assigned to the USS Lexington but abandoned ship after it was hit by a torpedo. He was rescued and was then sent to San Diego to be reassigned to the USS Enterprise. He mentions being at Guadalcanal and later aboard a sub-chaser. The crew crossed the Equator and consequently participated in an initiation ceremony, during which time Admiral Halsey was nearly shot by one of the ship's pilots who forgot to lock his gun. He also recalls some of the food he ate while at sea.
Date: July 15, 2010
Creator: Cox, Floyd; Phinney, James & O'Konski, Susan
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History