The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joe Clapper. Clapper joined the Marine Corps in December of 1942. He joined the 1st Marine Division as a replacement after Guadalcanal. His first combat landing was at Cape Glouster followed by Peleliu where he was wounded on the second day. After he recovered from his injury Clapper rejoined his unit and landed on Okinawa where he was wounded twice more. He was then transferred to Parris Island to become a drill instructor for the remainder of the war. Clapper left the service in October 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joe Clapper. Clapper joined the Marine Corps in December of 1942. He joined the 1st Marine Division as a replacement after Guadalcanal. His first combat landing was at Cape Glouster followed by Peleliu where he was wounded on the second day. After he recovered from his injury Clapper rejoined his unit and landed on Okinawa where he was wounded twice more. He was then transferred to Parris Island to become a drill instructor for the remainder of the war. Clapper left the service in October 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Wesley Clum. Clum joined the Army Air Forces in February of 1943. He served as a Bombardier aboard a B-24 Liberator with the 484th Bomb Group, 827th Bomb Squadron. In October of 1944 they traveled to Bari, Italy to the headquarters of the 15th Air Force. They completed 25 combat missions, traveling over Germany, Czechoslovakia, northern Italy and Libya. Clum was honorably discharged from active duty as lieutenant in 1945, and honorably discharged as Captain in 1959 from the Air Force Reserves.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Wesley Clum. Clum joined the Army Air Forces in February of 1943. He served as a Bombardier aboard a B-24 Liberator with the 484th Bomb Group, 827th Bomb Squadron. In October of 1944 they traveled to Bari, Italy to the headquarters of the 15th Air Force. They completed 25 combat missions, traveling over Germany, Czechoslovakia, northern Italy and Libya. Clum was honorably discharged from active duty as lieutenant in 1945, and honorably discharged as Captain in 1959 from the Air Force Reserves.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Granville Coggs. Coggs joined the Army Air Forces in the fall of 1943. He trained at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and at Tyndall Field in Florida, serving as a pilot and one of the original Tuskegee Airmen. Coggs was commissioned on 16 October 1945 as a second lieutenant bombardier pilot. He served as an aerial gunner, aerial bombardier, multi-engine pilot and B-25 pilot trainee who was scheduled for the 477th Bombardment Group, though never made it to combat, as the war ended in 1945 before he finished training. Coggs was discharged in the fall of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Granville Coggs. Coggs joined the Army Air Forces in the fall of 1943. He trained at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama and at Tyndall Field in Florida, serving as a pilot and one of the original Tuskegee Airmen. Coggs was commissioned on 16 October 1945 as a second lieutenant bombardier pilot. He served as an aerial gunner, aerial bombardier, multi-engine pilot and B-25 pilot trainee who was scheduled for the 477th Bombardment Group, though never made it to combat, as the war ended in 1945 before he finished training. Coggs was discharged in the fall of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Cooper. Cooper joined the Navy in May 1945 and received basic training in Illinois. There he joined the Blue Jacket Choir. He survived Typhoon Louise as a water tender aboard the USS Admiral W. S. Benson (AP-120), picking up survivors from sunken ships in Buckner Bay. He was transferred to the USS Dorchester (APB-46) as a diesel mechanic and traveled to Wakanura, a small fishing village untouched by war, and Wakayama, where the only buildings left standing were cement bank vaults. Cooper returned home in the summer of 1946 and joined the Reserves. He entered medical school and became an intern at the National Naval Medical Center. He was subsequently assigned as a medical officer aboard destroyers. He recalls encounters with Russian submarines in the Caribbean were routine and cordial. While he was aboard the USS Yosemite (AD-19), an explosion on the USS Bennington (CVA-20) killed over 100 people and left more than 200 severely burned. Cooper was sent to the Newport Naval Hospital and worked for six days beside civilian and military doctors in an ad hoc burn center. He returned to the Yosemite and was …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Cooper. Cooper joined the Navy in May 1945 and received basic training in Illinois. There he joined the Blue Jacket Choir. He survived Typhoon Louise as a water tender aboard the USS Admiral W. S. Benson (AP-120), picking up survivors from sunken ships in Buckner Bay. He was transferred to the USS Dorchester (APB-46) as a diesel mechanic and traveled to Wakanura, a small fishing village untouched by war, and Wakayama, where the only buildings left standing were cement bank vaults. Cooper returned home in the summer of 1946 and joined the Reserves. He entered medical school and became an intern at the National Naval Medical Center. He was subsequently assigned as a medical officer aboard destroyers. He recalls encounters with Russian submarines in the Caribbean were routine and cordial. While he was aboard the USS Yosemite (AD-19), an explosion on the USS Bennington (CVA-20) killed over 100 people and left more than 200 severely burned. Cooper was sent to the Newport Naval Hospital and worked for six days beside civilian and military doctors in an ad hoc burn center. He returned to the Yosemite and was …

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Croft. Croft joined the Navy in February of 1941. He completed Aviation Radio School before working at Pearl Harbor. He later was assigned to the USS McFarland (AVD-14). They transported aviation gas to the neighboring islands. Croft witnessed the Japanese attack on 7 December from the veranda of the US Naval Hospital on Pearl Harbor. He was later assigned to the USS Vega (AK-17), where he served in the engine room and Radio Shack as radioman. They participated in the Aleutian Islands Campaign. In early 1944 they transported cargo from San Francisco to support Pacific operations in the Gilbert Islands, Marianas and Okinawa. In June of 1944 Croft was transferred to the USS Hermitage (AP-54), transporting troops from the US to New Guinea. He was discharged in 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Croft. Croft joined the Navy in February of 1941. He completed Aviation Radio School before working at Pearl Harbor. He later was assigned to the USS McFarland (AVD-14). They transported aviation gas to the neighboring islands. Croft witnessed the Japanese attack on 7 December from the veranda of the US Naval Hospital on Pearl Harbor. He was later assigned to the USS Vega (AK-17), where he served in the engine room and Radio Shack as radioman. They participated in the Aleutian Islands Campaign. In early 1944 they transported cargo from San Francisco to support Pacific operations in the Gilbert Islands, Marianas and Okinawa. In June of 1944 Croft was transferred to the USS Hermitage (AP-54), transporting troops from the US to New Guinea. He was discharged in 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hubert Douglas Crotts. Crotts joined the Marine Corps in July 1941. He was trained as a tanker, but realized he was claustrophobic. Crotts became a ground guide for the tanks and helped direct their fire from outside of the vehicle. He was sent to the Pacific as a part of the 2nd Marine Division. Crotts landed at Tarawa and tells of the difficulties that the tanks faced. He was awarded a Navy Cross by Admiral Nimitz. Crotts met Admiral Nimitz earlier on the island after the battle. He had a short conversation in which Nimitz asked several questions about the battle. Later, Crotts landed with his unit on Saipan where he was wounded while directing tanks. He was evacuated to a hospital and underwent several operations for his wound. Crotts left the service soon after the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hubert Douglas Crotts. Crotts joined the Marine Corps in July 1941. He was trained as a tanker, but realized he was claustrophobic. Crotts became a ground guide for the tanks and helped direct their fire from outside of the vehicle. He was sent to the Pacific as a part of the 2nd Marine Division. Crotts landed at Tarawa and tells of the difficulties that the tanks faced. He was awarded a Navy Cross by Admiral Nimitz. Crotts met Admiral Nimitz earlier on the island after the battle. He had a short conversation in which Nimitz asked several questions about the battle. Later, Crotts landed with his unit on Saipan where he was wounded while directing tanks. He was evacuated to a hospital and underwent several operations for his wound. Crotts left the service soon after the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Cunningham. Cunningham joined the Army Air Forces in January of 1942. In June, he traveled to England. In November, he went to Algiers with a military police unit. He recalls a story about when he captured several German soldiers trying to sneak through the lines. He also went to Italy, arriving in Naples after the invasion and spent much time in Rome. He served in the 281st Military Police Battalion and shares several overseas anecdotes from Italy and Algeria. He had a motorcycle accident and was medically evacuated back to the US and was discharged in October, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Cunningham. Cunningham joined the Army Air Forces in January of 1942. In June, he traveled to England. In November, he went to Algiers with a military police unit. He recalls a story about when he captured several German soldiers trying to sneak through the lines. He also went to Italy, arriving in Naples after the invasion and spent much time in Rome. He served in the 281st Military Police Battalion and shares several overseas anecdotes from Italy and Algeria. He had a motorcycle accident and was medically evacuated back to the US and was discharged in October, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Real J. Cyr. Cyr was born in Quebec and joined the Royal Canadian Navy. He was assigned to an escort corvette for convoy duty in the North Atlantic. Cyr was recruited as a commando in Scotland. After he had completed training, he was attached to the USS Herring (SS-233). Cyr completed four patrols with the Herring serving primarily as a translator for intercepted French radio messages. He was then sent to HMS Seraph (P219) where he participated in two commando missions to cripple the Prinz Eugen anchored in Norway. Cyr was captured on the second mission, interrogated by the Gestapo, and was eventually able to escape. He then joined the USS Croaker (SS-246) for two more patrols in the Pacific. Cyr was discharged soon after the surrender of Japan.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Real J. Cyr. Cyr was born in Quebec and joined the Royal Canadian Navy. He was assigned to an escort corvette for convoy duty in the North Atlantic. Cyr was recruited as a commando in Scotland. After he had completed training, he was attached to the USS Herring (SS-233). Cyr completed four patrols with the Herring serving primarily as a translator for intercepted French radio messages. He was then sent to HMS Seraph (P219) where he participated in two commando missions to cripple the Prinz Eugen anchored in Norway. Cyr was captured on the second mission, interrogated by the Gestapo, and was eventually able to escape. He then joined the USS Croaker (SS-246) for two more patrols in the Pacific. Cyr was discharged soon after the surrender of Japan.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Dale. Dale joined the Navy in 1944 when he was 16 years old. He was assigned to the heavy cruiser USS Boston (CA-69). Dale served as a fireman in the Engineering Department working with the evaporators. He talks of the Boston shelling the Japanese mainland and being present for the surrender in Tokyo Bay. Dale stayed with the Boston for occupation duty. He describes visiting Hiroshima and interacting with the Japanese people. The Boston returned to the U.S. after six months of occupation duty and Dale left the service.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Dale. Dale joined the Navy in 1944 when he was 16 years old. He was assigned to the heavy cruiser USS Boston (CA-69). Dale served as a fireman in the Engineering Department working with the evaporators. He talks of the Boston shelling the Japanese mainland and being present for the surrender in Tokyo Bay. Dale stayed with the Boston for occupation duty. He describes visiting Hiroshima and interacting with the Japanese people. The Boston returned to the U.S. after six months of occupation duty and Dale left the service.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harry Dallison. Dallison joined the Navy in 1944 and attended radio school at the University of Wisconsin. Upon completion, he went to submarine school in New London. He received radar training in Groton and went to sound school in San Diego. During his studies, he came down with a fever. By the time he recovered, the war had ended, so Dallison never made a war patrol. He was assigned for three months to USS Pintado (SS-387) and was discharged in April 1946. In his retirement he was an active ham radio enthusiast.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harry Dallison. Dallison joined the Navy in 1944 and attended radio school at the University of Wisconsin. Upon completion, he went to submarine school in New London. He received radar training in Groton and went to sound school in San Diego. During his studies, he came down with a fever. By the time he recovered, the war had ended, so Dallison never made a war patrol. He was assigned for three months to USS Pintado (SS-387) and was discharged in April 1946. In his retirement he was an active ham radio enthusiast.

Transcript of an oral interview with Ivan E. Davies. Born in 1921, he joined the Navy and was assigned to the B-2 hangar deck division on USS Enterprise (CV-6) in 1943. He describes the flight deck after the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot. He discusses his subsequent assignment to the mess deck as well as his assignment as aircraft elevator operator. He describes a shooting accident on the hangar deck; an aircraft landing accident; and a fire on the flight deck. He talks about kamikazes and the damage sustained by the USS Enterprise. He shares an anecdote about clearing the stacks of the USS Enterprise. He also shares stories about Edward “Butch” O’Hare, pilot and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. After the war Davies was assigned to Alameda Naval Air Station, California. He was discharged in 1945. The interview also includes information about his childhood during the Depression.

Transcript of an oral interview with Ivan E. Davies. Born in 1921, he joined the Navy and was assigned to the B-2 hangar deck division on USS Enterprise (CV-6) in 1943. He describes the flight deck after the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot. He discusses his subsequent assignment to the mess deck as well as his assignment as aircraft elevator operator. He describes a shooting accident on the hangar deck; an aircraft landing accident; and a fire on the flight deck. He talks about kamikazes and the damage sustained by the USS Enterprise. He shares an anecdote about clearing the stacks of the USS Enterprise. He also shares stories about Edward “Butch” O’Hare, pilot and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. After the war Davies was assigned to Alameda Naval Air Station, California. He was discharged in 1945. The interview also includes information about his childhood during the Depression.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bert Dawson. Dawson joined the Marine Corps in 1943. He served with the 5th Marine Division, as a paratrooper. He participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima. From Iwo, Dawson traveled to Sasebo, Japan. He was discharged in 1945.