The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kenneth Wavell. Wavell was born in Flandreau, South Dakota 30 October 1919. After graduating from high school in Pipestone, Minnesota in 1936 he attended the University of Minnesota. In 1941, he joined the Navy. After boot camp at Jacksonville, Florida he was selected for flight training. After graduating from flight school at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, Texas, he became a flight instructor for two years. He describes a number of experiences including witnessing a mid-air collision. He 1943 he was ordered to join squadron VC-81 aboard the USS Natoma Bay (CVE-62) as a TBM pilot. He participated in bombing missions over Luzon, Mindoro and Iwo Jima. He also tells of participating in the Battle of Leyte Gulf at which time he had a direct bomb hit on the Japanese battleship Yamato. His plane was not damaged, although heavy anti-aircraft fire was encountered. After the squadron participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima they returned to San Diego. Japan surrendered soon after their return to the United States and Wavell was discharged.