Transcript of an oral interview with Kenneth E. Wavell. Born in 1919, he joined the Navy Air Corps in early 1941. After flight training at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, he received his wings in February, 1942. He served as a flight instructor at NAS Corpus Christi for two years. He shares anecdotes about an emergency landing on the King Ranch; a mid-air collision; and a forced landing. He was transferred to Seattle and assigned to Composite Squadron 81 (VC-81). He provides information about the composition of the squadron. He served on a torpedo bomber. In late 1943, the squadron was assigned to the USS Natoma Bay (CVE-62) in Hawaii. He describes his participation in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, including successfully bombing a gun station on the Japanese battleship Yamato. He mentions that his plane was damaged by anti-aircraft fire at Iwo Jima. He was transferred to Squadron 74 in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, but was not assigned to another ship because the war ended. He left active duty in October, 1945, but continued to serve in the Reserves for several years.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Allen Havron. Havron joined the Army in January 1943. He was trained at Ft. Bliss as an anti-aircraft crewman in a unit that became the 487th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. His unit was sent to New Guinea. He describes meeting the native people and the flora and fauna that he encountered. He was then detached to the 158th Regimental Combat Team for a landing on Noemfoor Island. Havron earned a Bronze Star for his actions on Noemfoor. The 487th was sent the Philippines, where Havron spent the remainder of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Allen Havron. Havron joined the Army in January 1943. He was trained at Ft. Bliss as an anti-aircraft crewman in a unit that became the 487th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. His unit was sent to New Guinea. He describes meeting the native people and the flora and fauna that he encountered. He was then detached to the 158th Regimental Combat Team for a landing on Noemfoor Island. Havron earned a Bronze Star for his actions on Noemfoor. The 487th was sent the Philippines, where Havron spent the remainder of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Goessling. Goessling’s father was in the Army 13th Field Artillery and was transferred to Hawaii in January 1941. Fourteen-year-old Charles and the rest of the family went along. Goessling was sleeping at their home in Schofield Barracks when the Japanese attacked on 7 December. He fled to Koli Koli Pass with part of his family, where they were able to witness the destruction at Pearl Harbor. Goessling describes the family being evacuated to a school off-base and eventually back to the Mainland. He joined the Army Air Forces in 1944. The war ended while he was still in training. He was discharged soon afterwards.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Goessling. Goessling’s father was in the Army 13th Field Artillery and was transferred to Hawaii in January 1941. Fourteen-year-old Charles and the rest of the family went along. Goessling was sleeping at their home in Schofield Barracks when the Japanese attacked on 7 December. He fled to Koli Koli Pass with part of his family, where they were able to witness the destruction at Pearl Harbor. Goessling describes the family being evacuated to a school off-base and eventually back to the Mainland. He joined the Army Air Forces in 1944. The war ended while he was still in training. He was discharged soon afterwards.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert C. Shedd. Shedd joined the Marine Corps in February of 1942 with his brothers Donald and Paul. He provides details of boot camp. He served with the 5th Marines. In June of 1942 he traveled to New Zealand. In August they went to Guadalcanal to capture the island. He provides details of his travels and life aboard the troop ships. They traveled to New Britain in New Guinea in December of 1943, where a shell fragment hit his shoulder. In September of 1944 they invaded Peleliu. He vividly describes his experiences at each of these battles. He was discharged in September of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert C. Shedd. Shedd joined the Marine Corps in February of 1942 with his brothers Donald and Paul. He provides details of boot camp. He served with the 5th Marines. In June of 1942 he traveled to New Zealand. In August they went to Guadalcanal to capture the island. He provides details of his travels and life aboard the troop ships. They traveled to New Britain in New Guinea in December of 1943, where a shell fragment hit his shoulder. In September of 1944 they invaded Peleliu. He vividly describes his experiences at each of these battles. He was discharged in September of 1945.