The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ray Boone. Boone joined the Navy in 1937. He was assigned to the USS Blue (DD-387) and initially served in the deck division. Boone was also a pointer on one of the 5-inch guns. He eventually joined the engineering division and worked in the boiler room and details how the boiler room operated. Boone describes his experiences during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He witnessed the Utah capsize and the Arizona explode. Boone describes traveling to several areas of the ship and trying to access ammunition for the main guns as well as the efforts to get underway. He also mentions dropping depth charges on a Japanese submarine. The Blue traveled to Guadalcanal and rescued crewmembers of HMAS Canberra. Boone details his ship being critically damaged by a torpedo off Guadalcanal. He was sent back to the States on leave and then joined the USS McCook (DD-496), participating in convoy duty to North Africa and Sicily. Boone was then sent to Steam Turbine school and subsequently joined the crew of Auxiliary Rescue Tug 64 (ATR-64). He travelled to Mindanao, Philippines as his tug towed a drydock. Boone was …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ray Boone. Boone joined the Navy in 1937. He was assigned to the USS Blue (DD-387) and initially served in the deck division. Boone was also a pointer on one of the 5-inch guns. He eventually joined the engineering division and worked in the boiler room and details how the boiler room operated. Boone describes his experiences during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He witnessed the Utah capsize and the Arizona explode. Boone describes traveling to several areas of the ship and trying to access ammunition for the main guns as well as the efforts to get underway. He also mentions dropping depth charges on a Japanese submarine. The Blue traveled to Guadalcanal and rescued crewmembers of HMAS Canberra. Boone details his ship being critically damaged by a torpedo off Guadalcanal. He was sent back to the States on leave and then joined the USS McCook (DD-496), participating in convoy duty to North Africa and Sicily. Boone was then sent to Steam Turbine school and subsequently joined the crew of Auxiliary Rescue Tug 64 (ATR-64). He travelled to Mindanao, Philippines as his tug towed a drydock. Boone was …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Uros Roessman. Roessmann was born in Vevce, Slovenia 9 September 1925 and graduated from high school in 1943. As the country was occupied by German and Italian forces, he joined the Slovene Home Guard (Domobranci), a home defenders group. The group, led by General Rupnik fought the communist group called the Partisans led by Marshall Tito. Roessmann tells of treating an American pilot for burns after being shot down by the Germans. Although the pilot was hidden from the Germans, he along with other Americans were betrayed and ultimately sent to a prisoner of war camp. At the end of the war, Rosessman and a group of anti-communists found their way to Austria where they were placed into a refugee camp. He and his family migrated to the United States in 1949.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Uros Roessman. Roessmann was born in Vevce, Slovenia 9 September 1925 and graduated from high school in 1943. As the country was occupied by German and Italian forces, he joined the Slovene Home Guard (Domobranci), a home defenders group. The group, led by General Rupnik fought the communist group called the Partisans led by Marshall Tito. Roessmann tells of treating an American pilot for burns after being shot down by the Germans. Although the pilot was hidden from the Germans, he along with other Americans were betrayed and ultimately sent to a prisoner of war camp. At the end of the war, Rosessman and a group of anti-communists found their way to Austria where they were placed into a refugee camp. He and his family migrated to the United States in 1949.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Hal La Vine. La Vine was drafted into the Army in February of 1942. He was assigned to the 45th Division, 445th Combat Group. He graduated as an officer from cadet navigation school. He served as an instructor in Monroe, Louisiana. In November of 1942 his unit was assigned to a base in Hethel, England. La Vine served as a navigator aboard B-24s. They served as a lead crew, flying missions out of England in 1943. He describes life at the base in Hethel. They completed 30 missions. He describes some of their more involved missions including Berlin and Stuttgart, Germany. Upon completing his missions, he was sent to Ireland to serve again as a navigation instructor for incoming navigators.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Hal La Vine. La Vine was drafted into the Army in February of 1942. He was assigned to the 45th Division, 445th Combat Group. He graduated as an officer from cadet navigation school. He served as an instructor in Monroe, Louisiana. In November of 1942 his unit was assigned to a base in Hethel, England. La Vine served as a navigator aboard B-24s. They served as a lead crew, flying missions out of England in 1943. He describes life at the base in Hethel. They completed 30 missions. He describes some of their more involved missions including Berlin and Stuttgart, Germany. Upon completing his missions, he was sent to Ireland to serve again as a navigation instructor for incoming navigators.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Hastings. Hastings was drafted into the Army in March 1941. He was sent to radar school and was promoted to an officer in the Signal Corps. Hastings was sent to New Guinea in 1943 and led an autonomous unit that operated on a radio boat disguised as a native fishing boat. He tells of an encounter with head hunters. Hastings was then sent to the 310th Bombardment Wing of the 5th Air Force in the Philippines where he maintained radio equipment. He describes a bombing mission that he joined over China. Hastings helped liberate civilian POWs from Santo Tomas and describes their treatment and condition. He then traveled to Osaka for occupation duty. Hastings talks about his time there as well as flying over Hiroshima. He describes what he saw and discusses his conflicted feelings on the use of the bomb. Hastings stayed in the Reserve and was recalled for the Korean War where he served in Alaska.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Hastings. Hastings was drafted into the Army in March 1941. He was sent to radar school and was promoted to an officer in the Signal Corps. Hastings was sent to New Guinea in 1943 and led an autonomous unit that operated on a radio boat disguised as a native fishing boat. He tells of an encounter with head hunters. Hastings was then sent to the 310th Bombardment Wing of the 5th Air Force in the Philippines where he maintained radio equipment. He describes a bombing mission that he joined over China. Hastings helped liberate civilian POWs from Santo Tomas and describes their treatment and condition. He then traveled to Osaka for occupation duty. Hastings talks about his time there as well as flying over Hiroshima. He describes what he saw and discusses his conflicted feelings on the use of the bomb. Hastings stayed in the Reserve and was recalled for the Korean War where he served in Alaska.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with David Lynch. Lynch joined the Marine Corps just after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and received basic training at Parris Island. He received further training at Camp Lejeune with the 1st Marine Division. Upon completion, he was sent to Guadalcanal, where he fought for five months and contracted malaria, despite taking Atabrine daily. He recalls that all the Marines were cheering for the Americans during an air fight at Henderson Field as though it were a football game. He then went to Cape Gloucester and Pavuvu. When securing Peleliu, he ran out of grenades and resorted to throwing rocks at the Japanese. He describes how challenging the Japanese style of combat was at Peleliu. On his way to Bloody Nose Ridge, his helmet was shot. Lynch fell to the ground and was knocked unconscious. He awoke two days later, on a hospital ship, and received medical treatment at a field hospital in the Admiralties. Lynch returned home and was discharged in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with David Lynch. Lynch joined the Marine Corps just after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and received basic training at Parris Island. He received further training at Camp Lejeune with the 1st Marine Division. Upon completion, he was sent to Guadalcanal, where he fought for five months and contracted malaria, despite taking Atabrine daily. He recalls that all the Marines were cheering for the Americans during an air fight at Henderson Field as though it were a football game. He then went to Cape Gloucester and Pavuvu. When securing Peleliu, he ran out of grenades and resorted to throwing rocks at the Japanese. He describes how challenging the Japanese style of combat was at Peleliu. On his way to Bloody Nose Ridge, his helmet was shot. Lynch fell to the ground and was knocked unconscious. He awoke two days later, on a hospital ship, and received medical treatment at a field hospital in the Admiralties. Lynch returned home and was discharged in 1945.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with F. Duane Flink. Flink joined the Navy as an aviation cadet in 1943. The program had enough candidates at that time, so he was sent to boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois. Flink describes life in boot camp. He was then sent to submarine school in New London, Connecticut and describes the training he received and training that was conducted on O-boats. Flink was then sent to California where he joined the crew of the USS Pelias (AS-14) for the remainder of the war. He served as a cook and seaman. Flink was discharged in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with F. Duane Flink. Flink joined the Navy as an aviation cadet in 1943. The program had enough candidates at that time, so he was sent to boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois. Flink describes life in boot camp. He was then sent to submarine school in New London, Connecticut and describes the training he received and training that was conducted on O-boats. Flink was then sent to California where he joined the crew of the USS Pelias (AS-14) for the remainder of the war. He served as a cook and seaman. Flink was discharged in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Minick. Minick joined the Navy in 1942 and was trained as an electrician. He was assigned to the USS Thorn (DD-647) and worked in the E division. Minick became a searchlight operator and a member of a repair party. He describes the electrical systems aboard the Thorn. Minick was aboard the destroyer as it served as an escort for Task Force 38 and fired star shells during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He describes the ship searching for several days for survivors of the USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95), but finding none. Minick was aboard when the Thorn went through a typhoon and experienced 72-degree rolls. He visited Tokyo after the surrender and describes the burned city and the civilians he encountered. Minick also boarded HIJMS Nagato and mentions the engine room and souvenir hunting. He left the service after he returned to the States.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Minick. Minick joined the Navy in 1942 and was trained as an electrician. He was assigned to the USS Thorn (DD-647) and worked in the E division. Minick became a searchlight operator and a member of a repair party. He describes the electrical systems aboard the Thorn. Minick was aboard the destroyer as it served as an escort for Task Force 38 and fired star shells during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He describes the ship searching for several days for survivors of the USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95), but finding none. Minick was aboard when the Thorn went through a typhoon and experienced 72-degree rolls. He visited Tokyo after the surrender and describes the burned city and the civilians he encountered. Minick also boarded HIJMS Nagato and mentions the engine room and souvenir hunting. He left the service after he returned to the States.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Procter. Procter volunteered for the Navy in 1944. He was assigned to the gunnery division on the USS Hornet (CV-12). Procter was aboard when the Hornet was supporting at Okinawa. He describes the operation of the 5-inch gun and going through a typhoon that heavily damaged the flight deck. Procter remained aboard after the surrender and took part in Operation Magic Carpet to return servicemen to the States.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Procter. Procter volunteered for the Navy in 1944. He was assigned to the gunnery division on the USS Hornet (CV-12). Procter was aboard when the Hornet was supporting at Okinawa. He describes the operation of the 5-inch gun and going through a typhoon that heavily damaged the flight deck. Procter remained aboard after the surrender and took part in Operation Magic Carpet to return servicemen to the States.

Transcript of an oral interview with John J. Stavola. Born in 1921, he joined the Navy in 1942. He trained with the diesel group at the Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois. He was assigned to USS LST-37 as a Motor Mac. He remained with the ship for a month after it was transferred to the Greek Navy to assist with the transition. His next assignment was to the USS LST-43. He describes a Japanese air raid on Kwajalein. He also describes witnessing the disaster at West Loch in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and rescuing his Executive Officer. He was sent back to the U.S. to pick up LSMRs. He shares an anecdote about prize fighter Tony Zale at the Naval Amphibious Base in Little Creek, Virginia. He returned to the Pacific for the invasion of Okinawa. He describes the naval battle for the island of Kerama Retto. He also describes the landing on Okinawa. He talks about picket duty aboard LSMR-191 and other activities in the waters around the island. He also discusses attacks by kamikazes. He returned to the U.S. with LSMR-191 when it was retrofitted as an ammunition carrier. He was discharged in January, 1946. The interview also contains …

Transcript of an oral interview with John J. Stavola. Born in 1921, he joined the Navy in 1942. He trained with the diesel group at the Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois. He was assigned to USS LST-37 as a Motor Mac. He remained with the ship for a month after it was transferred to the Greek Navy to assist with the transition. His next assignment was to the USS LST-43. He describes a Japanese air raid on Kwajalein. He also describes witnessing the disaster at West Loch in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and rescuing his Executive Officer. He was sent back to the U.S. to pick up LSMRs. He shares an anecdote about prize fighter Tony Zale at the Naval Amphibious Base in Little Creek, Virginia. He returned to the Pacific for the invasion of Okinawa. He describes the naval battle for the island of Kerama Retto. He also describes the landing on Okinawa. He talks about picket duty aboard LSMR-191 and other activities in the waters around the island. He also discusses attacks by kamikazes. He returned to the U.S. with LSMR-191 when it was retrofitted as an ammunition carrier. He was discharged in January, 1946. The interview also contains …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Boone Kemp. Kemp joined the Navy in August 1942 and received training for electricians in ships’ engineering departments. He served aboard the USS Doherty (DE-14) at the Aleutian Islands, running the movies aboard ship. He wrote to Admiral Nimitz and asked to be transferred, and so began correspondence that would lead to Kemp naming his firstborn son Chester. Kemp was transferred to the USS Dyson (DD-572) and went to the Philippines, where he survived a typhoon. He recalls seeing a long canoe filled with native warriors near Mindanao. At Okinawa, he saw a kamikaze plane disintegrated by antiaircraft fire just before it would have crashed into the Dyson. During the occupation of Japan, his ship was stationed at sea to rescue troop planes that might crash. Kemp returned home and was discharged in March 1946. He joined the Reserves and was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. He claims to have witnessed Russian missiles being brought into Cuba while aboard the USS Saratoga (CVA-60). His service ended with his participation in the Vietnam War.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Boone Kemp. Kemp joined the Navy in August 1942 and received training for electricians in ships’ engineering departments. He served aboard the USS Doherty (DE-14) at the Aleutian Islands, running the movies aboard ship. He wrote to Admiral Nimitz and asked to be transferred, and so began correspondence that would lead to Kemp naming his firstborn son Chester. Kemp was transferred to the USS Dyson (DD-572) and went to the Philippines, where he survived a typhoon. He recalls seeing a long canoe filled with native warriors near Mindanao. At Okinawa, he saw a kamikaze plane disintegrated by antiaircraft fire just before it would have crashed into the Dyson. During the occupation of Japan, his ship was stationed at sea to rescue troop planes that might crash. Kemp returned home and was discharged in March 1946. He joined the Reserves and was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. He claims to have witnessed Russian missiles being brought into Cuba while aboard the USS Saratoga (CVA-60). His service ended with his participation in the Vietnam War.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wilson Allmand. Allmand joined the Marine Corps in May 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division as a BAR rifleman. He served in Guadalcanal, which was swarming with mosquitos. Despite being administered antimalarial pills, Allmand and many others came down with malaria. He was also stricken with dengue fever and jaundice during his tour of duty. On Tarawa, he waded to the beach in chest-high water in one of the first waves of attack. Casualty rates were so high that he recalls having to move bodies out of his way during the landing. On Saipan he witnessed the destruction of Garapan as a response to Japanese soldiers firing from within the previously off-limits city. On Tinian, Allmand was deeply disturbed by suicide jumpers, who were not convinced of the interpreter’s promise that American troops would not harm them. After Tinian, Allmand was sent to naval hospitals in Hawaii and Tennessee to be treated for malaria. He finished his service as a recruiter in Jackson, Tennessee, and was discharged in May 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wilson Allmand. Allmand joined the Marine Corps in May 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division as a BAR rifleman. He served in Guadalcanal, which was swarming with mosquitos. Despite being administered antimalarial pills, Allmand and many others came down with malaria. He was also stricken with dengue fever and jaundice during his tour of duty. On Tarawa, he waded to the beach in chest-high water in one of the first waves of attack. Casualty rates were so high that he recalls having to move bodies out of his way during the landing. On Saipan he witnessed the destruction of Garapan as a response to Japanese soldiers firing from within the previously off-limits city. On Tinian, Allmand was deeply disturbed by suicide jumpers, who were not convinced of the interpreter’s promise that American troops would not harm them. After Tinian, Allmand was sent to naval hospitals in Hawaii and Tennessee to be treated for malaria. He finished his service as a recruiter in Jackson, Tennessee, and was discharged in May 1946.