The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lamartine James. James enlisted in the Army in October of 1944. He went to Camp Wheeler in Georgia for infantry basic training. He went to Camp Stoneman in California where he was shipped out on the USS General John Pope (AP-110). They went to Manila, Philippines in March of 1945, and he describes his combat experiences there. James was assigned to the 161st Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He was in K Company in the 3rd Battalion. He provides detail on transporting Japanese prisoners. From there he went to the occupation in Koromo, Japan, and his job was to dismantle old Japanese Navy planes. Additionally, he transported Koreans from Japan back to Korea. He was discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Merrick. Merrick joined the Air Force Reserves. By 1942 he had earned his pilot license and completed two civilian pilot training courses. He graduated as a flight officer from the glider pilot program in Lubbock, Texas in May of 1943. Merrick was assigned to the 437th Troop Carrier Group and the 84th Squadron. In January of 1944 he was shipped to England and provides details of his experiences there and additional training. In June of 1944 his outfit participated in D-Day. He also participated in Operation Market Garden in September of 1944. He served as a glider pilot during the war and provides detail of his experiences through these events. He returned to the U.S. in July of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ida Paxton. Paxton was raised in the Dust Bowl and educated in a one-room schoolhouse. When the war began, her mother sought permission of the ration board to acquire new shoes for the growing children in her family. Paxton left school in the ninth grade and worked at a drugstore soda fountain. At 17 she became engaged to a young soldier who was home on leave. She went with him to Oakland, where he was stationed, and got a job at the Emeryville Ordnance Depot. There she drove all sorts of Army vehicles, from DUKWs to half-tracks, taking them to their ports of embarkation. Soon after marrying, her husband deployed to the Pacific, corresponding in code so that Paxton could follow his wartime experiences. She also drove military vehicles in war bond rallies, V-J Day parades, and the celebration of General Wainwright's homecoming. Immediately after the surrender, her unit worked for 30 days straight, often until midnight, preparing vehicles for the occupation forces. Afterwards, she transported longshoremen from place to place, until her husband returned in November 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bill Barrow. Barrow joined the Navy in April of 1944. And, beginning in June, Barrow served aboard the USS Claxton (DD-571). Barrow was assigned to a 40-millimeter gun and served as a deckhand. They went to the Solomon Islands, escorting other ships and the old USS Mississippi (BB-41). He discusses life aboard the Claxton, and his initiation experiences crossing the equator. They participated in the Battle of Peleliu and the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944. Barrow was discharged in February of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Lindsey. Lindsey provides background on his family’s history. He completed a Civilian Pilot Training program in Monticello, Arkansas. He began flying school in February of 1941, training in San Angelo, Barksdale and Great Falls, Montana. The US Army Air Corps accepted him in the 41G Class. He became a Ferry Pilot, working with Jimmy Doolittle’s organization in Pendleton, Oregon, practicing take-offs in B-25s to bomb Japan. He ferried planes in 1942 out of Long Beach, and then Great Falls. He participated in the China Burma India Theater in 1945 and flying The Hump. He traveled several times to Japan. Lindsey provides much detail on flying various types of aircraft and life overseas. He was discharged in December of 1945 and remained in the inactive reserves until 1959.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Waggoner. Waggoner participated in a Civilian Pilot Training program in Nogales, Arizona. He volunteered in the Air Force Reserves, and trained at various bases throughout the U.S. He provides details of his training experiences. He trained as a tow pilot for gliders in Lubbock, Texas. In the spring of 1945 Waggoner was shipped to England. He was assigned to the 440th Troop Carrier Group and 95th Squadron in Orleans, France. They participated in Operation Varsity in Germany and he provides details of that mission. He also provides detail of the glider pilot museum in Lubbock.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Irving Butler. Butler joined the Navy in October of 1942. He completed Aviation Mechanic School in Memphis, Tennessee, and Gunnery School in Jacksonville, Florida. He was trained as an Air Crewman. In September of 1943 he went to Tarawa, Makin and Guam aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6). He was made Second Class and placed in charge of 62 men going to the Admiralty Islands. He was later assigned to USS Saginaw Bay (CVE-82) as a gunner in a torpedo plane. He was in Composite Squadron 787 (VC-78). Butler went through 14 battles. He remained in the reserves 2 years after the war ended.

Audio cassette from The Black Academy of Arts and Letters recorded during the 20th Annual Christmas/Kwanzaa Concert held at the Naomi Bruton Theatre on December 15th, 2012. The audio tape includes one track of audio of the performance featuring students from DISD high schools and the Townview Big D Band.

This is a retelling of an online narration of the Pear Story (Chafe 1980). The speaker was asked to describe what was happening as he was watching the video clip.