The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John H. Butterfield. Butterfield was drafted in November, 1942 into the Army and trained as an antiaircraft gunner. In March, 1943 he was shipped to Hawaii. Soon, he was assigned to a gun battery at Pearl City. He also learned to operate the radar and describes its activity. Butterfield describes being transported across the Pacific in an LST and participating in the assault on Makin Island. Butterfield and crew set up their antiaircraft guns there after the atoll was secure. Eventually, his outfit was transported back to Pearl Harbor in July, 1944. In April, 1945, Butterfield's antiaircraft unit was attached to the Tenth Army and went to Ie Shima. Butterfield also speaks about witnessing the Japanese surrender delegation arriving on Ie Shima. After the war, he was discharged and returned home, married and resumed farming.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John H. Butterfield. Butterfield was drafted in November, 1942 into the Army and trained as an antiaircraft gunner. In March, 1943 he was shipped to Hawaii. Soon, he was assigned to a gun battery at Pearl City. He also learned to operate the radar and describes its activity. Butterfield describes being transported across the Pacific in an LST and participating in the assault on Makin Island. Butterfield and crew set up their antiaircraft guns there after the atoll was secure. Eventually, his outfit was transported back to Pearl Harbor in July, 1944. In April, 1945, Butterfield's antiaircraft unit was attached to the Tenth Army and went to Ie Shima. Butterfield also speaks about witnessing the Japanese surrender delegation arriving on Ie Shima. After the war, he was discharged and returned home, married and resumed farming.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Marlin Dyer. Dyer joined the Navy in 1944. He completed training as a crewman on a landing craft, vehicle, personnel, LCVP or Higgins boat. He transported Marines to and from the shore during the Battle of Okinawa, and continued work on the island for 13 months. Dyer returned to the US and received his discharge in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Marlin Dyer. Dyer joined the Navy in 1944. He completed training as a crewman on a landing craft, vehicle, personnel, LCVP or Higgins boat. He transported Marines to and from the shore during the Battle of Okinawa, and continued work on the island for 13 months. Dyer returned to the US and received his discharge in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Daniel F. Hinojosa. Hinojosa volunteered for the Marine Corps in 1944 so as to avoid being drafted. He trained in San Diego. When deployed, Hinojosa was attached to Company D, 3rd Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division. Hinojosa then goes on to describe landing in the first wave on Red Beach at Iwo Jima. He was in a machien gun squad. Hinojosa was discharged in 1946 and returned home to finish high school.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Daniel F. Hinojosa. Hinojosa volunteered for the Marine Corps in 1944 so as to avoid being drafted. He trained in San Diego. When deployed, Hinojosa was attached to Company D, 3rd Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division. Hinojosa then goes on to describe landing in the first wave on Red Beach at Iwo Jima. He was in a machien gun squad. Hinojosa was discharged in 1946 and returned home to finish high school.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with David T. Hughes. Hughes joined the Marine Corps in September, 1942. He trained in San Diego and then shipped over to New Zealand. When Hughes arrived, he was assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Regiment, 2nd Marine Division as a rifleman. Hughes shares several anecdotes about training in New Zealand prior to shipping to Tarawa. At Tarawa, his unit was held in reserve and did not go ashore until the afternoon of the second day. The next day, Hughes was shot in the arm and evacuated to a ship. That ship took him back to the hospital at Pearl Harbor where Hughes recovered and was awarded the Purple Heart by Admiral Nimitz. He was finally shipped back to the US and was mustered out of the Marine Corps due to his disability in October, 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with David T. Hughes. Hughes joined the Marine Corps in September, 1942. He trained in San Diego and then shipped over to New Zealand. When Hughes arrived, he was assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Regiment, 2nd Marine Division as a rifleman. Hughes shares several anecdotes about training in New Zealand prior to shipping to Tarawa. At Tarawa, his unit was held in reserve and did not go ashore until the afternoon of the second day. The next day, Hughes was shot in the arm and evacuated to a ship. That ship took him back to the hospital at Pearl Harbor where Hughes recovered and was awarded the Purple Heart by Admiral Nimitz. He was finally shipped back to the US and was mustered out of the Marine Corps due to his disability in October, 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joe Kostelnik. Kostelnik joined the Navy in May of 1944. He served as Apprentice Seaman aboard the USS Belet (APD-109) in the Pacific. Kostelnik notes he participated in the Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaigns, transporting the 2nd Division Marine Corps, and received 2 battle stars. After the war ended, they traveled to Tokyo Bay and witnessed the signing of the Peace Treaty. After the signing, he returned to the US and received his discharge in June of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joe Kostelnik. Kostelnik joined the Navy in May of 1944. He served as Apprentice Seaman aboard the USS Belet (APD-109) in the Pacific. Kostelnik notes he participated in the Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaigns, transporting the 2nd Division Marine Corps, and received 2 battle stars. After the war ended, they traveled to Tokyo Bay and witnessed the signing of the Peace Treaty. After the signing, he returned to the US and received his discharge in June of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Miller. Miller joined the Navy in 1942. He trained to work in the engine and boiler rooms, serving as Third Class Petty Officer aboard the USS Jarvis (DD-799). Miller participated in 8 engagements through Alaska and the Kurile Islands. After Japan’s surrender, he worked with occupation forces in Japan destroying military supplies. Miller was discharged in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Miller. Miller joined the Navy in 1942. He trained to work in the engine and boiler rooms, serving as Third Class Petty Officer aboard the USS Jarvis (DD-799). Miller participated in 8 engagements through Alaska and the Kurile Islands. After Japan’s surrender, he worked with occupation forces in Japan destroying military supplies. Miller was discharged in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert D. Molleston. Molleston joined the Navy in 1943 and trained at Farragut, Idaho. From there he went to radio school and aerial gunnery school before he was assigned to Air Group 6 and shipped to Hawaii aboard the USS General E.T. Collins (AP-147). In March, 1945, Molleston and his unit boarded the USS Hancock (CV-19) at Ulithi. Molleston reads from his diary he kept in his flight log book (May through June, 1945). It describes actions and raids against Okinawa and the Japanese home islands as well as kamikaze attacks on the US fleet. In August, the plane Molleston was in was shot down. He was rescued by the USS Harrison (DD-573). Molleston reads a story he wrote about the experience. He was wounded in the leg and spent a lot of time in hospitals right after the war. Molleston also reads from his diary regarding his experience in 2009 going on an Honor Flight to Washington, DC to dsee the National World War II Memorial.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert D. Molleston. Molleston joined the Navy in 1943 and trained at Farragut, Idaho. From there he went to radio school and aerial gunnery school before he was assigned to Air Group 6 and shipped to Hawaii aboard the USS General E.T. Collins (AP-147). In March, 1945, Molleston and his unit boarded the USS Hancock (CV-19) at Ulithi. Molleston reads from his diary he kept in his flight log book (May through June, 1945). It describes actions and raids against Okinawa and the Japanese home islands as well as kamikaze attacks on the US fleet. In August, the plane Molleston was in was shot down. He was rescued by the USS Harrison (DD-573). Molleston reads a story he wrote about the experience. He was wounded in the leg and spent a lot of time in hospitals right after the war. Molleston also reads from his diary regarding his experience in 2009 going on an Honor Flight to Washington, DC to dsee the National World War II Memorial.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Mosier. Mosier joined the Army in 1946, having been a high school student during the war, and was sent to Japan for occupation duty. Upon arrival, he was assigned to the International Military Tribunal for the Far East as a personal aide to the presiding justices. He was on friendly terms with all of them, and among the list of tasks he performed were repairing a family heirloom for Sir William Webb, playing bridge with Judge Bernard, picking out Christmas gifts for the Queen of Netherlands on behalf of Judge Röling, listening to General Zaryanov's jokes, and attending a special event at the Imperial Palace which no one outside the Imperial family had attended in over a century. After returning home from the tribunal one year later, Mosier visited Judge Higgins at the Massachusetts Superior Court and was invited to sit with him at the bench.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Mosier. Mosier joined the Army in 1946, having been a high school student during the war, and was sent to Japan for occupation duty. Upon arrival, he was assigned to the International Military Tribunal for the Far East as a personal aide to the presiding justices. He was on friendly terms with all of them, and among the list of tasks he performed were repairing a family heirloom for Sir William Webb, playing bridge with Judge Bernard, picking out Christmas gifts for the Queen of Netherlands on behalf of Judge Röling, listening to General Zaryanov's jokes, and attending a special event at the Imperial Palace which no one outside the Imperial family had attended in over a century. After returning home from the tribunal one year later, Mosier visited Judge Higgins at the Massachusetts Superior Court and was invited to sit with him at the bench.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ray Pinell. Pinell joined the Navy early in 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. He received training on firing and repairing torpedoes. Upon completion he was assigned to various torpedo squadrons in the Pacific. He worked primarily in field repair units but would occasionally fill in as a torpedoman aboard PT boats. In addition to carrying out night patrols, he would soften landings in the Philippines by firing torpedoes close to shore. Pinell was stationed in Borneo when the war ended. He was startled into his foxhole by many ships firing in celebration. Pinell returned home and was discharged in October 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ray Pinell. Pinell joined the Navy early in 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. He received training on firing and repairing torpedoes. Upon completion he was assigned to various torpedo squadrons in the Pacific. He worked primarily in field repair units but would occasionally fill in as a torpedoman aboard PT boats. In addition to carrying out night patrols, he would soften landings in the Philippines by firing torpedoes close to shore. Pinell was stationed in Borneo when the war ended. He was startled into his foxhole by many ships firing in celebration. Pinell returned home and was discharged in October 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arnold L. ""Al"" Pitcher. Pitcher finished high school and then joined the Navy in 1943. He joined with one of his brothers and they trained at Great Lakes, Illinois. Upon completion Pitcher went to quartermaster school at Bainbridge, Maryland, where he learned to signal, navigate and steer a destroyer escort. Upon completion, Pitcher was sent to California where he boarded the USS Crowley (DE-303) and headed for Pearl Harbor. Pitcher describes the support the Crowley provided for the Marines on Peleliu. Pitcher also decribes the activities of the Crowley during the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arnold L. ""Al"" Pitcher. Pitcher finished high school and then joined the Navy in 1943. He joined with one of his brothers and they trained at Great Lakes, Illinois. Upon completion Pitcher went to quartermaster school at Bainbridge, Maryland, where he learned to signal, navigate and steer a destroyer escort. Upon completion, Pitcher was sent to California where he boarded the USS Crowley (DE-303) and headed for Pearl Harbor. Pitcher describes the support the Crowley provided for the Marines on Peleliu. Pitcher also decribes the activities of the Crowley during the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clyde Powell. Powell joined the Navy in 1942 and received basic training in Norfolk and further training at a signal school. Upon completion, he was sent to Attu and Adak, followed by Tarawa. He stayed aboard ship, in communication with the troops ashore. They sent Powell messages describing the action and relaying their needs for ammunition and aid. Powell says the invasion was rougher than portrayed in the media. On the first day, messages revealed confusion regarding whether the Marines or the Navy were in charge. At Okinawa, Powell was always among the first on his ship to sight kamikazes or bombers, given his position on the top deck. After the war, he stayed aboard for the transport of troops to Sasebo. He returned home and was discharged in 1946. Afterward, Powell enjoyed a 50-year career with the railroad.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clyde Powell. Powell joined the Navy in 1942 and received basic training in Norfolk and further training at a signal school. Upon completion, he was sent to Attu and Adak, followed by Tarawa. He stayed aboard ship, in communication with the troops ashore. They sent Powell messages describing the action and relaying their needs for ammunition and aid. Powell says the invasion was rougher than portrayed in the media. On the first day, messages revealed confusion regarding whether the Marines or the Navy were in charge. At Okinawa, Powell was always among the first on his ship to sight kamikazes or bombers, given his position on the top deck. After the war, he stayed aboard for the transport of troops to Sasebo. He returned home and was discharged in 1946. Afterward, Powell enjoyed a 50-year career with the railroad.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Harley Ruth. After doing a little work in Arkansas after completing high school, Ruth joined the Army in Fort Worth, Texas in 1940. He trained in the artillery in San Antonio, then became an instructor at a Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. After one year of service, Ruth applied for pilot training in the Army Air Corps, was accepted, and reported to Brooks Army Air Field for preflight training just after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He shares anecdotes about flight training all over Texas: Cuero, San Antonio, Brady. Upon completion of flight training, Ruth was assigned to the 5th Ferry Group in the Air Transport Command. Ruth shares several stories about various airplanes he ferried all over the United States during 1942-1943. In 1944, Ruth was assigned to ferry a C-46 to India. From there, he flew supplies up into China over the Himalaya Mountains. He recalls several experiences: one involving General Clarie Chennault, a few close calls, and ferrying money and a load of tin. In late 1944, Ruth returned to Dallas where his wife and son were living. He was stationed at …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Harley Ruth. After doing a little work in Arkansas after completing high school, Ruth joined the Army in Fort Worth, Texas in 1940. He trained in the artillery in San Antonio, then became an instructor at a Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. After one year of service, Ruth applied for pilot training in the Army Air Corps, was accepted, and reported to Brooks Army Air Field for preflight training just after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He shares anecdotes about flight training all over Texas: Cuero, San Antonio, Brady. Upon completion of flight training, Ruth was assigned to the 5th Ferry Group in the Air Transport Command. Ruth shares several stories about various airplanes he ferried all over the United States during 1942-1943. In 1944, Ruth was assigned to ferry a C-46 to India. From there, he flew supplies up into China over the Himalaya Mountains. He recalls several experiences: one involving General Clarie Chennault, a few close calls, and ferrying money and a load of tin. In late 1944, Ruth returned to Dallas where his wife and son were living. He was stationed at …