The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lincoln Grahlfs. Grahlfs joined the Navy in October 1942 after working at Grumman. Upon completion of boot camp, quartermaster’s school, and visual communications training, he deployed to the Pacific aboard the USS Undaunted (ATA-199). He towed the USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774) from Kerama Retto to the States, traveling through a typhoon; after the storm cleared, the tow line parted nine times. After the war, his tug was busy helping ships that overestimated their capabilities in a hurry to get home. He was transferred to the USS ATR-40 for the Bikini atomic bomb testing, where he was 10 miles from the target during the detonations. His salvage unit was ordered to spend more than what was thought to be a safe amount of time aboard the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), without safety equipment, operating pumps to keep it afloat. Grahlfs later based his dissertation on interviews with veterans who had been exposed to nuclear weapons testing; he found that although more than half reported illness due to radiation exposure, the military never recognized their claims. When Grahlfs returned to the States, he was treated for rare symptoms that fascinated …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Tom English. English was born 17 October 1926 in Manhattan, New York. As a 17 year old in 1944, he enlisted in the Navy. After boot camp at the Naval Training Center at Sampson, New York, he went to Treasure Island where he reported aboard USS Hugh Hadley (DD-774) and sailed with a task force headed for Okinawa. Hadley escorted cargo ships during the battle and was eventually assigned picket duty. On 11 May 1945, Hadley shot down 23 Japanese aircraft, a record, but was also hit by bombs and kamikazes. English was in the ammo handling room for mount 51. One of the bomb hits knocked him unconscious, cutting his head and crushing one of his feet. He came to on deck as the ship was being abandoned. Despite the damage, Hadley stayed afloat and was towed to the West Coast, where she was scrapped. English went aboard an APA, then a hospital ship. He received treatment at Tinian, Pearl Harbor, Oakland, San Diego, and finally St. Albans in New York. After his foot healed, he was assigned briefly to USS Leyte (CV-32). He was discharged from the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Boffi. Boffi joined the Navy in September 1942 and received basic training in Newport. Boffi was assigned to the USS Bernadou (DD-153) as a machinist???s mate. He participated in the invasions of Sicily, Salerno, and Anzio. In June 1944 he was transferred to Norfolk to oversee the construction of the USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774). He joined the ship???s company, working in the engine room. He was badly burned during the kamikaze attack off of Okinawa, when damage to the ship sent hot steam blasting toward him as he escaped the engine room. A corpsman rescued Boffi, administered morphine. Boffi awoke two days later aboard the USS Solace (AH-5) and was transferred to Tinian, where he received the Purple Heart. He spent the next four months recovering and was discharged in November 1945. Boffi worked for the American Society of Safety Engineers until he retired at the age of 84.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Martin Weibel. Weibel was drafted into the Navy in April of 1944. He served aboard the USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774) as a watertender, working with the boilers in the ship???s engine room. He provides some detail of his work and life on board the Hadley. In December of 1944 they traveled to Leyte and Saipan. The Hadley provided escort duty and served on picket duty. Weibel describes a severe attack by enemy aircraft in May of 1945. Though greatly damaged the crew managed to get the Hadley to Kerama Retto for repairs. Weibel describes their adventures through a typhoon. He was discharged in June of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lincoln Grahlfs. Grahlfs joined the Navy in October 1942 after working at Grumman. Upon completion of boot camp, quartermaster’s school, and visual communications training, he deployed to the Pacific aboard the USS Undaunted (ATA-199). He towed the USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774) from Kerama Retto to the States, traveling through a typhoon; after the storm cleared, the tow line parted nine times. After the war, his tug was busy helping ships that overestimated their capabilities in a hurry to get home. He was transferred to the USS ATR-40 for the Bikini atomic bomb testing, where he was 10 miles from the target during the detonations. His salvage unit was ordered to spend more than what was thought to be a safe amount of time aboard the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), without safety equipment, operating pumps to keep it afloat. Grahlfs later based his dissertation on interviews with veterans who had been exposed to nuclear weapons testing; he found that although more than half reported illness due to radiation exposure, the military never recognized their claims. When Grahlfs returned to the States, he was treated for rare symptoms that fascinated …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Tom English. English was born 17 October 1926 in Manhattan, New York. As a 17 year old in 1944, he enlisted in the Navy. After boot camp at the Naval Training Center at Sampson, New York, he went to Treasure Island where he reported aboard USS Hugh Hadley (DD-774) and sailed with a task force headed for Okinawa. Hadley escorted cargo ships during the battle and was eventually assigned picket duty. On 11 May 1945, Hadley shot down 23 Japanese aircraft, a record, but was also hit by bombs and kamikazes. English was in the ammo handling room for mount 51. One of the bomb hits knocked him unconscious, cutting his head and crushing one of his feet. He came to on deck as the ship was being abandoned. Despite the damage, Hadley stayed afloat and was towed to the West Coast, where she was scrapped. English went aboard an APA, then a hospital ship. He received treatment at Tinian, Pearl Harbor, Oakland, San Diego, and finally St. Albans in New York. After his foot healed, he was assigned briefly to USS Leyte (CV-32). He was discharged from the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Boffi. Boffi joined the Navy in September 1942 and received basic training in Newport. Boffi was assigned to the USS Bernadou (DD-153) as a machinist???s mate. He participated in the invasions of Sicily, Salerno, and Anzio. In June 1944 he was transferred to Norfolk to oversee the construction of the USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774). He joined the ship???s company, working in the engine room. He was badly burned during the kamikaze attack off of Okinawa, when damage to the ship sent hot steam blasting toward him as he escaped the engine room. A corpsman rescued Boffi, administered morphine. Boffi awoke two days later aboard the USS Solace (AH-5) and was transferred to Tinian, where he received the Purple Heart. He spent the next four months recovering and was discharged in November 1945. Boffi worked for the American Society of Safety Engineers until he retired at the age of 84.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Martin Weibel. Weibel was drafted into the Navy in April of 1944. He served aboard the USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774) as a watertender, working with the boilers in the ship???s engine room. He provides some detail of his work and life on board the Hadley. In December of 1944 they traveled to Leyte and Saipan. The Hadley provided escort duty and served on picket duty. Weibel describes a severe attack by enemy aircraft in May of 1945. Though greatly damaged the crew managed to get the Hadley to Kerama Retto for repairs. Weibel describes their adventures through a typhoon. He was discharged in June of 1946.