The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Al Adkins. Adkins joined the Marine Corps in the fall of 1942. He served with the 6th Marine Division, 22nd Marine Regiment. They participated in the Battle of Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands. On Guadalcanal, they formed the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, participating in the Battle of Guam until they disbanded in September of 1944. Continuing on with the 22nd Marines, Adkins served in the Battle of Okinawa. He returned to the US and received his discharge in September of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Al Adkins. Adkins joined the Marine Corps in the fall of 1942. He served with the 6th Marine Division, 22nd Marine Regiment. They participated in the Battle of Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands. On Guadalcanal, they formed the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, participating in the Battle of Guam until they disbanded in September of 1944. Continuing on with the 22nd Marines, Adkins served in the Battle of Okinawa. He returned to the US and received his discharge in September of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernice Shafer. Shafer joined the Army in October 1942 as a newly registered nurse. She was treated poorly at basic training and was advised repeatedly that since rape was inevitable she should try to enjoy it. Shafer's first duty was to oversee three rowdy wards at Winter General Army Hospital. To set the tone, she immediately assigned KP duty to a colonel. Deploying to a hospital near Manila in 1944, she worked in an operating room with a hot-tempered doctor whose only response to her displeasure in working with him was to kiss her on the face. She mainly tended to war casualties but occasionally treated natives who suffered from parasites. Long after the war, she was haunted by the memory of a soldier who sustained a brain injury; without a neurosurgeon on staff, she could only sit beside him until he died. When the war ended, Shafer felt unsafe amidst the celebrations as soldiers grabbed ahold of her. Even on the voyage home, she was awoken by a sailor kissing her. Shafer was discharged into the Reserves and served again in the Korean War.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernice Shafer. Shafer joined the Army in October 1942 as a newly registered nurse. She was treated poorly at basic training and was advised repeatedly that since rape was inevitable she should try to enjoy it. Shafer's first duty was to oversee three rowdy wards at Winter General Army Hospital. To set the tone, she immediately assigned KP duty to a colonel. Deploying to a hospital near Manila in 1944, she worked in an operating room with a hot-tempered doctor whose only response to her displeasure in working with him was to kiss her on the face. She mainly tended to war casualties but occasionally treated natives who suffered from parasites. Long after the war, she was haunted by the memory of a soldier who sustained a brain injury; without a neurosurgeon on staff, she could only sit beside him until he died. When the war ended, Shafer felt unsafe amidst the celebrations as soldiers grabbed ahold of her. Even on the voyage home, she was awoken by a sailor kissing her. Shafer was discharged into the Reserves and served again in the Korean War.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Engh. Engh entered the Navy’s V-1 program before beginning V-12 in July 1943. He graduated from midshipmen’s school in 1945 and was sent to Subic Bay in June on lighterage duty as a yeoman. In July he was sent to Okinawa with a flotilla of LCTs that drifted out of formation each night and would spend the following day reorganizing. He was beached by a typhoon at Okinawa for 10 days until a channel was dredged and a tug and bulldozer helped with maneuvering. In October he was sent to China, where he delivered bombs to the Nationalists. After turning his LCT over to the Chinese, Engh returned home in June 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Engh. Engh entered the Navy’s V-1 program before beginning V-12 in July 1943. He graduated from midshipmen’s school in 1945 and was sent to Subic Bay in June on lighterage duty as a yeoman. In July he was sent to Okinawa with a flotilla of LCTs that drifted out of formation each night and would spend the following day reorganizing. He was beached by a typhoon at Okinawa for 10 days until a channel was dredged and a tug and bulldozer helped with maneuvering. In October he was sent to China, where he delivered bombs to the Nationalists. After turning his LCT over to the Chinese, Engh returned home in June 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Odell Sears. Sears was drafted into the Army in 1943, a year after finishing high school. He trained at Fort Lewis, Washington. He shares a few humorous anecdotes about basic training. He was attached to the 739th Tank Battalion and learned how to drive the M-4 A-1, the Sherman. He speaks of training in Oregon, Washington, at Bouse, Arizona and at Fort Knox, Kentucky before being shipped overseas to England in August, 1944. His unit landed in Frnace in October, 1944. Sears describes being wounded by an accidental discharge from a comrade with a pistol. Sears also speaks about being a tanker in WWII in general terms. His unit was a special tank unit. Some of the tanks had searchlights (CDL-SP) designed to operate at night and spot for artillery while others had minesweepers attached. Sears describes blowing up a mine in a cabbage field in Germany one day. Sears rejoined his unit after being accidentally shot one day after Germany surrendered. His unit was on its way to California to train for the Pacific Theater when Japan surrendered.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Odell Sears. Sears was drafted into the Army in 1943, a year after finishing high school. He trained at Fort Lewis, Washington. He shares a few humorous anecdotes about basic training. He was attached to the 739th Tank Battalion and learned how to drive the M-4 A-1, the Sherman. He speaks of training in Oregon, Washington, at Bouse, Arizona and at Fort Knox, Kentucky before being shipped overseas to England in August, 1944. His unit landed in Frnace in October, 1944. Sears describes being wounded by an accidental discharge from a comrade with a pistol. Sears also speaks about being a tanker in WWII in general terms. His unit was a special tank unit. Some of the tanks had searchlights (CDL-SP) designed to operate at night and spot for artillery while others had minesweepers attached. Sears describes blowing up a mine in a cabbage field in Germany one day. Sears rejoined his unit after being accidentally shot one day after Germany surrendered. His unit was on its way to California to train for the Pacific Theater when Japan surrendered.

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 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 oral interview with George W. Meyers. Meyers worked as a welder and on an oil rig prior to joining the Navy just after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Meyers was eventually assigned to a naval construction battalion and recalls assembling massive oil tanks, a hospital and a radar installation in the Solomon Islands. He also shares anecdotes about welding pontoons together at the Admiralty Islands. Meyers was discharged in November, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George W. Meyers. Meyers worked as a welder and on an oil rig prior to joining the Navy just after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Meyers was eventually assigned to a naval construction battalion and recalls assembling massive oil tanks, a hospital and a radar installation in the Solomon Islands. He also shares anecdotes about welding pontoons together at the Admiralty Islands. Meyers was discharged in November, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harold Priddy. Priddy joined the Army Air Corps around 1938. He completed Officer Candidate School in mid-1942. He deployed to England, and served as chief of Materials Section, Air Transport Service. Priddy was able to commandeer sufficient resources within the European Theater to assist Patton’s 3rd Army in their drive into Germany in late 1944. For his contribution, General Charles de Gaulle awarded Priddy the French War Cross with Silver Star. He was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harold Priddy. Priddy joined the Army Air Corps around 1938. He completed Officer Candidate School in mid-1942. He deployed to England, and served as chief of Materials Section, Air Transport Service. Priddy was able to commandeer sufficient resources within the European Theater to assist Patton’s 3rd Army in their drive into Germany in late 1944. For his contribution, General Charles de Gaulle awarded Priddy the French War Cross with Silver Star. He was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Hubert Richter. Richter joined the Army in February of 1943. He served with the 6th Infantry Division. Richter worked in the meteorology section as a forward observer for the artillery, identifying targets with the front-line infantry. He participated in the New Guinea and Luzon campaigns.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Hubert Richter. Richter joined the Army in February of 1943. He served with the 6th Infantry Division. Richter worked in the meteorology section as a forward observer for the artillery, identifying targets with the front-line infantry. He participated in the New Guinea and Luzon campaigns.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hugh Donald Brandt. Brandt dropped out of high school, went to work for a few years, then joined the Marine Corps in February, 1942. When he finished boot camp, Brandt opted for Field Music School. After finishing that, he was stationed up at Kodiak Island, Alaska, at the submarine base as a bugler. Every other day, Brandt served as a bugler as there were two stationed on the base. On days when he did not sound the bugle calls, he worked as a censor in the base post office. He finally got a 30-day furlough during which he returned home and got married. After that, he was assigned to Camp Pendleton. Brandt continues with anecdotes about his time in the service. He shares stories about censoring letters and playing the bugle.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hugh Donald Brandt. Brandt dropped out of high school, went to work for a few years, then joined the Marine Corps in February, 1942. When he finished boot camp, Brandt opted for Field Music School. After finishing that, he was stationed up at Kodiak Island, Alaska, at the submarine base as a bugler. Every other day, Brandt served as a bugler as there were two stationed on the base. On days when he did not sound the bugle calls, he worked as a censor in the base post office. He finally got a 30-day furlough during which he returned home and got married. After that, he was assigned to Camp Pendleton. Brandt continues with anecdotes about his time in the service. He shares stories about censoring letters and playing the bugle.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Frank. Frank joined the Navy in January 1943 and received basic training at Sampson. After yeoman training and amphibious duty at Little Creek, he was sent to Dartmouth to commission an LCT flotilla. From there he was deployed to England for the invasion of Normandy. His landing at Omaha Beach on D-Day was delayed by several hours due to weather, and when he approached the Easy Red Sector in LCT(6)-542, his flotilla launched and lost several tanks in the high waves. Operating under heavy fire, Frank made several supply trips to the beach. The day after it was secured, there was a memorial service held, complete with an organist. Frank spent the rest of the war stationed in England, where he played trumpet with a local big band while on liberty. He was sent home in August 1945 after the military learned that his father had died; however, it was a mix-up with a different Jack Frank whose father had died, so Frank simply enjoyed a nice visit home. He was stationed at the Philadelphia Navy Yard until his discharge in April 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Frank. Frank joined the Navy in January 1943 and received basic training at Sampson. After yeoman training and amphibious duty at Little Creek, he was sent to Dartmouth to commission an LCT flotilla. From there he was deployed to England for the invasion of Normandy. His landing at Omaha Beach on D-Day was delayed by several hours due to weather, and when he approached the Easy Red Sector in LCT(6)-542, his flotilla launched and lost several tanks in the high waves. Operating under heavy fire, Frank made several supply trips to the beach. The day after it was secured, there was a memorial service held, complete with an organist. Frank spent the rest of the war stationed in England, where he played trumpet with a local big band while on liberty. He was sent home in August 1945 after the military learned that his father had died; however, it was a mix-up with a different Jack Frank whose father had died, so Frank simply enjoyed a nice visit home. He was stationed at the Philadelphia Navy Yard until his discharge in April 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jack Maroney. Maroney joined the Marine Corps in early 1943. He served as a 20mm gunner aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6) through the end of the war. Maroney participated in 12 Naval engagements aboard the Enterprise, including the Gilbert and Marshall Islands Campaigns, the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jack Maroney. Maroney joined the Marine Corps in early 1943. He served as a 20mm gunner aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6) through the end of the war. Maroney participated in 12 Naval engagements aboard the Enterprise, including the Gilbert and Marshall Islands Campaigns, the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joe George. George joined the Navy’s V-12 program in December 1942 and entered active duty in July 1943. He graduated from midshipman’s school in November 1944. In March 1945 he boarded LCI-1022, where he prepared menus with the cook and tracked inventory. His LCI was primarily based in Leyte Gulf, near Tacloban, waiting to invade Japan. After the war, he made two trips out of China, one of which was to transport a medical group to Formosa to accept the surrender of Japanese holdouts. George returned home and earned a degree in business. He and his wife graduated from college on the same day, and George attended her ceremony instead of his own.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joe George. George joined the Navy’s V-12 program in December 1942 and entered active duty in July 1943. He graduated from midshipman’s school in November 1944. In March 1945 he boarded LCI-1022, where he prepared menus with the cook and tracked inventory. His LCI was primarily based in Leyte Gulf, near Tacloban, waiting to invade Japan. After the war, he made two trips out of China, one of which was to transport a medical group to Formosa to accept the surrender of Japanese holdouts. George returned home and earned a degree in business. He and his wife graduated from college on the same day, and George attended her ceremony instead of his own.