The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Leland Gwin. After Gwin's brother was captured on Corregidor, Gwin vowed to rescue him. In late 1944, when he turned 17, Gwin joined the Navy. Upon completion of amphibious training, he was assigned as an engineer to an LCVP attached to the USS Rockingham (APA-229). While landing troops at Okinawa, he rescued a crew whose landing gear failed and evacuated 150 wounded off a hospital ship that was attacked. Gwin was later assigned to pick up American POWs from Leyte, where he met someone who had been imprisoned with his brother. Gwin learned that although his brother survived the Bataan Death March, he had been worked to death in a coalmine. Gwin spent the next six months transporting soldiers home, making four round trips before by June 1946. He then received orders to Bikini Atoll but was granted leave to see his dying mother and was subsequently discharged. Several of the men who went in his place died soon after from exposure to radiation.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Leland Gwin. After Gwin's brother was captured on Corregidor, Gwin vowed to rescue him. In late 1944, when he turned 17, Gwin joined the Navy. Upon completion of amphibious training, he was assigned as an engineer to an LCVP attached to the USS Rockingham (APA-229). While landing troops at Okinawa, he rescued a crew whose landing gear failed and evacuated 150 wounded off a hospital ship that was attacked. Gwin was later assigned to pick up American POWs from Leyte, where he met someone who had been imprisoned with his brother. Gwin learned that although his brother survived the Bataan Death March, he had been worked to death in a coalmine. Gwin spent the next six months transporting soldiers home, making four round trips before by June 1946. He then received orders to Bikini Atoll but was granted leave to see his dying mother and was subsequently discharged. Several of the men who went in his place died soon after from exposure to radiation.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Lester McClanahan. McClanahan joined the Navy in 1944. He was assigned to the USS Algol (AKA-54) in June of 1944 and served as a deck hand and gunner. He provides some detail of the ship and the equipment it carried. They traveled to Eniwetok, Ulithi and Saipan, carrying supplies for troops after the invasions. They were at the invasion of Lingayen Gulf in early 1945, and later at Okinawa. He recalls the kamikaze plane attacks while at Okinawa. They also provided towing services for ships to the Philippines. They traveled to Qingdao, China and he discusses his experiences there. He was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Lester McClanahan. McClanahan joined the Navy in 1944. He was assigned to the USS Algol (AKA-54) in June of 1944 and served as a deck hand and gunner. He provides some detail of the ship and the equipment it carried. They traveled to Eniwetok, Ulithi and Saipan, carrying supplies for troops after the invasions. They were at the invasion of Lingayen Gulf in early 1945, and later at Okinawa. He recalls the kamikaze plane attacks while at Okinawa. They also provided towing services for ships to the Philippines. They traveled to Qingdao, China and he discusses his experiences there. He was discharged in December of 1945.

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 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 oral interview with Martin Mehron. Mehron joined the Navy in February 1941 after spending a year working for Western Electric while attending night school at the Newark College of Engineering. Upon completion of boot camp at Newport, he attended radio school in Jacksonville, which ended with a secret two-week course in radar. After learning to operate radar in PBYs, he stayed on at Jacksonville as an instructor until being sent to a more rigorous radar school at Corpus Christi. From there, he was assigned to a PB4Y unit, VPB-117, flying 12-hour patrols in search of ships and ground targets. One night, after a patrol off of Leyte Gulf, his crew returned to a darkened base and was told to continue to reconnoiter until it was safe to return. After they were given the okay, they came in for the landing but ran out of fuel and crashed 10 seconds before hitting the strip. They hit the water, several of the crew sustaining serious injuries, some fatal. Mehron was rescued and treated for a head injury at a converted hospital. Upon his recovery, he returned to the States as a radar maintenance …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Martin Mehron. Mehron joined the Navy in February 1941 after spending a year working for Western Electric while attending night school at the Newark College of Engineering. Upon completion of boot camp at Newport, he attended radio school in Jacksonville, which ended with a secret two-week course in radar. After learning to operate radar in PBYs, he stayed on at Jacksonville as an instructor until being sent to a more rigorous radar school at Corpus Christi. From there, he was assigned to a PB4Y unit, VPB-117, flying 12-hour patrols in search of ships and ground targets. One night, after a patrol off of Leyte Gulf, his crew returned to a darkened base and was told to continue to reconnoiter until it was safe to return. After they were given the okay, they came in for the landing but ran out of fuel and crashed 10 seconds before hitting the strip. They hit the water, several of the crew sustaining serious injuries, some fatal. Mehron was rescued and treated for a head injury at a converted hospital. Upon his recovery, he returned to the States as a radar maintenance …

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 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 Ralph Herman Seibt. Seibt joined the Army Air Corps in June 1939. A skilled typist, he worked in communications for the 52nd Squadron at Randolph Field. He took an interest in flying and in 1944 transferred to Montgomery, Alabama, as a cadet. He was hazed and got on poorly with his instructor, and after a certain point he refused to continue his training. Seibt deployed to Guam with the 501st Bombardment Group, 41st Bombardment Squadron, assigned personnel duties such as administering Purple Hearts. Initially, he lived in dangerous jungle conditions but eventually was housed in barracks. He saw natives rounded up in stockades in Agana and was instructed not to interact with them. Upon his return to the States, he crossed paths with German POWs at Fort Bliss, where he was discharged. He enjoyed having the opportunity to chat with them, and they were happily reminded by his last name of one of the great German radio manufacturers. Seibt returned home to his wife and got to know his daughter, who was born in July 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ralph Herman Seibt. Seibt joined the Army Air Corps in June 1939. A skilled typist, he worked in communications for the 52nd Squadron at Randolph Field. He took an interest in flying and in 1944 transferred to Montgomery, Alabama, as a cadet. He was hazed and got on poorly with his instructor, and after a certain point he refused to continue his training. Seibt deployed to Guam with the 501st Bombardment Group, 41st Bombardment Squadron, assigned personnel duties such as administering Purple Hearts. Initially, he lived in dangerous jungle conditions but eventually was housed in barracks. He saw natives rounded up in stockades in Agana and was instructed not to interact with them. Upon his return to the States, he crossed paths with German POWs at Fort Bliss, where he was discharged. He enjoyed having the opportunity to chat with them, and they were happily reminded by his last name of one of the great German radio manufacturers. Seibt returned home to his wife and got to know his daughter, who was born in July 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard O'Shaughnessy. O'Shaughnessy joined the Navy in 1942 and received basic training at Great Lakes. Upon completion of aviation radio and gunnery school, he was assigned to VPB-117, alternating between the top turret and radio of a PBY4-1 Catalina. In early 1944, he deployed to the Pacific in a secret operation that was somehow known to Tokyo Rose, who nicknamed them the Blue Raiders. Being one of the first squadrons equipped with radar, they performed classified patrol missions and bombed opportunistically. On one mission, the crew became lost; running low on fuel, they unloaded their plane by throwing out oxygen system and guns. They landed at their base just as the engines cut out. O'Shaughnessy was administered Dramamine to help him through 24-hour-long missions out of Mindoro, tracking the Japanese fleet. Near the end of the war, his crew faced their first enemy fire and shot down six aircraft. O'Shaughnessy was transferred to Corpus Christi but found he could not advance due to nepotism. He was discharged into the Reserves and retired as a master chief.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard O'Shaughnessy. O'Shaughnessy joined the Navy in 1942 and received basic training at Great Lakes. Upon completion of aviation radio and gunnery school, he was assigned to VPB-117, alternating between the top turret and radio of a PBY4-1 Catalina. In early 1944, he deployed to the Pacific in a secret operation that was somehow known to Tokyo Rose, who nicknamed them the Blue Raiders. Being one of the first squadrons equipped with radar, they performed classified patrol missions and bombed opportunistically. On one mission, the crew became lost; running low on fuel, they unloaded their plane by throwing out oxygen system and guns. They landed at their base just as the engines cut out. O'Shaughnessy was administered Dramamine to help him through 24-hour-long missions out of Mindoro, tracking the Japanese fleet. Near the end of the war, his crew faced their first enemy fire and shot down six aircraft. O'Shaughnessy was transferred to Corpus Christi but found he could not advance due to nepotism. He was discharged into the Reserves and retired as a master chief.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Owens. Owens joined the Navy in 1943, aspiring to be a fighter pilot. He enrolled in the V-12 program but by 1944 there was declining interest in pilots with as little experience as he would have had, so he volunteered for gunnery school. He joined a PBY4-2 Privateer crew in Florida as a turret gunner and deployed to the Philippines. Flying over the South China Sea and along the coastline of Indochina, his crew was often accompanied in the air by nonconfrontational Japanese fighters. On one mission over a targeted ship, however, Owens's crew flew too closely to the lead plane and struck a column of water splashing up from their bomb. This caused engine trouble and made them an easy target for nine aggressive enemy fighters. The crew escaped after shooting down three Oscars and diverted to Palawan for an emergency landing. In their haste to lighten the load on the damaged plane, they tossed out their life rafts before crossing the sea. Fortunately, they arrived without incident. After 23 combat missions in both the PBY4-1 and 4-2, Owens returned home and became an engineer for …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Owens. Owens joined the Navy in 1943, aspiring to be a fighter pilot. He enrolled in the V-12 program but by 1944 there was declining interest in pilots with as little experience as he would have had, so he volunteered for gunnery school. He joined a PBY4-2 Privateer crew in Florida as a turret gunner and deployed to the Philippines. Flying over the South China Sea and along the coastline of Indochina, his crew was often accompanied in the air by nonconfrontational Japanese fighters. On one mission over a targeted ship, however, Owens's crew flew too closely to the lead plane and struck a column of water splashing up from their bomb. This caused engine trouble and made them an easy target for nine aggressive enemy fighters. The crew escaped after shooting down three Oscars and diverted to Palawan for an emergency landing. In their haste to lighten the load on the damaged plane, they tossed out their life rafts before crossing the sea. Fortunately, they arrived without incident. After 23 combat missions in both the PBY4-1 and 4-2, Owens returned home and became an engineer for …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas Gillette. Gillette was 10 years old when Pearl Harbor was attacked. His father was commander of the shipyard. At a party hosted by Gillette's family in November 1941, he overheard captains discuss the potential of being dragged into the Philippines; none of them suspected an attack at Pearl. His uncle, a senator from Iowa, warned Roosevelt that the Japanese fleet was sailing eastward; he believes the President intentionally withheld this information from Kimmel. Narrowly surviving the attack, Gillette and his mother boarded the first convoy to the mainland along with 2,500 women and children, while Gillette's father stayed behind to oversee ship repairs. Having lived amongst Japanese in Hawaii, his family was shocked by the practice of Japanese-American internment. His father joined the family at Bremerton where he successfully reorganized the mismanaged shipyard and was promoted to admiral. Gillette went on to earn degrees in marine engineering and naval architecture and was commissioned in the Navy in 1952 at the age of 21, following in his father's footsteps and supervising ship repairs.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas Gillette. Gillette was 10 years old when Pearl Harbor was attacked. His father was commander of the shipyard. At a party hosted by Gillette's family in November 1941, he overheard captains discuss the potential of being dragged into the Philippines; none of them suspected an attack at Pearl. His uncle, a senator from Iowa, warned Roosevelt that the Japanese fleet was sailing eastward; he believes the President intentionally withheld this information from Kimmel. Narrowly surviving the attack, Gillette and his mother boarded the first convoy to the mainland along with 2,500 women and children, while Gillette's father stayed behind to oversee ship repairs. Having lived amongst Japanese in Hawaii, his family was shocked by the practice of Japanese-American internment. His father joined the family at Bremerton where he successfully reorganized the mismanaged shipyard and was promoted to admiral. Gillette went on to earn degrees in marine engineering and naval architecture and was commissioned in the Navy in 1952 at the age of 21, following in his father's footsteps and supervising ship repairs.

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 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 Walter Pittman. Pittman grew up in Texas and joined the Navy in 1941. Once he finished training, he was assigned to a Merchant Marine vessel as a 3.5 inch gun operator. His first assignment was shipping planes and aviation fuel to Australia with a stop at Hawaii. Pittman also tells a story of delivering crude oil to Britain after dropping the airplanes off at Australia. He also discusses his routine, the food and the life aboard the merchant vessel. Pittman mentions spending time in China shortly after the war ended and going back to the US aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12). While on board, he found a cousin who was headed for home, too.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Walter Pittman. Pittman grew up in Texas and joined the Navy in 1941. Once he finished training, he was assigned to a Merchant Marine vessel as a 3.5 inch gun operator. His first assignment was shipping planes and aviation fuel to Australia with a stop at Hawaii. Pittman also tells a story of delivering crude oil to Britain after dropping the airplanes off at Australia. He also discusses his routine, the food and the life aboard the merchant vessel. Pittman mentions spending time in China shortly after the war ended and going back to the US aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12). While on board, he found a cousin who was headed for home, too.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wayne Richards. Richards joined the Army Air Corps in 1940 and received radio training at Scott Field. Upon completion, he was able to transmit coded messages at 20 wpm. He volunteered for gunnery school, hoping to see combat, and deployed to North Africa with the 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy), 353rd Bomb Squadron, as a B-17 radio operator. In campaigns throughout the Mediterranean and as far east as Athens, he stood out to his colonel as a keen observer. Richards alerted his group when a supposed milk run over Ibiza was rife with antiaircraft fire and was the only one to see that a targeted bridge in Anzio was still standing. He received a warm welcome in Cerignola, Italy, where civilians offered wine and laundry service to the troops. Richards flew the first mission over Rome, admonished to carefully spare the Vatican. He returned home after 50 missions and attended flight school until his discharge in September 1945. Richards completed aeronautics school on the GI Bill and became a commercial pilot.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wayne Richards. Richards joined the Army Air Corps in 1940 and received radio training at Scott Field. Upon completion, he was able to transmit coded messages at 20 wpm. He volunteered for gunnery school, hoping to see combat, and deployed to North Africa with the 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy), 353rd Bomb Squadron, as a B-17 radio operator. In campaigns throughout the Mediterranean and as far east as Athens, he stood out to his colonel as a keen observer. Richards alerted his group when a supposed milk run over Ibiza was rife with antiaircraft fire and was the only one to see that a targeted bridge in Anzio was still standing. He received a warm welcome in Cerignola, Italy, where civilians offered wine and laundry service to the troops. Richards flew the first mission over Rome, admonished to carefully spare the Vatican. He returned home after 50 missions and attended flight school until his discharge in September 1945. Richards completed aeronautics school on the GI Bill and became a commercial pilot.