Resource Type

Oral History Interview with Abner Aust, March 19, 2013 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Abner Aust, March 19, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Abner Aust. Aust joined the Army Air Forces in September 1941 and completed flight school in April 1943. He was assigned to Venice, Florida, as an instructor, often receiving extra runway duty on account of his mischievous acrobatics. In October 1944, he joined the 506th Fighter Group, 457th Fighter Squadron, as flight commander. Upon familiarizing himself with the P-51, he flew his first missions out of Tinian, moving next to Iwo Jima. While escorting B-29s, he sometimes broke away to lead his group of eight fighters to strafe opportunistically. He is credited with five victories, the last of which occurred on 10 August 1945, distinguishing him as the last fighter ace of World War II. Aust then served in the Air Force and participated in the Vietnam War. Just before his retirement, he worked at Bolling Air Force Base to develop the F-15. After all of his experience in fighters, his favorite plane is the P-40N.
Date: March 19, 2013
Creator: Aust, Abner
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Abner Aust, March 19, 2013 transcript

Oral History Interview with Abner Aust, March 19, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Abner Aust. Aust joined the Army Air Forces in September 1941 and completed flight school in April 1943. He was assigned to Venice, Florida, as an instructor, often receiving extra runway duty on account of his mischievous acrobatics. In October 1944, he joined the 506th Fighter Group, 457th Fighter Squadron, as flight commander. Upon familiarizing himself with the P-51, he flew his first missions out of Tinian, moving next to Iwo Jima. While escorting B-29s, he sometimes broke away to lead his group of eight fighters to strafe opportunistically. He is credited with five victories, the last of which occurred on 10 August 1945, distinguishing him as the last fighter ace of World War II. Aust then served in the Air Force and participated in the Vietnam War. Just before his retirement, he worked at Bolling Air Force Base to develop the F-15. After all of his experience in fighters, his favorite plane is the P-40N.
Date: March 19, 2013
Creator: Aust, Abner
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Bearden, March 25, 2013 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Bearden, March 25, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Bearden. Bearden was in the Texas National Guard when Japan started the war. He was in the 144th Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division and trained at Camp Bowie. His unit went to Fort Lewis in Washington to guard the coast. Bearden then joined the paratroopers and trained at Fort Benning in August, 1942. Bearden speaks a lot about parachute infantry training. He went to England in December, 1943. He jumped into Normandy on 6 June 1944. Around D+5, Bearden was captured by German soldiers. Liberated by Russians in January, 1945, Bearden headed east and eventually reached Moscow, then Odessa, where he was repatriated. He returned to San Antonio and was discharged in July, 1945.
Date: March 25, 2013
Creator: Bearden, Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Bearden, March 25, 2013 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Bearden, March 25, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Bearden. Bearden was in the Texas National Guard when Japan started the war. He was in the 144th Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division and trained at Camp Bowie. His unit went to Fort Lewis in Washington to guard the coast. Bearden then joined the paratroopers and trained at Fort Benning in August, 1942. Bearden speaks a lot about parachute infantry training. He went to England in December, 1943. He jumped into Normandy on 6 June 1944. Around D+5, Bearden was captured by German soldiers. Liberated by Russians in January, 1945, Bearden headed east and eventually reached Moscow, then Odessa, where he was repatriated. He returned to San Antonio and was discharged in July, 1945.
Date: March 25, 2013
Creator: Bearden, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with William Bishop, March 13, 2013 transcript

Oral History Interview with William Bishop, March 13, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Bishop. Bishop was born in January of 1927. He graduated from high school in 1944, at the age of 17. He provides vivid recollections of life during wartime, with bomb drills, blackouts and living in a farming community in Wellington, Kansas. After graduation, Bishop worked for the US Department of Agriculture, and later served as an Emergency Wartime Carrier Clerk with the US Post Office. When he turned 18 in January of 1945, Bishop applied to join the Army, though was classified as 4-F and sent back home where he continued working for the Post Office.
Date: March 13, 2013
Creator: Bishop, William
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with William Bishop, March 13, 2013 (open access)

Oral History Interview with William Bishop, March 13, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Bishop. Bishop was born in January of 1927. He graduated from high school in 1944, at the age of 17. He provides vivid recollections of life during wartime, with bomb drills, blackouts and living in a farming community in Wellington, Kansas. After graduation, Bishop worked for the US Department of Agriculture, and later served as an Emergency Wartime Carrier Clerk with the US Post Office. When he turned 18 in January of 1945, Bishop applied to join the Army, though was classified as 4-F and sent back home where he continued working for the Post Office.
Date: March 13, 2013
Creator: Bishop, William
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Stewart Elder, March 28, 2013 transcript

Oral History Interview with Stewart Elder, March 28, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Stewart Elder. Elder joined the Navy V-5 Program in 1942 and received his wings in November of 1944. He provides details of his flight training and the various of types of planes he flew. He was placed in a replacement squadron in Hawaii four months before the atomic bomb was dropped in Japan in August of 1945. They completed additional training exercises in Hawaii, and after the surrender he returned home. He completed over 1,000 hours of flying during operational training and additionally in the Ready Reserve. He was discharged around December of 1945.
Date: March 28, 2013
Creator: Elder, Stewart
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Stewart Elder, March 28, 2013 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Stewart Elder, March 28, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Stewart Elder. Elder joined the Navy V-5 Program in 1942 and received his wings in November of 1944. He provides details of his flight training and the various of types of planes he flew. He was placed in a replacement squadron in Hawaii four months before the atomic bomb was dropped in Japan in August of 1945. They completed additional training exercises in Hawaii, and after the surrender he returned home. He completed over 1,000 hours of flying during operational training and additionally in the Ready Reserve. He was discharged around December of 1945.
Date: March 28, 2013
Creator: Elder, Stewart
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Eugene Ganske, March 10, 2013 transcript

Oral History Interview with Eugene Ganske, March 10, 2013

The National museum of the Pacific War presents an ortal interview with Eugene Ganske. Ganske attempted to join the Navy but wopund up in the Marine Corps instead in May 1944. He trained as an anti-aircraft gunner and eventually was sent to Tinian to guard B-29s. He also deployed to Okinawa after the invasion. After the war, Ganske went to CHina with the First Marine Division.
Date: March 10, 2013
Creator: Ganske, Eugene
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Eugene Ganske, March 10, 2013 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Eugene Ganske, March 10, 2013

The National museum of the Pacific War presents an ortal interview with Eugene Ganske. Ganske attempted to join the Navy but wopund up in the Marine Corps instead in May 1944. He trained as an anti-aircraft gunner and eventually was sent to Tinian to guard B-29s. He also deployed to Okinawa after the invasion. After the war, Ganske went to CHina with the First Marine Division.
Date: March 10, 2013
Creator: Ganske, Eugene
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Glynn Hull, March 7, 2013 transcript

Oral History Interview with Glynn Hull, March 7, 2013

The National museum of the Pacific War presents an ortal interview with Glynn Hull. Hull grew up on a farm in Iowa during the Depression. Hull entered the Army Air Forces in January 1943. He trained as a navigator. He was then assigned to a B-17 in the 551st Bomb Squadron, 385th Bomb GRoup and went to England in 1944. Hull discusses a few missions and other experiences. On one mission, Hull had to bail out and became a prisoner of war. He shares several anecdotes and experiences about being a POW in Germany.
Date: March 7, 2013
Creator: Hull, Glynn
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Glynn Hull, March 7, 2013 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Glynn Hull, March 7, 2013

The National museum of the Pacific War presents an ortal interview with Glynn Hull. Hull grew up on a farm in Iowa during the Depression. Hull entered the Army Air Forces in January 1943. He trained as a navigator. He was then assigned to a B-17 in the 551st Bomb Squadron, 385th Bomb GRoup and went to England in 1944. Hull discusses a few missions and other experiences. On one mission, Hull had to bail out and became a prisoner of war. He shares several anecdotes and experiences about being a POW in Germany.
Date: March 7, 2013
Creator: Hull, Glynn
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Clyde Jauer, March 15, 2013 transcript

Oral History Interview with Clyde Jauer, March 15, 2013

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Clyde Jauer. Jauer joined the Navy in January 1945 and trained at San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Terror (CM-5) in June. Jauer recalls a few anecdotes about life aboard ship. By the time he reached Okinawa, the island was secure. He also spent some time in Sasebo after the war and shares a few anecdotes. After the war, he made several trips from the Mainland to Hawaii and back repatriating troops. Jauer was discharged in July, 1946.
Date: March 15, 2013
Creator: Jauer, Clyde
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Clyde Jauer, March 15, 2013 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Clyde Jauer, March 15, 2013

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Clyde Jauer. Jauer joined the Navy in January 1945 and trained at San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Terror (CM-5) in June. Jauer recalls a few anecdotes about life aboard ship. By the time he reached Okinawa, the island was secure. He also spent some time in Sasebo after the war and shares a few anecdotes. After the war, he made several trips from the Mainland to Hawaii and back repatriating troops. Jauer was discharged in July, 1946.
Date: March 15, 2013
Creator: Jauer, Clyde
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Glenn Kyzer, March 1, 2013 transcript

Oral History Interview with Glenn Kyzer, March 1, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Glenn Kyzer. Kyzer was attending Auburn University when he signed up for the Army Air Forces in March, 1943. He was eventually selected for pilot training. He was commissioned and earned his wings in April, 1944. He learned to fly B-24s before being shipped to Italy and joining the 737th Bomb Squadron, 454th Bomb Group in December 1944. Kyzer recalls several missions in detail over Germany, Italy, Austria, etc. He flew 28 total combat missions. He was discharged in November, 1945 after flying back to the US.
Date: March 1, 2013
Creator: Kyzer, Glenn
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Glenn Kyzer, March 1, 2013 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Glenn Kyzer, March 1, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Glenn Kyzer. Kyzer was attending Auburn University when he signed up for the Army Air Forces in March, 1943. He was eventually selected for pilot training. He was commissioned and earned his wings in April, 1944. He learned to fly B-24s before being shipped to Italy and joining the 737th Bomb Squadron, 454th Bomb Group in December 1944. Kyzer recalls several missions in detail over Germany, Italy, Austria, etc. He flew 28 total combat missions. He was discharged in November, 1945 after flying back to the US.
Date: March 1, 2013
Creator: Kyzer, Glenn
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Sidney Lanier, March 21, 2013 transcript

Oral History Interview with Sidney Lanier, March 21, 2013

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Sidney Lanier. Lanier recalls growing up and working during the Depression. He entered the Navy in March, 1943 and trained in San Diego. With training complete, Lanier reported to PC-1230 at New Orleans. They travelled to New Caledonia and stayed on station there for about a year before heading to Peleliu. At Peleliu, Lanier was assigned to the USS ATR-33 but travelled considerably before reaching his new ship in New Caledonia. He was discharged in January 1946.
Date: March 21, 2013
Creator: Lanier, Sidney
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Sidney Lanier, March 21, 2013 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Sidney Lanier, March 21, 2013

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Sidney Lanier. Lanier recalls growing up and working during the Depression. He entered the Navy in March, 1943 and trained in San Diego. With training complete, Lanier reported to PC-1230 at New Orleans. They travelled to New Caledonia and stayed on station there for about a year before heading to Peleliu. At Peleliu, Lanier was assigned to the USS ATR-33 but travelled considerably before reaching his new ship in New Caledonia. He was discharged in January 1946.
Date: March 21, 2013
Creator: Lanier, Sidney
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Metcalf, March 15, 2013 transcript

Oral History Interview with James Metcalf, March 15, 2013

The National museum of the Pacific War presents an ortal interview with James Metcalf. Metcalf joined the Navy in December 1942 and attended aviation ordnance school in Oklahoma after basic training. Afterward, Metcalf was assigned as a gunner in Torpedo Squadron 13 (VT-13) and went aboard USS Franklin (CV-13) in January 1944. Metcalf flew raids on Guam, Peleliu, Okinawa, Formosa, and Iwo Jima while with VT-13. He was aboard the Franklin in March when it was attacked and severly damaged. He returned with the ship to the US.
Date: March 15, 2013
Creator: Metcalf, James
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Metcalf, March 15, 2013 (open access)

Oral History Interview with James Metcalf, March 15, 2013

The National museum of the Pacific War presents an ortal interview with James Metcalf. Metcalf joined the Navy in December 1942 and attended aviation ordnance school in Oklahoma after basic training. Afterward, Metcalf was assigned as a gunner in Torpedo Squadron 13 (VT-13) and went aboard USS Franklin (CV-13) in January 1944. Metcalf flew raids on Guam, Peleliu, Okinawa, Formosa, and Iwo Jima while with VT-13. He was aboard the Franklin in March when it was attacked and severly damaged. He returned with the ship to the US.
Date: March 15, 2013
Creator: Metcalf, James
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Arthur Powell, March 12, 2013 transcript

Oral History Interview with Arthur Powell, March 12, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arthur Powell. Powell was born in Enid, Oklahoma, on 3 November 1924. Upon graduating from high school he entered the US Army. After completing basic training in Amarillo, Texas, he was selected to enter flight training at Cedar City, Utah. In the middle of his training, the program was cancelled. Boarding USS Mitchell (APA-114) he spent thirty-nine days at sea before arriving at Bombay, India. There he was assigned to the 148th Replacement Battalion where he participated in the processing of troops to and from the China-Burma-India Theater. He returned to the United States in 1946 aboard the merchant ship, Marine Cardinal, and was discharged shortly after his return to the US.
Date: March 12, 2013
Creator: Powell, Arthur
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Arthur Powell, March 12, 2013 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Arthur Powell, March 12, 2013

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arthur Powell. Powell was born in Enid, Oklahoma, on 3 November 1924. Upon graduating from high school he entered the US Army. After completing basic training in Amarillo, Texas, he was selected to enter flight training at Cedar City, Utah. In the middle of his training, the program was cancelled. Boarding USS Mitchell (APA-114) he spent thirty-nine days at sea before arriving at Bombay, India. There he was assigned to the 148th Replacement Battalion where he participated in the processing of troops to and from the China-Burma-India Theater. He returned to the United States in 1946 aboard the merchant ship, Marine Cardinal, and was discharged shortly after his return to the US.
Date: March 12, 2013
Creator: Powell, Arthur
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Nevin Sledge, March 1, 2013 transcript

Oral History Interview with Nevin Sledge, March 1, 2013

The National Museumn of the Pacific War presents an interview with Nevin Sledge. Sledge joined the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in April 1942 after some Civilian Pilot Training prior to the outbreak of war. Upon completion of flight training, he became an instructor at Corpus Christi before deploying to the Pacific with Marine Transport Squadron 253 (VMR-253). Sledge shares several anecdotes about his time in the Pacific from Guam, Ulithi, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Date: March 1, 2013
Creator: Sledge, Nevin
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Nevin Sledge, March 1, 2013 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Nevin Sledge, March 1, 2013

The National Museumn of the Pacific War presents an interview with Nevin Sledge. Sledge joined the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in April 1942 after some Civilian Pilot Training prior to the outbreak of war. Upon completion of flight training, he became an instructor at Corpus Christi before deploying to the Pacific with Marine Transport Squadron 253 (VMR-253). Sledge shares several anecdotes about his time in the Pacific from Guam, Ulithi, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Date: March 1, 2013
Creator: Sledge, Nevin
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History