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.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Dale Ball. Ball joined the Navy around 1942. In 1943, he began serving as a Storekeeper aboard USS LST-1005 in the Pacific Theater. They traveled to Hawaii, the Caroline Islands, Eniwetok and Leyte Gulf, Philippines. He recalls a typhoon he experienced in 1945. He served with occupation troops in Japan after the war ended. Ball returned to the US, and continued his service in the Navy.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Dale Ball. Ball joined the Navy around 1942. In 1943, he began serving as a Storekeeper aboard USS LST-1005 in the Pacific Theater. They traveled to Hawaii, the Caroline Islands, Eniwetok and Leyte Gulf, Philippines. He recalls a typhoon he experienced in 1945. He served with occupation troops in Japan after the war ended. Ball returned to the US, and continued his service in the Navy.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Battifarano. Battifarano enlisted in the Navy during his senior year of high school in 1943. He served for 2 years as Signalman 3rd Class aboard the USS Guitarro (SS-363). They traveled to the Panama Canal operating with a destroyer and to the South Pacific. They made 4 successful war patrols, have 15 Japanese flags on their battle flag, laid 25 mines and recorded a 95-day war patrol. He discusses life aboard a submarine and their war patrol experiences. They traveled to Taiwan, Australia, the South China Sea, Philippines, Japan and Saipan. They participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He was discharged in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Battifarano. Battifarano enlisted in the Navy during his senior year of high school in 1943. He served for 2 years as Signalman 3rd Class aboard the USS Guitarro (SS-363). They traveled to the Panama Canal operating with a destroyer and to the South Pacific. They made 4 successful war patrols, have 15 Japanese flags on their battle flag, laid 25 mines and recorded a 95-day war patrol. He discusses life aboard a submarine and their war patrol experiences. They traveled to Taiwan, Australia, the South China Sea, Philippines, Japan and Saipan. They participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He was discharged in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas M. Baye. Baye was born on 24 October 1924 in Omaha, Nebraska. He was drafted into the Army in July 1943. Following basic training at Camp Roberts and Fort Ord in California, he was sent to Hawaii. In December 1943 he was assigned to the 27th Division, C Company, 1st Battalion, 165th Regiment. After more training, including landings on the beach in an LVT launched from an LST, his unit went to Saipan. They went ashore on 16 June 1944. They saw heavy combat, although as a radio operator, Baye had few chances to shoot his rifle. In August, the 27th went to Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides for R and R. In April 1945 they landed on Okinawa. In September 1945, following the surrender of Japan, the 27th was sent to Japan as occupiers. In December, Baye returned to the United States. After brief stays at Fort Lewis in Washington and Fort Carson in Colorado, he was released from the service in January 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas M. Baye. Baye was born on 24 October 1924 in Omaha, Nebraska. He was drafted into the Army in July 1943. Following basic training at Camp Roberts and Fort Ord in California, he was sent to Hawaii. In December 1943 he was assigned to the 27th Division, C Company, 1st Battalion, 165th Regiment. After more training, including landings on the beach in an LVT launched from an LST, his unit went to Saipan. They went ashore on 16 June 1944. They saw heavy combat, although as a radio operator, Baye had few chances to shoot his rifle. In August, the 27th went to Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides for R and R. In April 1945 they landed on Okinawa. In September 1945, following the surrender of Japan, the 27th was sent to Japan as occupiers. In December, Baye returned to the United States. After brief stays at Fort Lewis in Washington and Fort Carson in Colorado, he was released from the service in January 1946.

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.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Calvin Beem. Beem volunteered for the Navy in September, 1943 and trained at Farragut, Idaho. After training, Beem was assigned to USS LST-454 as a motor machinist. He was aboard in time for the invasion of Cape Gloucester and for several other invasions along New Guinea. He also recalls landings in the Philippines.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Calvin Beem. Beem volunteered for the Navy in September, 1943 and trained at Farragut, Idaho. After training, Beem was assigned to USS LST-454 as a motor machinist. He was aboard in time for the invasion of Cape Gloucester and for several other invasions along New Guinea. He also recalls landings in the Philippines.

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.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Stanley Blumenthal. Blumenthal received his commercial Morse Code license and joined the Merchant Marines in 1944. He served aboard the liberty ship SS Lawrence D. Tyson (1943). He discusses life on the ship and experiences traveling to the Mediterranean Sea to deliver cargo. They landed in Palermo, Italy. He describes life and sightseeing in Palermo.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Stanley Blumenthal. Blumenthal received his commercial Morse Code license and joined the Merchant Marines in 1944. He served aboard the liberty ship SS Lawrence D. Tyson (1943). He discusses life on the ship and experiences traveling to the Mediterranean Sea to deliver cargo. They landed in Palermo, Italy. He describes life and sightseeing in Palermo.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Oris Brehmer. Brehmer was born in Luckenbach, Texas in 1924. Drafted in March, 1943 with a choice of services, he chose the Navy. He went through boot camp and Corpsman School in San Diego, then to Marine Field Medical School. He sailed for the South Pacific and joined the 1st Marine Division in Australia. In December, 1943 the division landed at Cape Gloucester, New Britain. Brehmer's company saw no combat there. From March to September 1944 they were moved to Pavuvu in the Solomons for rest and training. At Peleliu, he stepped off a Higgins boat into chin deep water with all his gear. On the beach, he was wounded in the shoulder by mortar shrapnel and sent to a hospital ship. After five days he returned to his decimated unit that was subsequently sent back to the rest area at Pavuvu. They remained until going to Okinawa in April 1945. There he witnessed both the fighting on the island and the kamikaze attacks on the Navy. After 2 September, the 1st Marines went to mainland China to disarm Japanese troops. Brehmer returned to the States in late …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Oris Brehmer. Brehmer was born in Luckenbach, Texas in 1924. Drafted in March, 1943 with a choice of services, he chose the Navy. He went through boot camp and Corpsman School in San Diego, then to Marine Field Medical School. He sailed for the South Pacific and joined the 1st Marine Division in Australia. In December, 1943 the division landed at Cape Gloucester, New Britain. Brehmer's company saw no combat there. From March to September 1944 they were moved to Pavuvu in the Solomons for rest and training. At Peleliu, he stepped off a Higgins boat into chin deep water with all his gear. On the beach, he was wounded in the shoulder by mortar shrapnel and sent to a hospital ship. After five days he returned to his decimated unit that was subsequently sent back to the rest area at Pavuvu. They remained until going to Okinawa in April 1945. There he witnessed both the fighting on the island and the kamikaze attacks on the Navy. After 2 September, the 1st Marines went to mainland China to disarm Japanese troops. Brehmer returned to the States in late …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Brown. Brown was drafted into the Marines in March of 1944 and served in the 2nd Marine Division. He traveled to Eniwetok and Okinawa. In Okinawa his job was to help service the planes. They also traveled to the Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan. He was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Brown. Brown was drafted into the Marines in March of 1944 and served in the 2nd Marine Division. He traveled to Eniwetok and Okinawa. In Okinawa his job was to help service the planes. They also traveled to the Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan. He was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with J C Brownwell. Brownwell joined the Navy in January of 1943. He served aboard the USS Tennessee (BB-43) beginning in the spring of 1943, and he provides description of the ship and life on board. He worked as an Electrician’s Mate. Some of the places they traveled include Tarawa, Kwajalein, Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Peleliu and Saipan. He provides information on their firing engagements at Saipan, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Peleliu. He provides some detail of going ashore at Saipan and what he witnessed. He talks about their interaction with destroyers, and a kamikaze plane that hit their ship. He also discusses witnessing the flag raising at Mount Suribachi.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with J C Brownwell. Brownwell joined the Navy in January of 1943. He served aboard the USS Tennessee (BB-43) beginning in the spring of 1943, and he provides description of the ship and life on board. He worked as an Electrician’s Mate. Some of the places they traveled include Tarawa, Kwajalein, Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Peleliu and Saipan. He provides information on their firing engagements at Saipan, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Peleliu. He provides some detail of going ashore at Saipan and what he witnessed. He talks about their interaction with destroyers, and a kamikaze plane that hit their ship. He also discusses witnessing the flag raising at Mount Suribachi.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harvey Brush. Brush graduated from Penn State in 1942 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He was inducted into the Navy in August of 1943 as an Ensign. He attended radar school at MIT, and then was assigned to the Clinton Naval Air Station in Oklahoma, assisting in developing drones. In late 1944 he was assigned to the Hawaiian Islands. He received orders to join a destroyer escort division. He served as staff radar officer aboard the USS Goss (DE-444). He traveled to Saipan, and then was assigned to work in the CIC with radar equipment. They traveled to Iwo Jima and Okinawa to protect carriers. He traveled into Tokyo and Yokahama by electric train and provides details of what the landscape looked like after bombing. He was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harvey Brush. Brush graduated from Penn State in 1942 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He was inducted into the Navy in August of 1943 as an Ensign. He attended radar school at MIT, and then was assigned to the Clinton Naval Air Station in Oklahoma, assisting in developing drones. In late 1944 he was assigned to the Hawaiian Islands. He received orders to join a destroyer escort division. He served as staff radar officer aboard the USS Goss (DE-444). He traveled to Saipan, and then was assigned to work in the CIC with radar equipment. They traveled to Iwo Jima and Okinawa to protect carriers. He traveled into Tokyo and Yokahama by electric train and provides details of what the landscape looked like after bombing. He was discharged in 1946.