The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robin Meece. Meece was born in Middletown, Ohio on 7 October 1926. When called into the Navy in 1944, he went to the San Diego Naval Training Station for boot training. Upon completion of boot training, he was assigned to the USS Mobile (CL-63) for on-the-job training (striker) as a radar operator. He briefly describes his job and several actions in which the ship was involved. After the surrender of Japan, he was a member of the occupation forces and discovered a cave with eight Japanese submarines hidden in it. He also went to a prisoner of war camp to aid in the release of the Allied POWs. In January 1946 the Mobile went to Seattle, where it was decommissioned. Meece was assigned to shore patrol duties upon his return to the US and served in this capacity until his discharge in 1946. He concludes the interview telling of his employment as an electrical engineer with Rockwell/Boeing, working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) after receiving a college degree through the G.I. Bill.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robin Meece. Meece was born in Middletown, Ohio on 7 October 1926. When called into the Navy in 1944, he went to the San Diego Naval Training Station for boot training. Upon completion of boot training, he was assigned to the USS Mobile (CL-63) for on-the-job training (striker) as a radar operator. He briefly describes his job and several actions in which the ship was involved. After the surrender of Japan, he was a member of the occupation forces and discovered a cave with eight Japanese submarines hidden in it. He also went to a prisoner of war camp to aid in the release of the Allied POWs. In January 1946 the Mobile went to Seattle, where it was decommissioned. Meece was assigned to shore patrol duties upon his return to the US and served in this capacity until his discharge in 1946. He concludes the interview telling of his employment as an electrical engineer with Rockwell/Boeing, working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) after receiving a college degree through the G.I. Bill.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joe Camp Pearce. Pearce joined the Navy in November of 1944. He served as an instructor on the Link Trainer and radio navigation in Atlanta, Georgia and Pensacola, Florida. Pearce did not go overseas, though remained an instructor for the duration of the war. He received a discharge in early 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joe Camp Pearce. Pearce joined the Navy in November of 1944. He served as an instructor on the Link Trainer and radio navigation in Atlanta, Georgia and Pensacola, Florida. Pearce did not go overseas, though remained an instructor for the duration of the war. He received a discharge in early 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Golson. Golson joined the Marine Corps in 1943 and trained at San Diego. Once overseas, he was assigned as a 60mm mortar man in the 4th Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Division. He was with them during the invasion of Guam. Golson describes some of the conditions of battle and his experiences in combat at Okinawa. He also shares anecdotes about occupation duty in Yokosuka before being discharged from the Marines in April, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Golson. Golson joined the Marine Corps in 1943 and trained at San Diego. Once overseas, he was assigned as a 60mm mortar man in the 4th Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Division. He was with them during the invasion of Guam. Golson describes some of the conditions of battle and his experiences in combat at Okinawa. He also shares anecdotes about occupation duty in Yokosuka before being discharged from the Marines in April, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bobby Dee Williams. Williams joined the Navy and upon completion of basic training was assigned to the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), in May 1945. As a yeoman striker, he was responsible for maintaining personnel records and issuing liberty cards. He also recorded the proceedings of captain's masts. Williams printed out the plan of the day and delivered it all over the expansive ship, and through that he befriended and was able to curry favor from cooks and storekeepers. When the ship was struck by a torpedo at Okinawa, the yeomen barely felt the impact and went on with their normal duties. When his father fell ill in April 1946, Williams received a hardship discharge. He was recalled to active duty from the reserves for the Korean War, serving aboard PCE-846 in the Caribbean.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bobby Dee Williams. Williams joined the Navy and upon completion of basic training was assigned to the USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), in May 1945. As a yeoman striker, he was responsible for maintaining personnel records and issuing liberty cards. He also recorded the proceedings of captain's masts. Williams printed out the plan of the day and delivered it all over the expansive ship, and through that he befriended and was able to curry favor from cooks and storekeepers. When the ship was struck by a torpedo at Okinawa, the yeomen barely felt the impact and went on with their normal duties. When his father fell ill in April 1946, Williams received a hardship discharge. He was recalled to active duty from the reserves for the Korean War, serving aboard PCE-846 in the Caribbean.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Ray. Ray was born 12 July 1923. He joined the Marine Corps in July of 1942. In late 1942, he traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii aboard USS Henderson (AP-1), and was assigned to the 6th Defense Battalion on Midway. He was in charge of a 90mm anti-aircraft gun on Sand Island. Ray was on the island through late 1944, and shares details of his time and life on the island. He was then transferred back to Parris Island, South Carolina, and served as a drill instructor until the end of the war. He was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Ray. Ray was born 12 July 1923. He joined the Marine Corps in July of 1942. In late 1942, he traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii aboard USS Henderson (AP-1), and was assigned to the 6th Defense Battalion on Midway. He was in charge of a 90mm anti-aircraft gun on Sand Island. Ray was on the island through late 1944, and shares details of his time and life on the island. He was then transferred back to Parris Island, South Carolina, and served as a drill instructor until the end of the war. He was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Randolph Bonney. Bonney joined the Navy in August of 1941. He trained as a pilot, including qualifying for carrier landings on Lake Michigan. Bonney also completed advanced instrument training in Corpus Christi, Texas. He served as an advanced flight and instrument instructor through the end of the war. Bonney served 23 years in the Navy working as a pilot, and also served 43 years as a reserve.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Randolph Bonney. Bonney joined the Navy in August of 1941. He trained as a pilot, including qualifying for carrier landings on Lake Michigan. Bonney also completed advanced instrument training in Corpus Christi, Texas. He served as an advanced flight and instrument instructor through the end of the war. Bonney served 23 years in the Navy working as a pilot, and also served 43 years as a reserve.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Ley. Ley was born in Joliet, Illinois in 1925. When he completed boot training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, he then trained as a radio operator. In April 1943 he completed his training and was assigned to the USS Murphy (DD-603). In March 1944 they took on provisions and sailed to Londonderry, England. On 5 June 1944 the ship put to sea to lay a smoke screen during the Normandy landings. On D-Day, the ship was stationed off Omaha Beach and Ley saw masses of dead and wounded. He also saw the Army Rangers assaulting the cliffs of Point du Hoc, France. Ten days after the Normandy invasion, the Murphy returned to England for resupply. On 26 June they accompanied the USS Texas (BB-35) and participated in the bombardment of Cherbourg. Returning to England the ship took on a cargo of artillery shells affixed with a proximity fuse for delivery to Mers-el-Kebir, Algeria where Allied forces were gathering in preparation for Operation Dragoon. Ley describes picking up three German Luftwaffe personnel at sea. In 1945, King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia came aboard to meet …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Ley. Ley was born in Joliet, Illinois in 1925. When he completed boot training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, he then trained as a radio operator. In April 1943 he completed his training and was assigned to the USS Murphy (DD-603). In March 1944 they took on provisions and sailed to Londonderry, England. On 5 June 1944 the ship put to sea to lay a smoke screen during the Normandy landings. On D-Day, the ship was stationed off Omaha Beach and Ley saw masses of dead and wounded. He also saw the Army Rangers assaulting the cliffs of Point du Hoc, France. Ten days after the Normandy invasion, the Murphy returned to England for resupply. On 26 June they accompanied the USS Texas (BB-35) and participated in the bombardment of Cherbourg. Returning to England the ship took on a cargo of artillery shells affixed with a proximity fuse for delivery to Mers-el-Kebir, Algeria where Allied forces were gathering in preparation for Operation Dragoon. Ley describes picking up three German Luftwaffe personnel at sea. In 1945, King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia came aboard to meet …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bernice Harriet Wallis George. George served with the US Navy Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) beginning October of 1942. She was trained for a highly secret project designed to crack the German Enigma encryption. She then was assigned to Washington, DC, where she worked on the prototype decryption devices called bombes. George continued her work through December of 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bernice Harriet Wallis George. George served with the US Navy Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) beginning October of 1942. She was trained for a highly secret project designed to crack the German Enigma encryption. She then was assigned to Washington, DC, where she worked on the prototype decryption devices called bombes. George continued her work through December of 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clinton Henderson. Henderson joined the Army Air Force before graduating high school and received basic training in Wichita Falls, aerial gunnery training in Las Vegas, and combat crew training in Ardmore. Upon completion, he was assigned as a ball turret gunner for the 384th Bombardment Group, stationed in England. Toward the end of his 36-mission tour, his plane was hit by antiaircraft fire above Germany. His crew aborted the mission and landed safely at a British airfield. Henderson returned to the States and trained to become a B-29 gunnery instructor. The work was dangerous, as the planes flew at twice the speed bomber pilots were accustomed to. Henderson transferred to Randolph Field and finished his time in the service as a supply clerk. He was discharged in October 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clinton Henderson. Henderson joined the Army Air Force before graduating high school and received basic training in Wichita Falls, aerial gunnery training in Las Vegas, and combat crew training in Ardmore. Upon completion, he was assigned as a ball turret gunner for the 384th Bombardment Group, stationed in England. Toward the end of his 36-mission tour, his plane was hit by antiaircraft fire above Germany. His crew aborted the mission and landed safely at a British airfield. Henderson returned to the States and trained to become a B-29 gunnery instructor. The work was dangerous, as the planes flew at twice the speed bomber pilots were accustomed to. Henderson transferred to Randolph Field and finished his time in the service as a supply clerk. He was discharged in October 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Emmett Gumm. Gumm received an appointment to the US Merchant Marine Academy and, upon graduating, elected to go into the US Navy in early 1944 as an ensign. He was assigned to USS Wallace L. Lind (DD-703) as an engineering officer. His destroyer was attached to Admiral Halsey's Third Fleet and screened the carriers. He also recalls picket duty off Okinawa and being present in Tokyo Bay during the surrender ceremony. Gumm chose not to stay in the Navy after the war and was discharged in early 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Emmett Gumm. Gumm received an appointment to the US Merchant Marine Academy and, upon graduating, elected to go into the US Navy in early 1944 as an ensign. He was assigned to USS Wallace L. Lind (DD-703) as an engineering officer. His destroyer was attached to Admiral Halsey's Third Fleet and screened the carriers. He also recalls picket duty off Okinawa and being present in Tokyo Bay during the surrender ceremony. Gumm chose not to stay in the Navy after the war and was discharged in early 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gene Roush Jerabek. Ms. Jerabek was born 12 December 1917, graduated from high school in 1935 in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, and earned her Nursing Certificate at Jefferson Medical College Hospital in Philadelphia. She joined the US Army Nurse Corps in September 1941, serving in North Africa and Italy. She married Lieutenant George Jerabek on 1 June 1944 in Naples, Italy. She returned home in the spring of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gene Roush Jerabek. Ms. Jerabek was born 12 December 1917, graduated from high school in 1935 in Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, and earned her Nursing Certificate at Jefferson Medical College Hospital in Philadelphia. She joined the US Army Nurse Corps in September 1941, serving in North Africa and Italy. She married Lieutenant George Jerabek on 1 June 1944 in Naples, Italy. She returned home in the spring of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Travis Smith. Smith joined the Army Air Forces in September 1942. He qualified as a pilot trainee and began training in San Antonio. In May, 1944, he graduated and received his commission. Smith went overseas to the Philippines, arriving in March, 1945. Later, he moved to Okinawa and flew bomber escort for bombing missions to China and Japan. He flew over 50 combat missions before the war ended and then went to japan on occupation duty. Smith was discharged in 1946, but stayed in the reserves.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Travis Smith. Smith joined the Army Air Forces in September 1942. He qualified as a pilot trainee and began training in San Antonio. In May, 1944, he graduated and received his commission. Smith went overseas to the Philippines, arriving in March, 1945. Later, he moved to Okinawa and flew bomber escort for bombing missions to China and Japan. He flew over 50 combat missions before the war ended and then went to japan on occupation duty. Smith was discharged in 1946, but stayed in the reserves.