The National Museum of the Pacific War presents a transcription of an oral recording of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. In this statement, Nimitz exhorts the nation to remain alert by keeping a strong navy.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Tom Lemond. Lemond was born in Tahoka, Texas on 6 November 1923. After enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1942, he was accepted into the pilot training program. Upon completing the various phases of training at different bases, he was sent to Ardmore, Oklahoma where he joined a B-17 crew as a co-pilot. After being assigned to the 418th Bomb Squadron the crew flew a new B-17 to England. Lemond recalls in detail a mission over Augsburg, Germany in March 1944 in which his aircraft had a midair collision with another B-17. Only he and another crew member survived. He was befriended by members of the French Underground until he and a RAF crewman were exposed by a traitor. He comments about the treatment he received from members of the German Gestapo while imprisoned in the Fresnes, Val de-Marn prison. As American forces neared his place of imprisonment, his captors left and he walked out of the prison. Lemond was picked up by American forces and taken to Paris where he was debriefed before he returned to England and rejoined his unit. Soon thereafter, he returned to …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Tom Lemond. Lemond was born in Tahoka, Texas on 6 November 1923. After enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1942, he was accepted into the pilot training program. Upon completing the various phases of training at different bases, he was sent to Ardmore, Oklahoma where he joined a B-17 crew as a co-pilot. After being assigned to the 418th Bomb Squadron the crew flew a new B-17 to England. Lemond recalls in detail a mission over Augsburg, Germany in March 1944 in which his aircraft had a midair collision with another B-17. Only he and another crew member survived. He was befriended by members of the French Underground until he and a RAF crewman were exposed by a traitor. He comments about the treatment he received from members of the German Gestapo while imprisoned in the Fresnes, Val de-Marn prison. As American forces neared his place of imprisonment, his captors left and he walked out of the prison. Lemond was picked up by American forces and taken to Paris where he was debriefed before he returned to England and rejoined his unit. Soon thereafter, he returned to …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dag Larsen. Larsen volunteered to join the US Army Air Forces in October, 1942 and trained in New Jersey. He qualified to become a navigator and trained in Alabama, where he earned a commission. He flew 47 combat missions in B-24s against oil fields in Borneo, the Japanese naval base at Truk, the Philippines and other targets. Larsen returned from the Pacific in August, 1945. He stayed in the service after the war and served as a navigator for the Strategic Air Command and flew on B-29s, B-36s and B-52s.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dag Larsen. Larsen volunteered to join the US Army Air Forces in October, 1942 and trained in New Jersey. He qualified to become a navigator and trained in Alabama, where he earned a commission. He flew 47 combat missions in B-24s against oil fields in Borneo, the Japanese naval base at Truk, the Philippines and other targets. Larsen returned from the Pacific in August, 1945. He stayed in the service after the war and served as a navigator for the Strategic Air Command and flew on B-29s, B-36s and B-52s.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Francis McArdle. McArdle was born in Swissvale, Pennsylvania on 4 June 1925. Upon joining the Navy in 1943, he was sent to Sampson, New York for boot training. He then went to Quincy, Massachusetts where he was assigned aboard the USS Quincy (CA-71) as a carpenters mate. He recalls a visit to the ship by General Dwight D. Eisenhower prior to the invasion of Normandy. He describes the carnage on Utah Beach and picking up the dead out of the water and putting them into the ships refrigeration units. After participating in the invasion of Southern France, the ship returned to Norfolk, Virginia. Relating that certain modifications were made to the ship, he tells of President Franklin D. Roosevelt being brought aboard accompanied by his daughter Ann Roosevelt Bettinger for a trip to the Yalta Conference and remembers a personal encounter he had with the President. He also recalls Winston Churchill coming on board and comments on his demeanor. After returning the President to Norfolk, the Quincy joined the Pacific Fleet in 1945 and participated in a number of island invasions. McArdle describes the compliment of ships gathered …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Francis McArdle. McArdle was born in Swissvale, Pennsylvania on 4 June 1925. Upon joining the Navy in 1943, he was sent to Sampson, New York for boot training. He then went to Quincy, Massachusetts where he was assigned aboard the USS Quincy (CA-71) as a carpenters mate. He recalls a visit to the ship by General Dwight D. Eisenhower prior to the invasion of Normandy. He describes the carnage on Utah Beach and picking up the dead out of the water and putting them into the ships refrigeration units. After participating in the invasion of Southern France, the ship returned to Norfolk, Virginia. Relating that certain modifications were made to the ship, he tells of President Franklin D. Roosevelt being brought aboard accompanied by his daughter Ann Roosevelt Bettinger for a trip to the Yalta Conference and remembers a personal encounter he had with the President. He also recalls Winston Churchill coming on board and comments on his demeanor. After returning the President to Norfolk, the Quincy joined the Pacific Fleet in 1945 and participated in a number of island invasions. McArdle describes the compliment of ships gathered …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fern Ward. Ward was born in Wausa, Nebraska on 16 January 1923. She grew up during the Great Depression years. Soon after joining the Navy (WAVES) in 1944, she was sent to Hunter College, Bronx, New York for six weeks of basic training. She was then sent to Indiana University in Bloomington where she studied bookkeeping for six weeks. Upon graduating she was classified as a Storekeeper 3rd Class and sent to the San Francisco Naval Shipyard, Hunters Point, California. She tells of the work she did and comments on the living conditions there. Ward concludes the interview by telling of her life following her discharge in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fern Ward. Ward was born in Wausa, Nebraska on 16 January 1923. She grew up during the Great Depression years. Soon after joining the Navy (WAVES) in 1944, she was sent to Hunter College, Bronx, New York for six weeks of basic training. She was then sent to Indiana University in Bloomington where she studied bookkeeping for six weeks. Upon graduating she was classified as a Storekeeper 3rd Class and sent to the San Francisco Naval Shipyard, Hunters Point, California. She tells of the work she did and comments on the living conditions there. Ward concludes the interview by telling of her life following her discharge in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Julian Allen Roadman. Roadman joined the Army Air Forces in the Fall of 1942. He served as a B-17G Aircraft Commander with the 401st Bomb Group, 612th Bomb Squadron. They deployed to England in late 1943. He completed 34 bombing missions over Germany, including tactical missions during the Battle of the Bulge. Roadman continued his service after the war, retiring from the Reserves in 1983.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Julian Allen Roadman. Roadman joined the Army Air Forces in the Fall of 1942. He served as a B-17G Aircraft Commander with the 401st Bomb Group, 612th Bomb Squadron. They deployed to England in late 1943. He completed 34 bombing missions over Germany, including tactical missions during the Battle of the Bulge. Roadman continued his service after the war, retiring from the Reserves in 1983.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ralph Larry Kiggins. Kiggins recalls his experiences through the Great Depression. He joined the Navy in April of 1944. He served as a deckhand aboard the USS Jefferson County (USS LST-845). They traveled to Hawaii in March of 1945 to unload cargo and complete amphibious training operations. In late 1945, they supported occupation landings on Japan and the Philippines. Kiggins continued his service after the war ended, receiving his discharge in mid-1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ralph Larry Kiggins. Kiggins recalls his experiences through the Great Depression. He joined the Navy in April of 1944. He served as a deckhand aboard the USS Jefferson County (USS LST-845). They traveled to Hawaii in March of 1945 to unload cargo and complete amphibious training operations. In late 1945, they supported occupation landings on Japan and the Philippines. Kiggins continued his service after the war ended, receiving his discharge in mid-1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Rocelia Madison. Madison joined the WAVES in December 1943. She received basic training in New York and attended machinist school in Oklahoma. Upon completion, she was assigned to Corpus Christi, where she worked as an aviation machinist’s mate, servicing mostly PBMs and the occasional PBY. She got along well with her crewmates and received equal pay to the men. She married a sailor, Joe Wesley Harmon, and the two were discharged together. They bought their first house and attended school on the GI Bill, and Madison ran her own business for 30 years.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Rocelia Madison. Madison joined the WAVES in December 1943. She received basic training in New York and attended machinist school in Oklahoma. Upon completion, she was assigned to Corpus Christi, where she worked as an aviation machinist’s mate, servicing mostly PBMs and the occasional PBY. She got along well with her crewmates and received equal pay to the men. She married a sailor, Joe Wesley Harmon, and the two were discharged together. They bought their first house and attended school on the GI Bill, and Madison ran her own business for 30 years.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernice Pratt. Pratt learned sheet metal working at a National Youth Association school and was given a job repairing PBY seaplanes at Corpus Christi. She later joined the Army and received basic training in Georgia. Upon completion, she was assigned to Kelly Field, chauffeuring officers, running errands, and filing paperwork. She was transferred to Maxwell Air Force Base and became a pitcher on their competitive softball team. Pratt married a soldier; they were discharged together and started a family in 1949.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernice Pratt. Pratt learned sheet metal working at a National Youth Association school and was given a job repairing PBY seaplanes at Corpus Christi. She later joined the Army and received basic training in Georgia. Upon completion, she was assigned to Kelly Field, chauffeuring officers, running errands, and filing paperwork. She was transferred to Maxwell Air Force Base and became a pitcher on their competitive softball team. Pratt married a soldier; they were discharged together and started a family in 1949.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Sharkey. Sharkey joined the Navy and served in a mobile antiaircraft unit at Pearl Harbor. He served at CINCPAC headquarters at Pearl Harbor.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Sharkey. Sharkey joined the Navy and served in a mobile antiaircraft unit at Pearl Harbor. He served at CINCPAC headquarters at Pearl Harbor.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Maurice Penick. Penick joined the Navy in 1943. He completed Radio Operator and Submarine Schools by mid-1945. He was stationed at a submarine base on Mare Island in California, and had not yet been assigned to a submarine when the first atomic bomb was dropped on August 6. Penick assisted in decommissioning the USS Hammerhead (SS-364). He worked in the ship’s company on the base through his discharge in June of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Maurice Penick. Penick joined the Navy in 1943. He completed Radio Operator and Submarine Schools by mid-1945. He was stationed at a submarine base on Mare Island in California, and had not yet been assigned to a submarine when the first atomic bomb was dropped on August 6. Penick assisted in decommissioning the USS Hammerhead (SS-364). He worked in the ship’s company on the base through his discharge in June of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Donald Green. Green joined the Navy in December of 1944. Beginning March of 1945, he served as a Fireman aboard the USS Nashville (CL-43). They provided support for the landings at Brunei Bay, Borneo. In September they traveled to the Philippines, where they were stationed when the war ended. They transported troops back to the US, where Green was discharged in July of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Donald Green. Green joined the Navy in December of 1944. Beginning March of 1945, he served as a Fireman aboard the USS Nashville (CL-43). They provided support for the landings at Brunei Bay, Borneo. In September they traveled to the Philippines, where they were stationed when the war ended. They transported troops back to the US, where Green was discharged in July of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Lawrence Wile. Wile joined the Army in 1943. He completed Cook School, and worked as a cook at Fort Meade and Fort Eustis. In late 1944, he traveled to Cherbourg, France and Belgium, working with the 1591st Labor Supervision Company. He assisted with coordinating German companies in cleaning up after the war, rebuilding roads and picking up artillery shells. Wile continued in the Army after the war, completing 30 years of service in the military.