Resource Type

Oral History Interview with Albert Jenkins, October 10, 2017 transcript

Oral History Interview with Albert Jenkins, October 10, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Jenkins. Jenkins joined the Army in early 1942 and was mistakenly sent to Australia before he completed basic training. Once there, he was attached to the 35th Fighter Group as an armorer. Jenkins shares several anecdotes about his time in the service in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. Jenkins returned to the US and became an instructor before the war ended. He was discharged in January 1945.
Date: October 10, 2017
Creator: Jenkins, Albert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Albert Jenkins, October 10, 2017 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Albert Jenkins, October 10, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Jenkins. Jenkins joined the Army in early 1942 and was mistakenly sent to Australia before he completed basic training. Once there, he was attached to the 35th Fighter Group as an armorer. Jenkins shares several anecdotes about his time in the service in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. Jenkins returned to the US and became an instructor before the war ended. He was discharged in January 1945.
Date: October 10, 2017
Creator: Jenkins, Albert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Albert Stone, August 1, 2017 transcript

Oral History Interview with Albert Stone, August 1, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Stone. Stone joined the Navy in April 1945. He completed boot camp at Great Lakes. From there he went to Gulfport, Mississippi for basic electronic training. In September 1945 he was shipped to Corpus Christi, Texas to train on naval aviation electronics and radar equipment. In June 1946 he was assigned to Operation CROSSROADS at Bikini Atoll in the South Pacific. His rank was AETM-3C, Aviation Electronics Technician Mate 3C. He was assigned to the USS Avery Island (AG-76), though was farmed out to a destroyer escort to fix and test all of their radio-controlled boats. He was discharged October 1946. He received a real estate license and a radio-telephone license and earned his pilot’s license with his G.I. Bill. He finished up at Duke University in 1950 with an electrical engineering degree. He worked for Savannah River Plant for DuPont Construction. He also worked on the Boemark Missile System, the Apollo program, the moon shots, and the Saturn V program.
Date: August 1, 2017
Creator: Stone, Albert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Albert Stone, August 1, 2017 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Albert Stone, August 1, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Stone. Stone joined the Navy in April 1945. He completed boot camp at Great Lakes. From there he went to Gulfport, Mississippi for basic electronic training. In September 1945 he was shipped to Corpus Christi, Texas to train on naval aviation electronics and radar equipment. In June 1946 he was assigned to Operation CROSSROADS at Bikini Atoll in the South Pacific. His rank was AETM-3C, Aviation Electronics Technician Mate 3C. He was assigned to the USS Avery Island (AG-76), though was farmed out to a destroyer escort to fix and test all of their radio-controlled boats. He was discharged October 1946. He received a real estate license and a radio-telephone license and earned his pilot’s license with his G.I. Bill. He finished up at Duke University in 1950 with an electrical engineering degree. He worked for Savannah River Plant for DuPont Construction. He also worked on the Boemark Missile System, the Apollo program, the moon shots, and the Saturn V program.
Date: August 1, 2017
Creator: Stone, Albert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alvino Mendoza, April 25, 2017 transcript

Oral History Interview with Alvino Mendoza, April 25, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvino Mendoza. Mendoza was born in Round Rock, Texas on 1 March 1926, and briefly tells of his life before entering the US Navy. After completing boot training at Camp Wallace, Texas he was assigned as a seaman aboard USS St. George (AV-16). His battle station was loader on an anti-aircraft gun. Mendoza describes his experiences during the Battle of Okinawa in which the St. George, as well as USS Curtiss (AV-4), were hit by kamikazes. He tells of being in several typhoons and describes an incident in which he fell into the sea. He served in the occupation of Japan. Mendoza returned to the US and received his discharge in February of 1946.
Date: April 25, 2017
Creator: Mendoza, Alvino
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alvino Mendoza, April 25, 2017 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Alvino Mendoza, April 25, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvino Mendoza. Mendoza was born in Round Rock, Texas on 1 March 1926, and briefly tells of his life before entering the US Navy. After completing boot training at Camp Wallace, Texas he was assigned as a seaman aboard USS St. George (AV-16). His battle station was loader on an anti-aircraft gun. Mendoza describes his experiences during the Battle of Okinawa in which the St. George, as well as USS Curtiss (AV-4), were hit by kamikazes. He tells of being in several typhoons and describes an incident in which he fell into the sea. He served in the occupation of Japan. Mendoza returned to the US and received his discharge in February of 1946.
Date: April 25, 2017
Creator: Mendoza, Alvino
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Arthur Downard, May 17, 2017 transcript

Oral History Interview with Arthur Downard, May 17, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arthur Downard. Downard was drafted in November 1942. He was sent to Camp Dodge in Des Moines, Iowa for basic training and then on to Fresno, California. From there he was sent to Denver, Colorado for Air Corps administrative school, where he became an instructor of officers until November 1944. In January 1945 he received orders to go to the Pacific and serve as administrator to the lab technicians and photo interpreters of aerial photography. He served with the 4th Photographic Procurement Detachment. He had thirty enlisted men and six officers he worked with. His group was sent to Fort McKinley in Manila, Philippines to make an aerial map of the southeastern third of China. Their job was to develop the film and make the map. He describes life in Manila. He was there until April 1946 to complete the map, and was discharged in Denver.
Date: May 17, 2017
Creator: Downard, Arthur
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Arthur Downard, May 17, 2017 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Arthur Downard, May 17, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arthur Downard. Downard was drafted in November 1942. He was sent to Camp Dodge in Des Moines, Iowa for basic training and then on to Fresno, California. From there he was sent to Denver, Colorado for Air Corps administrative school, where he became an instructor of officers until November 1944. In January 1945 he received orders to go to the Pacific and serve as administrator to the lab technicians and photo interpreters of aerial photography. He served with the 4th Photographic Procurement Detachment. He had thirty enlisted men and six officers he worked with. His group was sent to Fort McKinley in Manila, Philippines to make an aerial map of the southeastern third of China. Their job was to develop the film and make the map. He describes life in Manila. He was there until April 1946 to complete the map, and was discharged in Denver.
Date: May 17, 2017
Creator: Downard, Arthur
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Benjamin Nicks, February 10, 2017 transcript

Oral History Interview with Benjamin Nicks, February 10, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Benjamin Nicks. Nicks enlisted in the Army Air Forces in January of 1941. He received his wings in April of 1942. Nicks was in the 120th Observation Squadron in the 130th Field Artillery Squadron. He flew border patrol missions for a year between Mexico and the United States. He was assigned to Mountain Home Air Base, Idaho to serve as a B-25 instructor until the spring of 1944. He was then transferred in May of 1944 in McCook, Nebraska as a B-29 instructor. He was in the 1st Squadron, 9th Bomb Group, 313th Wing of the 20th Air Force at McCook, Nebraska. Their outfit was sent to Kwajalein, Tinian, Iwo Jima and Japan to name a few. Nicks flew a total of 35 missions. He provides great detail of their missions. He was discharged in January of 1946 with the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Date: February 10, 2017
Creator: Nicks, Benjamin
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Benjamin Nicks, February 10, 2017 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Benjamin Nicks, February 10, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Benjamin Nicks. Nicks enlisted in the Army Air Forces in January of 1941. He received his wings in April of 1942. Nicks was in the 120th Observation Squadron in the 130th Field Artillery Squadron. He flew border patrol missions for a year between Mexico and the United States. He was assigned to Mountain Home Air Base, Idaho to serve as a B-25 instructor until the spring of 1944. He was then transferred in May of 1944 in McCook, Nebraska as a B-29 instructor. He was in the 1st Squadron, 9th Bomb Group, 313th Wing of the 20th Air Force at McCook, Nebraska. Their outfit was sent to Kwajalein, Tinian, Iwo Jima and Japan to name a few. Nicks flew a total of 35 missions. He provides great detail of their missions. He was discharged in January of 1946 with the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Date: February 10, 2017
Creator: Nicks, Benjamin
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Bob Osborne, April 8, 2017 transcript

Oral History Interview with Bob Osborne, April 8, 2017

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Bob Osborne. Osborne joined the Navy in 1943. He was assigned aboard USS Chester (CA-27). Osborne shares several anecdotes of his time aboard the ship. He also describes the collision between the Chester and another ship off Iwo Jima. When the war ended, Osborne elected to take his discharge.
Date: April 8, 2017
Creator: Osborne, Bob
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Bob Osborne, April 8, 2017 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Bob Osborne, April 8, 2017

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Bob Osborne. Osborne joined the Navy in 1943. He was assigned aboard USS Chester (CA-27). Osborne shares several anecdotes of his time aboard the ship. He also describes the collision between the Chester and another ship off Iwo Jima. When the war ended, Osborne elected to take his discharge.
Date: April 8, 2017
Creator: Osborne, Bob
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Boswell, January 24, 2017 transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles Boswell, January 24, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Boswell. Boswell joined the Navy in January of 1941. He served aboard the USS Tennessee (BB-43) and the USS Waller (DD-466) as Water Tender 1st Class. Boswell provides a description of the ships and life aboard. He was aboard the Tennessee in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and provides details of that day and their ship getting hit by the Japanese. He transferred to the USS Waller (DD-466) in September of 1942. They traveled to several islands in the Pacific, providing escort support. They traveled to New Hebrides, the Philippines, Guam, Saipan, Tinian, China and Luzon. He was discharged in January of 1947.
Date: January 24, 2017
Creator: Boswell, Charles
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Boswell, January 24, 2017 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles Boswell, January 24, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Boswell. Boswell joined the Navy in January of 1941. He served aboard the USS Tennessee (BB-43) and the USS Waller (DD-466) as Water Tender 1st Class. Boswell provides a description of the ships and life aboard. He was aboard the Tennessee in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and provides details of that day and their ship getting hit by the Japanese. He transferred to the USS Waller (DD-466) in September of 1942. They traveled to several islands in the Pacific, providing escort support. They traveled to New Hebrides, the Philippines, Guam, Saipan, Tinian, China and Luzon. He was discharged in January of 1947.
Date: January 24, 2017
Creator: Boswell, Charles
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles H. Tucker, April 18, 2017 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles H. Tucker, April 18, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles H. Tucker from Orange, California. He discusses volunteering for the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943 and going to basic training in Miami Beach, Florida, then going to Aircraft Armament School in Buckley Field, Colorado, and finally air gunnery school in Fort Myers, Florida. In air gunnery school, Mr. Tucker learned to shoot in B-17 by shooting into the Gulf of Mexico. After gunnery school he was sent to the B-25 crew training at Columbia, South Carolina for 5 months. After Mr. Tucker completed his training, he was transferred to Dacca to a B-25 base and joined the 10th Air Force, the 12th Bomb Group. When he arrived his crew pilots were reassigned, and Mr. Tucker was not able to fly much until he was assigned to a regular crew again. Mr. Tucker was put in the 729th bomb squadron tasked with supporting the British 14th Army against the Japanese forces in Burma. The campaign he was involved in ended in May 1945 with the capture of Rangoon, the main city of Burma and Mr. tucker was in one of the squadron planes that flew over the …
Date: April 18, 2017
Creator: Tucker, Charles H.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles H. Tucker, April 18, 2017 transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles H. Tucker, April 18, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles H. Tucker from Orange, California. He discusses volunteering for the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943 and going to basic training in Miami Beach, Florida, then going to Aircraft Armament School in Buckley Field, Colorado, and finally air gunnery school in Fort Myers, Florida. In air gunnery school, Mr. Tucker learned to shoot in B-17 by shooting into the Gulf of Mexico. After gunnery school he was sent to the B-25 crew training at Columbia, South Carolina for 5 months. After Mr. Tucker completed his training, he was transferred to Dacca to a B-25 base and joined the 10th Air Force, the 12th Bomb Group. When he arrived his crew pilots were reassigned, and Mr. Tucker was not able to fly much until he was assigned to a regular crew again. Mr. Tucker was put in the 729th bomb squadron tasked with supporting the British 14th Army against the Japanese forces in Burma. The campaign he was involved in ended in May 1945 with the capture of Rangoon, the main city of Burma and Mr. tucker was in one of the squadron planes that flew over the …
Date: April 18, 2017
Creator: Tucker, Charles H.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Kollman, July 28, 2017 transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles Kollman, July 28, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Kollman. Kollman joined the Marine Corps in January 1944 and had basic training at San Diego. After training, he went to Hawaii and was at Maui when the war ended. He returned to the US and was discharged in December 1945.
Date: July 28, 2017
Creator: Kollman, Charles
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Kollman, July 28, 2017 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles Kollman, July 28, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Kollman. Kollman joined the Marine Corps in January 1944 and had basic training at San Diego. After training, he went to Hawaii and was at Maui when the war ended. He returned to the US and was discharged in December 1945.
Date: July 28, 2017
Creator: Kollman, Charles
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Tucker, April 18, 2017 transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles Tucker, April 18, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Tucker. Tucker was drafted into the Army Air Forces in 1943. He went to aircraft armament school at Buckley Field, Colorado and aerial gunnery school in Fort Myers, Florida. He was then assigned to a B-25 crew training in Columbia, South Carolina. He served as a tail gunner. He provides detail of his activities and lessons in training. In December of 1944 his crew received orders to go overseas to India. His crew joined the 12th Bombardment Group, 729th Bomb Squadron, part of the 10th Air Force. They were assigned missions of supporting the British 14th Army in its campaign to recapture Burma from the Japanese. Tucker was discharged in December of 1945.
Date: April 18, 2017
Creator: Tucker, Charles
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Tucker, April 18, 2017 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles Tucker, April 18, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Tucker. Tucker was drafted into the Army Air Forces in 1943. He went to aircraft armament school at Buckley Field, Colorado and aerial gunnery school in Fort Myers, Florida. He was then assigned to a B-25 crew training in Columbia, South Carolina. He served as a tail gunner. He provides detail of his activities and lessons in training. In December of 1944 his crew received orders to go overseas to India. His crew joined the 12th Bombardment Group, 729th Bomb Squadron, part of the 10th Air Force. They were assigned missions of supporting the British 14th Army in its campaign to recapture Burma from the Japanese. Tucker was discharged in December of 1945.
Date: April 18, 2017
Creator: Tucker, Charles
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Clifford Fritz, August 24, 2017 transcript

Oral History Interview with Clifford Fritz, August 24, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Clifford, Fritz. Fritz joined the Navy in August 1945 and trained at Samson, New York. After training, he was shipped to Hawaii and became a motor machinist and was assigned to the USS Buttress (AGC-4). Fritz suffered from seasickness. He stayed in the Navy for one year, being discharged in August, 1946.
Date: August 24, 2017
Creator: Fritz, Clifford
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Clifford Fritz, August 24, 2017 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Clifford Fritz, August 24, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Clifford, Fritz. Fritz joined the Navy in August 1945 and trained at Samson, New York. After training, he was shipped to Hawaii and became a motor machinist and was assigned to the USS Buttress (AGC-4). Fritz suffered from seasickness. He stayed in the Navy for one year, being discharged in August, 1946.
Date: August 24, 2017
Creator: Fritz, Clifford
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Clyde Day, February 8, 2017 transcript

Oral History Interview with Clyde Day, February 8, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Clyde Day. Day finished college and was commissioned in the Navy in June 1942. He received more training at in armaments and gunnery before being assigned to USS Boston (CA-69) in January 1943 while still under construction. He served as a fire control officer aboard the Boston. Day recalls supporting the landings at the MArshall Islands, Iwo Jima and elsewehere in the Pacific. He describes the circular battle formation. Day also recalls a near collision with a carrier while bombarding Japan and several other anecdtoes from his time abaord the Boston. He also shares stories from his time during the occupation of Japan after the war ended.
Date: February 8, 2017
Creator: Day, Clyde
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Clyde Day, February 8, 2017 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Clyde Day, February 8, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Clyde Day. Day finished college and was commissioned in the Navy in June 1942. He received more training at in armaments and gunnery before being assigned to USS Boston (CA-69) in January 1943 while still under construction. He served as a fire control officer aboard the Boston. Day recalls supporting the landings at the MArshall Islands, Iwo Jima and elsewehere in the Pacific. He describes the circular battle formation. Day also recalls a near collision with a carrier while bombarding Japan and several other anecdtoes from his time abaord the Boston. He also shares stories from his time during the occupation of Japan after the war ended.
Date: February 8, 2017
Creator: Day, Clyde
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History