Oral History Interview with Sam Moody, October 10, 1996 transcript

Oral History Interview with Sam Moody, October 10, 1996

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Sam Moody. Moody joined the Air Corps in 1940 to become an aircraft mechanic. He arrived in the Philippines in November, 1941 and when the war broke out, he went to the front at Bataan. After the surrender, he walked out of Bataan and spent 10 days on the Death March. He was moved from Camp O'Donnell to Cabanatuan. From there, he was sent to Manila to a camp near Clark Field. Moody stayed on a work detail in Manila for a while. In June, 1944, he was shipped to Japan to work in a factory. When the war ended, Moody returned to Boston only to be transported back to Japan to testify at the war crime trials.
Date: October 10, 1996
Creator: Moody, Sam B.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ken Jernstedt, September 10, 1998 transcript

Oral History Interview with Ken Jernstedt, September 10, 1998

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ken Jernstedt. Upon completion of flight training at Pensacola, Jernstedt joined the third squadron of the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force (AVG), nicknamed the Flying Tigers. In this interview, Jernstedt describes the social complexities of the group, such as Pappy Boyington's unruly behavior as an experienced Marine who was unsatisfied with his rank with the AVG. He also recounts accidental encounters with generals and royalty that visited the group unannounced. For example, they once offered a lift to Madame Chiang Kai-shek due to her good looks but ignored the Generalissimo, not recognizing him. Towards the end of the war, a pilot came to work with Jernstedt's unit, claiming to have flown with the first squadron. When an FBI background check confirmed everyone's suspicions that he had not, the imposter was sent home. Jernstedt laments that AVG history has been distorted by fraudulent claims of membership. He commends Bruce Holloway, who spent time with the AVG but was not a group member, for recognizing and honoring the distinction.
Date: September 10, 1998
Creator: Jernstedt, Ken
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Glenn McDole, October 10, 1996 transcript

Oral History Interview with Glenn McDole, October 10, 1996

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glen McDole. McDole was born in Orleans, Nebraska 6 February 1921 and after graduating from high school, enlisted in the Marine Corps in the fall of 1940. Following basic training, he went to Cavite Navy Yard where he performed security guard duties as a member of the 1st Separate Marine Battalion. The battalion was moved to Corregidor Island after the Japanese began attacking the Philippines. There, he was in close contact with General MacArthur. He witnessed MacArthur’s evacuation with General Wainwright assuming command. McDole describes his close proximity to Wainwright and the eventual surrender of Corregidor. He describes his ordeal as a prisoner of war over the next few years, including building a large, concrete Japanese runway in the village of Puerto Princesa on the Philippine island of Palawan. During this time he endured an emergency appendectomy with no anesthesia and no infection-fighting drugs. He also describes the events of 14 December 1944 when the Japanese killed 139 of the 150 remaining prisoners on Palawan, by burning many of them alive. He managed to escape and find refuge among friendly villagers, and eventually was evacuated from the Philippines …
Date: October 10, 1996
Creator: McDole, Glenn
System: The Portal to Texas History