The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Braden. Braden was called to active duty in the Army Air Forces from his university’s ROTC program in February 1943 and went to Sheppard Field in Wichita Falls, Texas. He trained to be a navigator. In January 1945, he flew to Saipan and joined the 870th Bomb Squadron, 497th Bomb Group. He flew combat missions against the home islands of Japan and comments on the initial poor results. He also describes an incident in which they had to ditch their plane in the ocean. He also mentions the low altitude incendiary attacks on Tokyo. Braden returned to the US and was discharged in September, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Wade Holcomb. Holcomb joined the Navy in 1938. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, he was in the radio shack on the USS Crosby (DD-164) at San Diego copying code. He was transferred to the Electronics Material School in late 1943. Upon completion of the course, Holcomb became an instructor at various locations throughout the US. When the war ended, Holcomb stayed in the Reserves, serving during the Korean War.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with C M Hudspeth. When the war started, Hudspeth was in law school at the University of Texas. In early 1942, he applied for and was given a commission as ensign in the Navy without receiving any training. His first assignment was in a coding room at the Eight Naval District Headquarters in New Orleans. In early 1943, Hudspeth was transferred to Noumea to the South Pacific Area command as a communications officer. In early 1945, he transferred to San Diego. Hudspeth shares several anecdotes about the nature of his code work during the war and describes how coding machines worked. Hudspeth also shares a story about his involvement in the mission to shoot down Admiral Yamamoto. He was discharge in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bob Layher. Layher was a member of the first squadron of the American Volunteer Group (AVG), nicknamed the Flying Tigers. While stationed in Rangoon in January 1942, the group sent Pete Wright into the air to scare off an enemy bomber. Wright's plane malfunctioned on the approach, and he veered off the runway, killing a captain. On 5 March 1942, Layher nearly lost control of his own plane during a close formation drill. The group had been asked to escort Chiang Kai-shek and to perform a slow roll. Being at the tail end of the formation, Layher was unable to fly fast enough to perform the maneuver safely. By the time he recovered and rejoined the formation, their leader had dropped out due to an equipment malfunction. So, Pappy Boyington led the group, taking them off course and expending more fuel than anticipated. Layher crash-landed on a remote trail and was discovered by unfriendly natives. Not having worn his blood chit that day, he narrowly escaped execution and was eventually reunited with his group.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Bailey. Bailey was a crew chief with the Flying Tigers. He recalls that many of the mechanics in his crew were not well trained when they arrived, but they learned from him quickly. He describes the dangers presented by various landing gears. He discusses the personal lives of the crew, staff, and pilots, both during the war and after.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Schaper. Schaper joined the Flying Tigers as a crew chief and was soon promoted to hangar chief, handling all the heavy maintenance that could not be done on the field. Part of his job included salvaging carburetors and engines from crash sites. He recalls that many of the mechanics in his crew were not well trained after transferring in. Finally, he laments that much of the history around the AVG is obscured and forgotten.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents oral interviews with Tex Hill, Joe Robert and Dick Rossi. Hill and Burken go into great detail regarding an issue of LIFE Magazine with a picture of General Claire Lee Chennault on the cover and a drawing of a panda bear dressed like a cowboy, as Hill was a member of the Panda Bear squadron of the Flying Tigers. Burken then visits with Joe Robert about a print that Joe is looking to sell and a LIFE Magazine that Joe is featured in, sitting on the wing of the P-40. They also discuss some events with the Japanese and the Pappy Boyington book titled Tonya. Robert was in the same squadron as Boyington. They also visit some on the history of the Flying Tigers and the Burma campaign. Beginning on page 44 through the end of the interview Burken speaks with Dick Rossi. They visit about Flying Tiger pilot Robert T. Smith and a letter from filmmaker Ron Howard in regards to a movie about the Flying Tigers. They also discuss some events with Flying Tiger pilot Freeman Ricketts.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Akers. Akers joined the Navy I n1944 and trained at San Diego. After training he went to an air station in California before being assigned to CASU 53 and going to Guam. From there, Akers went to a seaplane base on Saipan aboard the USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71). On Saipan, he serviced aircraft by refueling and rearming, etc. Akers was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ray Hunter. In this interview, Hunter recounts the Night Battle of Guadalcanal, for which he served as officer of the deck on the USS Washington (BB-56), on the lookout, keeping the ship out of collision with friendly forces, and making sure that the commanding officer’s orders were carried out. The crew had been at general quarters for 12 hours before the first shots were fired. Still, everyone remained calm. At the climax of the battle, Hunter ordered a port turn to bypass destroyers that were sinking and burning in front of the Washington. This put the Washington behind the flames so that it would not be silhouetted. For reasons unknown, the USS South Dakota (BB-57), which until this time had been following closely behind the Washington, made a starboard turn, creating a silhouette effect, and was subsequently hit by a salvo of shells. The Washington then shepherded the South Dakota to Noumea.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Rear Admiral Ray Hunter and Howard Jackel. The interview begins with Admiral Hunter’s experiences aboard USS Washington (BB-56) during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 14-15 November 1942. Hunter served as officer of the deck, and speaks of events that occurred in company with USS South Dakota (BB-57). In the second interview, Howard Jackel shares his experiences aboard the South Dakota from January of 1942 through January of 1944. He participated in the Battles of Santa Cruz, the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal and part of the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaigns. Jackel speaks of their interaction with the Washington during the Guadalcanal battle.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harold Buell and Warren Taylor. Buell discusses being aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6) during the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands. Buell served as a Dauntless dive bomber pilot. Ingram’s (interviewer) primary interest in the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57). Ingram also interviews Warren Taylor. Taylor served as a gunnery officer aboard the South Dakota. Taylor discusses much about gunnery at sea: targeting, target spotting, plotting, etc. He also recalls an explosion aboard ship while replenishing ammunition. Taylor also recalls going ashore in Japan after the surrender.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Jackel. Jackel served aboard the USS Portland (CA-33) beginning in 1937. During World War II, he was aboard the USS South Dakota (BB-57). He noticed a stark difference between the two crews: while the Portland’s crew were polished sailors, the South Dakota’s were fighting men; uniforms did not mean much to them. During the Night Battle of Guadalcanal, Jackel was in the main battery plotting room, taking ranges from five range finders. As readings were coming in as quickly as five per second, Howard was concentrating on his plotting so much that he did not feel it when the ship was hit. By the end of the battle, only one range finder was left.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Raymond F. Higgins. Higgins joined the Navy in February 1941 as a commissioned officer. He trained with the Marines at Quantico and then with the Medical Corps at Paris Island. He also trained in tropical and aviation medicine and learned to fly N3N's at Pensacola. Higgins was transferred to the U.S. Naval Hospital at Pearl Harbor. He then transferred to islands in the southwest Pacific. He was in Fleet Air Wing 101, a flight patrol squadron based out of Australia. He returned to the United States for leave in 1944. He then is assigned to the USS Ranger (CV-4) and leaves from San Diego to the sea for training. After V-J Day, the Ranger went to New Orleans and then Norfolk. He remained in service until 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lanson B. Ditto. Ditto grew up in Kentucky. He went to college at Washington and Lee University and then joined the Navy in 1940. After training, Ditto chose to join the Asiatic Fleet. He went to Shanghai, China where he was assigned to the USS Langley (CV-1). The ship went to the Philippines. They were at Manila when the Japanese destroyed all B-17's at the airfield on December 8, 1941. The Langley left Manila Bay that night and headed south. On that trip, Ditto mentions that his ship fired at the planet Venus. They went to Balikpapan, refueled, and spent Christmas at Surabaya. Next, they went to Darwin, Australia, then Perth, Australia. Then, they went to Java. Before they arrived at the port, they were hit by Japanese airplanes dropping bombs. Ditto abandons ship and swims to the USS Edsall. They steam to the Christmas Island. He transferred to the Pecos. The Pecos was then bombed by the Japanese. Next the 220 survivors out of 666 men were picked up by the Whipple. He was injured and went back to the United States on the Mount Vernon. They …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Raymond F. "Hap" Halloran. Halloran grew up in Ohio and admits an early fascination with airplanes that led him into the Army Air Corps after he finished high school in 1940. By the end of 1942, Halloran had been called up for service in the Air Corps and trained asa navigator. He also volunteered for bombadier school. Halloran also speaks of training in B-29 bombers. In December, 1944, Halloran and his crew received orders to go overseas to Saipan. Halloran also speaks of his post-war friendship with Japanese fighter ace Saburo Sakai. Halloran also describes being shot down over Japan in early 1945 and bailing out of his crippled B-29. Halloran came down in a parachute, landed in Tokyo and was captured. He suffered a sever ebeating by the civilians before military personnel got to him. Halloran then describes his long captivity as a POW. He also describes witnessing the fire bombing of Tokyo on the night of 9-10 March 1945. Halloran also recalls being stripped naked and put in an animal cage. Then, Japanese citizens were allowed to view him in his cage for a day or …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eddie Albert. Albert was born in Rock Island, Illinois on 22 April 1908 and joined the Navy in 1942. Following officer training at Cornell University, he was shipped to the South Pacific. Albert recalls spending a night in November 1943 with Lieutenant Colonel Evans Fordyce Carlson (of Carlson’s Raiders fame) in a hole during the Battle of Tarawa. After the battle he relates that he was called to Washington, DC for duties relating to public relations and was sent around the United States selling war bonds. He recalls that by the end of the war he also had produced at least six war-related training films.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Jacobson. Jacobson was born in 1916. In 1940 he was accepted in the aviation cadet program and graduated in December 1941. He was sent to Fiji where he received additional flight training and was then sent to Guadalcanal. He describes being bombarded for over four hours one night by Japanese ships off the coast. He tells of the experiences of dropping bombs, strafing and escorting bombers during his more than 100 missions and three tours on Guadalcanal. He was selected to be Captain John Mitchell’s wingman during Operation Vengeance. He describes the precise flight plotted by Mitchell for intercept of Admiral Yamamoto’s plane over Bougainville. A vivid description is given of the actions taken by the planes involved in the attack.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Sanford Hunt. Hunt was born in Newark, New Jersey on 18 October 1915 and after graduating from high school in 1934, joined the Naval Reserve as a radioman. In October 1940 he resigned from the Navy Reserves and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve. He was sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as a radio operator, where he worked with Holland M. Smith. He was next transferred to the newly established Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and was trained as a cryptographer and cipher machine repairman. He describes his role in setting up and operating a radio transmitter station on Guadalcanal. While there, he worked closely with Major General Alexander Vandegrift and Brigadier General Gerald C. Thomas, Commanding General and Chief of Staff of the First Marine Division, respectively. The three of them were the only Marines on Guadalcanal authorized access to ULTRA message traffic (intelligence obtained by breaking encrypted enemy radio and teleprinter messages). Upon returning to Pearl Harbor he was given a field commission to second lieutenant. Hunt accompanied General Vandegrift to Noumea, New Caledonia as Special Assistant and Chief of Staff for Special Traffic and Messages, until …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Martin Clemens. Clemens was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1915 and, after attending Cambridge University, joined the British Colonial Service and was posted to Guadalcanal in 1938. After Pearl Harbor, Clemens became the only British colonial authority on Guadalcanal and, in February 1942, was assigned coast watching duties prior to the Japanese invasion in May. After the Japanese invasion, he was forced to relocate from his village to a location in the jungle, where he describes his activities in conjunction with island volunteers in gathering intelligence and transmitting radio signals to British and Australian listening posts. When the Allied Forces landed on Guadalcanal in August 1942, Clemens provided volunteer scouts and laborers to Colonel Carlson of the Second Raider Battalion. He also recalls his encounters with General Vandegrift, who awarded him a Military Cross following the battle.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Norman Hatch. Hatch was born in Boston in 1921. Following graduation from high school in 1939, he joined the Marine Corps. He volunteered for an English instructor billet at the Marine Corps Institute in Washington, DC. After six months he left for an editorial position at Leatherneck Magazine. Soon thereafter, he took a position at the Office of Information in the Office of Naval Operations, where he assisted in putting out press releases. In September 1941 he was accepted to the March of Time School of Pictorial Journalism operated by a major newsreel company in New York City. He recalls photographing President Roosevelt from the Capitol Gallery on 8 September 1941 as he asked Congress for a declaration of war. In 1942 Hatch was sent to Quantico, Virginia to join the newly-formed Marine Corps Photographic Section. From there, he joined the Second Marine Division in New Zealand. He was one of only two movie photographers assigned to the Second Division, and he describes being at Tarawa. Hatch describes the events that took place over the next three days, many of which were featured in his film With the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents a monologue by David Richardson. Richardson served as a journalist and Sergeant in the Army from 1941-1945. In 1941 he worked as editor of the Camp Pendleton newspaper. He then worked for the Army weekly, Yank, in New York in 1942. They sent him, with orders, to General MacArthur in Australia to put together a group of journalists to document the war in the China, Burma, India Theatre of Operations. He participated in battles in New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Leyte Gulf, India, Burma, the Philippines and shares his grim experiences in journaling through combat. In Burma, Richardson walked 700 miles with Merrill’s Marauders. He shares details of casualties, illnesses, attacks, weapons and military vehicles he handled and writing GI stories from the front lines.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dick Keresey. Keresey was born in Delawana, New Jersey in 1913 and graduated from Columbia Law School in 1941. He joined the V7 Midshipman Program while at Columbia and completed training in January 1942, followed by motor torpedo boat training in Melville, Rhode Island, from which he graduated in March 1942. He served as captain of PT-105 in the Solomon Islands and recalls meeting John F. Kennedy, when Kennedy, as captain of PT-109, pulled Keresey’s boat off a reef. Keresey describes his participation in a major battle involving 15 PT boats in the Western Solomons on 6 March 1943, which became known as the Battle of Blackett Strait. Following that battle, he recalls learning that Kennedy’s boat, PT-109, had been cut in half by a Japanese destroyer. Finally, he describes another action in the Russell Islands on 22 August 1943 where he was assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Five along with nine other boats. He recalls PT-108 was destroyed by Japanese shore batteries during the battle.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral monologue with Gerald Martel. Martel was born in Massachusetts and joined the Army in the spring of 1941. He was assigned to the 182nd Infantry Regiment as a machine gunner and headed for Australia. His unit comprised the Americal Division when it was formed. Martel went to Guadalcanal and Leyte. He eventually was pulled from the ranks and put into special services where he performed for GI audiences. Sometimes, he opened before other celebrities performed (Irving Berlin, Bob Hope, and Jack Benny).