Oral History Interview with George Bailey, July 17, 1997 transcript

Oral History Interview with George Bailey, July 17, 1997

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.
Date: July 17, 1997
Creator: Bailey, George
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Tex Hill, Joe Robert and Dick Rossi, June 17, 1996 transcript

Oral History Interview with Tex Hill, Joe Robert and Dick Rossi, June 17, 1996

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.
Date: June 17, 1996
Creator: Hill, Tex; Robert, Joe & Rossi, Dick
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with William Lesko, February 17, 1999 (open access)

Oral History Interview with William Lesko, February 17, 1999

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Lesko. Lesko was drafted into the Army Air Forces in August of 1943. He was trained in long-range navigation [LORAN] radar. In February 1945 he went to Calcutta, India aboard the USS General W. A. Mann (AP-112). He worked on C-46s as a radar and radio technician in the 13th Squadron, 4th Combat Cargo Group. He describes his work on the planes. His unit also went to Myitkyina, Burma, where he assisted in setting up the camp and building bridges. The pilots in his unit flew out of these bases to provide supplies to troops in combat zones. Lesko describes primitive life at the camps. He was discharged in April of 1946.
Date: February 17, 1999
Creator: Lesko, William
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ralph Robinson, January 17, 1997 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Ralph Robinson, January 17, 1997

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ralph Robinson. Robinson was born in Little Rock, Arkansas 1 September 1919. After graduating from high school in 1937, he began taking evening classes at the University of Houston and continued to do so through 1941. In 1940 he was hired by General Geophysical Company in Houston to work in the laboratory. In 1942 he began working with the Carnegie Institute of Washington, DC in the Terrestrial Magnetism Department. He recalls that the Defense Research Council was established to encourage various universities and scientists to coordinate research and develop devices of war. A special department and section was established for development of the proximity fuze. He tells of the intricacies of proximity sensitive objects and discusses in detail the development and testing of the proximity fuze and delivery mechanism. After the successful tests aboard the USS Cleveland utilizing the fuze against drone aircraft, it was introduced to the Pacific Fleet in 1943. The proximity fuze was first used in the European Theater during the invasion of Sicily. Robinson relates how the fuze was effectively used during the Battle of the Bulge and how the British used the fuze …
Date: January 17, 1997
Creator: Robinson, Ralph O.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with George Bailey, July 17, 1997 (open access)

Oral History Interview with George Bailey, July 17, 1997

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.
Date: July 17, 1997
Creator: Bailey, George
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Tex Hill, Joe Robert and Dick Rossi, June 17, 1996 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Tex Hill, Joe Robert and Dick Rossi, June 17, 1996

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.
Date: June 17, 1996
Creator: Hill, Tex; Robert, Joe & Rossi, Dick
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History