The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Sedgie Hinson. Hinson graduated from Mississippi State University in 1940, with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He joined the Army in July of 1940. He was assigned to an anti-aircraft unit. In early 1941, he deployed to the Philippines, and was assigned to a 16-inch mortar unit on Corregidor. After the Japanese invaded the Philippines, Hinson participated in defending Corregidor, surrendering to the Japanese in May of 1942. He was captured and held a prisoner of war at Bilibid Prison and Niigata Prison, until liberated in early 1945. He returned to the US, and discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Simmons. Simmons joined the Navy in July 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. He received electro-hydraulics training and was assigned to the USS Davis (DD-395) as a gunner’s mate, his battle station in the lower forward handling room, sending up five-inch shells. He participated in the invasion of Normandy, providing support to troops landing on Omaha Beach. After escorting the USS Texas (BB-35) back to England and attempting a return trip with supplies, the Davis hit a mine and was sent to Scotland for repairs. Simmons returned to the States, where he was diagnosed with asthma and given a medical discharge. He claims to have not suffered any psychological impacts from witnessing drownings at Normandy, but his wife recalls that Simmons would become so nervous watching news reels that they would often leave the theater early together.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Walter Lamb. Lamb participated in the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s. He joined the Navy around 1940. In April of 1941 he traveled to California for basic training and Ordnance School. He joined Utility Squadron 2 (VJ-2) and traveled aboard the USS Ramapo (AO-12) to the Philippines. On 6 December 1941, they stopped over at Pearl Harbor. Lamb was on the island when the Japanese attacked the next day. He remained on Ford Island until December of 1942, assisting with debris clean up. He served as Ordnanceman aboard an unnamed, in the South Pacific, transporting airplanes and supplies.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents and oral interview with Douglas A. Skinner. Born 13 January 1923 in Fleetwood, Oklahoma, Skinner joined the Army 1 April 1943 and was sent to Fort Hood, Texas for basic training. Upon completion of basic, he volunteered for the Parachute Infantry and was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia for airborne training. He describes the training they received. Assigned to the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division he was sent to England. On 6 June 1944 the unit participated in the invasion of Normandy. He recalls the plane in which he was aboard being hit by anti-aircraft fire and going down in flames. Skinner was able to bail out before it crashed. He remembers that only he and two others on the plane survived. Briefly discussing the action in which he was involved, Skinner tells of being wounded. As a result of his wound, he spent six months in the hospital. He was discharged from the Army 2 December 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Walter Lamb. Lamb participated in the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s. He joined the Navy around 1940. In April of 1941 he traveled to California for basic training and Ordnance School. He joined Utility Squadron 2 (VJ-2) and traveled aboard the USS Ramapo (AO-12) to the Philippines. On 6 December 1941, they stopped over at Pearl Harbor. Lamb was on the island when the Japanese attacked the next day. He remained on Ford Island until December of 1942, assisting with debris clean up. He served as Ordnanceman aboard an unnamed, in the South Pacific, transporting airplanes and supplies.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Simmons. Simmons joined the Navy in July 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. He received electro-hydraulics training and was assigned to the USS Davis (DD-395) as a gunner’s mate, his battle station in the lower forward handling room, sending up five-inch shells. He participated in the invasion of Normandy, providing support to troops landing on Omaha Beach. After escorting the USS Texas (BB-35) back to England and attempting a return trip with supplies, the Davis hit a mine and was sent to Scotland for repairs. Simmons returned to the States, where he was diagnosed with asthma and given a medical discharge. He claims to have not suffered any psychological impacts from witnessing drownings at Normandy, but his wife recalls that Simmons would become so nervous watching news reels that they would often leave the theater early together.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Sedgie Hinson. Hinson graduated from Mississippi State University in 1940, with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He joined the Army in July of 1940. He was assigned to an anti-aircraft unit. In early 1941, he deployed to the Philippines, and was assigned to a 16-inch mortar unit on Corregidor. After the Japanese invaded the Philippines, Hinson participated in defending Corregidor, surrendering to the Japanese in May of 1942. He was captured and held a prisoner of war at Bilibid Prison and Niigata Prison, until liberated in early 1945. He returned to the US, and discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents and oral interview with Douglas A. Skinner. Born 13 January 1923 in Fleetwood, Oklahoma, Skinner joined the Army 1 April 1943 and was sent to Fort Hood, Texas for basic training. Upon completion of basic, he volunteered for the Parachute Infantry and was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia for airborne training. He describes the training they received. Assigned to the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division he was sent to England. On 6 June 1944 the unit participated in the invasion of Normandy. He recalls the plane in which he was aboard being hit by anti-aircraft fire and going down in flames. Skinner was able to bail out before it crashed. He remembers that only he and two others on the plane survived. Briefly discussing the action in which he was involved, Skinner tells of being wounded. As a result of his wound, he spent six months in the hospital. He was discharged from the Army 2 December 1944.