The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Earl Kohlman. Kohlman joined the Navy in 1944 after beginning college in pre-med. Despite requesting to be a medic, after an aptitude test he was assigned to radio school. Upon completion, he narrowly missed being assigned to the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). He instead boarded the USS Langley (CVL-27), copying code around the clock and maintaining the ship’s antennae. His battle station was in the navigator’s compartment, where he was in charge of communications within the ship. He worked briefly in the Combat Information Center (CIC) and hated to hear the distress calls of ships in combat or, worse, to lose all communication with them. But he found typhoons to be even more dangerous than battle. When he received the message that the first atomic bomb had been dropped, he copied the code and handed it to his communications officer, who immediately decoded it and accused Kohlman of dreaming. After the war he visited Naples, and was caught in a major storm off of Gibraltar. Kohlman returned home and was discharged in June 1946. He returned to school, earning a teaching degree in economics and government.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Sam Laser. Laser was born in Clarksville, Arkansas on 22 December 1919. He enlisted in the Navy in September 1941, and was assigned to the USS Yorktown (CV-5) at Norfolk, Virginia, as a yeoman in the gunnery division. The ship departed Pearl Harbor as part of Task Force 17 and Laser recalls participating in the Battle of the Coral Sea during which the ship was damaged by a Japanese bomb. After being repaired in Pearl Harbor the Yorktown participated in the Battle of Midway and Laser describes the action and damage that resulted in the order to abandon ship. He vividly describes the actions he took while abandoning the ship. He was picked up by a destroyer and transferred to the USS Portland (CA-33) by breeches buoy. After being transferred to the USS Fulton (AS-11) he was taken to Pearl Harbor. After he recuperated, he went to San Francisco where he was assigned to United States. Navy. Carrier Air Service Unit 6 (CASU-6). In early 1943 Laser became a direct commission officer with the rank of ensign. He was sent to Naval Air Station Bunker Hill, Indiana and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Sam Laser. Laser was born in Clarksville, Arkansas on 22 December 1919. He enlisted in the Navy in September 1941, and was assigned to the USS Yorktown (CV-5) at Norfolk, Virginia, as a yeoman in the gunnery division. The ship departed Pearl Harbor as part of Task Force 17 and Laser recalls participating in the Battle of the Coral Sea during which the ship was damaged by a Japanese bomb. After being repaired in Pearl Harbor the Yorktown participated in the Battle of Midway and Laser describes the action and damage that resulted in the order to abandon ship. He vividly describes the actions he took while abandoning the ship. He was picked up by a destroyer and transferred to the USS Portland (CA-33) by breeches buoy. After being transferred to the USS Fulton (AS-11) he was taken to Pearl Harbor. After he recuperated, he went to San Francisco where he was assigned to United States. Navy. Carrier Air Service Unit 6 (CASU-6). In early 1943 Laser became a direct commission officer with the rank of ensign. He was sent to Naval Air Station Bunker Hill, Indiana and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas Loftin. Loftin joined the Army Air Corps in early 1941. He had flight training at various bases all over Texas and earned his wings and commission in August, 1942. His first assignment was at New Orleans where he flew anti-submarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico with the 124th Observation Squadron. IN 1944, he became a flight instructor in Florida. In April, 1945, Loftin went overseas to England and was assigned to the 95th Bomb Group with whom he flew on one bomb mission before moving to operations. He returned home in July, 1945 and was training in B-29s when the war ended. Loftin stayed in the Reserves until 1972.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas Loftin. Loftin joined the Army Air Corps in early 1941. He had flight training at various bases all over Texas and earned his wings and commission in August, 1942. His first assignment was at New Orleans where he flew anti-submarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico with the 124th Observation Squadron. IN 1944, he became a flight instructor in Florida. In April, 1945, Loftin went overseas to England and was assigned to the 95th Bomb Group with whom he flew on one bomb mission before moving to operations. He returned home in July, 1945 and was training in B-29s when the war ended. Loftin stayed in the Reserves until 1972.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Walter Loyd. Loyd joined the Navy after finishing high school in 1941. He trained at San Diego until he was assigned to the boilers in the main engine room aboard the USS Neosho (AO-23). Loyd was aboard the Neosho at Ford Island when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Loyd's battle station was on the deck near the bow of the ship, so he got a good look at the action around the harbor. In February 1942, Loyd swapped duties with a man at Hickam Field and got off the Neosho. His new assignment was degaussing ships. Also while in Hawaii, he served aboard the USS Skenandoa (YT-336), an ocean going tugboat. In early 1944, Loyd was assigned to the USS Springfield (CL-66). He was aboard her when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Walter Loyd. Loyd joined the Navy after finishing high school in 1941. He trained at San Diego until he was assigned to the boilers in the main engine room aboard the USS Neosho (AO-23). Loyd was aboard the Neosho at Ford Island when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Loyd's battle station was on the deck near the bow of the ship, so he got a good look at the action around the harbor. In February 1942, Loyd swapped duties with a man at Hickam Field and got off the Neosho. His new assignment was degaussing ships. Also while in Hawaii, he served aboard the USS Skenandoa (YT-336), an ocean going tugboat. In early 1944, Loyd was assigned to the USS Springfield (CL-66). He was aboard her when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Mesko. Mesko joined the Marine Corps in June of 1935. He completed Officers Candidate School at Quantico, Virginia, graduating as a second lieutenant. He was assigned to the 5th Marine Regiment of the Fleet Marine Force. Mesko traveled aboard USS Wisconsin (BB-64), and participated in the Battle of Okinawa. He continued his service after the war ended, and retired as lieutenant colonel in January of 1965.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Mesko. Mesko joined the Marine Corps in June of 1935. He completed Officers Candidate School at Quantico, Virginia, graduating as a second lieutenant. He was assigned to the 5th Marine Regiment of the Fleet Marine Force. Mesko traveled aboard USS Wisconsin (BB-64), and participated in the Battle of Okinawa. He continued his service after the war ended, and retired as lieutenant colonel in January of 1965.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with D L Misenhimer. Misenhimer joined the Navy around 1943. In Maine he was assigned to work in the boiler room and engine room aboard a seagoing salvage tugboat, the ATR-77. They pulled barges of aviation gas to Eniwetok, Okinawa and the Philippines. During the Okinawa invasion his group pulled the LSTs off the beach and ran the picket lines. They towed the USS Ward (DD-139) and a hospital ship to dry dock after each was hit by a kamikaze. He shares some details of his experiences during the Okinawa invasion. They transported Japanese prisoners. After the war, they went to Japan to clean up the harbor at Yokosuka. He remained in Japan for six months and provides some details of his work and interacting with the natives. Misenhimer was discharged in August of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with D L Misenhimer. Misenhimer joined the Navy around 1943. In Maine he was assigned to work in the boiler room and engine room aboard a seagoing salvage tugboat, the ATR-77. They pulled barges of aviation gas to Eniwetok, Okinawa and the Philippines. During the Okinawa invasion his group pulled the LSTs off the beach and ran the picket lines. They towed the USS Ward (DD-139) and a hospital ship to dry dock after each was hit by a kamikaze. He shares some details of his experiences during the Okinawa invasion. They transported Japanese prisoners. After the war, they went to Japan to clean up the harbor at Yokosuka. He remained in Japan for six months and provides some details of his work and interacting with the natives. Misenhimer was discharged in August of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kurt Muller. Muller joined the Marine Corps soon after 7 December 1941. He describes his training as an officer candidate. Muller was sent to the 2nd Marine Division as a replacement and landed on Saipan and Tinian. He describes the brutal combat including a large scale banzai charge on Saipan. Muller was sent to Nagasaki as a part of the occupation and describes the damage caused by the atomic bomb.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kurt Muller. Muller joined the Marine Corps soon after 7 December 1941. He describes his training as an officer candidate. Muller was sent to the 2nd Marine Division as a replacement and landed on Saipan and Tinian. He describes the brutal combat including a large scale banzai charge on Saipan. Muller was sent to Nagasaki as a part of the occupation and describes the damage caused by the atomic bomb.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Norwood. Norwood joined the Marine Corps in June of 1943. He provides details of his training including Biddle-style bayonet training. He joined Company B, 4th Amphibious Tractor Battalion (Landing Vehicle Tracked), 4th Marine Division. He traveled to the Marshall Islands in January of 1944. Norwood provides some details of the LVT. He participated in the first wave in the Battle of Kwajalein. They traveled to Guadalcanal in May of 1944 for training. In July they were the first wave of amphibious tractors on Guam, fighting side-by-side amphibious tanks. He speaks on the differences between the tractors and tanks, and the casualties that he witnessed during this wave. From there they were the eighth wave into Iwo Jima. Norwood received three Battle Stars. He was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Norwood. Norwood joined the Marine Corps in June of 1943. He provides details of his training including Biddle-style bayonet training. He joined Company B, 4th Amphibious Tractor Battalion (Landing Vehicle Tracked), 4th Marine Division. He traveled to the Marshall Islands in January of 1944. Norwood provides some details of the LVT. He participated in the first wave in the Battle of Kwajalein. They traveled to Guadalcanal in May of 1944 for training. In July they were the first wave of amphibious tractors on Guam, fighting side-by-side amphibious tanks. He speaks on the differences between the tractors and tanks, and the casualties that he witnessed during this wave. From there they were the eighth wave into Iwo Jima. Norwood received three Battle Stars. He was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jerry Okrina. Okrina joined the U.S. Marines in January of 1943 and served as a rifleman. He traveled to New Caledonia, joined the Marine Raiders and describes his training on the island. They participated in assault landings on Guadalcanal and Bougainville from 1943 into January 1944. In 1944 he were assigned to the 6th Marines. In July they participated in the Battle of Guam. In April of 1945 they were the first wave into Okinawa. While on Okinawa Okrina was knocked unconscious by an artillery shell but recovered to lead his platoon to a safe area before he was evacuated. Additionally, a bullet just missed Okrina’s heart and passed through both lungs. His recovery took about five months and he was sent home. He had already been in the service three years before he was wounded. He received a Purple Heart for each of these incidents. He provides details of each battle. He received a medical discharge in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jerry Okrina. Okrina joined the U.S. Marines in January of 1943 and served as a rifleman. He traveled to New Caledonia, joined the Marine Raiders and describes his training on the island. They participated in assault landings on Guadalcanal and Bougainville from 1943 into January 1944. In 1944 he were assigned to the 6th Marines. In July they participated in the Battle of Guam. In April of 1945 they were the first wave into Okinawa. While on Okinawa Okrina was knocked unconscious by an artillery shell but recovered to lead his platoon to a safe area before he was evacuated. Additionally, a bullet just missed Okrina’s heart and passed through both lungs. His recovery took about five months and he was sent home. He had already been in the service three years before he was wounded. He received a Purple Heart for each of these incidents. He provides details of each battle. He received a medical discharge in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Osborn. Osborn joined the Navy in April of 1943. He completed Fireman and Steam Engine training. He served in the engine room aboard USS Hammondsport (AKV-2), transporting aircraft to the Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal, Espiritu Santo and New Caledonia. Osborn later transferred to USS Harris (APA-2). He served as an Engineman aboard the landing craft, transporting troops to and from Kwajalein in February of 1944. Around May, Osborn was transferred to USS Ashland (LSD-1), participating in the Invasion of the Philippines, and the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the war, Osborn served with occupational forces in Shanghai, China. He helped organize the transportation of the Japanese back to Japan. He returned to the US and was discharged in the spring of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Osborn. Osborn joined the Navy in April of 1943. He completed Fireman and Steam Engine training. He served in the engine room aboard USS Hammondsport (AKV-2), transporting aircraft to the Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal, Espiritu Santo and New Caledonia. Osborn later transferred to USS Harris (APA-2). He served as an Engineman aboard the landing craft, transporting troops to and from Kwajalein in February of 1944. Around May, Osborn was transferred to USS Ashland (LSD-1), participating in the Invasion of the Philippines, and the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the war, Osborn served with occupational forces in Shanghai, China. He helped organize the transportation of the Japanese back to Japan. He returned to the US and was discharged in the spring of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James O. Painter. Painter was born in Johnson County, Texas 21 August 1923. He quit school in 1940 and joined the Texas National Guard, being assigned to Battery B, 132nd Field Artillery, 36th Infantry Division. When the National Guard was federalized I n1940, Painter’s unit went to Camp Bowie, Texas for basic training. He then went to Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he received advanced training with the 105mm howitzer. In January 1942 the division conducted maneuvers in North and South Carolina for several months. The unit left from Fort Dix aboard the SS Argentina bound for Algeria in November 1942. Upon landing, Painter trained in the use of mines and demolition. On 9 September 1943 he landed at Salerno in the third wave aboard a DUKW, which carried a 105mm Howitzer and crew. He witnessed the death of a childhood friend. He also landed at Anzio, working as a forward observer with the 142nd Infantry. On 15 August 1944 he participated in Operation Dragoon. Painter was captured by Germans in September and taken to Stalag XIIA, then to Stalag IIIC. While there a German officer offered him the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James O. Painter. Painter was born in Johnson County, Texas 21 August 1923. He quit school in 1940 and joined the Texas National Guard, being assigned to Battery B, 132nd Field Artillery, 36th Infantry Division. When the National Guard was federalized I n1940, Painter’s unit went to Camp Bowie, Texas for basic training. He then went to Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he received advanced training with the 105mm howitzer. In January 1942 the division conducted maneuvers in North and South Carolina for several months. The unit left from Fort Dix aboard the SS Argentina bound for Algeria in November 1942. Upon landing, Painter trained in the use of mines and demolition. On 9 September 1943 he landed at Salerno in the third wave aboard a DUKW, which carried a 105mm Howitzer and crew. He witnessed the death of a childhood friend. He also landed at Anzio, working as a forward observer with the 142nd Infantry. On 15 August 1944 he participated in Operation Dragoon. Painter was captured by Germans in September and taken to Stalag XIIA, then to Stalag IIIC. While there a German officer offered him the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Phil Perabo. Perabo joined the Navy in 1941. He trained and served as a fighter pilot. Beginning in 1942 he was assigned to the fleet aboard the USS Bogue (CVE-9), where he worked with a strike group. They sunk the first German sub in the Atlantic. Perabo later joined Fighter Squadron VF-82 in the Pacific and served aboard the USS Bennington (CV-20). He completed 25 mission and in May of 1945 he was shot down and taken prisoner at Ōfuna Camp in Japan for 113 days prior to the end of the war. He received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, five Air Medals and one Purple Heart. Perabo had a career in the Navy, promoted to full commander by 1957 and retired in 1968.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Phil Perabo. Perabo joined the Navy in 1941. He trained and served as a fighter pilot. Beginning in 1942 he was assigned to the fleet aboard the USS Bogue (CVE-9), where he worked with a strike group. They sunk the first German sub in the Atlantic. Perabo later joined Fighter Squadron VF-82 in the Pacific and served aboard the USS Bennington (CV-20). He completed 25 mission and in May of 1945 he was shot down and taken prisoner at Ōfuna Camp in Japan for 113 days prior to the end of the war. He received two Distinguished Flying Crosses, five Air Medals and one Purple Heart. Perabo had a career in the Navy, promoted to full commander by 1957 and retired in 1968.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hoyt Richardson. Richardson left pharmacy school to join the Navy in 1942. Upon completion of corpsman training, he treated soldiers with PTSD. One of his unofficial duties was helping Eleanor Roosevelt with her parrots. Upon transferring to Bethesda as a pharmacist's mate, Richardson had the occasion to chat with FDR, who was receiving physical therapy. He deployed to New Guinea, specializing in the prevention of tropical diseases. Richardson himself suffered various ailments while there but was able to protect others from malaria, dengue fever, and dysentery. In the Philippines, he worked beside native doctors before returning to the States. He worked aboard USS Colorado (BB-45) during demobilization before returning to school on the G.I. Bill and earning his pharmacy degree.