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 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 interview with Richard Shivley. Shivley joined the Navy when he was fourteen years old in August, 1944. After boot camp, Shivley went to radio operator school then aerial gunnery school. He then reported aboard USS Franklin (CV-13) in February 1945 and attached to Air Group 5. He flew in torpedo bombers as a radioman. He was aboard when the Franklin was attacked on 19 March. He rode the ship back to Hawaii and volunteered for duty aboard another ship afraid of going home and having his age discovered. Shivley was assigned to the radio shack aboard USS O'Bannon (DD-450). He was aboard when the war ended and went to Japan during the occupation.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Shivley. Shivley joined the Navy when he was fourteen years old in August, 1944. After boot camp, Shivley went to radio operator school then aerial gunnery school. He then reported aboard USS Franklin (CV-13) in February 1945 and attached to Air Group 5. He flew in torpedo bombers as a radioman. He was aboard when the Franklin was attacked on 19 March. He rode the ship back to Hawaii and volunteered for duty aboard another ship afraid of going home and having his age discovered. Shivley was assigned to the radio shack aboard USS O'Bannon (DD-450). He was aboard when the war ended and went to Japan during the occupation.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Knox. Knox joined the Navy in February of 1944. He served aboard the USS Worden (DD-352) as a cook and as a gunner on a 5-inch gun. He provides detail of the food served and how it was served to 100 plus men each day. He also discusses general life on board the ship. Knox served a total of 21 combined years in the Navy and the reserves.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Donald Hair. Hair was drafted into the Navy when he was 18 years old. During boot camp he learned Morse Code, and how to serve as a signal flagman, helmsman and loader on a 5-inch gun. He worked aboard the USS Aulick (DD-569), which joined Admiral Kinkaid???s 7th Fleet. He provides some details of his job aboard and the ship in general. They traveled to Guam, Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands, Leyte Gulf and the Philippines. In November of 1944 at Leyte Gulf their destroyer was attacked by 6 Japanese planes, which Hair describes and received shrapnel in his back. He was transferred to a hospital ship and then to a hospital on New Caledonia. He provides some information on the US Fleet Hospital 105 in New York. Once healed he joined a Seabee construction unit. He traveled back to the States around May of 1945 aboard the USS Rixey (APH-3). He describes his experiences aboard, including going through a typhoon. He was later assigned to the USS Adirondack (AGC-15), where he oversaw 6 men stationed on the large bridge. He served a total of 5 years in the Navy.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Everett E Knebel. Knebel joined the Navy in January 1942 as an experienced carpenter. He received basic training at Great Lakes and was among the first Seabees to be deployed in the war. When his unit left the island, Knebel stayed behind to have an appendectomy. He returned to duty on the island, climbing 40 feet in the air to construct a parachute drying tower, and operating the backhoe to install a sewage system. His working hours were ordinary and regular, just as in civilian life, only he would pause to make way for Polynesian natives whenever they held a traditional burial ceremony. He describes their singing in the procession, carrying a body wrapped in yellow on their shoulders. After two years, Knebel returned to the States. He was stationed at Port Hueneme when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Everett E Knebel. Knebel joined the Navy in January 1942 as an experienced carpenter. He received basic training at Great Lakes and was among the first Seabees to be deployed in the war. When his unit left the island, Knebel stayed behind to have an appendectomy. He returned to duty on the island, climbing 40 feet in the air to construct a parachute drying tower, and operating the backhoe to install a sewage system. His working hours were ordinary and regular, just as in civilian life, only he would pause to make way for Polynesian natives whenever they held a traditional burial ceremony. He describes their singing in the procession, carrying a body wrapped in yellow on their shoulders. After two years, Knebel returned to the States. He was stationed at Port Hueneme when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with L.C. Finger. Finger was born in Garner, Texas. Drafted into the Army in 1943, he was sent to Camp Wolters, Texas for three weeks of basic training. He was then sent to Camp Mackall, North Carolina where he joined the 11th Airborne Division, volunteering for parachute training. He made five practice jumps before deploying overseas. Arriving at Leyte in June 1944 they made three practice jumps and conducted routine patrols. He recalls in December a Japanese force came out of the jungles and attacked an airfield and an engineering group killing many Americans. Elements of Finger’s division searched and were successful in finding and destroying the enemy force. That evening the Japanese dropped paratroopers to take the local airfield and he tells of seeing them come down, highlighted by white parachutes, enabling the Americans to kill many of them as they landed. The division retook the airfield the next day. While participating in the action, Finger was seriously wounded by a Japanese sniper. He was taken to an aid station and then to a field hospital where doctors removed his right leg. He was taken to Biak, New …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with L.C. Finger. Finger was born in Garner, Texas. Drafted into the Army in 1943, he was sent to Camp Wolters, Texas for three weeks of basic training. He was then sent to Camp Mackall, North Carolina where he joined the 11th Airborne Division, volunteering for parachute training. He made five practice jumps before deploying overseas. Arriving at Leyte in June 1944 they made three practice jumps and conducted routine patrols. He recalls in December a Japanese force came out of the jungles and attacked an airfield and an engineering group killing many Americans. Elements of Finger’s division searched and were successful in finding and destroying the enemy force. That evening the Japanese dropped paratroopers to take the local airfield and he tells of seeing them come down, highlighted by white parachutes, enabling the Americans to kill many of them as they landed. The division retook the airfield the next day. While participating in the action, Finger was seriously wounded by a Japanese sniper. He was taken to an aid station and then to a field hospital where doctors removed his right leg. He was taken to Biak, New …

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 John Graves. Graves joined the Marine Corps Reserves while attending the Rice Institute in 1941. After graduation he was sent to Quantico, Virginia in June 1942. He was placed into a candidate?s class, a reserve officer?s class, and then an artillery class. He was sent to Camp Pendleton, California to train artillerymen. In January 1944, he was sent to Hawaii as the Battery Executive Officer of E battery, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment of the 4th Marine Division. He recounts his experiences in the Battles of Kwajalein and Saipan. He was injured by a grenade on Saipan. He relates his experiences in a tent hospital on Saipan and naval hospitals in Hawaii and Long Beach, California. As a result of his injury, he spent the remainder of the war on limited duty.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Graves. Graves joined the Marine Corps Reserves while attending the Rice Institute in 1941. After graduation he was sent to Quantico, Virginia in June 1942. He was placed into a candidate?s class, a reserve officer?s class, and then an artillery class. He was sent to Camp Pendleton, California to train artillerymen. In January 1944, he was sent to Hawaii as the Battery Executive Officer of E battery, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment of the 4th Marine Division. He recounts his experiences in the Battles of Kwajalein and Saipan. He was injured by a grenade on Saipan. He relates his experiences in a tent hospital on Saipan and naval hospitals in Hawaii and Long Beach, California. As a result of his injury, he spent the remainder of the war on limited duty.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Abelino Alviar. Alviar joined the Army in May of 1944. In early 1945, he joined the 778th Anti-aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. They deployed to Le Havre, France, and traveled to Munich, Germany, arriving after the Battle of the Ardennes. Alviar provided guard duty, and served as a gunner on the half-track supporting the 1st Infantry Division as they fought into Germany. He also worked as a translator and helped transport supplies to the front line. He returned home and was discharged in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Abelino Alviar. Alviar joined the Army in May of 1944. In early 1945, he joined the 778th Anti-aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. They deployed to Le Havre, France, and traveled to Munich, Germany, arriving after the Battle of the Ardennes. Alviar provided guard duty, and served as a gunner on the half-track supporting the 1st Infantry Division as they fought into Germany. He also worked as a translator and helped transport supplies to the front line. He returned home and was discharged in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glenn Brasell. Brasell joined the Army in November 1940 and went directly to Hawaii for training. He watched the attack on Pearl Harbor from the Punch Bowl on Oahu. His duty included delivering ammunition to various installation guard posts in the hills around Pearl Harbor. He had some contact with Ensign Sakamaki at Fort Shafter after his capture. In December, 1942, he landed on Guadalcanal. Brasell served as a machine gunner protecting the area around Henderson Field. He also invaded New Georgia. He also landed with his unit on Luzon in January 1945. Brasell rotated back to the US in June, 1945 and received his discharge at then end of that month.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glenn Brasell. Brasell joined the Army in November 1940 and went directly to Hawaii for training. He watched the attack on Pearl Harbor from the Punch Bowl on Oahu. His duty included delivering ammunition to various installation guard posts in the hills around Pearl Harbor. He had some contact with Ensign Sakamaki at Fort Shafter after his capture. In December, 1942, he landed on Guadalcanal. Brasell served as a machine gunner protecting the area around Henderson Field. He also invaded New Georgia. He also landed with his unit on Luzon in January 1945. Brasell rotated back to the US in June, 1945 and received his discharge at then end of that month.

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 oral interview with Steve Weiner. Weiner graduated from high school in 1935 and attended UCLA for a period of time before graduated from the University of Pittsburg. He entered the cadet training program in 1940 and was sent to Randolph Field in San Antonio. Upon washing out of the program, he was assigned to the 86th Observation Squadron as communications officer at Bellows Field, Hawaii. He recalls 7 December 1941 when a B-17 bomber crash landed on Bellow Field and being told by the crewmembers that they had been attacked. Later his group was strafed by Japanese planes. They were told to draw weapons and prepare for invasion by land forces. He tells of Corporal David Akui bringing the commander of a Japanese midget submarine (HA-19) to him as a captive. He describes in detail the appearance of the commander, Kazuo Sakamaki, and his interaction with him before turning him over to higher authorities. He relates how he communicated with Sakamaki after the war and of meeting him in 1991. [HA-19 is on display at The National Museum of the Pacific War.] In late 1941, Weiner was assigned as officer in …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Steve Weiner. Weiner graduated from high school in 1935 and attended UCLA for a period of time before graduated from the University of Pittsburg. He entered the cadet training program in 1940 and was sent to Randolph Field in San Antonio. Upon washing out of the program, he was assigned to the 86th Observation Squadron as communications officer at Bellows Field, Hawaii. He recalls 7 December 1941 when a B-17 bomber crash landed on Bellow Field and being told by the crewmembers that they had been attacked. Later his group was strafed by Japanese planes. They were told to draw weapons and prepare for invasion by land forces. He tells of Corporal David Akui bringing the commander of a Japanese midget submarine (HA-19) to him as a captive. He describes in detail the appearance of the commander, Kazuo Sakamaki, and his interaction with him before turning him over to higher authorities. He relates how he communicated with Sakamaki after the war and of meeting him in 1991. [HA-19 is on display at The National Museum of the Pacific War.] In late 1941, Weiner was assigned as officer in …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alfred Bisili. Bisili was born in Munda, New Georgia, Western Province, Solomon Islands in December of 1923. He recalls the Japanese invading in 1942, the Americans arriving in 1943, and his family hiding in the bush. Bisili, and a number of other natives, joined the American Army’s 118th Engineer Battalion, 43rd Infantry Division. He served as a scout for the island, and led the troops on Baanga Island, through the New Georgia Campaign, and until the end of the war. Reference Jimmy Bennett’s oral history, a native friend of Bisili, who participated with him during the war.