The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Mal Garcia. Garcia joined the Navy in 1941 and received basic training in San Diego. He was assigned to USS Argonne (AG-31) where he served as a radioman striker. During the attack on Pearl Harbor he assumed duty as coxswain of a whaleboat, transporting injured survivors to the dock. He also helped to rescue men trapped inside USS Oklahoma (BB-37). Garcia gives details of radio communication protocol, including codes and frequencies that were used. He was assigned to the radio station at Honolulu Bay when he received a battery of contact reports, which turned out to be the beginning of the Battle of Midway. He was then reassigned to USS Constant (AM-86) and conducted shore patrol in the Solomon Islands, the Russell Islands, and New Hebrides. The Constant also escorted 12 LCTs loaded with Marines to Bougainville. After a Japanese bomber damaged a radio tower on the Treasury Islands, Garcia sent the shore station’s messages out from his ship. At Kula Gulf the Constant had a close encounter with three Japanese destroyers. While escorting a ship to New Zealand, Garcia briefly communicated with a Japanese radioman masquerading as …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Mal Garcia. Garcia joined the Navy in 1941 and received basic training in San Diego. He was assigned to USS Argonne (AG-31) where he served as a radioman striker. During the attack on Pearl Harbor he assumed duty as coxswain of a whaleboat, transporting injured survivors to the dock. He also helped to rescue men trapped inside USS Oklahoma (BB-37). Garcia gives details of radio communication protocol, including codes and frequencies that were used. He was assigned to the radio station at Honolulu Bay when he received a battery of contact reports, which turned out to be the beginning of the Battle of Midway. He was then reassigned to USS Constant (AM-86) and conducted shore patrol in the Solomon Islands, the Russell Islands, and New Hebrides. The Constant also escorted 12 LCTs loaded with Marines to Bougainville. After a Japanese bomber damaged a radio tower on the Treasury Islands, Garcia sent the shore station’s messages out from his ship. At Kula Gulf the Constant had a close encounter with three Japanese destroyers. While escorting a ship to New Zealand, Garcia briefly communicated with a Japanese radioman masquerading as …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Lewis. Lewis joined the Navy in July 1939 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Breese (DM-18) where he worked in the engine room. He participated in neutrality patrols and survey trips along the Pacific coast. Ten days before the attack on Pearl Harbor, his ship reported sighting a Japanese submarine outside Pearl Harbor. During the attack, he saw the USS Utah (BB-31) roll over and watched as a destroyed midget submarine came to the surface. The Breese got underway and patrolled for seven days, short of crew, until returning to the harbor. At Midway he took on survivors from the USS Yorktown (CV-5). He describes the process of laying contact mines throughout the South Pacific. Lewis was surprised that the USS Tucker (DD-374) tragically entered one of their minefields. Lewis was transferred to the USS Latimer (APA-152) for the landings at Lingayen Gulf and Okinawa. After the war, he remained in the Navy, making the first landing at Inchon, aboard the USS Thuban (AKA-19). He retired from the Navy in 1962 and joined the Merchant Marines, bringing cargo …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Lewis. Lewis joined the Navy in July 1939 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Breese (DM-18) where he worked in the engine room. He participated in neutrality patrols and survey trips along the Pacific coast. Ten days before the attack on Pearl Harbor, his ship reported sighting a Japanese submarine outside Pearl Harbor. During the attack, he saw the USS Utah (BB-31) roll over and watched as a destroyed midget submarine came to the surface. The Breese got underway and patrolled for seven days, short of crew, until returning to the harbor. At Midway he took on survivors from the USS Yorktown (CV-5). He describes the process of laying contact mines throughout the South Pacific. Lewis was surprised that the USS Tucker (DD-374) tragically entered one of their minefields. Lewis was transferred to the USS Latimer (APA-152) for the landings at Lingayen Gulf and Okinawa. After the war, he remained in the Navy, making the first landing at Inchon, aboard the USS Thuban (AKA-19). He retired from the Navy in 1962 and joined the Merchant Marines, bringing cargo …

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Forrest Goble. In December, 1942, Goble was drafted into the Army. After training, Goble was assigned to the 924th Field Artillery Battalion in the 99th Infantry Division. He shipped overseas in September 1944 to Europe. His unit arrived in France in November. Goble was serving as a supply sergeant for his unit. On 18 December, he was captured in a small Belgian town by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge. He marched and was railroaded to Stalag 13C. Goble was being marched toward Bavaria when his group was liberated by elements of the 99th ID.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Forrest Goble. In December, 1942, Goble was drafted into the Army. After training, Goble was assigned to the 924th Field Artillery Battalion in the 99th Infantry Division. He shipped overseas in September 1944 to Europe. His unit arrived in France in November. Goble was serving as a supply sergeant for his unit. On 18 December, he was captured in a small Belgian town by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge. He marched and was railroaded to Stalag 13C. Goble was being marched toward Bavaria when his group was liberated by elements of the 99th ID.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Wallace Dowd. Dowd begins with anecdotes about his father, a Navy officer in the Construction Corps. Dowd was in the ROTC unit at the University of Washington when the war started. He received his commission in the Supply Corps and was assigned aboard the USS Alden (DD-211) for a year. His next duty station was in Savannah and he comments about the segregated South. Afterwards, he went to Philadelphia where the USS Antietam (CV-36) was being built. He went aboard as the Stores Officer. When the war ended, Dowd went to the Bureau of Supply and Accounts. He discusses his involvement in the Korean War. During his career, he went to the Naval War College, served at sea again, served ashore in Italy, etc. and retired as a rear admiral.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Theron MacKay. MacKay was born in Providence, Rhode Island 13 July 1924 and joined the Navy in June 1943. After completing boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Illinois, he was sent to Solomons, Maryland for amphibious training. He received four weeks of training in the duties of each member of a boat crew in various types of large landing craft and graduated as a qualified Coxswain. He then went aboard the USS Samuel Chase (APA-26) for more training. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Dorothea L. Dix (AP-67) and participated in the landing in North Africa on 8 November 1942. Upon returning to the US, MacKay reported aboard USS LST-342. After being outfitted with various guns, they departed in March 1943, along with twelve other LSTs, for the Solomon Islands. USS LST-342 was torpedoed by Japanese submarine Ro-106. The explosion blew the ship in half and only five of the 86-man crew survived. Over fifty of the soldiers on board were killed. MacKay was wounded and taken to a field hospital on Guadalcanal for emergency treatment and then to the Noumea, New Caledonia …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Theron MacKay. MacKay was born in Providence, Rhode Island 13 July 1924 and joined the Navy in June 1943. After completing boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Illinois, he was sent to Solomons, Maryland for amphibious training. He received four weeks of training in the duties of each member of a boat crew in various types of large landing craft and graduated as a qualified Coxswain. He then went aboard the USS Samuel Chase (APA-26) for more training. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Dorothea L. Dix (AP-67) and participated in the landing in North Africa on 8 November 1942. Upon returning to the US, MacKay reported aboard USS LST-342. After being outfitted with various guns, they departed in March 1943, along with twelve other LSTs, for the Solomon Islands. USS LST-342 was torpedoed by Japanese submarine Ro-106. The explosion blew the ship in half and only five of the 86-man crew survived. Over fifty of the soldiers on board were killed. MacKay was wounded and taken to a field hospital on Guadalcanal for emergency treatment and then to the Noumea, New Caledonia …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Michael Silan. Silan joined the Marine Corps in February of 1943. He trained as an airplane mechanic, and provides details of his training, including the type of airplanes and engines he worked on. In December of 1943 he traveled to New Caledonia aboard the USS Mintaka (AK-94), and shares experiences of his travels. He was assigned to Marine Scout Dive Bomber Squadron 241 (VMSB-241), and served as a Marine plane captain. In the spring of 1944 they traveled to New Georgia Island, Efate, New Hebrides and Rendova Island. In January of 1945 they were assigned to the Philippines, where Silan operated planes amidst the battle as an artillery spotter. He shares experiences through several missions. Silan was honorably discharged in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Michael Silan. Silan joined the Marine Corps in February of 1943. He trained as an airplane mechanic, and provides details of his training, including the type of airplanes and engines he worked on. In December of 1943 he traveled to New Caledonia aboard the USS Mintaka (AK-94), and shares experiences of his travels. He was assigned to Marine Scout Dive Bomber Squadron 241 (VMSB-241), and served as a Marine plane captain. In the spring of 1944 they traveled to New Georgia Island, Efate, New Hebrides and Rendova Island. In January of 1945 they were assigned to the Philippines, where Silan operated planes amidst the battle as an artillery spotter. He shares experiences through several missions. Silan was honorably discharged in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Phillip Kruzick. Kruzick joined the Army Air Forces in May of 1942. He trained as a mechanic in the Signal Corps, working in the truck division until he joined the 73rd Bomb Wing, 20th Air Force. In August of 1944, they deployed to newly constructed airfields on Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands. Kruzick served as a rifleman on the runway during raids on the island. He shares details of some of the bombing missions the pilots flew. He returned to the U.S. and was discharged in Augusto f 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Phillip Kruzick. Kruzick joined the Army Air Forces in May of 1942. He trained as a mechanic in the Signal Corps, working in the truck division until he joined the 73rd Bomb Wing, 20th Air Force. In August of 1944, they deployed to newly constructed airfields on Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands. Kruzick served as a rifleman on the runway during raids on the island. He shares details of some of the bombing missions the pilots flew. He returned to the U.S. and was discharged in Augusto f 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Tucker. Tucker joined the Navy in January of 1945. Beginning in the spring, he served as Storekeeper Third-Class aboard USS Remey (DD-688). They went through a typhoon close to Okinawa and provided shore bombardment in Alaska. They were docked on the coast of Japan when the Japanese surrendered. Tucker recalls Japanese officials from the city of Ōminatoa surrendering aboard the destroyer, and signing a peace treaty. They returned to the US in October of 1945, and Tucker was discharged in mid-1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Tucker. Tucker joined the Navy in January of 1945. Beginning in the spring, he served as Storekeeper Third-Class aboard USS Remey (DD-688). They went through a typhoon close to Okinawa and provided shore bombardment in Alaska. They were docked on the coast of Japan when the Japanese surrendered. Tucker recalls Japanese officials from the city of Ōminatoa surrendering aboard the destroyer, and signing a peace treaty. They returned to the US in October of 1945, and Tucker was discharged in mid-1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Andrew Pate. Pate joined the Army in February of 1945. He completed training with the Army Chaplain Corps. Pate served as a Stockade Chaplain at Fort Lewis in Washington, where he remained through August. From August of 1945 through the spring of 1946, Pate was assigned as Chaplain to Nichols Air Base in Manila, Philippines and Yokota Air Base in Tokyo, Japan. He returned to the US and was discharged in June of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Andrew Pate. Pate joined the Army in February of 1945. He completed training with the Army Chaplain Corps. Pate served as a Stockade Chaplain at Fort Lewis in Washington, where he remained through August. From August of 1945 through the spring of 1946, Pate was assigned as Chaplain to Nichols Air Base in Manila, Philippines and Yokota Air Base in Tokyo, Japan. He returned to the US and was discharged in June of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Arthur Pendleton. Pendleton joined the Marine Corps in 1940. In 1942, he deployed to Fiji and then New Guinea for additional combat training. They participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign. He provides vivid details of his time on Guadalcanal, including living, working and combat conditions. They also participated in the Battle of Cape Gloucester. He was discharged in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Arthur Pendleton. Pendleton joined the Marine Corps in 1940. In 1942, he deployed to Fiji and then New Guinea for additional combat training. They participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign. He provides vivid details of his time on Guadalcanal, including living, working and combat conditions. They also participated in the Battle of Cape Gloucester. He was discharged in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral history with Franklin Pomroy. Immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Pomroy, aged 17, joined the US Marine Corps. After completing boot camp he was sent to Camp Lejeune and assigned to H Company 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. He presents a riveting narrative of combat conditions, death, destruction, jungle diseases and man’s inhumanity to man that he witnessed on the islands of Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester, and Peleliu. His wartime experiences were concluded by returning to the United States aboard the USS Comfort (AH-6) followed by extended stays in naval hospitals for wounds received in battle.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral history with Franklin Pomroy. Immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Pomroy, aged 17, joined the US Marine Corps. After completing boot camp he was sent to Camp Lejeune and assigned to H Company 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. He presents a riveting narrative of combat conditions, death, destruction, jungle diseases and man’s inhumanity to man that he witnessed on the islands of Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester, and Peleliu. His wartime experiences were concluded by returning to the United States aboard the USS Comfort (AH-6) followed by extended stays in naval hospitals for wounds received in battle.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Young. Upon completion of boot camp, Young was assigned to H company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He landed on Guadalcanal on 7 August 1942. He describes the slow progress through the jungle, the shortages of water and of being bombed, strafed and shelled every day. He describes the battle of the Tenaru River and the high casualties inflicted upon the Japanese as they made numerous banzai charges. Young relates the experience of being subjected to bombardment by Japanese ships. The unit went to Melbourne, Australia, after being relieved, for replacements and refitting. His unit then landed on Cape Gloucester and Young tells of contending with dense jungles, wind and rain. After a brief time on Pavuvu, where he describes the nuisance created by land crabs and rats they landed on Peleliu. He recalls various anecdotes involving the battle including the confusion, the damage incurred by enemy artillery, and the high casualties suffered by the landing force.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Young. Upon completion of boot camp, Young was assigned to H company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He landed on Guadalcanal on 7 August 1942. He describes the slow progress through the jungle, the shortages of water and of being bombed, strafed and shelled every day. He describes the battle of the Tenaru River and the high casualties inflicted upon the Japanese as they made numerous banzai charges. Young relates the experience of being subjected to bombardment by Japanese ships. The unit went to Melbourne, Australia, after being relieved, for replacements and refitting. His unit then landed on Cape Gloucester and Young tells of contending with dense jungles, wind and rain. After a brief time on Pavuvu, where he describes the nuisance created by land crabs and rats they landed on Peleliu. He recalls various anecdotes involving the battle including the confusion, the damage incurred by enemy artillery, and the high casualties suffered by the landing force.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Leo Schmittgens. Schmittgens joined the Marine Corps in April of 1944. He completed training as an 81mm mortar man, and served with the 1st Marine Division. He traveled to Guadalcanal and Ulithi for additional training, and participated in the Battle of Okinawa. They remained on the island through the end of the war. He was discharged in April of 1946.