The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with the Reverend Dr. R. Thomas Bousman. Bousman was born in the Manila, Philippines in 1928. His parents were Christian missionaries. He fled to Los Banos with his family, but returned to Manila in late December, 1941. He was interned at Santo Tomas with his family for only a short period of time before being released and placed under house arrest because his parents were missionaries. In 1944, they were transferred to Los Banos and were eventually liberated from there in February, 1945. In May, they returned to California. Bousman also relates how the internee experience affected him throughout his life.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Webb. Webb was born in Houston, Texas on 11 March 1923. He participated in the Civilian Pilot Training Program while attending Sam Houston State University. Upon earning his pilot’s license in 1942, he entered into the Navy Flying Cadet program. After three months of primary flight training at Lambert Field, Missouri he went to Corpus Christi Naval Air Station in Texas for the final phase of training. Upon graduating, he elected to go into the US Marines and was sent to Opa Loca, Florida to begin training in fighters. He was then sent to Santa Barbara, California where he joined VMF-112. After a year of carrier training, VMF-112 was assigned to the USS Bennington (CV-20) where Webb flew F4U fighter planes. He recalls flying missions over Japan as well as participating in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He also recalls shooting down a Japanese plane. He also cites the experience of crashing into the sea soon after takeoff and being rescued and transferred back to his carrier by a Breeches Buoy. The Bennington went to the Philippines for repair after being damaged during a typhoon …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Webb. Webb was born in Houston, Texas on 11 March 1923. He participated in the Civilian Pilot Training Program while attending Sam Houston State University. Upon earning his pilot’s license in 1942, he entered into the Navy Flying Cadet program. After three months of primary flight training at Lambert Field, Missouri he went to Corpus Christi Naval Air Station in Texas for the final phase of training. Upon graduating, he elected to go into the US Marines and was sent to Opa Loca, Florida to begin training in fighters. He was then sent to Santa Barbara, California where he joined VMF-112. After a year of carrier training, VMF-112 was assigned to the USS Bennington (CV-20) where Webb flew F4U fighter planes. He recalls flying missions over Japan as well as participating in the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He also recalls shooting down a Japanese plane. He also cites the experience of crashing into the sea soon after takeoff and being rescued and transferred back to his carrier by a Breeches Buoy. The Bennington went to the Philippines for repair after being damaged during a typhoon …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John C. James. He joined the Army in 1943 and went to training at Camp Crowder, Missouri, where the Signal Corps trained. He then went to the east coast and intercepted German Army radio traffic for a while before heading to California to listen for coded Japanese radio messages. He eventually was transferred to New Delhi, India. After the war ended, he was shipped to Eritrea, Africa for a few months before going back to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John C. James. He joined the Army in 1943 and went to training at Camp Crowder, Missouri, where the Signal Corps trained. He then went to the east coast and intercepted German Army radio traffic for a while before heading to California to listen for coded Japanese radio messages. He eventually was transferred to New Delhi, India. After the war ended, he was shipped to Eritrea, Africa for a few months before going back to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Findley. Findley served with the Navy ROTC V-12 program at the University of Texas at Austin. From there he was commissioned an ensign and called to active duty. He was sent to the University of California at Berkeley for engineering, science and management war training in marine power plants. Upon graduation in August 1944, he was assigned to the USS Wyandot (AKA-92) as the Engineering Officer in the Pacific Theater. They traveled to Pearl Harbor, Guam, Eniwetok, the Philippines and Okinawa. He shares details of his work as Engineering Officer, and his experiences through the Battle of Okinawa beginning March of 1945. Findley was discharged around the spring of 1946 as a lieutenant (j.g) and returned to the University of Texas at Austin.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Findley. Findley served with the Navy ROTC V-12 program at the University of Texas at Austin. From there he was commissioned an ensign and called to active duty. He was sent to the University of California at Berkeley for engineering, science and management war training in marine power plants. Upon graduation in August 1944, he was assigned to the USS Wyandot (AKA-92) as the Engineering Officer in the Pacific Theater. They traveled to Pearl Harbor, Guam, Eniwetok, the Philippines and Okinawa. He shares details of his work as Engineering Officer, and his experiences through the Battle of Okinawa beginning March of 1945. Findley was discharged around the spring of 1946 as a lieutenant (j.g) and returned to the University of Texas at Austin.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carroll Prescott. Prescott joined the Marine Corps in July 1941 and was at Salt Lake Camp (about a mile from Pearl Harbor) on December 7, 1941. He was assigned to the 4th Defense Battalion as a gunner on a 3-inch anti-aircraft gun. His whole battalion was on the aircraft tender USS Tangier on December 25 when the entire task force turned around; they were 2-3 hours from landing on Wake. He left Pearl Harbor on March 18, went to the New Hebrides and landed on Vela Lavella on August 14, 1943. They went to New Zealand and were retrained on the 3-inch guns. Prescott went over the hill in New Zealand. He was on Hilo, Hawaii (training for the invasion of Japan) when he heard the war was over. They went to Sasebo, Japan and he stood guard duty. There's a photocopy picture of Prescott in the folder.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carroll Prescott. Prescott joined the Marine Corps in July 1941 and was at Salt Lake Camp (about a mile from Pearl Harbor) on December 7, 1941. He was assigned to the 4th Defense Battalion as a gunner on a 3-inch anti-aircraft gun. His whole battalion was on the aircraft tender USS Tangier on December 25 when the entire task force turned around; they were 2-3 hours from landing on Wake. He left Pearl Harbor on March 18, went to the New Hebrides and landed on Vela Lavella on August 14, 1943. They went to New Zealand and were retrained on the 3-inch guns. Prescott went over the hill in New Zealand. He was on Hilo, Hawaii (training for the invasion of Japan) when he heard the war was over. They went to Sasebo, Japan and he stood guard duty. There's a photocopy picture of Prescott in the folder.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with J.C. Kerr. Kerr was born in Dillard, Oklahoma in 1921. Joining the Navy in 1939, Kerr was assigned to the USS Tennessee (BB-43) after attending boot camp in San Diego, California. He began on the job motor machinist training in the engine room while aboard. In 1941 he was transferred to the USS Washington (BB-56) as she began convoy duty in the Atlantic. In September 1942 the ship went to New Caledonia. Kerr tells of the ship being involved in a naval battle near Guadalcanal in November. In 1943, Kerr was transferred into the submarine service. Returning to San Francisco he traveled by troop train to New London, Connecticut to begin training. He describes the various aspects of the training including the use of the Momsen escape lung. After receiving additional training in submarine engineering school, he was sent to Milne Bay, New Guinea and went aboard the USS Dace (SS-247). He describes being on five war patrols which included transporting Australian commandos prior to an island invasion, laying mines, and attacks on Japanese ships. Kerr also recounts the rescue of the crew of the USS Dater (SS-227). …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with J.C. Kerr. Kerr was born in Dillard, Oklahoma in 1921. Joining the Navy in 1939, Kerr was assigned to the USS Tennessee (BB-43) after attending boot camp in San Diego, California. He began on the job motor machinist training in the engine room while aboard. In 1941 he was transferred to the USS Washington (BB-56) as she began convoy duty in the Atlantic. In September 1942 the ship went to New Caledonia. Kerr tells of the ship being involved in a naval battle near Guadalcanal in November. In 1943, Kerr was transferred into the submarine service. Returning to San Francisco he traveled by troop train to New London, Connecticut to begin training. He describes the various aspects of the training including the use of the Momsen escape lung. After receiving additional training in submarine engineering school, he was sent to Milne Bay, New Guinea and went aboard the USS Dace (SS-247). He describes being on five war patrols which included transporting Australian commandos prior to an island invasion, laying mines, and attacks on Japanese ships. Kerr also recounts the rescue of the crew of the USS Dater (SS-227). …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Vic Niemeyer. Niemeyer was born in Houston, Texas on 28 September 1919. Graduating from the University of Texas in June 1941, he entered the Naval Reserve Officers Training School at Northwestern University in Chicago in September. Receiving a commission upon graduation in January 1942 he went to New London, Connecticut and reported aboard the USS R-18 (SS-95), a World War I submarine. Niemeyer recalls going to sea two days after arriving, trying to learn the functions of a submarine and getting seasick while doing so. In May they departed for Bermuda and he remembers the boat being attacked by an American plane that dropped a bomb near them. The near miss damaged the boat requiring numerous repairs. In February 1944, Niemeyer reported aboard the USS Seacat (SS-399) and was assigned as officer of the deck. He tells of the first war patrol during which they sunk a tanker and recalls being on three more patrols and describes the types of ships that were sunk.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Vic Niemeyer. Niemeyer was born in Houston, Texas on 28 September 1919. Graduating from the University of Texas in June 1941, he entered the Naval Reserve Officers Training School at Northwestern University in Chicago in September. Receiving a commission upon graduation in January 1942 he went to New London, Connecticut and reported aboard the USS R-18 (SS-95), a World War I submarine. Niemeyer recalls going to sea two days after arriving, trying to learn the functions of a submarine and getting seasick while doing so. In May they departed for Bermuda and he remembers the boat being attacked by an American plane that dropped a bomb near them. The near miss damaged the boat requiring numerous repairs. In February 1944, Niemeyer reported aboard the USS Seacat (SS-399) and was assigned as officer of the deck. He tells of the first war patrol during which they sunk a tanker and recalls being on three more patrols and describes the types of ships that were sunk.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Erwin Scott. Scott worked at a ship yard until Uncle Sam called him in June 1943. He was at Fort Sam Houston when he volunteered for paratroop training. He was sent to Toccoa, Georgia for some training, Camp McCall, North Carolina for more training, to Fort Bragg for jump school and then back to Camp McCall. He went overseas as part of the 517th Regimental Combat Team; they got to Naples, Italy in May/June 1944. His battalion commander was Dick Sietz, the youngest battalion commander in World War II according to Scott. After staying in camp for about a week or 10 days, they went into combat and got as far as Leghorn after 30 days; then went back to camp (about 10 miles out of Rome). The jumped into southern France on August 15, 1944 and met up with the troops that had landed in Normandy. Scott states that over one-third of his platoon is buried in Europe. They were trucked into the Battle of the Bulge; very cold. This is where Scott froze one foot. He was sent to a hospital in England on December 27, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Erwin Scott. Scott worked at a ship yard until Uncle Sam called him in June 1943. He was at Fort Sam Houston when he volunteered for paratroop training. He was sent to Toccoa, Georgia for some training, Camp McCall, North Carolina for more training, to Fort Bragg for jump school and then back to Camp McCall. He went overseas as part of the 517th Regimental Combat Team; they got to Naples, Italy in May/June 1944. His battalion commander was Dick Sietz, the youngest battalion commander in World War II according to Scott. After staying in camp for about a week or 10 days, they went into combat and got as far as Leghorn after 30 days; then went back to camp (about 10 miles out of Rome). The jumped into southern France on August 15, 1944 and met up with the troops that had landed in Normandy. Scott states that over one-third of his platoon is buried in Europe. They were trucked into the Battle of the Bulge; very cold. This is where Scott froze one foot. He was sent to a hospital in England on December 27, …

Interview with Floyd Mumme, a medic during World War II. He discusses boot camp, being deployed to Saipan, Japanese trying to steal food, working in the Army Medical Corps, and treating wounds in combat.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Floyd Mumme. He discusses boot camp, being on Saipan, Japanese trying to steal food, working in the Army Medical Corps and treating wounds in combat.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Floyd Mumme. He discusses boot camp, being on Saipan, Japanese trying to steal food, working in the Army Medical Corps and treating wounds in combat.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bruce Heard. Heard worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1937 to 1939 as a baker and he build houses and benches at a national park. He joined the Army in April of 1944, and served as a Tech Sergeant with the 1260th Combat Engineers Battalion, Headquarters Company. He provides details of his training. He traveled to France in late 1944. His battalion was attached to the 3rd, 7th and 15th Armies at different times. They moved into Nuremberg, Hanover and Berlin, and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. His job was to build bridges and haul ammunition to the Infantry and Artillery on the front lines. He shares some of his experiences through this battle, including casualties of fellow servicemen, bomb attacks and living accommodations. He was discharged around the spring of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bruce Heard. Heard worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1937 to 1939 as a baker and he build houses and benches at a national park. He joined the Army in April of 1944, and served as a Tech Sergeant with the 1260th Combat Engineers Battalion, Headquarters Company. He provides details of his training. He traveled to France in late 1944. His battalion was attached to the 3rd, 7th and 15th Armies at different times. They moved into Nuremberg, Hanover and Berlin, and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. His job was to build bridges and haul ammunition to the Infantry and Artillery on the front lines. He shares some of his experiences through this battle, including casualties of fellow servicemen, bomb attacks and living accommodations. He was discharged around the spring of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jimmy Goldthorn. Goldthorn was drafted into the Army December 1, 1941 and went through basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. From there he went to Camp Chaffee, Arkansas where he became part of the 6th Armored Division which was a training division. At Camp Chaffee, Goldthorn was made a tank platoon leader which included five light tanks. During maneuvers in July 1942, Goldthorn was involved in a serious accident and spent almost a year in an Army hospital. When he got out, he spent the next two years on limited service. First he was the Quartermaster for a POW camp in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska. There were Italians in the camp at first then Germans. In the spring of 1944, he was transferred to Fort Lewis, Washington to the Combat Medics where he was the Administrative NCO in a headquarters company. When they found out about his injuries they told him he didn't belong there and they were going to send him home. He received a medical discharge (40% disabled) on December 7, 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jimmy Goldthorn. Goldthorn was drafted into the Army December 1, 1941 and went through basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. From there he went to Camp Chaffee, Arkansas where he became part of the 6th Armored Division which was a training division. At Camp Chaffee, Goldthorn was made a tank platoon leader which included five light tanks. During maneuvers in July 1942, Goldthorn was involved in a serious accident and spent almost a year in an Army hospital. When he got out, he spent the next two years on limited service. First he was the Quartermaster for a POW camp in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska. There were Italians in the camp at first then Germans. In the spring of 1944, he was transferred to Fort Lewis, Washington to the Combat Medics where he was the Administrative NCO in a headquarters company. When they found out about his injuries they told him he didn't belong there and they were going to send him home. He received a medical discharge (40% disabled) on December 7, 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ferdinand Rosenfeld. Rosenfeld joined the Army in April of 1941. He was assigned to the 601st Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, and worked as the Supply Sergeant for the gun battery. They were stationed at Fort Bliss when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred. In the fall of 1942, Rosenfeld was then transferred to the Philadelphia Navy Yard, assigned to Battery A. Their assignment was to protect the Navy Yard. In the fall of 1944, he joined the 950th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion and participated in the New Guinea Campaign. Rosenfeld returned to the US and was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ferdinand Rosenfeld. Rosenfeld joined the Army in April of 1941. He was assigned to the 601st Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, and worked as the Supply Sergeant for the gun battery. They were stationed at Fort Bliss when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred. In the fall of 1942, Rosenfeld was then transferred to the Philadelphia Navy Yard, assigned to Battery A. Their assignment was to protect the Navy Yard. In the fall of 1944, he joined the 950th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion and participated in the New Guinea Campaign. Rosenfeld returned to the US and was discharged in December of 1945.